The New York City Council is advancing a package of nearly a dozen legislative measures designed to address safety concerns surrounding e-bikes and enhance enforcement and oversight. The council announced it will convene an oversight hearing next month to conduct a comprehensive review of the issue.
Council Speaker Julie Menin stated that existing laws are not being adequately enforced and that the council will explore additional legislative solutions to ensure New Yorkers' safety. The initiative aims to bring together pedestrians, cyclists, delivery workers, transportation experts, advocates, and enforcement agencies to examine all available options for safer streets.
Among the proposed legislation is a bill sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman that would require third-party delivery applications to register with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. This measure seeks to provide the city with more tools for oversight and enforcement concerning delivery drivers.
Another bill, introduced by Council Member Gale Brewer, would mandate that these delivery apps collect detailed information on their drivers and track their movements within the city. Councilman Shaun Abreu, chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, emphasized that the legislative package aims to hold companies profiting from dangerous speeds accountable, remove illegal e-bikes from circulation, and ensure the safety of legal devices.
Lawmakers anticipate introducing further bills in the coming weeks focusing on infrastructure changes, insurance requirements, and enforcement strategies for e-bikes. Abreu added that the legislation seeks to ensure every New Yorker can cross streets without fear, riders use safe devices, and delivery workers can earn a living without being pressured to operate unsafely.