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
Texas governor asks court to remove House Democratic leader from office over walkout

Texas Governor Seeks Court’s Help to Oust Democratic House Leader Following Walkout

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday appealed…
Things to know about the Voting Rights Act and the cases that could unravel it

Key Insights into the Voting Rights Act and the Legal Challenges It’s Facing

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted as a follow-up to…
Gone in a SNAP: RFK Jr. and MAHA End the Decades Long Candy and Soda Gravy Train

RFK Jr. and MAHA Put an End to Longstanding Candy and Soda Industry Benefits

Recently, Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke…

Remains of 24-Year-Old Man Found Weeks After a Date From Dating App, Didn’t Return Home

A man was found dead after traveling to meet someone he had…
Trump threatens to federalize DC after ex-DOGE employee 'Big Balls' violently beaten

Two Teens Apprehended After Violent DC Assault on Former DOGE Employee ‘Big Balls’

Authorities have announced the arrest of two teenagers linked to a violent…
Bill and Hillary Clinton Just Got Slapped With Subpoenas for Testimony Regarding Jeffrey Epstein

Bill and Hillary Clinton Subpoenaed to Testify in Jeffrey Epstein Case

The House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas targeting former Secretary of State…
Trump's envoy meets Putin ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace deadline, the Kremlin says

Trump’s Representative Meets with Putin Before Russia-Ukraine Peace Deadline, Says Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s…
US journalist missing in Norway after backpacking trip, family says

Family Reports US Journalist Missing After Backpacking in Norway

Efforts are in progress to locate an American journalist who vanished on…
Salman Iftikhar on a plane.

Virgin Atlantic Passenger Threatens Hostess with Disturbing Abuse and Threats

THIS is the shocking moment a Virgin Atlantic passenger hurled abuse at…
Aerial view of explosions in a field.

Dramatic Video Captures Bold Ukrainian Attack Eliminating 330 Russian Troops & Employing Dragon Drones to Thwart Putin’s Progress

THIS is the heart-stopping moment a daring Ukrainian raid kills over 330…
Photo of a woman with blonde and brown hair.

Family Horrified as Suicide Clinic Notifies Them via WhatsApp That Their Mother, 58, Has Died and Her Ashes Are Being Mailed

A family in Ireland was deeply shocked when they reportedly received a…
Montana fugitive's brother serving life sentence for separate murder conviction in same town

Brother of Montana fugitive serving life for separate murder conviction in the same town

The brother of a Montana man who is on the run after…