Do Not Run Red Lights

[BB_NY]

NYPD Ticketing Bicyclists Running Red Lights
March 16, 2011 7:49 AM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York City police were ticketing bicyclists who run red lights in Central Park.

So far this year, police have given out 230 tickets to riders for ignoring signals and other violations as they zip around the park’s 6-mile loop.

Capt. Philip Wishnia of the Central Park Precinct said a bike is a vehicle and the traffic law applies.

The former president of the NY Cycle Club tells the New York Post there’s no point in riding in the park if he has to stop at every red light.

Cyclist Tom Laskey said, “What’s the fun in that?”

[jontotman]

Thanks BigB for sharing the info. Last year I was stop by a cop on 9W for failing to stop on a stop lights. I was lucky enough that he just gave me a warning.

[BB_NY]

I heard the its a $250 fine

[soundz]

c'mon now .. they need to find a different place to ticket for running red lights other than central park, like ANYWHERE ELSE in manhattan!

[merlin]

p.s. before I forget. This simply a note that NYPD will no longer issue summons in Central Park for cyclist running the red light.

Here is a note from The NYCC President, Ellen Jaffe to support that claim.


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Dear Fellow NYCC Member,



You know that the Club has put a great deal of effort into advocacy and public policy work in recent months. The leadership of the cycling community, including NYCC, TA, and CRCA have met with elected leaders and Department of Transportation staff, as well as representatives of the New York Police Department, to hammer out a reasonable cyclist enforcement policy in Central Park.



However, there is immediate cause for alarm that this hard-won policy could be reversed due to the bad behavior of a few.



While we're sure most of you have taken to heart all the admonitions to be safe and respectful of others, always yielding to pedestrians, there continue to be instances of cyclists doing laps in the Park at high speed, ignoring the rights and safety of others.



It's easy to point fingers at other groups, like racing teams, but the NYCC Board wants to be certain that we've gotten the message out clearly to our own members: we will lose our privilege to cycle unimpeded in the Park if there are many more instances of reckless, rude and inappropriate behavior on the part of cyclists.



Please make sure you personally follow these guidelines while cycling in Central Park:



When approaching a crosswalk, particularly if there is a red light, slow to a speed that will permit you to maneuver; look both ways for pedestrians; always yield to pedestrians who are in or about to enter the crosswalk. Park use is extremely heavy now, even in the very early morning hours. Be alert; be conscientious. Your actions will determine our future use of this precious resource.
Although you may be comfortable passing within six inches of a runner or walker, they will not be comfortable with that clearance. Give them at least 3 or 4 feet. Whenever possible and practical, cross behind the pedestrian. "Yielding" does not mean racing through because you're confident you won't actually hit the pedestrian.
When passing a slower cyclist, give sufficient clearance.
Don't ride in packs. Keep the groups small and ride in a single paceline.
Get a bell. It is the law and is a useful tool in a densely packed park if used judiciously.
Above all be courteous. Creating goodwill here will go a long way towards helping our cause.

We are making a concerted effort to get this message out to all cyclists who train in the Park.



If you know of non-members who cycle in the Park, please pass this on to them and spread the word however you can.



Thanks for your cooperation. We're in this together.



Ellen