Image credit: New York City Council.
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Council Members Sandy Nurse of Brooklyn and Carlina Rivera of Manhattan, introduced Bill No. 1084, highlighting the growing use of e-bikes and the subsequent need for e-bike infrastructure throughout New York City. Bill No. 1084 would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install at least thirty-five electric bicycle (“e-bike”) battery stations each year for the next five years in commercial areas throughout the city. The bill defines an e-bike as a “bicycle with electric assist.”
The proposed bill also outlines specific requirements for these battery stations: (1) at least twenty-five percent (25%) of those battery stations must be installed in the street adjacent to the curb (2) the battery stations must contain racks to secure the e-bike frame and one wheel in a stable position to protect the e-bike from damage. Other logistical components should also be considered in determining where to install such battery stations, including the stations’ impact on parking, whether the electric grid can support the battery station, and whether any community partners are willing to help maintain the battery station.
Additionally, DOT would be required to submit a report to the speaker of the Council, the mayor, and its website analyzing the usage and cost of the battery stations and including recommendations for their improvement. DOT would also provide a map depicting the locations of all its battery stations on its website.
In addition to addressing the growth of e-bike use in the city, the bill would also help to address public safety concerns. As reported by Streetsblog, Council Member Rivera stated, “We certainly want to expand the conversation around e-bike charging and battery safety as much as possible. E-bikes are a part of many people’s daily commutes now, and we are seeing more delivery workers than ever. So we’re looking to have a conversation with DOT, with my colleagues [to] see how we can expand this infrastructure responsibly, for public safety reasons.”
By: Gabriella Landicino (Gabriella is a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)