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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 18

Mayor Mamdani Announces End To

Criminal Enforcement For Minor Traffic

Offenses For Cyclists And E-Bike Riders

New York City Police Department will stop issuing criminal summonses for e-bike riders

and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses

OUR BUREAU includes the systems pushing peo-
ple on bikes to take risks,” said City
NEW YORK, NY
Council Majority Leader and Trans-
ayor Zohran Kwame portation and Infrastructure Com-
Mamdani has announced mittee Chair Shaun Abreu. “Our
Ma sweeping set of policies path forward must include holding
to end criminal enforcement against delivery app companies accountable
e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level for unrealistic timelines, investing in
traffic offenses, expand safety train- real training for workers and continu-
ing for all e-bike and bicycle delivery ing to redesign our streets so every-
workers, enhance Citi Bike safety fea- one has a safe place to be, whether
tures and strengthen accountability you’re walking, biking or driving.”
for app-based delivery companies. “Better data is essential to un-
Beginning Friday, March 27, the derstanding how delivery activity
New York City Police Department impacts street safety and to shaping
(NYPD)’s policy under the prior ad- effective policy,” said Council Mem-
ministration of issuing criminal sum- ber Gale A. Brewer. “Safer streets
monses to e-bike riders and cyclists require a clear understanding of how
for low-level traffic offenses will be deliveries are happening across the
rescinded. Under that policy, riders peatedly engage in unsafe riding be- streets for all New Yorkers, we will city, and I appreciate the adminis-
could be criminally charged for mi- havior. be taking a multipronged approach tration’s recognition of this legisla-
nor violations such as disobeying a “Every New Yorker on our roads, that holds delivery companies ac- tion and the broader need to address
stop sign — forcing them to appear in whether driving or biking, deserves countable for their impact on street e-bike safety. I look forward to work-
criminal court, with failure to appear to be treated fairly. By ending crim- safety, provides training and resourc- ing with the administration to move
risking a bench warrant or arrest. inal summonses for low-level traffic es to delivery workers and expands this forward.”
Under the Mamdani adminis- offenses, we’re ensuring cyclists and bold new street designs that better “The end of criminal enforce-
tration, these violations will instead e-bike riders — including those who accommodate e-bike riders and pe- ment for minor traffic offenses for
be addressed through the same civil deliver our food and groceries — are destrians.” cyclists and e-bike riders is a major
summons process as motorists. This treated like others on the road,” said “Delivery workers have one of step forward. For too long, app de-
change ensures accountability while Mayor Mamdani. “At the same time, the most dangerous jobs in the city, livery companies have built business
ending a punitive system that has dis- we’re making our streets safer for ev- and I commend Mayor Mamdani and models that push workers to speed,
proportionately burdened working eryone. In partnership with the City Commissioner Flynn for these critical work long hours and ride in unsafe
New Yorkers. Council, we’ll strengthen safety stan- efforts to address unsafe corporate conditions — making delivery one
In tandem, the Mayor and the dards, hold app companies account- practices that play out on our streets,” of the most dangerous jobs in New
New York City Department of Trans- able and expand training for delivery said NYC Department of Consum- York City. One in five delivery work-
portation (NYC DOT) will launch a riders. This balanced approach sup- er and Worker Protection (DCWP) ers has been injured on the job, and
robust, comprehensive safety train- ports riders while protecting pedes- Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. half have experienced accidents while
ing program for delivery workers trians and motorists — and moves us “When delivery apps push workers working,” said Ligia Guallpa, Execu-
and work with the City Council to closer to making our streetscape the to speed through unreasonable quo- tive Director, Workers Justice Proj-
pursue legislation to address unsafe envy of the world.” tas or unrealistic delivery times, it ect / Los Deliveristas Unidos. “We
practices by third-party delivery app “Every New Yorker deserves a creates a dangerous streetscape for applaud Mayor Mamdani and DOT
companies — practices that often in- workplace where their safety and dig- every New Yorker. DCWP will use Commissioner Flynn for taking bold
centivize dangerous riding through nity are the top priority — including any and every tool at its disposal to action to hold these billion-dollar
unrealistic delivery times. the delivery cyclists who serve our support our DOT colleagues’ street companies accountable. This is a cru-
Proposed legislation will require city day and night, through blizzards safety initiatives and ensure apps are cial step toward addressing the root
delivery platforms to share trip-level and downpours,” said NYC DOT held accountable.” causes of unsafe delivery work, and
data with NYC DOT to inform safer Commissioner Mike Flynn. “For too “I applaud Mayor Mamdani for we look forward to advancing a com-
delivery standards and comply with long, third-party delivery companies taking a real step toward making our prehensive worker justice platform
those standards. The City will also have incentivized dangerous cycling streets safer. If we’re serious about that makes delivery work safer and
seek authority to mandate enhanced behavior without proper oversight or safety, we have to address the root creates safer streets for e-bike riders,
training for delivery workers who re- accountability. To truly deliver safe causes of dangerous riding, and that pedestrians and all New Yorkers.”

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