Resident urges Erie County action on electric-bicycle safety after rise in hospital visits

Todd Heriaci, introduced by the chair as the first speaker during the legislature’s second public-comment period, urged Erie County lawmakers to act on electric-bicycle safety and offered three guiding principles for local policy and outreach. He told the legislature that his letter (communications 16 M-4) recommended: examining and codifying local rules for electric bicycles and scooters across Erie County; collaborating with law enforcement, schools and hospitals on educational materials for young riders; and collecting data from law enforcement and medical providers to evaluate the effectiveness of any steps taken.

Heraci provided specific hospital-visit counts in his remarks, saying, “In 2024, there were 10 such visits. In 2025, there were 45. In 2026, that number has more than doubled to 98, and there are still 3 months remaining in the calendar year.” He also referenced correspondence with Jacqueline Bette, director of communications for Klayda Health, to correct a report he said appeared in a local paper. Heraci closed by asking the legislature to consider those three steps to reduce incidents involving electric bicycles.

The chair closed the public-comment period after Heraci’s remarks. The legislature did not take formal action on the recommendations during the meeting; transcript records only the public comment and the chair’s procedural closure of the comment period. Any county action on e-bike rules or data collection would require subsequent committee review or a formal resolution.