Is $270 A Reasonable Fine For Bicycling Through Red Light?

[ccnyc]

Heads up!
After 40+ years of no worries about cycling through red lights in Central Park (during car-free hours only) the NYPD has begun to target cyclists in spandex.

http://gothamist.com/2011/02/11/is_2...for_bicycl.php

[Melalvai]

What do motorists get for running a red light?

[Trek420]

What do motorists get for running a red light?

They get t-boned They have steel and side curtain airbags.

I'd consider it a warning. Could be a far worse penalty

[ccnyc]

What do motorists get for running a red light?

I can't find that info anywhere. It's probably less than $270. The NYPD is specifically sending a message to recreational cyclists in Central Park. This isn't about safety.

Edited: I just found out it's $270 for a car + an $80 surcharge and points on their license.

[PamNY]

There needs to be a safe way to cross the street in Central Park, and right now, there isn't one.

There is literally no place to cross where you are safe from cyclists who don't slow for anything -- including wheelchairs, crutches and strollers. And cyclists aren't shy about yelling at other cyclists who slow or stop.

The level of hostility toward speeding cyclists in Central Park and Riverside Park is staggering, and the rejoicing over this recent crackdown is considerable.

I know it's popular in this group to say "cars are worse"; but honestly, in this case, they aren't. Most cars stop at red lights; in Central Park, bicycles never do.

I don't know what the answer is; I'm sympathetic to cyclists who want to train, but the park needs to be safe and pleasant for everyone, not just cyclists.

[ccnyc]

I don't know what the answer is either. I gave up doing laps in CP a few years ago because it's just too dangerous with the oblivious pedestrians walking down the middle of the road even early in the morning (when I used to do laps) or off leash dogs running into the road. Now, I stick to the top of the park to do hill repeats. Only two traffic lights there! I go through the park to get out of the city and when I come back. I use my cycling time there to practice my slow speed cycling and bike handling around obstacles in the road (pedestrians and daydreamers).

It's only going to get worse as the weather warms up and more cyclists of all types use the park.

What really bugs me is the selective enforcement. I guarantee that the NYPD is not going to ticket the tourists on rental bikes with helmets dangling from the handlebars when they go through red lights, or pedestrians jay walking all over the park. Or runners going through the red lights. No one uses the crosswalks. Sigh.

[PamNY]

Leash law enforcement is nonexistent in Central and Riverside Parks.

I want to know why this law enforcement zeal isn't directed at delivery bikers, who effectively never obey any law.

[PamNY]

If any of you are in groups or have influence on other cyclists, please ask them to help preserve the relative peace of Riverside Park.

I am very worried that the exodus of fast cyclists from Central Park will mean an increase in problems in Riverside as cyclists go toward NJ. There's already a requirement that cyclists dismount in one area of Riverside, and this is entirely the result of cyclists going much too fast for conditions.

Several of my park friends also fear the Central Park nightmare is coming our way, and I doubt we are alone. The pedestrians who are blithely labeled "clueless" and "oblivious" by cyclists are, in many cases, people who live in the neighborhood. They consider the speeding cyclists an unpleasant intrusion into a beautiful area they have treasured for decades. Their complaints about fast cyclists are virtually identical to the complaints cyclists have about automobile drivers.

Please, please, please remember that Riverside is popular with little kids and older people who want to bike slowly and safely. They have every right to a pleasant and peaceful environment.

If you can prevent even one person from flying through Riverside shrieking "heads up!!" I will be grateful.

[ccnyc]

http://www.change.org/petitions/nyc-...clist-petition

CENTRAL PARK CYCLING PETITION

Dear New York City Officials:

We respectfully demand that the City of New York enact a reasonable exception to the traffic rules of Central Park, similar to the “off leash hours” exception afforded to dog walkers, to allow cyclists to legally ride through Central Park’s traffic signals at times when they can do so with complete safety.

Specifically, we demand that a policy be implemented whereby Central Park traffic signals shall flash yellow at all times and places where its roads are closed to motor vehicle traffic, unless a crosswalk button is pushed by a pedestrian. If a crosswalk button is pushed, the signal will turn solid yellow, then red, and then return to flashing yellow. A standard interval would be in place to ensure that the signal flashes yellow for a minium amount of time in between button presses. When traffic signals are flashing yellow, cyclists are permitted to ride through with caution.

We are grateful for the efforts the City has undertaken to make New York City more friendly to cycling, but we believe that the current enforcement initiative in Central Park is unnecessary. Innumerable cyclists have used the Park without strict enforcement of traffic signals for decades with general safety.

We, the undersigned, believe that this is a fair and reasonable compromise that will balance the interests of all the Park’s users, reward safe cycling, and increase overall safety by making traffic signals more useful. We invite further dialogue on this matter; please contact NYCCyclistPetition@gmail.com at any time to schedule a meeting.

[ButIDidntFall]

Just signed it!

[ccnyc]

If any of you are in groups or have influence on other cyclists, please ask them to help preserve the relative peace of Riverside Park.

There's already a requirement that cyclists dismount in one area of Riverside, and this is entirely the result of cyclists going much too fast for conditions.

Some good news:
"While Central Park cyclists are being forced to slow down, cyclists in Riverside Park received good news in the form of a compromise from the Parks Department regarding contentious dismount signs along the path connecting West 72nd Street and Riverside Drive with the Waterfront Greenway along the Hudson River. After months of debate and issues with people removing the signs or ignoring them, Riverside Park Administrator John Herrold announced to the Parks Committee that new signs will soon require cyclists to proceed at walking speed and yield to pedestrians, but not require them to dismount."
http://westsidespirit.com/2011/03/02...-central-park/

[PamNY]

Wonderful! At least there's a spirit of compromise.

I hope cyclists cooperate, and I wish the city would enforce the law that prohibits dog leashes longer than six feet. ETA: The controversy in that area had a lot to do with a small dog park located nearby.

I have a sentimental attachment to that spot because it was my "practice hill" when I first bought a bike.

[ccnyc]

http://www.nycc.org/message-board/ac...ral-park/50270
Your presence is requested at the Central Park Precinct Community Council Meeting on March 14.

Massive attendance by NYCC members, by all cyclists who care about Central Park will make an impression here.

Date: March 14, 7pm.

Place: Unitarian Church, 160 Central Park West at 76th Street

[PamNY]

I saw a motorcycle cop pull a cyclist over on the Hudson River Greenway just north of Chambers St. this afternoon.

I don't know what happened, but the cyclist later caught up with me and she stopped at every single red light on the bike path, which no one ever does. I'm guessing it was a ticket or warning regarding traffic lights.

Of course, the unlighted delivery bikers going the wrong way on dark streets tonight were, as far as I could see, unmolested by law enforcement.