Village Sun Interview::Mayor Adams on the public safety crisis-e-bikes etc.

Scofflaw e-bikes, micro-mobility vehicles As the newspaper did two months ago, The Village Sun once again queried Adams on what he plans to do about reckless riders of e-bikes, mopeds and micro-mobility vehicles. And, once again, he responded that’s always a hot topic at community meetings he attends all around the city. Speaking after Adams’s recent State of the City address — where the mayor announced creation of a new Department of Sustainable Delivery — Councilmember Robert Holden scoffed at Adams saying he is not familiar with his bill, which calls for licensing and registering all e-bikes. Adams, however, reiterated that he has still not read Holden’s bill, noting there are a lot of bills. Instead he favors one by Councilmember Gale Brewer that would require delivery apps to ensure the e-bike delivery workers complete a bicycle safety course designed by the Department of Transportation. Adams added that the new Department of Sustainable Delivery also would help the situation. But Holden just shrugged regarding the new department, saying nothing else matters unless all e-bikes are first licensed and registered. Adams also pointed the finger at consumers. “Part of the issue…post-COVID, everyone is getting everything delivered,” he said. “And so the same people who are saying, ‘We’re tired of these delivery bicyclists,’ they’re ordering on Amazon for toothpaste. Everything, we get delivered. So now we have to regulate without being heavy-handed, that’s the goal.” In addition to saying he supports Brewer’s bill, Adams also noted the city has removed “thousands of illegal mopeds and dirt bikes and other illegal micro-mobility vehicles from our streets.” “We’re not sitting on our hands,” he assured. “But everybody must play a role in how we regain control of our streets.”