NYPD 114 Precinct Cracking Down On Electric Motor Bicycle Food Deliveries To Roosevelt Island And Astoria - Pedal Assist Bikes OK But Not Motorized Only E Bikes

On October 19, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced:

... the New York City Police Department today announced that the City will take heightened enforcement action against electric bicycles, otherwise known as “e-bikes,” with a particular focus on the hazardous operation of e-bikes and businesses who use them or permit employees to ride them.

“E-bikes are illegal to operate in New York City and the NYPD is stepping up enforcement,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Those at the top of the food chain need to be held accountable. That’s why instead of merely targeting riders, we’re going after businesses that look the other way and leave their workers to shoulder the fine.”

“E-bikes are too often a danger on the City’s streets and sidewalks,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “They’re illegal to operate here, but it seems like you can spot them everywhere – and that’s where our increased enforcement comes in. Officers are confiscating e-bikes from riders and issuing summonses that carry a stiff fine, and enforcement is up dramatically this year. Soon businesses will be held accountable too, because most e-bike riders are acting on their employer’s behalf. The NYPD is committed to keeping City streets safe for everyone and e-bike enforcement is an important part of the plan.”...

The issue of restaurants using motorized electric bicycles to make Roosevelt Island food deliveries

was discussed during the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) November 29 Public Safety Committee meeting with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus. According to this excerpt from the PSC report:

... The enforcement of traffic regulations for motorized bike was addressed. The Chief is aware of the problem and will be initiating more enforcement of the laws, for deliveries that come onto the Island....

The NYPD 114 precinct, which patrols Roosevelt Island, tweets earlier this week:

E-Bike Initiative all week long in the confines of the 114 Precinct. If you use it, you will lose it! pic.twitter.com/4D4FZ8t0c1

— NYPD 114th Precinct (@NYPD114Pct) January 15, 2018

Yes it includes Roosevelt Island as well.

— NYPD 114th Precinct (@NYPD114Pct) January 15, 2018

PO Dubeau & PO Kotik confiscated these 2 E-bikes today off the streets of Astoria. They are illegal! #UseItAndLoseIt pic.twitter.com/WeYIxVYQYa

— NYPD 114th Precinct (@NYPD114Pct) January 16, 2018

But, there's another side to the story. According to Streetsblog:

... For a delivery worker, income is a function of how many deliveries you can make in a day, and delivery zones are expanding as apps like Seamless and GrubHub introduce new incentives for restaurants to cover more turf. Especially for older delivery workers, e-bikes are the only feasible conveyance for daily shifts that routinely clock in at 12 to 16 hours long. On top of it all, many immigrant workers are paying off tens of thousands of dollars in debt to the networks that smuggled them into the country.

“The city has never really talked with delivery workers about their own conditions, and how to design a system around delivery work — about streets, about the commercial cycling ordinances, about e-bike laws,” Lee said. “We’re totally ignoring the people who have the most intimate knowledge of city streets.”

The fine for operating an e-bike on city streets can be as high as $500. That, along with the seizure of property worth several hundred dollars, can upend the life of delivery workers getting by on tips and little else. Even the fines on businesses can trickle down to workers’ pocketbooks....

and:

... A non-punitive approach to the issue might involve encouraging the use of pedal-assist bikes for delivery work, which amplify human power but require the rider to expend some energy. De Blasio said older delivery workers should use those bikes, which are not banned under NYC law, unlike e-bikes that can be powered by just a motor. But instead of talking to delivery workers and trying to reach a solution that fits the demands of the job, the mayor and NYPD have jumped straight to penalizing them....

Here's an interesting video showing the differences between motorized electric bicycles using throttles, which are illegal, and pedal assisted electric bikes which are legal.



Roosevelt Island and Manhattan Upper East Side NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is hosting a forum about the bicycle delivery issue tomorrow.

Do you deliver? We're hosting a training tomorrow with @NYC_DOT for commercial cyclists.

With the training, you receive free bike lights!

RSVP: https://t.co/Yx7Iw6O7H7 pic.twitter.com/KjwctUOPTw

— Ben Kallos (@BenKallos) January 17, 2018

UPDATE 1/19 - Mayor de Blasio spoke about banning Electric Bicycles and food delivery safety during January 17 Town Hall with Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NYC Council Member Ben Kallos.