Joint Statement Opposing E-Bike Legislation
At a time when many Philadelphians are facing financial pressure due to rising gas prices, inflation, and high utility costs, two City Council bills targeting low wage, primarily marginalized black and brown communities send the wrong message. It says that gig workers are dispensable. Furthermore, this legislation places a target on a workforce that is primarily composed of immigrant workers.
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia :
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia does not support the e-bike legislation recently introduced or (any legislation) requiring licensing for Philadelphians who ride e-bikes. The result of this legislation will be fewer e-bike delivery cyclists which will, in turn, contribute to increased congestion and automobile exhaust on the roadway.
This proposal will push already low-wage workers further into poverty through fines and penalties. The legislation will also put delivery workers at potential risk by requiring third-party vendors to maintain registries of e-bike delivery riders that must be shared with the City. Many delivery workers are immigrants, and creating a registry of e-bike riders could make that information a target for ICE or other federal agencies seeking to identify and track workers. Even if immigration status is not directly included, there is concern that third-party companies maintaining these registries could voluntarily share information with federal agencies or be compelled to turn over records through subpoenas or other legal channels.
We implore City Council to focus on providing support to e-bike delivery cyclists by providing services for Delivery workers – restrooms, water access, shelter from bad weather, and battery swapping stations. New York City is building deliverista rest stops to address these problems.Instead of targeting workers, hold the Apps accountable who penalize “slow” deliveries and include requirements for Apps to provide adequate helmets, lights, and safe cycling training to delivery workers.
Putting up more barriers to low-wage delivery workers who use e-bikes is not the answer. This legislation will push more delivery into personal vehicles and cause more traffic congestion, pollution, and safety hazards. Vehicular traffic, not e-bikes, kills 100 people a year on the streets of Philadelphia. If city council wants to make the streets safer for all users, including delivery workers, it should expand the network of protected bike lanes and offer more and safer bike parking. Everyone in Philadelphia deserves the right to get where they are going safely, including delivery workers.
Fifth Square Advocacy agrees that Philadelphia must prioritize roadway safety. However, requiring delivery drivers using pedal-assist e-bikes to obtain licenses is an unnecessary and counterproductive approach that could make streets less safe.
While recognizing illegally-modified e-bikes can create hazardous conditions, particularly when operated recklessly, Bills 260525 and 260526 target “pedal cycles with electric assist,” a vehicle category already regulated under Pennsylvania law and designed to operate within safe limits.
Philadelphia can achieve safer streets more effectively by enforcing existing laws and expanding a connected network of protected bike lanes that supports the delivery workers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who rely on these vehicles to make a living.
We also can’t lose sight of the true danger, motor vehicles, which claimed the lives of 100 people in Philly last year.
Call to Action
Please contact your council member and then contact each of the seven at large council members who each represent the entire city and tell them to reject ordinance bills 260525 and 260526.
