E-Bike Survivors Urge Tighter Regulation at City Hall Rally

Dozens of e-bike crash survivors and the families of those killed rallied at New York City Hall on Wednesday, demanding stricter enforcement and regulation of what they described as dangerous, unregulated scooters.

The group, including individuals living with life-altering injuries and relatives of victims, shared personal testimonies about the devastating consequences of e-bike accidents.

Tonette Rivera recounted being struck by an e-bike two years ago while 20 weeks pregnant. The incident led to her son, Michael, being born prematurely at 28 weeks and spending three months in neonatal intensive care. Rivera, who still owes thousands in hospital bills, urged the City Council to take pedestrian safety seriously, questioning the justification for such severe outcomes for food delivery work.

Julie Harvey described being knocked to the ground in May by an e-bike rider who allegedly sped through a stop sign. Her head struck the pavement, causing severe injury and bleeding. Harvey stated she was lucky to be alive, emphasizing that victims often bear the consequences of riders' risks.

Jean Kotler's sister, Jessica Celano, shared testimony about Kotler being struck from behind by an e-bike traveling the wrong way on July 7 while running in Central Park. The collision resulted in a traumatic brain injury requiring part of Kotler's skull to be removed. Celano noted that the rider attempted to flee the scene and was questioned by police for only 20 minutes before being released. Kotler remains hospitalized after multiple surgeries.

Renee Baruch suffered severe facial lacerations, fractures, and cervical spine damage after being hit by an e-bike in 2023. The driver was never identified. Baruch advocated for "Priscilla's Law," which would require registration and licensing of e-bikes, to ensure accountability.

Pamela Manassee, a former cellist, said she has been paralyzed on her right side since being struck by an "out-of-control e-biker" four years ago, ending her music career. She proposed licensing and registration of all e-vehicles, similar to cars, and suggested they could be detected by red light cameras. Manassee expressed pessimism about the City Council taking meaningful action, sarcastically noting their tendency to favor further discussion and data collection.

The victims and their families called for legislation that would end what they described as a "lawless free-for-all" on the city's streets, demanding that the council prioritize pedestrian safety and hold e-bike riders accountable.