Mayor Adams Targets Delivery Apps in Crackdown on E-Bike Chaos

Last Updated on August 1, 2025 by Kristina

Mayor Eric Adams has announced a new plan to crack down on dangerous riding by moped and e-bike delivery workers in New York City. And this time, the focus is on the big delivery apps.

Under the new proposal, companies like Uber Eats and Grubhub would have to register with the city and assign unique ID numbers to their delivery workers. These IDs would be worn on vests—think sports jerseys, but for the road.

Why Now?

Adams says he’s stepping in because the City Council hasn’t passed laws to hold reckless riders accountable. When a hit-and-run happens, there’s often no way to track the person responsible.

“We’re serious about making our streets safer—for everyone,” the mayor said. “These rules would help protect pedestrians, delivery workers, cyclists, and drivers alike.”

The proposed rules are part of a larger plan called the Department of Sustainable Delivery (DSD). No exact launch date yet, but the rules will eventually be published in the City Record.

What the Rules Would Require

Here’s what the rules would do:

• Delivery apps must register with the NYC Department of Transportation.
• Workers must wear visible ID numbers while making deliveries.
• Apps must provide safety training to all their workers.

Not Everyone Is On Board

Some people support the plan. Others have concerns.

City Council Member Robert Holden, who proposed a similar idea called “Priscilla’s Law,” praised the move. “It’s a good first step,” he said. “But we still need broader laws to really fix the problem.”

Rabbi Michael Miller, who was hit by a speeding e-bike last year, also supports the plan. “E-bikes are here to stay,” he said, “but they’ve made our streets more dangerous. We need accountability.”

Pushback from the Council and Delivery Advocates

But not everyone’s happy with the way Adams is going about it.

A City Council spokesperson said the mayor is “bypassing public input.” The Council says it’s already working on legislation to make the delivery industry safer—without risking the privacy of immigrant workers.

There’s concern that the mayor’s plan could lead to increased surveillance. Critics worry that immigrant delivery workers, already under pressure, could be unfairly targeted.

What Do Delivery Workers Think?

Antonio Solis, a delivery worker and organizer, had mixed feelings.

He’s glad the city wants to hold the apps accountable. But he’s worried the ID system could be used to punish workers instead of protecting them.

“Everything we do is already tracked by the apps,” he said. “We need real change—rules that make our jobs safer without putting us at risk.”

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Final Thoughts

Micromobility—like e-bikes and mopeds—is part of daily life in NYC now. But as more and more people rely on fast delivery, the question is: how do we balance speed with safety?

Mayor Adams’ plan aims to answer that. But whether it helps or hurts the workers at the heart of the delivery economy? That’s still up for debate.

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