New York City Electric Vehicle Safety Alliance (NYC-EVSA) held a rally in front of City Hall on Wednesday morning, September 30th, calling for enhanced safety regulation and accountability for micro-mobility vehicles such as electric bicycles, and advocating for the passage of “Priscilla’s Law,” which would require registration and identification plates for vehicles.
“Priscilla’s Law” stems from a fatal accident in Chinatown in 2023. Priscilla Loke, a 68-year-old early childhood educator, was fatally struck by a Citi Bike while walking to work in September that year. The incident sparked community concerns about electric bike safety and accountability for accidents, leading to the legislation being promoted by City Council members in Priscilla’s name.
At the rally, many attendees carried signs saying “Establish Accountability Mechanisms Immediately” and “Helmets Save Lives,” along with photos of accident victims and boards with “Electric Bike Injury Accident Reports.” Some participants held up pictures of Priscilla Loke, urging the City Council to advance related legislation.
City Council Member Yau-Hing Wong, who attended the rally, pointed out that in some parts of New York City, bike lanes intersect with bus stops and pedestrian pathways, requiring pedestrians to cross bike lanes when getting off or crossing the street. He believed that aside from improving road design and enforcement, an effective vehicle identification system is needed to identify vehicles and riders involved in accidents.
Council Member Frank Morano also emphasized accountability. Using cars as an example, he noted that after a hit-and-run, the driver can be traced through the license plate, while electric bikes lack identifiable information, making accident investigations more challenging. Morano stressed that registration and identification requirements are not meant to make it difficult for law-abiding riders or delivery workers who rely on electric bikes for their livelihood, but to establish basic road safety responsibilities.
Chinese-American member of NYC-EVSA, Cui Shan Li, expressed her longstanding support for “Priscilla’s Law.” She said that her presence at City Hall was also to speak up for elderly Chinatown residents who are unable to attend in person, as they rely on walking for daily transportation and are particularly concerned about the safety risks posed by high-speed electric bikes.
Chinatown resident Mei-Zhen Wang, who was previously injured in a bicycle accident, also showed her support for the proposed legislation. She recalled being knocked down by a rider traveling in the wrong direction several years ago, resulting in a neck injury. “People’s lives are the most important,” Wang said, acknowledging that measures such as registration and insurance may add burdens to some riders and delivery workers. She suggested that the city government could explore ways to reduce associated costs but emphasized that public safety should not be ignored as a result.