New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is calling on Albany to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of e-bikes and e-scooters operating in New York City. The proposed law, named "Priscilla's Law," aims to address a growing number of fatal collisions involving these vehicles, which have become a significant safety concern for pedestrians.
"There’s a menace on the streets of our city," Rajkumar stated, referencing a "Saturday Night Live" skit that parodied the e-bike hazard. She highlighted the need for pedestrians to remain vigilant for oncoming e-bikes at intersections due to their unpredictable presence. This year alone, New York City has recorded nine fatal e-bike collisions.
Priscilla's Law, first introduced in 2024, proposes that e-bikes and e-scooters be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and equipped with visible license plates. The legislation is named in memory of Priscilla Loke, a 69-year-old teacher who died in September 2023 after being struck by an e-bike. Her death brought a personal face to a widespread public fear.
Currently, unregistered e-bikes make it difficult to identify vehicles involved in hit-and-run incidents. According to Janet Schroeder of the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, riders flee the scene in approximately 90% of e-bike crashes, preventing police from filing reports. Rajkumar noted that despite her introducing the bill over two years ago, Albany has not yet taken final action.
Recent public hearings on e-bikes and e-scooters have brought the issue to the forefront, with DMV representatives expressing readiness to implement any regulatory framework adopted by the Legislature. Rajkumar suggested that the necessary expertise and infrastructure for registration and record-keeping already exist within the DMV, making state-level action the most efficient path forward.
New Jersey enacted a similar law this year requiring e-bike registration through its Motor Vehicle Commission. International examples include Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, which have registration and identification requirements for certain classes of electric bikes, as do several major Chinese cities.
Arguments against Priscilla's Law, which suggest regulation could negatively impact delivery workers, are countered by Rajkumar. She believes the law would enhance road safety for all, including e-bike operators, by enabling standard traffic enforcement and ticketing rather than more severe criminal penalties. Concerns about costs for delivery companies are also addressed, with Rajkumar asserting that large corporations can afford to implement safety measures to protect the public.
Rajkumar emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We don’t need another year of studies, speeches and excuses. We need to pass Priscilla’s Law — and finally give New York City the e-bike accountability system its residents demand."