Celo Balde, delivery worker, supports 100 miles of protected bike lanes

Good afternoon, Majority Leader Sean Abreu.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

My name is Celo Balde.

I'm a food delivery worker in New York City.

I'm also an organizer for Worker Justice Project and EDU.

I've been doing delivery for the past three years.

I'm here to express my strong support for Intro 0613, which will require the city to install 100 miles of protected bike lane every year for six years.

As a delivery worker, we spend our day riding through traffic, dangerous intersection, portal and double park vehicle.

Our street.

Are our workplace.

And switch safety to workplace safety.

We deserve to earn a living without putting our life at risk.

But we need more than protected bike lane.

We also need safe places to park our bike, charge our e-bike batteries, rest, eat, and take a break during long working hours.

These are basic needs, not luxuries.

Instead of punishing delivery workers, the city should invest in safe infrastructure and listen to the people who use the street every day.

We are ready to work with the city, share our experiences, and help develop solutions.

I invite, as I said, my leader, Sean Abreu, and all elected officials to spend a day working alongside us as a little worker.

Come ride with us, delivery order, and experience firsthand how difficult and dangerous this work can be.

We believe that by working together, we can make our streets safer for everyone.

I urge the City Council to support Intro 0613.

We are not the problem.

We are part of the solution.

We deserve safety, dignity, and respect.

Thank you for your time and for listening to the delivery worker.

Thank you.

This panel is excused.

Next up we have Alejandro from WJP, Los Liberistas.

Antonio Martinez.

Abubakar Key, Muhammad Riaz, Joshua Wood.

You may begin.