Cuomo nixes e-bike legalization
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By Victoria Merlino
Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill to legalize electric bicycles and scooters in New York on Thursday, angering advocates who say that e-bikes are a necessary tool for low-wage delivery workers.
The bill, sponsored by Western Queens State Sen. Jessica Ramos and Eastern Queens Assemblymember Nily Rozic, would have eliminated the $500 fine and threat of confiscation that comes with riding an e-bike or e-scooter. The two Queens lawmakers said they were thinking of delivery workers — who often use e-bikes to zip across the city — when they created the bill.
Cuomo cited safety concerns when announcing the veto. He said the e-bike recommendations he made in the 2019 executive budget — such as a helmet requirement, speed limits and mandated front and rear lights — were not included in the final bill.
“We are deeply disappointed to learn that [Cuomo] has vetoed legalizing e-bikes that food delivery workers ride on a daily basis, offering no solutions and allowing workers to suffer for another year. Bah humbug,” tweeted The Biking Public Project, an advocacy group for “underpresented” cyclists, such as women, people of color and delivery workers.
The NYPD has issued 1,114 summonses for e-bike and e-scooter usage in 2019, according to The New York Times.
“Governor Cuomo, a supposed champion for immigrants and the working poor, has failed to protect 40,000 low-wage, mostly immigrant workers in New York. In vetoing this legislation, Governor Cuomo has refused to deliver wage justice for working cyclists who have been targeted and harassed for using e-bikes to do their jobs,” Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris said in a statement.
Rozic and Ramos vowed to continue advocating for e-bike legalization.
