Wendy Peace testifies about her sister hit by an e-bike in Central Park

Hi, my name is Wendy Peace.

I'm also a victim of being hit by an e-bike while I was on my regular bike, the person going the wrong way.

But I'm not going to talk about myself.

I'm going to talk about Jean Kotler, and this is a statement from her family as she remains hospitalized.

On July 7th, my sister Jean was jogging in Central Park, as she did most of the days for the past 10 years.

An e-bike going in the wrong direction, in the wrong lane, in the pedestrian lane, in the park, hit her from behind.

She never saw it coming.

As Jean lay unconscious, bleeding on the ground, this e-bike driver attempted to flee the scene.

But some wonderful New York City angels made sure he stayed until the cops arrived.

Not that it mattered.

Can you imagine that three months later, Jean would still be in the hospital and the e-bike driver that ran her down?

He was questioned briefly at the scene by the police and then let go.

How is that even possible?

Jean has endured multiple surgeries to fix the damage this e-bike rider caused her body, and most severely her brain.

And she still has a long journey ahead.

It's incredibly disheartening that nearly three months later, our family has still no meaningful support or accountability from the city.

We're not asking for e-bikes to be banned.

We're asking for reasonable laws that provide accountability when someone is seriously injured by one.

Our family strongly supports Priscilla's law.

Priscilla's law would require every e-bike and e-scooter in New York City to carry a license plate and DMV registration.

No other family should have to go through this heartbreak.

And after three months, we are still asking the same questions.

When will there be accountability?

So also, Parks Department needs to account for this.

We need no e-bikes in the parks and on the pathways.

And please, please, please pass Priscilla's law.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Thank you.

Next.