Pricilla's law to crack down on electric vehicle motorists

This bill is an important next step in ensuring the protection of our communities”

Council member Eric Dinowitz

A new bill, also known as Priscilla’s Law, will hold drivers of electric vehicles accountable for their actions on the road.

Introduced by Queens Councilmember Bob Holden, the bill requires e-bikes, motor scooters and any other vehicles operating with an electric motor to be licensed and registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT.)

“As an early and vocal supporter of Priscilla’s Law, it is critical that we take action now to address the safety concerns posed by the unsafe driving of electric assist bicycles, electric scooters and other motorized vehicles,” Councilmember Eric Dinowitz said. “These devices can reach speeds of 25 mph or more and unsafe driving can lead to deadly collisions — this bill is about accountability and equipping our law enforcement with the tools they need to keep our streets safe for all.” 

Dinowitz was one of 29 city council members who co-sponsored the bill. He and his office funded bike helmet distributions, hosted electric scooter safety trainings and committed resources to street safety upgrades.

“This bill is an important next step in ensuring the protection of our communities,” Dinowitz added.

However, advocates for the bill fear it will not be approved due to “lobbyists with a vested interest” in food delivery services that typically use e-bikes or motor scooters.

Priscilla’s Law, also known as Intro 606, is named after 69-year-old Priscilla Loke. In 2023, the preschool teacher was struck and killed by a Citi Bike rider on the corner of Christie and Grand streets in Manhattan’s Chinatown.

The rider, whose name was not publicly released, was given a traffic citation for failing to stop at a red light and fined a few hundred dollars, according to an article published on Oct. 19 by the Village Sun, a month after Loke’s death.