Earlier this week, information arose from New York Metropolis that some legislators had been pushing a bill that would require e-bike riders to license and register their e-bikes. One fast notice: For clarification, I am speaking about electrical bicycles; I am stating this up entrance as a result of I’ve seen another information retailers use “e-bikes” to additionally check with electrical bikes.
Anyway, I can not 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 go away you. In the event you’ve ever been a supply rider, likelihood is wonderful 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 town each day. And from the sounds of the City Council hearing that took place yesterday, in keeping with 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 rely, there have thus far been 105 pedestrian fatalities in NYC on account of collisions with vehicles, vehicles, and different massive 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 virtually 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 control 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 had been utilizing these to commute, too. E-bikes might have democratized supply driving 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 driving throughout my years of driving bicycles, e-bikes, and extra highly effective motorbikes that do (and will) require licensing and registration. And I am certain you will have, too.
The factor that each pedal-bicycle and e-bike riders have in frequent is that they most likely do not wish to crash any greater than you do. Why? As a result of in each instances, they’re very doubtless going to be those to get critically injured and even killed.
The lives of supply riders are irritating 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 will have what quantities to a platform-style online game stuffed with obstacles you must efficiently traverse with the intention to get the meals to the client in a well timed matter, undamaged, and hopefully at an inexpensive temperature.
In the event you stay 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 staff should obtain $13.35 per hour by legislation, with a $2.65 tip credit score.
How does that impression third-party meals supply service staff, although? NYC regulates third-party food delivery apps, so your Seamless and your DoorDash and your Uber Eats supply staff all should get at the very least $19.56 per hour, earlier than ideas. For some perspective, as of Might 2024, a person living in NYC would need to make a little over $40 an hour to afford truthful market hire on a one-bedroom condominium.
TL;DR: Milking blood from a stone would not work.
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