THIS IS THE BODY OF THE LETTER SENT BY WCC TO THE NYS LEGISLATORS IN CHARGE OF THE E-BIKE LEGISLATION AND TO OTHER CLUBS AROUND THE STATE TO SEND AS WELL
Senator Timothy M. Kennedy
Chairman of Committee on Transportation
Legislative Office Building, Room 708
Albany, NY 12247
Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli
Chair, Standing Committee on Transportation
Legislative Office Building, Room 829
Albany, NY 12248
MagnarW@nyassembly.gov
[ADD YOUR LOCAL SENATORS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AS YOU SEE FIT]
Dear Transportation Chairs:
We write on behalf of [club name] and the many cyclists in our area who support the passage of legislation that would bring New York in line with the majority of bike-friendly states which have authorized the use of electrically-assisted bicycles ("e-bikes") on New York roads. As you know, the Legislature in 2019 session passed S. 5294-A to authorize e-bikes but it was not signed into law. At the current session, several revised bills on this issue have been introduced in each chamber, some of which have been referred to your Transportation committee.
E-bikes have been proven in this country and in Europe over the past decade to increase recreational opportunities and cycle tourism. They permit riders of different enthusiasm, age and strength to ride safely together over longer distances. They have proven valuable for commuting and casual transportation as well. It is telling that all the major American bicycle manufacturers now offer a wide variety of e-bikes at all price points. We therefore support the goal of this legislation.
We do, however, have one major reservation about the regulatory approach taken in S. 5294-A and similar bills. It is not feasible or desirable to permit every locality to prohibit and regulate e-bikes, any more than it would be to permit every locality to have its own motor vehicle code. A typical bike ride in the suburbs or a rural area will predictably pass through several towns and villages. Having a patchwork system of rules for each locality in a county, with some of them outlawing e-bikes or limiting them to certain roads, is unworkable. It will predictably lead to barring e-bikes in many places even as it aims to permit them.
Certainly, there is room for localities to regulate e-bikes in a targeted way that takes account of unique local properties and conditions, as long as such narrow and need-based rules are consistent with the broad state goal of authorization, rather than in obvious derogation and circumvention of that declaration. However, the broad local regulatory powers proposed to the VTL in S. 5294-A and in subsequent bills need to be deleted or they will eviscerate if not obliterate the state authorization of e-bikes. (See the attachment here with the highlighted provisions of S. 5294-A that we think would undermine the statute's purpose.)
We are allied in this matter with the Westchester Cycle Club, the largest bike club in this state outside of New York City. WCC has already been in contact with the Majority Leader and Sen. Mayer of Westchester. Thank you for your support and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[name]
CC:
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Majority Leader, New York State Senate
188 State Street
Legislative Office Building, Room 907
Albany, NY 12247
Senator Shelley B. Mayer
Legislative Office Building, Room 509
Albany, NY 12247
Senator Jessica Ramos
Committee on Transportation
Committee on Transportation
Legislative Office Building., Room 946
Albany, NY 12247