Exclusive Interview with NYC EVSA Co-Founder Janet Schroeder on the Fight for Safer Streets

In an interview with the New York Voice, Janet Schroeder, co-founder of the New York City E-Vehicle Safety Alliance (NYC EVSA), shared her commitment to creating safer streets for New Yorkers. Schroeder co-founded the organization with Pamela Manasse. This movement, led by advocates like Schroeder and Manasse, is gaining momentum across the city. This advocacy group, born out of tragedy, is pushing for a law they’ve named “Priscilla’s Law,” after Priscilla Loke, who was fatally struck by an e-bike in a Chinatown crosswalk. NYC EVSA’s mission is clear: to make New York City streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and e-vehicle users alike through a comprehensive set of bills that require registration, regulation, and accountability for e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar motorized vehicles.

Schroeder explained that Priscilla’s Law, also known as Intro 0606-2024, proposes to hold e-vehicle riders to the same level of accountability as drivers of motor vehicles. “E-bikes weigh 70 pounds. Stand-up e-scooters are also extremely heavy. They go faster. They brake more slowly. People ride them on autopilot. And if you stand on any corner, you rarely see one stop at a red light,” she stated. “The only way to change the behavior of someone riding one is to hold them accountable…Only personal accountability…will change the behavior of riders and save lives and mitigate injuries.”

In addition to Priscilla’s Law, NYC EVSA advocates for further measures to protect New Yorkers from the growing hazards of e-vehicle accidents. “Our group includes 94 victims—people who have been maimed or whose lives have changed permanently due to these accidents,” said Schroeder. “We’re talking about skull fractures, brain bleeds, paralysis, and countless cases of trauma. And that’s just within our group.”

The Rise of E-Vehicle Incidents in NYC

The impact of e-vehicle accidents goes beyond NYC EVSA’s members. City statistics show a significant rise in e-bike and e-scooter incidents, yet, as Schroeder points out, these numbers barely scratch the surface. “Out of our almost 100 victims, only five have police reports,” she explained. “The majority of accidents are never written up because the rider flees the scene; 95 percent of the time, they never stay at the scene.” In 2023 alone, NYC reported 30 bike-related fatalities, with 23 involving e-bikes. Janet described this trend as a “public health crisis,” with ER doctors echoing the sentiment, and noted that “most people hit, the majority are older or disabled… people in their 70s, 80s don’t want to cross the crosswalks or go to the park anymore. They’re terrified of being hit or almost hit.”

One of NYC EVSA’s objectives is to improve the documentation of e-vehicle accidents. According to Schroeder, current DMV and police reporting systems fail to capture incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters accurately. In response, NYC EVSA has pushed for updates to these systems, leading to the recent passage of Bill A7628/S7610 to enhance the accuracy of e-vehicle crash records.

Facing Resistance From Special Interest Groups

Despite widespread public support for increased regulation, NYC EVSA has faced resistance, particularly from well-funded lobbying groups. Transportation Alternatives, a pro-bike lobby with backing from major companies like Citibike (owned by Lyft) and DoorDash, has actively opposed Priscilla’s Law. According to Schroeder, during a segment, a poll revealed that 80% of respondents supported regulation, while only 20% opposed it. “Transportation Alternatives pressured council members to remove their names from the bill last year, even though we had enough support for an automatic hearing,” she said. This pushback delayed the bill, forcing NYC EVSA to reintroduce it this year.

Schroeder voiced her frustration regarding the council’s leadership, particularly with Speaker Adrienne Adams, who has not yet replied to the group’s ongoing requests for a hearing. She noted that their members—comprising victims and New Yorkers advocating for safer streets—have made numerous attempts to communicate, including writing letters, making phone calls, and tweeting for an opportunity to express their concerns. However, these efforts have been met with silence.

NYC EVSA’s Broader Safety Goals

While Priscilla’s Law is central to NYC EVSA’s advocacy, the group has outlined additional measures they believe will further improve safety on NYC streets:

Confiscation of unlicensed or altered e-vehicles

1. Vehicles without visible plates, forged plates, or altered identification will be confiscated, with retrieval allowed only after paying a fine and proving the issue has been addressed—a second offense results in permanent confiscation.
2. Safety protocols for delivery riders – NYC EVSA calls for delivery riders to use front and rear lights, wear reflective vests, display a personal ID number, and wear helmets. Fines would be imposed on the rider and the app company if a delivery rider is cited.
3. Prohibiting e-vehicles on sidewalks and parks—Riding on sidewalks would result in vehicle confiscation, with repeat offenses resulting in permanent confiscation.
4. Visible Citibike ID numbers—NYC EVSA proposes that Citibike’s ID numbers be clearly visible on the front and back of each bike and that a mandatory safety course be offered to first-time users.

Schroeder hopes these regulations will reduce injuries and enhance accountability for all types of motorized vehicles across NYC. She emphasized that the goal extends beyond accident prevention; it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility and safety for everyone—riders, pedestrians, and the broader community.

A community call for Action

As NYC EVSA rallies for these safety measures, they urge the public to reach out to council members, especially Speaker Adams and Council Member Brooks-Powers, to demand a hearing on Priscilla’s Law. Janet Schroeder emphasized that their position is “not anti-bike. We’re pro-safety for everyone.” With nearly 1,200 members, NYC EVSA’s movement is growing, representing New Yorkers of all ages who want safer streets. Schroeder explained that e-bikes, unlike traditional bicycles, are motorized vehicles, heavier and faster, and need appropriate regulations to ensure public safety.

Schroeder remains hopeful that public support will amplify NYC EVSA’s message and motivate lawmakers to take action. She stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, emphasizing that each day of delay puts more lives at risk and underscoring the need for city leaders to prioritize making New York safer for everyone.