Eric McClure of StreetsPAC testifies on four-point framework

Thank you, Majority Leader Abreu and your staff for the opportunity to speak today.

I'd like to, my name is Eric McClure.

I'm the Executive Director of Streets Pack.

I'd like to talk about a four-point framework for improving micromobility safety.

20 is plenty is number one.

Whether someone's operating a device that has one wheel or 18, 20 miles per hour should be the top speed permitted on most city streets.

Any powered micromobility device capable of speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour should be phased out, shouldn't be operated in bike lanes, and should not be classified or marketed as an e-bike or scooter.

Number two, stopping the sale of illegal and noncompliant high-speed devices.

The sale of high-speed devices that masquerade as illegal e-bikes or e-scooters and that do not possess a vehicle identification number necessary for registration with the DMV must be banned at point of sale to prevent their use on city streets.

Three, holding delivery apps accountable.

App companies must end unreasonable delivery expectations and stop incentivizing unsafe behavior.

They should be licensed and regulated by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

They should be required to provide liability insurance for workers making deliveries on their behalf.

As the Driven by Algorithms report released yesterday by CUNY and the Workers'Justice Project underscored, delivery workers operate under tremendous pressure from the apps and face outsized physical danger and psychological stress in just doing their jobs.

Four, increasing safety through better street design.

Complete street designs are proven to improve safety for all users.

In order to improve safety around micromobility use, the city should prioritize...

implementation of physically protected bike lanes, speed up the installation of hardened daylighting at intersections, and lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour wherever it's allowed by Sammy's law, among other measures.

Just really quickly on some of the legislation, I won't take all of them today, but we support Intro 244, Councilmember Hudson's bill which fades out the sale and use of Class 3 e-bikes.

We support Intro 985, your bill which would create a trade-in program.

We would work hand-in-hand with hers.

Intro 998, we support.

Also, your bill that would ban the deceptive marketing of registrable high-speed devices, e-bikes.

Thank you very much for your testimony.

Finally, Councilmember Shulman's Intro 960, we also support.

Thank you.

Thank you.