Testimony, December 11 2024.
In the 1980s i was the only person in New York City selling electric bikes, from my shop on Houston street. Today, I am in Upstate New York building prototypes of human and electric propelled, weather protected, vehicles, as pedicabs and for personal transport.
The harm we suffer from the proliferation of multi-ton vehicles, especially in dense urban environments, economic, environmental and otherwise, is enormous. The downscaling of this activity to the human scale can have a dramatic effect upon our lives, even our survival.
Admittedly, it is difficult to regulate highly mobile small vehicles. Still, it is extremely unwise for lawbreakers to attempt to outrun authorities. What began as a minor traffic incident can become a major catastrophe, and this is well understood by most delivery drivers. The introduction into the transportation mix of a host of new micro-mobility devices, e-bikes, scooters etc., has upset many residents, who would prefer not to have to deal with this new phenomenon. The police have had a hard time making the enforcement of existing regulations a higher priority in comparison with violent crimes and other more serious law breaking. Many of the users of these novel machines take time to become accustomed to them.
Unfortunately, the imposition of a number of new requirements on those using these minimal forms of transport will have the effect of discouraging both their general use as well further development. There is an immense burden which the status quo imposes on everyone who lives and works around the city’s congested streets, and perhaps the best possibility for relief of these conditions lies with the use of smaller vehicles. Bikes are providing this benefit already, but are used almost exclusively in nice weather. Evolving new vehicles that provide weather protection and can be used all year round is essential. Since enabling this increase in comfort also provides substantially more surface area and a need for improved stability, a third wheel is essential, and some structure as well as additional materials. All of this added weight means that electric assist is essential to safe operations.
The evolution of human scale, electric and human-powered vehicles is the best choice we have to confront the onrushing climate emergency now facing our species. Attempting to make up for the poor quality of current enforcement efforts, by burdening the future of this important new direction in urban transportation, is a grievous error. Please do not punish everyone because of the misdeeds of a small number of hard-working people, who are less than maximally aware of the effects of their behavior on others.
Some social engineering, in the form of education and orientation, as well as better enforcement of existing regulations, will resolve the major problem being addressed here. Throwing the baby of sane transport developments out without he bathwater of some bad traffic management is a tragedy in slow motion.