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TRANSPORTATION, BUSINESS, TECH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS APPLAUD GOVERNOR CUOMO ON SUPPORTING E-BICYCLES AND E-SCOOTERS LEGISLATION
New York, NY [March 2, 2020] – A broad coalition of transportation, business, tech, and environmental groups applaud Governor Cuomo for advancing legislation to legalize electric bicycles and electric scooters in New York State as part of the Executive Budget. The groups are now calling on the Governor to work with the Legislature to ensure the legislation is included in the enacted budget.
There is increasing urgency to legalize e-bikes and scooters, due to:
- Unjust enforcement for many hard-working delivery workers, who are often immigrants. Delivery workers depend on the speed and cost-efficiency of e-bikes to make a living; however, the bikes are often confiscated by police and their riders ticketed, disrupting their livelihoods and unnecessarily exposing them to the criminal justice system.
- Traffic on New York City streets, contributing to climate change and creating poor air quality and traffic violence. The legalization of e-bikes and e-scooters can create cities more livable and reduce our reliance on cars.
- Gaps in cities’ public transportation networks. Many residents live far from the nearest public transportation option and e-scooters have demonstrated success in replacing car trips in cities where they are legal.
The New York League of Conservation Voters, Transportation Alternatives, the Asian American Federation, Environmental Advocates of New York, Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, The Legal Aid Society, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, New York Building Congress, Parks and Trails New York, Partnership for New York City, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Regional Plan Association, Tech: NYC, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Waterfront Alliance signed onto the letter.
New York is a national leader in combatting climate change, yet the state’s transportation industry remains a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Micromobility is a critical part of the solution for New York to meet the ambitious climate goals.
Read the full letter to Governor Cuomo.