A recent fatal E-bike related accident in his own Town of Tonawanda neighborhood became more than just a red flag or cautionary tale for Assemblyman Bill Conrad.
It has become a legislative mission with Conrad proposing a series of bills in Albany that would:
* Prohibit the sale of an E-bike, E-scooter or any other motor-driven cycle to anyone 16 years of age or younger.
Currently, there is no age restriction in New York for who can buy a motor-driven cycle.
* Mandate that all riders wear a helmet.
* All motor-driven cycles must have proper lighting.
"We need more safety standards when it comes to these type of bikes," Conrad said. "Let's face it, some are really Mopeds or motorcycles."
Many municipalities across New York have restrictions when it comes to certain motor-driven cycles like E-bikes and E-scooters but Conrad thinks there should be a universal law through-out New York.
Law enforcement officials agree more restrictions should be put into the books,
"It's about the operator, not the device," said Cheektowaga Police Captain Jeffrey Schmidt.
Growing sales have made E-bikes and E-scooters a popular form of transportation that cuts across all age groups and demographics.
EBike International, a trade industry website, reported that 2022 there were 1.1 million motor-driven cycles sold in the U.S. and by 2024, it ballooned to 1.7 million sales.
Motor-driven cycles now account for 30% of all bicycles and other cycles sold annually.
But, with the increase sales, comes a rise in injuries.
The New England School of Medicine reports that were just 751 motor-driven cycles injuries in 2017 but by 2022, more than 24,000 injuries were reported.
Part of the problem is some of the E-bikes and scooters are still using bicycle brakes even though they can reach 28 mph.
"A bike brake is not going to stop an E-Bike on a dime," Conrad said.
For now, Conrad's proposal is just beginning to make its ways through the Albany legislative process. Conrad said it is too early to predict when, or if, it will make to both the Assembly and State Senate.
"To me, it is all about safety and that has to come first," Conrad said.