Robert Polchinski testifies about being struck by an e-bike
Robert Polchinski, 67, describes being struck by a fat-tired e-bike in Hudson River Park, suffering a broken arm, ribs, and leg, and says the offender was never held accountable.
This is on, okay.
Okay, thank you.
I'd like to thank both Speaker Menon and of course the three chairs of the committees today.
My name is Robert Polchinski.
I'm a 67-year-old resident of 14th Street.
Last December, I was struck by a large, fat-tired e-bike.
Not one of those cute little ones you showed the pictures of before, but...
Much bigger.
Over in Hudson River Park.
I've been running and about to begin my trip home.
Leaving the park, however, requires that you cross West Street, a major thoroughfare.
As I approached the crosswalk at Horatio and West Street, the walk sign was illuminated in my favor, so I headed on my way.
The only problem is getting there requires crossing a two-way bike path.
Despite signs telling cyclists to yield to pedestrians at the location, the rider did not yield nor attempt to slow down.
Instead, there was a collective, oh shit, as my right side and his front wheel collided.
At the moment of impact, I felt like my heart stopped and I was a goner.
If I had hit my head, there may have been one more obituary written.
20 hours, first in an ER and later in a trauma center, revealed emergent injuries including a broken arm, three broken ribs, a broken leg, and internal bleeding.
Recovery included surgery, months of therapy, and trauma for both me and my family.
The e-bike operator in my case had stayed at the scene and I'm told was given a summons.
I think for failing to...
although e-bikes are also not allowed in that park.
I was able to obtain a copy of the police report from the precinct and the name and address of the offender.
I attempted to serve the offender with a notice of claim, but the letter was returned undeliverable, no forwarding address.
There ended any chance I had of recovering even a portion of the expenses incurred.
Are you aware that current police reporting procedures do not differentiate between a pedal bike and an e-bike?
The machine that hit me was essentially an electric motorcycle, not a bicycle.
We register and insure motorcycles and Teslas, but not e-bikes.
This makes no sense.
Thank you very much for your testimony.
Remind me of your name for the record.
Robert Polchinski.
Paul Polchinski.
Thank you so much.
And just a reminder to please state your name before you speak.
Next.