Metropolis Council Speaker Julie Menin is backing away from a significant pillar of her proposed e-bike crackdown — as new laws will not require registration, which security advocates say is vital to holding out-of-control riders accountable.
Menin is punting the difficulty to Albany slightly than embrace it as a part of her 17 invoice legislative package deal of e-bike security legal guidelines, marking a reversal from when she co-sponsored Priscilla’s Legislation, which might require such registration.
The choice to to not register the bikes bunts the influence the authorized effort to cease hazard from the powered private automobiles, stated Councilman Holden who sponsored Priscilla’s legislation in 2024.
“What the Council is doing is a halfhearted measure,” he stated. “They’re not beholden to the residents of New York Metropolis. They get their marching orders from PACs.”
Menin’s transfer comes as PACs funded by Uber and DoorDash dropped round $170,000 in unbiased expenditures supporting her reelection — and critics say that cash from the highly effective tech firms is what’s stalling reform on the bike problem, as they don’t wish to face extra fits.
Menin flatly denied any affect and identified one of many measures she backs would strengthen licensing oversight throughout supply platforms.
Sal Albanese, a former councilman who now works with Make Voters the Donors, stated cash talks.
“Legally, they’re in all probability not speaking,” he stated, “but it surely’s a wink and a nod.”
Advocates say that requiring the powered bikes to be registered and carry license plates would permit an injured pedestrian to establish a supply rider and file an insurance coverage declare towards them or their the supply app.
New York Metropolis’s TLC already licenses each the automobiles and the drivers for-hire automobiles, however Menin stated she needs to comply with New Jersey and have e-bikes register with the state DMV.
Albany has proven little urge for food for Priscilla’s Legislation. State payments drew simply six sponsors throughout each chambers within the final session.
Sponsor Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. stated his invoice has been gradual to realize momentum as a result of lawmakers worry hurting supply employees.
Council Majority Chief Shaun Abreu, who chairs the transportation committee, launched 5 e-bike payments Thursday, targeted on police enforcement and regulating sellers and supply apps.
Abreu was additionally listed as a co-sponsor of Priscilla’s Legislation in 2024, however he instructed Hell Gate on Tuesday he not helps licensing and registration for e-bike riders.
“All of us need the streets to be protected for pedestrians and cyclists, however we’ve completely different concepts about what is going to get us there,” Abreu stated.
His 2025 marketing campaign acquired greater than $250,000 in unbiased spending from Uber’s PAC.
“I name it authorized bribery,” Albanese stated. “Uber PAC donating important quantities of cash to the councilmember positively had an influence on his determination making.”
Abreu has supported laws regulating supply apps since Uber’s spending.
A spokesperson for Uber declined to say whether or not the supply big helps Priscilla’s Legislation.
E-bikes are more and more harmful for New Yorkers as crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters are up greater than 30% from final 12 months.
Security advocates stated nothing in need of registration will work.
“The largest option to have an effect on change is to carry riders accountable,” Janet Schroeder, director of the E-Automobile Security Alliance, stated. “In the event that they flee the scene of a crash, they’d have accountability.”
Schroeder stated she’s optimistic Priscilla’s Legislation will cross on the state degree.
Holden was not.
“The state gained’t, as a result of they’re additionally within the pocket of particular pursuits,” he stated.
