READERS WRITE
The trouble with electronic scooters in Queens
I’m writing today
because I am hearing a lot
in the news about e-bikes
and scooters being allowed
to share sidewalks and bike
lanes, both bad ideas. (The
new bike lanes are a joke.)
I cannot figure out for
the life of me why the large,
heavy Vespa-like delivery
scooters, or “f ly-bikes,”
are operated everywhere
with impunity. In fact, the
operators ride with the
notion that they’re entitled.
I’ve more than once been
cursed at by a rider, both
when I was cycling and
when I was driving.
According to them, I was
in their way. I’ve actually
seen one deliver food to the
110th Precinct.
They ride without fear of
being caught because no one
cares. They are on sidewalks,
streets and bike lanes. They
zig-zag thru car traffic in
the street, even against the
flow of traffic. They weave
around pedestrians on the
sidewalk. These riders have
no license, no identifying
license plate, no insurance,
no training, and most don’t
wear helmets.
These machines are also
silent (as opposed to gaspowered
mopeds/scooters)
and you cannot hear
them coming.
So why are these not part
of this discussion? They are
far more ubiquitous and
potentially damaging to life
and limb than the transports
currently up for discussion.
And it’s not just delivery
people riding them. I see
adults without helmet with
young children on the back,
sometimes two!
It’s a bad situation that has
been growing exponentially
in recent years and needs
to be addressed before
someone gets hurt. I’ve
already written to a handful
of our local elected officials
about the matter. I am not
expecting any replies, no
less any action.
John Kerschbaum, Corona
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