Earlier this week, information arose from New York Metropolis that some legislators have been pushing a bill that would require e-bike riders to license and register their e-bikes. One fast observe: For clarification, I am speaking about electrical bicycles; I am stating this up entrance as a result of I’ve seen another information shops use “e-bikes” to additionally check with electrical bikes.
Anyway, I am unable to converse for the remainder of my colleagues right here. However at one time, I delivered meals on a bike. Not an e-bike, to be clear, or a bicycle; however I did meals deliveries on a bike. It is the type of expertise that does not depart you. In case you’ve ever been a supply rider, likelihood is glorious you even have loads of tales about your time within the food-schlepping saddle.
Naturally, with my previous expertise, the very first thing I questioned about is how such NYC laws would have an effect on the numerous e-bike supply riders that crisscross the town each day. And from the sounds of the City Council hearing that took place yesterday, based on Gothamist, I am removed from the one one.
NYC Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez mentioned that whereas the invoice’s logic with regard to growing security was there, enforcement of such a measure would weigh most closely on supply riders.
Rodriguez additionally identified that, by his workplace’s depend, there have to this point been 105 pedestrian fatalities in NYC because of collisions with vehicles, vehicles, and different giant automobiles. Against this, he mentioned, solely six individuals (that is a single digit, six) have died after colliding with e-bikes, mopeds, and e-scooters. And it is nearly mid-December.
E-bikes have been round for a short time, however are the comparatively new child on the block within the grand scheme of sensible city transportation. So, some confusion and disagreement about how finest to manage them within the public curiosity is to be anticipated.
However there are a number of the explanation why licensing and registering them would not make a lot (if any) sense. Do you additionally license and/or register your common bicycle? No, you don’t. Earlier than e-bikes, loads of supply riders have been utilizing these to commute, too. E-bikes could have democratized supply using a bit extra, as a result of they permit even riders who aren’t in peak bodily situation to exit and do the factor.
That is pure anecdata, however I’ve seen loads of unsafe bicycle using throughout my years of using bicycles, e-bikes, and extra highly effective motorbikes that do (and may) require licensing and registration. And I am certain you’ve got, too.
The factor that each pedal-bicycle and e-bike riders have in widespread is that they most likely do not need to crash any greater than you do. Why? As a result of in each instances, they’re very possible going to be those to get critically injured and even killed.
The lives of supply riders are nerve-racking sufficient. At both finish, you are on the mercy of two units of individuals with two units of expectations: No matter restaurant or service you are delivering the meals for, and the shoppers you are delivering the meals to. In between, you’ve got what quantities to a platform-style online game filled with obstacles it’s important to efficiently traverse with a view to get the meals to the shopper in a well timed matter, undamaged, and hopefully at an affordable temperature.
In case you reside within the US, you additionally know that we’re a tipping tradition, with tipped minimal wages that fluctuate in numerous areas. In NYC, as of January 1, 2024, the tipped meals service employee minimal wage is now $10.65 per hour with a $5.35 tip credit score. Tipped service workers should obtain $13.35 per hour by regulation, with a $2.65 tip credit score.
How does that affect third-party meals supply service employees, although? NYC regulates third-party food delivery apps, so your Seamless and your DoorDash and your Uber Eats supply employees all should get a minimum of $19.56 per hour, earlier than ideas. For some perspective, as of Could 2024, a person living in NYC would need to make a little over $40 an hour to afford truthful market lease on a one-bedroom condominium.
TL;DR: Milking blood from a stone would not work.
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