Perspective
New York City’s Self-Induced Transportation Crisis
Bill de Blasio and other city officials are heading for commuting calamity by failing to properly plan a coherent vision for subways, buses, e-bikes, and ride-hailing.
The story of e-bikes in New York City is like a transportation parable.
Until last spring, as subways were slowing, traffic from ride-hailing vehicles was thickening, and bike fatalities were on the rise, e-bikes were illegal to ride. That was in spite of the fact that these increasingly popular battery-boosted bicycles have long provided a vital means of transportation for thousands of working New Yorkers making below minimum wage, are energy and space efficient, cost-effective, quiet, and quick. And the fact that there’s growing evidence to suggest dockless e-bikes and e-scooter rides replace car trips, which could reduce traffic and cut down on fatal crashes.