NYC must stop treating cyclists like a special class — for everyone's safety
Share this @internewscast.com

A cyclist’s lawsuit against the NYPD over unwarranted tickets exposes the City Council’s “go with the walk” law for the terrible policy it is.

Oliver Casey Esparza’s federal lawsuit argues that the NYPD is incorrectly issuing tickets to cyclists for running red lights, despite a 2019 law permitting bicycles to move when pedestrian signals allow, which occurs before the vehicle traffic light turns green.

In addition to seeking compensation, the suit requests that the NYPD educate officers on the correct regulations; Esparza alleges that an officer assured him he was “99% sure” Esparza was mistaken about the law when he issued him a ticket.

No wonder: The law defies common sense.


Double bike lanes and pedestrian plazas in NYC Flatiron District
Oliver Casey Esparza’s federal lawsuit claims the NYPD is wrongly handing out tickets to cyclists who run red lights. RCF / MEGA

The law permits bicycles to proceed when the pedestrian “walk” signal is active, unless there is a specific bike-lane sign or light that remains red; furthermore, it requires cyclists to yield to pedestrians, many of whom may not be aware that bicycles can cross before vehicles.

How is that safer than bikes simply not running red lights?

Even with true bicycles, pretending that cyclists are quasi-pedestrians is dangerous — but with an estimated 65,000 e-bikes on New York City streets, it’s downright insane.

From 2020 to 2023, e-bike crashes killed 22 people and injured 2,172.

Too many cyclists treat traffic laws like suggestions, riding on sidewalks, driving the wrong way down streets and barreling through crosswalks without stopping.

And progressive leaders enable them: Rules like “go with the walk” hand cyclists special privileges.

Notably, Esparza’s lawsuit complains that tickets against cyclists increased “dramatically” in this year’s first quarter.

Right — because the city ramped up road enforcement in response to 2024’s highest-in-a-decade traffic deaths, 127 in the first six months of last year alone, 61 of them pedestrians.

Since then, traffic deaths have plummeted to their lowest since 2018.

Better enforcement keeps drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safer — laws that say cyclists only have to follow some rules for vehicles do not.

Esparza is technically right to cry foul; cyclists shouldn’t get a ticket when they’re not breaking the law.

But the law itself should go — along with the city’s insistence on treating cyclists as a special class.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
America's 'most hated mom,' Casey Anthony, spotted on apparent date at sports bar

Casey Anthony Seen on Outing at Local Sports Bar: Reports

New images show “America’s most hated mom,” Casey Anthony, out on what…
Yeah, The ‘Always Sunny’ / ‘Abbott Elementary’ Crossover Features Quinta Brunson Calling Dee a ‘Total F**king C**t,’ What About It?

Unexpected ‘Always Sunny’ and ‘Abbott Elementary’ Crossover: Quinta Brunson’s Bold Insult to Dee!

If the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Abbott Elementary crossover is…
Photo of Carolina Wilga at a petrol station.

Backpacker Carolina Winger, 26, Found Alive After Nearly Two Weeks Lost in Australian Wilderness

A GERMAN backpacker missing for nearly two weeks in the remote Australian…
Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in the English Channel.

Russia’s Sole Ailing Aircraft Carrier, Once Struggling Through the Channel, Set to Be Retired

VLADIMIR Putin’s only rustbucket aircraft carrier that struggled through the Channel is…
Close-up of Maria Shalaeva.

Putin Official Accused of Using $100M Military Jets to Fly Young Mistress Amid Kremlin Scandal

A SEX scandal has shaken the Kremlin as a high-ranking Putin official…
EMBARGOED TO 0001 SUNDAY JULY 6 File photo dated 10/06/25 of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a reception for London Tech Week, at no 10 Downing Street, London. Sir Keir Starmer has been urged not to "punish" children by keeping the two-child cap following Labour's U-turn on benefit cuts. The SNP urged the Prime Minister to end the limit amid reports it could stay as a result of Labour scrapping most of its welfare reforms. Issue date: Sunday July 6, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Keir Affirms His Commitment to ‘Island of Strangers’ Message, Emphasizing the Need for UK to Be an Integrated Society

SIR Keir Starmer has affirmed his ongoing commitment to the message behind…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at Southern California farm

Clash Erupts Between Protesters and Federal Agents During Southern California Farm Raid

A clash broke out on Thursday involving protesters and federal agents conducting…
The NEA's antisemitic ADL split: Letters

The NEA and ADL Division: Examining the Antisemitic Allegations

The Issue: The National Education Association cuts ties with the Anti-Defamation League.…
Jacksonville dance instructor arrested for sex crime with minor

Jacksonville Dance Teacher Charged with Sexual Offense Involving Minor

Samuel Penalba, 34, is also accused of trying to delete photo and…
Caribbean police work to ID body found during search for missing American as nearby security guard was killed

Caribbean Authorities Seek to Identify Body Found During Search for Missing American After Nearby Security Guard Killing

A security guard was killed about 9 miles from where an American…
Sheriff Cook discusses safety and crime at town hall

Sheriff Cook Talks Crime and Safety Issues at Community Town Hall

During Thursday’s town hall, Sheriff Michelle Cook announced that crime in Clay…