E-bike crash survivors share horror stories as scourge of lawless riders plagues NYC

Dozens of e-bike survivors living with life-changing injuries from the dangerous vehicles — and the loved ones of those who were killed in the wrecks — rallied on the steps of City Hall Wednesday to demand tighter enforcement on the deadly, unregulated scooters.A cellist lost her ability to play the instrument that made her career, and a mother was forced to give birth prematurely after a crash — and watch her son spend the first three months of his life in intensive care.Other victims were represented by their loved ones, who spoke on their behalf as they struggled to recover in hospital beds and for those who ultimately didn’t survive their grievous injuries.All demanded at a City Council hearing Wednesday that leadership pass legislation that would end the lawless free-for-all that the reckless speedsters have taken advantage of.Here is some of their testimony.Brooklyn resident Tonette Rivera said she is still paying for a crash that sent her to the hospital while she was pregnant two years ago.She was hit when she was 20 weeks pregnant with her son and had to stay in the hospital until he was born at 28 weeks.Afterward, her son Michael had to spend another three months in neonatal intensive care.Rivera came to Wednesday’s e-bike hearing to “advocate for pedestrians who don’t have a voice” and to tell the City Council to take pedestrian safety seriously. “Lock in and take it seriously because people are just getting hurt for no reason.

For what? For little food delivery jobs? Come on,” she said. Michael is doing better now, but Rivera said she still owes “a few thousand” in hospital bills.“Should I give it to the union to pay it?” she asked, referring to Los Deliveristas Unidos.Julie Harvey was knocked to the ground in May by a biker “speeding downhill” who blew through a stop sign. Harvey’s head smashed into the pavement and blood spewed from the back of her head, rendering her unable to move, she said.“I am very lucky to ...