Erik Cruz Morales, a policy manager for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), stated on May 22 that a proposed bill requiring e-bikes and scooters to be insured and registered would not enhance safety conditions for delivery workers.

"To truly provide street safety, we need regulations that make streets a safer work environment, especially for the immigrant delivery workers who rely on e-bikes and scooters for their livelihood," said Cruz Morales, policy director. "Rather than e-bike and scooter users being prone to profiling and targeting, lawmakers should ensure delivery apps are not incentivizing unsafe working conditions for their employees by withholding pay, rest areas, or ability to deny delivery requests. We must start with accountability for the corporations that are responsible and are already making these e-bike and scooter workers vulnerable."

The proposed legislation, sponsored by State Senate President Nicholas Scutari, mandates low-speed e-bikes and electric scooters to be insured and registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, as per a copy of the bill. The legislation, identified as S2292, would apply to class 1 and class 2 low-speed e-bikes that do not exceed speeds of 20 mph.

According to a press release, NJAIJ is among over forty organizations that have formed a coalition to express opposition to the bill. The coalition held a rally on May 22 voicing concerns about the legislation's potential negative impact on individuals who depend on e-bikes and scooters for transportation and work, particularly those from low-income communities. The coalition also stated that the bill would not serve as an effective safety measure since e-bikes are already involved in significantly fewer accidents than cars.

A report from the City University of New York (CUNY) suggests that immigrant delivery workers rely heavily on e-bikes. A survey conducted by a CUNY PhD candidate revealed that nearly two-thirds of immigrant delivery workers in New York City used e-bikes to complete their deliveries, compared to only 11% of non-immigrant delivery workers. E-bikes enable delivery workers to perform their jobs faster, thereby increasing their chances of receiving tips.

According to its website, NJAIJ advocates for pro-immigrant policies that promote inclusion and justice.