The Brian Lehrer Show 30 Issues in 30 Days: E-Bike Safety & Regulation
Oct 8, 2025
Nicole Gelinas is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute focused on urban policy, while Ligia Guallpa leads the Worker's Justice Project, advocating for delivery workers' rights. They delve into the heated debate surrounding e-bike safety after a tragic crash in Brooklyn. Nicole highlights alarming pedestrian injuries, calling for regulatory measures like licensing and insurance for delivery e-bikes. Ligia emphasizes the risks delivery workers face and warns against policies that could criminalize marginalized groups. Both agree on the need for better infrastructure and accountability.
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E-Bikes Create A New Traffic Hazard
- Motorized e-bikes introduce a new, distinct source of pedestrian deaths and injuries in NYC.
- Policymakers must acknowledge and address this emerging risk rather than ignore it.
Infrastructure, Not Just Users, Drive Risk
- E-bike riders include delivery workers and many other users, so policy must distinguish causes and scale.
- Lack of protected bike lanes and street infrastructure raises risks for both riders and pedestrians.
Assign Liability To Delivery Apps
- Make apps legally and financially liable for the bikes their platforms deploy or authorize.
- Require app-based fleets to police speed and conduct, and carry liability for tickets and harms.
