We're trying to have a revolution here!
The popularity of electric scooters are increasing along with time. The micro-mobility revolution has played a major role behind this fact. In most of the cities across United States, you will be able to see people riding electric scooters. However, the usage of eScooters is not yet allowed in the New York City.
The Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, is strongly against the usage of electric scooters. He defines them as a real danger to safety on NYC streets. However, three bills were introduced to the City Council, requesting to legalize the usage of e-bikes in NYC. These requests were mainly from the residents of New York City and the food delivery workers, who will be able to experience a large number of benefits from using them.
The legislation would legalize electric scooters and we will be able to see them roaming in the streets of NYC in the future. However, it wouldn’t just allow the eScooters that provide additional assistance of a pedaling rider. The eScooters that can be driven without pedaling will also be provided with permission to roam in the streets of NYC.
the Legislation
The New York Times was able to obtain a draft of the legislation. Mayor de Blasio is still against the usage of e-bikes and he uses a variety of examples to showcase the dangers linked with them. Earlier last year, the Department of Transportation in NYC was trying hard to locate a middle ground that legalized the usage of pedal assisted bikes on the streets of NYC. However, the electric scooters are still not allowed.
Bird and Lime, which are two of the most prominent eScooter sharing services are already operating their services successfully in Washington, D.C. and San Diego, CA. They have requested the City Council of New York to proceed in legalizing the usage of electric scooters. As a result, the City Council is planning to introduce a bill, which legalizes the electric scooters. A second bill is introduced along with that, which legalizes two different types of electric scooters. A third bill was also brought forward, which provides people with the ability to move forward with a pilot program in order to determine the successful implementation of an eScooter sharing service in a limited part of the city.
One of the main concerns of the City Council is about inequality in eScooter permissions. Wanting to make the most out of the situation, the city of New York suggests putting forth a bill that helps those whose incomes do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level to modify their bikes to become street legal under the rest of the new laws.
As we get closer to (hopefully) passing laws allowing eScooters in NYC, take a second and check out some options that will help you navigate the streets of NYC a little more safely:
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