Queens courier urges city to fix streets, not blame riders

Queens courier William Medina says the City Council should focus on fixing dangerous street infrastructure rather than regulating electric bikes and scooters. Medina has delivered packages in New York City for more than seven years. He rode a bicycle for the first three years and switched to a scooter four years ago.

Medina served as a leader for the union Los Deliveristas Unidos. During his time with the group, he spent many nights listening to members describe their worst near-misses. He notes that in almost every incident, the cause was a distracted driver. These drivers often turned without looking, ran red lights, or failed to stop after hitting a cyclist or scooter rider.

Another common issue was blocked bike lanes. These obstructions forced riders into car-dominated traffic. Medina observed that these incidents happened at specific locations. Large intersections and wide avenues with high speeds were the most dangerous. These are also the blocks with the highest delivery volume, meaning workers pass through them daily.

The City Council is currently reviewing more than 20 bills related to electric bikes, scooters, and delivery work. These proposals follow a series of fatal crashes in recent months. Medina believes some of the bills will help. However, he argues the Council is focusing too much on protecting people from riders instead of protecting riders from cars and trucks.

Medina switched from a bicycle to a scooter due to a lack of safe bike lanes and dangerous traffic. The switch came with new costs. Riders must buy, register, insure, and maintain their scooters. Not every delivery worker can afford these expenses.

Most delivery workers follow traffic rules. They stop at red lights, stay out of sidewalks, and yield to pedestrians. Their primary goal is to return home safely each night. Medina says the city is built for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This design leaves two-wheeled riders as the most vulnerable road users. Most crashes result from streets that encourage speeding and leave riders nowhere to go.

Medina suggests the Council make four changes. First, modify traffic patterns so cars turn slowly and can see riders. Second, lower speed limits where necessary. Third, invest in protected and connected bike lanes so riders are not stranded when a lane ends. Fourth, ensure drivers who flee after a crash face real consequences.

The New York Police Department can also help. It should enforce speeding fines and rules against parking in bus lanes and bike lanes. The city should also reduce speed limits in busy areas. Redesigning streets to prioritize people over vehicles would benefit pedestrians, children on scooters, and cautious drivers. Medina and his colleagues say they would feel safer returning to bicycles if the streets were built for them first.