Electric scooters could arrive in New York



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Antonio Reynoso rides a Bird electric scooter.
Antonio Reynoso rides a Bird electric scooter.Paul Martinka

An electric scooter sharing program, such as the one that was fatal in Washington DC – and resulted in hundreds of hospitalizations across the country – was offered to Big Apple to help move commuters around the world. the commuter train stop.

Some lawmakers in the city want to legalize rides so that sharing services can be set up in time for closure, when transit options are very limited. Scooters can reach a speed of about 15 mph.

"Closing L-train will be a disaster," said Councilor Antonio Reynoso, who represents East Williamsburg, Bushwick and Ridgewood. "The city must be as open as possible."

Earlier this year, city officials changed the law to allow pedal-assisted electric bicycles, which are now available in certain areas by bike.

A draft law proposed by council members, Ydanis Rodriguez, who heads the council's transportation committee, and Rafael Espinal, who represents Bedford-Stuyvesant, is in preparation.

Mayor Blasio's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Scooters have had problems in other cities.

On Friday, Carlos Sanchez-Martin, 20, was hit by an SUV at Dupont Circle in Washington DC while riding a Lime electric scooter. He was dragged about 20 meters to his death, police said DC.

An emergency doctor in Salt Lake City said he has seen a sharp increase in scooter injuries since the opening of the electric vehicle program this summer.

From June to mid-September this year, Troy Madsen's emergency department fell victim to 21 scooter accidents, up from eight at the same time last year.

The wounds have become more serious, said Madsen, who works at the University of Utah Health.

"These were surprisingly important injuries," Madsen said. "Many of them were broken ankles and arms, and we had several serious injuries to the head."

Many of the injured riders reported being drunk while driving – and not wearing a helmet.

"A lot of people go to the bar and use them between bars," he said. "They are inexperienced and do not wear a helmet."

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