The Jersey City Council will consider the first reading of a measure to license e-bike delivery drivers via their employers on Thursday, right after a pivotal Hoboken vote on the same topic on Wednesday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“My office drafted this ordinance to ensure a fair and level playing field for the restaurant industry in Jersey City while leaving flexibility of choice for both restaurants and food delivery companies. This ordinance is designed to protect our city’s thriving small businesses from predatory practices,” Ward E Councilman James Solomon, the ordinance sponsor, told HCV.
“It also includes protections for commercial delivery bikers and requires food delivery companies to ensure our street safety rules are followed. We plan to introduce it at this week’s council meeting and collect feedback from community members, the city’s small businesses, and other stakeholders before it comes back to the council.”
The local legislation calls for businesses such as restaurants and third-party food delivery services where drivers who utilize e-bikes and/or e-scooters (along with their non-electric counterparts) to assign each deliverista with a three-digit ID number and photo ID card.
This number will be reflected on a vest won by the delivery driver, which will also include the name of the establishment they are working for. Businesses are also expected to maintain a roster of delivery drivers, who must carry their ID card while working.
Additionally, businesses are expected to provide lighting and helmets to their drivers, as well as a bell, working brakes, and reflective tires.
The Jersey City Police Department and Division of Quality of Life have the ability to ask to see the ID cards and/or issue fines, which are $50 a piece, the same figure as the measure up for second reading at the Hoboken City Council tomorrow.
Additionally, food delivery drivers will be notified how much each customers leaves as a tip, which they are entitled to in full, as well as mandating third-party delivery services to provide at least one “tier” of service “at or below fifteen percent (15%) of the purchase price of each online order.”
The registration fee would be $200 for each business every two years, as opposed to $5 a year for each individual Hoboken deliverista. The governing body of the Mile Square City will vote on their second reading tomorrow at 7 p.m.
On a related note, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, wrote on social media this morning that he is against a statewide proposal to have e-bikes registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
“E-bike registration comments from JC – We have built more bike infrastructure in #JerseyCity than anywhere else so we have some familiarity with the issue – this type of state registration/insurance is a mistake,” the mayor said.
“Importantly, generally speaking, police don’t chase motorcycles/bikes for infractions bc fear of larger injury so enforcement is difficult but the barriers this legislation would create are substantial. A better way to create a safe environment for pedestrians, cars and bikes is encouraging more safe protected bike infrastructure so bikes aren’t interacting on sidewalks or direct streets as much.”
The Jersey City Council convenes at City Hall, 280 Grove St., for their caucus today at 4 p.m., which will stream live on Microsoft Teams, while their regular session will take place on Thursday at 6 p.m.
When will Jersey City Mayor Fulop give the Federal Government the easments to construct their Rebuild By Design Flood Surge system ?
Perhaps we should all cross your fingers that another flood doesn’t happen before he does.
I think both Hoboken and JC need to do some research before offering legislation. What are they solving for? What is the nature and prevalence of the problem? What change in behavior are they seeking? How would that be best accomplished? Please answer those questions with thoughtful research.