BILL NUMBER: S7587
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law and the administrative code
of the city of New York, in relation to registration and commercial
operation of electric assist bicycles
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would require the registration and licensure of bicy-
cles with electric assist which are used for commercial purposes, and
directs the costs of violations relating to riding such bicycle on a
sidewalk to the employer of commercial riders.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
SECTION 1: Amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section
1244, requiring the registration of bicycles with electric assist which
are used for commercial purposes. The commissioner shall assign number
plates and the placement of plates is set in the legislation.
SECTIONS 2: Amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new paragraph
to subdivision 5 of section 1242, requiring violations to be the respon-
sibility of the employer of the operator, whether the rider is an
employee or independent contractor, and whether the employer is the
owner of business or a third-party delivery platform.
SECTION 3: Amends subdivisions a and g of section 10-157 of the adminis-
trative code of the city of New York sets the liability of any business
in violation.
SECTION 4: Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The use of e-bikes has greatly increased in recent years, particularly
by delivery riders hired by third party delivery platforms. While the
use of bicycles and other micro mobility devices is to be encouraged,
this bill aims to address the increase in conflicts between delivery
riders who are pressured by employers to navigate city streets faster
than safely possible and pedestrians and conflicts between delivery
riders and pedestrians and other vehicles.
By requiring the registration of e-bikes used for commercial purposes
and requiring visible license information, delivery bikes that are
involved in dangerous situations would be easily identified. This legis-
lation directs all fines and violations related to riding on sidewalks
towards the employer of the rider, even when hired as an independent
contractor by a third-party delivery platform to ensure that the burden
of the results of unsafe riding is placed on the source of the pressure
to ride unsafely.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
To be decided
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.