TESTIMONY: Transportation Alternatives Calls For Supporting and Protecting Safe E-Bike Batteries, Devices, and Sales at City Council Hearing
NEW YORK — Today, the City Council’s Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection held an oversight hearing on batteries and powered mobility devices. As more New Yorkers turn to e-bikes, it’s critical that the City makes operating e-bikes accessible, affordable, safe, and sustainable.
To this end, Transportation Alternatives supports Int 0819-2022, Int 0822-2022, Int 0998-2023, Int 1163-2023, Int 0998-2023, Int 1163-2023, and Int 1220-2023. TA also supports Int 1168-2023 with recommendations to strengthen the legislation.
Read the full testimony below:
NYC Consumer and Worker Protection Committee Hearing
Testimony of Transportation Alternatives
Oct 23, 2023
Good afternoon, and thank you to Chair Velázquez and the members of the Consumer and Worker Protection committee for convening today’s legislative hearing on batteries and powered mobility devices. My name is Elizabeth Adams and I am the Deputy Executive Director for Public Affairs at Transportation Alternatives.
From wildfire smoke to flooded streets to the hottest summer on record – the climate crisis isn’t coming, it’s here. Transportation is the number two cause of greenhouse gas emissions in New York and we need to take action today to prevent the very worst impacts of climate change – by transitioning New Yorkers out of cars and toward walking, public transit, and electric micromobility.
E-bikes are uniquely successful at transitioning drivers out of cars and into more sustainable mobility options. On average, e-bike riders cut their car trips in half, improve air quality, and travel 340% further than on traditional bikes. A Portland, Oregon study found that if 15% of car trips were instead taken by e-bike, transportation-related emissions could decrease 12%.
As we work to transition to a sustainable transit and mobility future, it is important we implement effective measures to ensure safe use and accessibility. The bills being heard today offer solutions to regulate battery safety by retailers and put needed responsibility on companies, rather than target consumers and workers.
We cannot let apprehension outpace smart policy when it comes to electric micromobility, otherwise we will be responsible for a shift to cars and gas-powered mopeds, at a time when progress is most critical. At the same time, we need a strong regulatory framework to meet the moment and ensure riders have access to safe batteries and safe devices.
Mopeds and motorcycles that are unlicensed and unregistered do not belong on our streets, and elected leaders must take steps to prevent these devices from entering bike- and pedestrian-only spaces. Transportation Alternatives supports measures to require proof of license and registration at the point of sale, and establish significant signage and informational requirements both in-store as well as posted in bike lanes, on bridges, and among community groups.
Safe e-bike usage also requires citywide investment and infrastructure. NYC should immediately develop a comprehensive public battery charging program and subsidize more affordable e-bike options. Delivery workers have shared challenges in finding safe and secure places to charge batteries, resulting in a shift to gas-powered mopeds on our streets. The City must also require app-based companies to make it possible for people to safely use e-bikes for work, and as such, we support Intro 1168, requiring third-party apps to supply devices at no cost to the worker. We recommend including strict measures to ensure delivery workers have adequate access to quality electric mobility devices and guard against any punitive actions against delivery workers by app companies.
Specifically, NYC should implement “Street Deliveristas Hubs'' as called for in Intro 0927, to include at least one public charging station in every City Council District, and require all New York City-owned buildings, including schools and NYCHA buildings, to provide fire-resistant charging stations on or near their premises.
The opportunity is here – but New York City has yet to do the work to meet the moment. Our bike lanes, our sidewalks, our greenways – these spaces are sacrosanct, and we must keep them free, clear, and safe. We know we need more car-free infrastructure to get more New Yorkers on bikes, but only 3% of our streets have a protected bike lane. 75% of our street space is dedicated exclusively to cars and trucks, forcing the rest of us to compete for scraps. This makes our streets chaotic, unsafe, cramped, and even deadly – but if we make different choices today, we can build streets that better and more equitably serve New Yorkers’ needs. With thoughtful and proactive policy, our leaders can make your commute faster, safer, easier, greener, and even more fun.
TA offers the following feedback on bills under consideration today:
Int 0819-2022, which requires the posting of lithium-ion battery safety guides in places of business and online retail platforms that sell powered mobility devices. TA supports this bill to help consumers make safe battery choices.
Int 0822-2022, establishes a battery safety certification for mechanics who work on powered mobility devices. TA supports this bill to ensure those working on battery-powered devices have the most up to date information and skills to safely repair these devices.
Int 0998-2023, record keeping and reporting on the disposal of rechargeable batteries used for powered mobility devices. TA supports this bill: safe disposal and recycling keeps batteries out of landfills and promotes a safe circular economy.
Int 1163-2023, creates a DOT-developed bicycle safety course for delivery workers and requires companies to provide their workers with safety equipment. TA supports the development of this course.
Int 1168-2023, establishes local safety standards for powered mobility devices used for food delivery services and makes the third-party apps responsible for supplying these devices at no cost to the worker. TA supports measures that promote app accountability for the safety of their food delivery workers. We recommend including measures to ensure delivery workers have adequate access to quality mobility devices and guard against any punitive actions against delivery workers by app companies.
Int 1220-2023 requires electric bike and scooter businesses to obtain a license to operate in the City. TA supports: we need seller safety and accountability for all, and a system to successfully implement this new regulatory framework.
Transportation Alternatives further supports the resolutions calling for the passage of bills at the state and federal level setting standards for lithium ion batteries.
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