A coalition that is pushing for the legalization of e-bikes and e-scooters, in a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, praised him for including the provision in the state budget, but also urged him to work with the Legislature to get the measure over the finish line.
The budget is due at the end of the month.
The concern for advocates in two-fold: The vehicles are used predominantly by delivery workers, many of whom are low-wage immigrants. At the same time, environmental groups like the vehicles for their potential of reducing traffic and carbon emissions in New York City.
"As you know, there is increasing urgency to legalize e-bikes due to the unjust enforcement many hard- working delivery workers face," the letter states. "These delivery workers are often immigrants, who earn little money and for whom the speed and cost-efficiency of e-bikes is paramount as they work to make enough deliveries each day to eke out a living."
Cuomo at the end of last year vetoed a legalization measure over safety concerns. A month later, Cuomo introduced his own proposal for e-bike legalization that would require helmets for users.
The groups signing onto the letter included the New York League of Conservation Voters, the Legal Aid Society, the new York Building Congress and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, among others.