Long Island Leaders Talked Micromobility Safety Solutions at 4th Annual Walk Bike LI Summit

Walk Safe Long Island hosted its 4^th Annual Walk Bike LI Summit, where a panel of experts met with attendees virtually on Thursday, June 11^th to address micromobility safety concerns and the related injuries and fatalities that are increasingly seen far too often on the roads throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Cynthia Brown, Executive Director of the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety, moderated the panel and spoke to attendees about micromobility issues on Long Island. She discussed the growing use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and the safety concerns they present on our local Long Island roads.

Brown discussed the results of a community survey conducted by her staff that asked 149 respondents about their micromobility use and beliefs. Respondents indicated that most don’t own a micromobility device, but 75 percent of those who do wear a helmet. Respondents felt education and public awareness were most important for improving micromobility safety on Long Island. According to Brown, helmet use is low overall, and it is a contributing factor to injuries. Lastly, she highlighted that many residents may be confused about the laws that are in place surrounding these devices, including age requirements, insurance, and where they can be used—many recent injuries involve underage riders.

Healthcare professionals on Long Island see the impact that e-bikes have firsthand. Chris Hendriks, Vice President of Community Outreach at Catholic Health, discussed the resources available to individuals who sustain injuries due to riding or being struck by micromobility devices. Hazim Moustafa, DO, Primary Care Sports Medicine, Catholic Health, spoke about recent incidents on Long Island where some have sustained serious injuries due to riding e-bikes and noted that Catholic Health hospitals have treated many patients with injuries relating to e-bike accidents. Dr. Moustafa also provided tips for riding these devices safely and watching out for them as a driver, pedestrian, or traditional cyclist.

Law enforcement on Long Island is also making a great effort to address micromobility safety issues on Long Island. Sergeant James Spoerel of the Suffolk County Police Department mentioned that the trauma-related injuries related to micromobility crashes are up 900 percent. While e-bikes do have pros, such as reducing traffic and cost efficiency, they also have their negatives. He mentions that the injuries to riders and pedestrians are taking a big hit, and the department is making it a priority to educate both adults and children on the laws surrounding these devices to keep the community safe. The department is confiscating devices that are illegal due to size as well as the age of the riders. They have also enacted a law that riders must wear a helmet to reduce injury in the county, regardless of age

Not only are the police departments on Long Island cracking down on micromobility device use, so are the courts. Suffolk County’s Assistant District Attorney and Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Stephanie Dellinger stressed how important it is to educate riders on the laws pertaining to these devices, especially since there has been such a drastic increase in their use, as well as pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions involving micromobility devices. Following the rules that are set forth by the local government is important to reduce injuries to both riders, pedestrians, and other road users.

Panelist Daniel Flanzig— a trial lawyer, President of the Board of Directors of the New York Bicycling Coalition, and avid cyclist— emphasized the need for clarity surrounding micromobility laws on Long Island. Flanzig discussed a number of micromobility safety solutions in which he’s involved, most of which involve education tailored to audiences such as law enforcement, community members, and legislators. He is also a proponent of consumer education at the point of sale for those buying a micromobility device.

The virtual Summit was recorded, and it's available to watch on the Walk Safe Long Island YouTube Channel.

As e-bikes and other micromobility devices become increasingly popular among community members, panelists at the Walk Bike LI Summit shed light on the many current and future efforts to address the safety concerns surrounding them. Education, enforcement, and engineering are all crucial to reduce injuries to riders and pedestrians so we can have safe roads for all on Long Island.