New York Injury News – Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino has made headlines again with her latest proposal to require licensing and insurance for bicyclists in New York City. Paladino made the comments during a City Council meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2022 [1].
Paladino, a Republican, has been known for her conservative views on a variety of topics, including immigration, gun rights, and COVID-19. During the meeting, she argued that bicyclists should be required to obtain a license and insurance in the same way that motorists are required to do so.
“Every time I see a bike rider go by, I get scared,” Paladino said. “They are supposed to follow the rules of the road, but many of them don’t. They are a danger to themselves and others, and it’s time we held them accountable.”
Paladino’s comments have generated controversy, with some people praising her for taking a stand on the issue and others criticizing her for targeting bicyclists.
“Councilwoman Paladino’s idea that New Yorker’s riding bicycles should be subject to registration, licensing and insurance requirements is, in a word, ridiculous. What the councilwoman, who by the way refuses to get the Covid-19 vaccine, should focus her energy on, is spreading bicycle safety awareness and working with the New York City Council to have high speed electric bicycles classified as motor vehicles. Such measures would be actual ways to promote safety and in the case of changing the classification of electric bicycles to motor vehicles, insurance protection would be provided to the many pedestrians and cyclists who have been seriously injured by high speed electric bicycles in New York City or one of the other four boroughs, Queens the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island, requiring e-bikes to be considered motor vehicles would go a long way in making the roadways safer for all New Yorkers living in the greater NYC metropolitan area,” states Glenn A. Herman a New York city e-bike injury lawyer. (https://hermannyc.com/glenn-a-herman/)
Critics have argued that requiring licensing and insurance for bicyclists would be impractical and would disproportionately affect low-income individuals who rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. They have also noted that bicyclists already face significant risks from motorists who often fail to share the road.
Despite the controversy, Paladino has remained steadfast in her position. She has stated that she believes requiring licensing and insurance for bicyclists would improve safety on the city’s streets and reduce the number of accidents involving bicyclists.
It remains to be seen whether Paladino’s proposal will gain traction in the City Council, but her comments have once again sparked a lively debate about the role of bicyclists in New York City.
In conclusion, Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino has proposed that bicyclists in New York City should be required to obtain a license and insurance in the same way that motorists are required to do so. Paladino’s comments have generated controversy, with some people praising her for taking a stand on the issue and others criticizing her for targeting bicyclists. It remains to be seen whether her proposal will gain traction in the City Council, but her comments have once again sparked a lively debate about the role of bicyclists in New York City.
Reported by:
R. William.
1-845-444-2442
[1]“If only cyclists were required to register, display plates, and carry liability insurance … incidents like this — which happen frequently — would have accountability,” Paladino tweeted
source:
URL: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/queens-councilwoman-vickie-paladino-says-222300688.html