The widow of Lisa Banes, known for her role in “Gone Girl,” has criticized the decision by New York City’s new mayor to halt a crackdown on potentially hazardous two-wheelers. Banes tragically lost her life after being struck by a moped on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Zohran Mamdani announced on Wednesday that the NYPD will cease issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders and cyclists for minor traffic violations. This policy shift, believed to support the city’s substantial population of migrant delivery workers, is scheduled to begin on March 27.
“Every New Yorker on our roads, whether driving or biking, deserves to be treated fairly,” stated the Democratic Socialist mayor in an official announcement.
The newly appointed mayor expressed confidence that, along with forthcoming street safety measures, New York City’s streets will become safer for all users.
Nonetheless, Kathryn Kranhold, Banes’ widow, voiced her disapproval of the mayor’s approach.
“I haven’t read the specifics, but I do know from firsthand experience the devastation it brings when a loved one is struck by an electric bike or vehicle,” she remarked to the New York Post.
‘They should have some restrictions. They’re not just simple bikes… They’re electric vehicles.’
Banes died in June 2021, 10 days after being struck by an e-bike rider who ran a red light.
Gone Girl star Lisa Banes was killed after being hit by a moped rider in June 2021
Her widow, Kathryn Kranhold, fervently disagrees with Mayor Mamdani’s new tactic of ending criminal enforcement on the dangerous two-wheelers. ‘They’re just a hazard,’ she said
‘I support all the cycling lanes, and what we can do to encourage cycling, I support that. But I don’t support e-bikes just running through red lights. They’re just a hazard,’ she told the outlet.
Under the Eric Adams administration e-bike riders and cyclists could receive a criminal summons for not following traffic laws, such as running a red light.
That will no longer be, starting next Friday.
Brian Boyd, then 27, was identified as Banes’ hit-and-run driver. He was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and spent two years in jail for the actress’ death.
He was driving a moped while not having a license and the vehicle was unregistered. Under NYC law, mopeds have to be registered as they are considered motorcycles. E-bikes do not need to be registered.
Kranhold now hesitates at crosswalks and always makes sure her friends look before crossing the street.
‘I remind them to look always because of these e-bikes,’ she told The Post. ‘A lot of them are like Vespas. They’re electric vehicles, they’re not just bicycles anymore.
‘They should have different standards.’
Mamdani announced that the NYPD will stop issuing criminal summonses for e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses
The new e-bike policy is set to take effect on March 27
Brian Boyd, then 27, spent two years in jail for killing Banes
The Mamdani Administration has proposed legislation that will require delivery platforms to share trip-level data with the city’s Transportation Department, which will allow them to set safer delivery standards.
The administration is also seeking to mandate enhanced training for delivery drivers who repeatedly engage in unsafe road behavior.
‘In partnership with the City Council, we’ll strengthen safety standards, hold app companies accountable and expand training for delivery riders,’ Mamdani said in a statement.
‘This balanced approach supports riders while protecting pedestrians and motorists – and moves us closer to making our streetscape the envy of the world.’
The enhanced safety training program will launch in April for all bicycle and e-bike delivery workers. It will be an online program, and it will cover workers’ rights, safety, and traffic laws.
It will be offered in six languages.
Mamdani’s office is also partnering with Lyft, which operates the city’s large Citi Bike program, to bring in new hardware and to start a safety campaign.
