The Boston City Council held a debate on Wednesday, Sept. 17, over a proposed ordinance targeting delivery vehicles such as mopeds and e-bikes to enhance pedestrian safety.
Councilor Ed Flynn introduced the ordinance, citing concerns about reckless driving by delivery drivers and advocating for traffic-calming measures, such as raised crosswalks and stricter regulations.
“For nearly eight years, I’ve said that pedestrian safety is one of the biggest issues we face in the city,” he stated.
Councilors debated the issue between public safety and economic needs. Some worried about how quickly the ordinance could be implemented and its potential impact on vulnerable populations.
Opposition from Councilor-at-Large Henry Santana and Enrique J. Pepén centered on fears that banning mopeds could unfairly affect low-income and immigrant communities that depend on these vehicles for their livelihoods.
Santana suggested focusing on education and better enforcement of existing laws rather than implementing bans. Pepén called for improved registration of the vehicles used for delivery purposes and compliance measures.
Councilor Sharon Durkan raised concerns about the timing of the ordinance. She observed that it had not yet been implemented and suggested that amendments to it might be too early.
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