Bill aims to improve bicycle safety

Fatalities among bicycle and motorcycle riders in the city have increased in recent years. To help put a stop to these tragedies, City Councilmember John Liu, head of the Council’s Transportation Committee, proposed legislation to improve bicycle safety in the workplace.
“Restaurant delivery workers and messengers work in hazardous conditions when navigating city streets on bicycles … the business owner has a responsibility to provide basic occupational equipment such as bike helmets,” said Liu.
Numerous restaurants and supermarkets located in Queens require their employees to use bicycles to make delivers or pickup goods and products.
Derek Medina, an employee of San Jose Grocery and Deli located in Jamaica explained that a greater effort will need to be made by the employers if this law is to succeed.
“We’re always on the go and [the employer’s] main priority is very seldom our safety and well-being,” he said.
The proposed legislation would require employers of any business that requires the delivery of their products via bicycle or motorcycle to be responsible for providing their employees with adequate headgear protection.
Providing proper instructions and safety awareness for these employees is a key factor according to Councilmember Alan Gerson.
“Too many fatalities and serious injuries are occurring … Let’s do all we can do to get bike riders educated and help to save lives…it is good for business and the general public,” he said.
While the new law may force compliance from employers, it does not place the same burden on the bike riders themselves. Many city officials have expressed their concern about mandating safety helmet responsibility on both the employers and employees.
“We do not think [the legislation] goes far enough … we urge the Council to go even farther by making bicycle helmets mandatory for all bicyclists in New York City,” said outgoing Department of Transportation Commissioner, Iris Weinshall.
Monica Blum, President of The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District explains, “Unless delivery people are required to wear helmets, this proposed legislation has no teeth.”