Time to regulate e-bikes and scooters in New York City
From defective batteries burning down buildings and killing residents to delivery guys running red lights and driving the wrong way, a very important and beneficial new technology is going through growing pains. We want to encourage electric mobility, but we also need to understand that new technologies bring new risks. Once we understand these risks, new technologies must be regulated to protect the people who use them and the public.
The Adams government is trying to encourage the use of e-bikes while focusing on charging safety. This is a great place to start. The mayor signed a series of new laws focusing on battery safety.according to aaron ginsbergthe website 6sqft.com reported:
“In an effort to further regulate the quality of lithium-ion batteries sold in New York City, Adams signed into law five bills that support the city’s efforts to improve electric vehicle safety. Bureau reports and information campaigns to educate the public about the fire risks of lithium-ion batteries. The bill also prohibits the sale of electric vehicles that do not meet safety standards and prohibits the reuse of spent lithium-ion batteries.”
To encourage the use of e-bikes and scooters, a pilot program is underway this summer to allow e-bikes and scooters in certain city parks.Again, according to Ginsberg:
“New Yorkers will soon be able to legally ride e-bikes and scooters in NYC parks. As a pilot program Beginning this summer, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation will lift the current ban on certain electric vehicles on park drives and greenways state law. The pilot program is part of a plan unveiled Tuesday by Mayor Eric Adams to promote the safe use of e-bikes and other electric micromobility devices and prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. called “Charging Safely, Riding Safely: NYC’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan“, the Mayor’s plan focuses on four main areas to promote and incentivize safe electric vehicle use, educate electric vehicle users, advocate for additional federal regulation of electric vehicles, and increase enforcement of high-risk “hot spot” situations. … .”
These are positive steps, but far from enough to ensure the safety of e-bikes.us return Rules for riding and maintaining e-bikes after they hit the road need to be developed. Law enforcement starts by registering all vehicles that are fully or partially powered by electric motors that people can ride in. If a motor vehicle is not registered, it is impossible to regulate it. While I don’t think we need driver’s licenses for bikes and scooters, we do need to know who owns and is responsible for these vehicles. I recognize that many of the owners of these bikes may not have legal immigration status. New York City has a way to connect these immigrants to the city’s governance system through a city-issued ID card.according to new york city website:
“IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers of all backgrounds from all five boroughs. Your immigration status doesn’t matter. New York City residents ages 10 and older get a free Municipal A wide variety of services and programs on offer. IDNYC cardholders enjoy benefits and discounts from businesses and cultural institutions in the five boroughs.”
This ID system can be built upon and forms the basis for the registration of e-bikes and scooters. Every e-bike and scooter should be nominally registered with New York City and provide a license plate that can be displayed on the bike or scooter. Whoever manages the IDs can manage the bike registration system. Every cyclist needs to have a city ID or driver’s license. During the registration process, e-bike riders should be given a card that says “Rules of the Road” and riders are subject to the same rules and penalties as motorcycle riders.
Earlier this year, the New York City Council passed a law mandating the use of safe batteries for e-bikes.according to Electric Bike Enthusiast Site:
“If you’re an e-bike user in New York City, you’ve probably heard about a new law recently passed by the City Council that changes administrative regulations. This law (International 0663-2022) required for all e-bikes Sell Certified in the city UL 2849all electric scooters are required to be certified UL 2272and all lithium-ion batteries used in mobile devices are subject to certification UL 2271. Violators may be subject to civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. “
These rules, like the city’s efforts to encourage e-bikes, are just the beginning, but new rules must be enacted to ensure safety charging, riding. Even approved batteries can be damaged, so we need to check them at the time of purchase and on a regular basis. We also need a system to enforce these rules. To keep costs low, the FDNY could be the agency that inspects e-bikes, and it could do so at firehouses located across the city. Since fire departments have to deal with damage caused by faulty batteries, they should be highly motivated to ensure the rigor of inspections.
Once the system is in place, we’ll need the NYPD to enforce the rules of the road, possibly creating a division dedicated to e-bike enforcement. When laws are broken, fines are issued. If the ticket is ignored or if the rider is reckless, they will have their bike registration cancelled, and in the worst case, their bike will be confiscated. Enforcement actions will be made public so passengers can see that the city is serious. Currently, traffic laws that are often ignored by e-bikes and scooters are not enforced.
Most of the rules for e-bikes focus on the bike’s motor type or its battery, which is part of the story. The other part is about the riding behavior of the person operating the bike. Today, when I cross the street, even if I see a “walk” sign, I still look around to see if a bike or scooter is coming my way. Food delivery workers are under pressure to move quickly and often view traffic rules as advice rather than orders. Apparently, they’re not worried about traffic law enforcement. Not having a driver’s license or vehicle registration complicates enforcement. When a car is speeding, a ticket can be issued, charging the driver for the violation. When a bicycle passes a traffic light, there is an option to warn or arrest. In New York City, the police simply ignore the situation.
As countries and cities decarbonize and move to electric energy systems, new technologies will emerge and we need rules to ensure their safe deployment. Technologies such as electric heat, electric ovens and ranges, heat pumps, home charging stations, solar cells, energy storage batteries, home generators, geothermal units, etc. will become more common and develop rapidly. The dangers posed by changes and developments in these technologies need to be understood and then regulated to ensure safety.
Most of the rules needed to govern the use of these technologies will be local. The rules governing their design and manufacture often need to be national. Technologies such as social media algorithms and artificial intelligence, as well as smartphone-enabled business models such as Uber and Airbnb, present challenges for governments looking to regulate. They require technical know-how and creative thinking that governments cannot always provide. Governments need to develop or purchase the technical expertise needed to regulate new technologies. New York City has taken initial tentative steps to regulate e-bikes, but more needs to be done.
