Council members Jimmy Van Bramer and Dan Garodnick joined local Queens residents at the northeast corner of 46th St. and Queens Boulevard to discuss the dangers of electric assisted bicycles, also known as e-bikes.

Garodnick is sponsoring legislation that would double the fines for violations already related to e-bikes. Van Bramer said the bill for e-bikes includes increasing fines for running a red light, and traveling or riding on the sidewalk.

“For example, the maximum fine for riding an e-bike on the sidewalk would increase from $100 to $200,” Garodnick said. “The fine for running a red light for the first time would increase from the current range of $150 to $450 to $900.”

He stressed that the use of the illegal bikes was a citywide issue, highlighting a local resident who was injured by one. Leonore Lanzillotti, a resident of Sunnyside, spoke regarding an accident involving an e-bike on Greenpoint Avenue when she was crossing the street .

“I was almost killed,” she said.

Eight Council members have co-signed the bill. Garodnick said he is hoping to have the bill introduced in the fall.