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Cuomo's E-Scooter Veto Puts Ithaca Program In Doubt

ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - On Thursday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have made e-scooters legal in the state. Cuomo wants the law to require riders to wear a helmet.

Ithaca has been considering an e-scooter pilot program, but the city's Common Council was waiting for the state to decide the legality of the small vehicles.

Ithaca Alderman Ducson Nguyen is in favor of an e-scooter pilot program in the city. However, with Cuomo's veto, Nguyen is worried about whether the program can be successful. 

"That compromise will likely include a helmet requirement," he said. "I don’t have a huge problem with it in principle, but my fear is that it limits the success of bike-and-scooter share programs because people don’t generally carry helmets around with them."

Alderwoman Laura Lewis likes the idea of transportation alternatives, but she has several safety concern.

"We don’t currently have sufficient infrastructure for bikes, much less e-scooters, on our roads," she said.

Both Nguyen and Lewis agree that Ithaca’s Common Council won't consider a pilot program again until the electronically assisted scooters are legalized.

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