Rozic, Ramos urge Cuomo to pass e-bike bill

Assemblymember Nily Rozic (second from left) and State Sen. Jessica Ramos (right) have urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill that would legalize the use of e-bikes in New York state. Photo courtesy of Ramos’ office.

By Jonathan Sperling

Two Queens lawmakers from opposite ends of the borough joined forces with transportation advocates Friday to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill that would legalize the use of electric bicycles and scooters across New York state.

The legislation would have a specific impact in New York City, where thousands of food delivery workers — many of them low-income people of color — have had their electric bicycles and scooters confiscated by the NYPD, according to Assemblymember Nily Rozic and Jessica Ramos.

Since the bill passed the state Senate and Assembly in June, approximately 350 summonses have been issued to delivery workers, the lawmakers said. Fines can cost up to $1,000 and often result in the confiscation of the e-bike.

Ramos, whose district includes parts of Astoria, Jackson Heights, Corona and Woodside, said the bill would benefit delivery workers in Queens and across the state.

“New York is at the crux of a transportation revolution and we have an amazing opportunity to change the lives of thousands of people by legalizing e-bikes and e-scooters and giving them accessible, reliable and environmentally friendly transit alternatives,” Ramos said.