Statement from Transportation Alternatives on Mayor Adams’ Street Safety Promises in State of the City

In today’s State of the City Address, the mayor promised a new initiative aimed at regulating e-micromobility and the same-day delivery economy. 

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Eric Adams gave his second State of the City address, laying out his priorities for the next year. These include:

• A new Department of Sustainable Delivery 

• Expanded trash containerization

• Investments in green jobs

Statement from Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives: 

“Transportation Alternatives has fought for safe streets in New York City for over 50 years – and today’s announcements from Mayor Adams have the potential to solve an urgent and pressing problem on our city’s streets.”

“Since its inception, the same-day delivery industry has wreaked havoc on city streets — putting their bottom line ahead of everyone else. Delivery app companies have no incentive to solve the problems they create – and are only growing more reckless as delivery work has become the most dangerous profession in New York City.” 

“Today, delivery companies incentivize unsafe speeds, require workers to cover their own delivery device costs, and ignore safety on our streets, putting everyone at risk. It’s past time to regulate these companies that have profited off chaos on our streets and ensure safe working conditions and safe streets for all.”

“Last year, we released a plan for how to safely and successfully navigate changing needs and modes of transport on our streets. We’ve partnered with groups from Los Deliveristas Unidos to the Equitable Commute Project, and spoken with hundreds of New Yorkers about the need to ensure that we put the safety and needs of New Yorkers ahead of delivery companies. A Department of Sustainable Delivery could provide for the safety of delivery workers, delivery vehicles, and batteries; prevent companies from imposing policies that cause harm to other New Yorkers on the streets; educate and train delivery workers; and create new tools to keep our streets safe.”

“We must always put the needs and safety of New Yorkers first as we embrace new ways to move people and goods across the five boroughs. Our city needs safer streets for all, better working conditions for delivery workers, and to hold the apps accountable — and we look forward to working with city leaders and partners to bring new agency regulation to delivery companies and address current and future freight needs.”