Prospect Park E-Bike Ban Challenged By Brooklyn Pols

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Prospect Park's e-bike ban faces a challenge from a group of local electeds who argue Brooklyn's back yard should be accessible to every kind of commuter.

Three City Council Members — Park Slope rep Shahana Hanif, Crown Heights' Crystal Hudson and Flatbush's Rita Joseph — petitioned the Parks Department Tuesday to end its ban on electric bikes.

"E-bike riders include delivery workers who keep us fed, families on cargo bikes, individuals recovering from surgery," the Brooklyn pols wrote in a letter shared by the transit advocacy group Transportation Alternatives.

"We acknowledge the safety concerns that Prospect Park faces regarding e-bikes that led to the ban. However, e-bikes are legal to ride on New York City streets and make moving around the city more accessible without adding more pollution and congestion."

E-bike opponents — who often site safety concerns such as the speed of e-cyclists and the dangers of lithium-ion batteries — were quick to respond with words of caution.

"E bikes are already whizzing through Prospect Park," Twitter user Thomas Matthews replied to Transportation Alternatives. "They often ignore traffic regulations and pose real risks to pedestrians."

E-bikes are legal under New York law but there is leeway for regulation within cities, which is why the Parks department was able to ban them, according to amNY, first to report the letter.

In the missive to Parks commissioner Sue Donoghue, the Brooklyn electeds said they hoped to work with the agency and Prospect Park Alliance, the nonprofit that manages the park, to find common (bike) ground.

Patch requested comment from both groups, neither of which had yet to provide statements to other outlets at time of publication.

The trio of lawmakers has garnered support from Transportation Alternatives and Citi Bike, according to a StreetsBlog NYC report.

"There is no reason why our parks should have a blanket ban on Class 1 e-bikes, which have exploded in popularity and reach top speeds on par with many kinds of pedal powered bikes,” Caroline Samponaro told the site.

“Parks are not a place for cars, but pedal assist ebikes are a different thing entirely."