In order to regulate the increasing number of unlicensed electric bicycles or scooters on the streets of New York, two members of the New York State Legislature have proposed a bill in the name of Priscilla Loke, the vice principal of the Chinatown Enlightenment School who was killed in a collision with an electric bicycle. The proposal mandates that electric bicycles and scooters must be registered and have license plates.
According to the New York State Legislature, Assembly Members Jennifer Rajkumar and Rebecca Seawright, along with State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., introduced the “Priscilla Loke Bill” (A9092/S9208) in May of this year. This bill requires electric bicycles and scooters to be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and display registration plates on their vehicles.
In addition, Rajkumar and Addabbo are collaborating on another proposal (A9747/S9209) to amend vehicle and traffic laws to include electric scooters in regulatory measures. This includes setting up registration processes, equipment specifications, ensuring safe driving practices, prohibiting unsafe operations, and requiring insurance purchases.
Currently, both of these proposals are awaiting review by the committees of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate Transportation Committee.
On September 5th last year, Priscilla Loke, 69, was fatally hit by a male electric bicycle rider who ran a red light at a street intersection outside Roosevelt Park in Manhattan, New York City. Loke sustained severe head injuries and despite receiving medical treatment for three days, she passed away.
The founder of the “Committee to Support Priscilla Loke,” Liz OuYang, along with the principal of the Chinatown Enlightenment School, held a press conference urging authorities to release details of the investigation process.
Responding to the comments made to the Epoch Times on May 28th, OuYang expressed her support for the “Priscilla Loke Bill” and hoped that the bill could be passed this year.
According to The Village Sun report on the 28th, Assembly Member Seawright told the media that she hears reports daily from constituents about incidents involving electric bicycles and scooters, including collisions, improper usage, or malfunctions that could lead to more serious accidents. She stated, “No one should have to worry about their safety while walking on their own streets and in their communities.”
“It’s not about punishing anyone, but about changing behavior,” said Andrew Fine of the New York Electric Bicycle Safety Alliance. “For the sake of everyone, including the riders themselves, we must put an end to reckless riding on the streets.”
Dr. Daniel Murphy, the Director of the Emergency Department at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, pointed out that incidents involving electric bicycles in New York City are escalating.
“We are seeing a continuous and steady increase in the number of severe injuries (including fatalities) from accidents involving electric bicycles and scooters in the emergency room,” Dr. Daniel Murphy said. “Both the number of injuries and the severity of the injuries are exponentially worsening.”
After the Priscilla Loke incident, various community groups including the New York Electric Scooter Safety Alliance (EVSA), Asian Women Alliance (AWA), and Alliance for Community Protection and Improvement (ACPB) demanded stronger regulations on unlicensed electric bicycles and scooters from both the New York City Council and the State Legislature.
Democratic Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill last year (Int 0758-2022) that required registration and licensing for all electric bicycles or scooters. The bill received support from over half of the council members but was put on hold by Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and was not put to a vote in the legislative session schedule.
In early February this year, State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda and Assembly Members Alex Bores, Rebecca Seawright, and Tony Simone proposed measures to control electric bicycles and scooters. This includes a proposal (A8052) requiring dealers and sold lightweight motorcycles to obtain licenses and a proposal (S1246) that raises penalties for accidents caused by electric bicycles or lightweight motorcycles to the same level as penalties for automobiles.