Monday is a continuation of the public hearing about banning biking on the sidewalk and making people cycling subservient to cars.
Around 10 people testified to Tarrytown's Trustees on 3/18, explaining why the proposals are a bad idea.
The whole thing is a misguided mess and must be scrapped.
More info: https://twitter.com/BikeTarrytown/status/1109956866107416581
Participate:
Monday, April 1
8:00 pm
Tarrytown Village Hall
1 Depot Pz
Right now New York is at a crossroads regarding e-bikes. And Tarrytown is at the center of it.
Before providing those details, let me explain why this matters. Naturally, people have various takes on e-bikes.
Bike Tarrytown's position is they're important to improving transportation, particularly in our hilly region. Ebikes get people who wouldn't normally bike, who aren't athletes, out of their cars and onto bikes. Here's a video about that: https://vimeo.com/322673563
Another video with Dan is coming. He lives and works near the North County Trailway. His commute is on the long side for cycling, so he'd go one-way via bike and the other via car. Since getting an ebike, he rides both ways.
Their legal status in New York is strange. And Governor Cuomo's Executive Budget would make it worse. The budget is being finalized this week. Issues with the Governor's proposal include:
* Current law requires people driving to yield to people cycling and walking. The bill flips that for e-bikes and scooters.
* A town by town approach means e-bikes can't be used for transportation because of potential bans on a various routes
* Requiring reflective clothing is absurd victim blaming
More information: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2019/01/16/cuomo-plan-lets-localities-legalize-e-scooters-and-e-bikes/
Tarrytown is represented by State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. She's now the head of the State Senate.
While it's likely the Governor's e-bike language will be dropped, it will be wise for us to follow through, because it:
* makes sure it actually gets dropped
* proves we're paying attention
* builds momentum for full legalization later this session
Call Senator Stewart-Cousins' staff in Albany: 914-423-4031
* tell them you live in the district (only if you do, of course)
* drop the Governor's ebike proposal
* this session, legalize pedal-assisted ebikes by making them the same as regular bicycles
biketarrytown.org | info@biketarrytown.org | T: @BikeTarrytown | F: @BikeTarrytn