Michael Ring testifies on disability, cycling, and car danger

Hi, my name is Michael Ring.

If anyone needs a verbal description of my appearance, I'm a 63-year-old white guy.

I happen to be wearing a hoodie that says Disabled in Action while I'm an officer of that organization.

I'm not speaking for them today.

Until about 12 years ago, I rode my bike for recreation.

I rode it for commuting.

I rode it as part of my job.

I acquired my disability 12 and a half years ago.

My cycling days are over.

But I'm really happy to live in a city where my 26-year-old twins don't have to have a driver's license.

They still live in the city.

They cycle to work.

They cycle to school.

I feel safe that they're cycling.

I don't live in fear of being hit by a bicycle.

I live in fear of my children being hit by a car.

If people want to feel safer, they should stop looking at the headlines in the tabloids, which are catastrophizing bicycle accidents.

Most people who are injured in the streets are hit by cars, and we need to do something about that.

About Uber and the delivery apps.

I use delivery apps a lot, and when I'm hungry, I stare at the app and I see where the driver is.

I can track where he's been and where he's going.

It tells the driver how to go.

They're being told to drive up the wrong way on streets.

I live in Park Slope, the land of one-way streets.

They're taking the shortcuts.

They're being told to go the wrong way.

Just order food and see how they travel.

I think we need to educate our citizens of New York City about safety, both pedestrians and cyclists.

We need to look out for each other.

We don't need laws that are unenforceable and punitive.

We need to know that people are going to be riding bikes, people are going to be walking, and we all need to get along a little better.

And I hope we can pass laws to make that happen.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Next.