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

[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.

[ccnyc]

http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/03/1...k/#more-253023

I was at this meeting. The NYPD Central Park Precinct officers will continue to actively target "spandex" cyclists in Central Park while looking the other way re speeding motorists, tourists on bicycles going through red lights, and jaywalkers.

Some local politicians (Scott Stringer and Gail Brewer) showed up vowing to support ending the red light ticket blitz and working to change the red lights to flashing yellow when cars are not allowed in the park.

DOT is the key to changing the lights. They were invited to the meeting but no one showed up.

[Eden]

http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/03/1...k/#more-253023

I was at this meeting. The NYPD Central Park Precinct officers will continue to actively target "spandex" cyclists in Central Park while looking the other way re speeding motorists, tourists on bicycles going through red lights, and jaywalkers.

Well then..... that sounds rather unfair.......

[PamNY]

Well then..... that sounds rather unfair.......

Eden, the problem is that cyclists do laps at speed when Central Park is very, very crowded. They travel in packs and they yell at pedestrians.

Is it fair that a child learning to ride his bike with training wheels has to put up with this? Remember, in the city, he has nowhere else to ride.

Is it fair that an elderly woman with an oxygen bottle and a rolling walker has to cross the street in fear of groups of cyclists going 20+ mph?

Is it fair that ordinary cyclists like me have no choice but to cycle past the aforementioned woman, because there is nothing I can do to help her? Even if I come to a dead stop for 20 minutes, the road is wide and it won't matter. There could be a speeding pack bearing down on her, and I can't stop them.

Is it fair that a few cyclists who want to train can inflict annoyance and anxiety on literally hundreds of people?

With hills, curves and crowds on the street, you can't see them coming, even if you know they might be there. And tourists, of course, don't know to watch for them.

Ironically, it was reading this forum that turned me against the Central Park cyclists. How many threads are there pointing out that it isn't safe for a cyclist going fast to stop?

I'd never thought about that since I don't go very fast. But now that I know, my question is: what are these people doing in a crowded urban park at 2 pm on a sunny Sunday afternoon?

As I stated earlier, I don't know what the answer is, but the situation as it existed was untenable. I do hope that something can be worked out to give cyclists more freedom during the early morning hours. That would be a reasonable accommodation.

[ccnyc]

Eden, the problem is that cyclists do laps at speed when Central Park is very, very crowded. They travel in packs and they yell at pedestrians.

Not all cyclists in "spandex" who ride in CP do this. In my experience most don't. Just because I'm on a road bike and wear lycra-infused clothing doesn't make me a danger to old people and toddlers.

Is it fair that a child learning to ride his bike with training wheels has to put up with this? Remember, in the city, he has nowhere else to ride.

How about the numerous, wide, paved walking pathways all throughout the park? Cyclists are the ones who have no where else to ride. We must stay on the roadway, especially in CP.

what are these people doing in a crowded urban park at 2 pm on a sunny Sunday afternoon?

Living in their own, self-absorbed world, unfortunately.

I do hope that something can be worked out to give cyclists more freedom during the early morning hours. That would be a reasonable accommodation.

Agreed.

One of the suggestions at the meeting was about educating everyone, cyclists, tourists, pedestrians, bladers and skateboarders on the basic rules of the park and how to use it safely. Everyone agreed on this, even the CP Precinct Captain.

ccnyc- cycling safely in spandex

[PamNY]

Not all cyclists in "spandex" who ride in CP do this. In my experience most don't. Just because I'm on a road bike and wear lycra-infused clothing doesn't make me a danger to old people and toddlers.

I never said a word about Spandex. I did mention speeds in excess of 20 mph -- not sure why that would inspire you to discuss your attire.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if "most don't" cause trouble. The fact is that some do, and they are a problem.

I don't doubt that you are a safe cyclist. I am a safe cyclist, too, but I am willing to acknowledge that cyclists cause a lot of problems in Central Park. Law enforcement cannot base their decisions entirely on you and me.

Central Park paths are clearly marked "No bicycles." Are the rules different for children on smaller bikes, as is the case on sidewalks? I don't know.

Even if children are allowed on paths, they have as much right to the roadway as you do. Cyclists talk a lot about laws aimed at protecting "vulnerable users." Shouldn't we be equally concerned with protecting people who are vulnerable to us?

If Wishnia figures out a way to educate tourists, I certainly hope they ship him downtown.