The problem of cyclists on e-bikes conflicting with pedestrians and other bikes is real and should not be dismissed. The extreme proximity between pedestrians and cyclists especially when they ride on the sidewalks and occupy the pedestrian crossing make their threat perceived as a larger one than cars – which is not accurate but must still be accepted.
Only 6 years ago, I used to consider cyclists my “road friends” because, like pedestrians, they were powered only by their muscles and they were as vulnerable as I was. Now the use of motorized devices has changed the relationship: I find the cyclists’ attitude more and more akin to drivers’ : arrogant, entitled, not respectful of me as a human being, wanting me to move out of the way to allow faster speeds, even when they ride on” my ” sidewalk.
We must resolve the issue, but registration for all is not the answer.
The first measures should be education and enforcement. There is currently no widespread education for cyclists. A rider’s license with a proper exam for any one 18 and older could go a long way to provide such education.
Indeed this will not be enough. Next comes enforcement. Why do we need registration to enforce? 20 years ago NYPD gave tickets to cyclists without registration. Today, NYPD gives tickets to jaywalkers, who do not carry a registration. The present lack of enforcement is a political failure of the NYPD and the Mayor to enforce the law. Registration has nothing to do with it. Today millions of cars have a registration and NYPD enforcement is inexistent.
Eventually we need to reclassify e-bikes based on speed. Only those limited to 15 miles per hour or less should be classified as “bicycle” and not need a registration. All others should be classified as Mopeds/motorcycles. They would require a registration and would not be allowed to use the bike lanes, joining the motorized crowd where they belong.
To achieve these changes the city needs only to repeal Intro 1264 and its partner law in Albany. Both of these intros unleashed the mayhem that MCB4 predicted in 2019. And then politicians need to follow the blueprint proposed by MCB4 and supported by CHEKPEDS in 2023.
It is not rocket science. But it takes some political spine.