Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Surprising No One, Study Says Cyclists Ignore Traffic Laws
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 19, 2008
Modified Nov 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 19, 2008
Modified Nov 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An observational study by Hunter College students has concluded that when it comes to traffic regulations, cyclists are incorrigible scofflaws. Students spent October observing 3,000 cyclists chosen at random at 69 locations throughout the five boroughs; they found that only 43 percent of all cyclists stopped at red lights, and roughly 14 percent did not use designated bike lanes, which is not required by law. City law does require children under age 14 to wear helmets, but the study determined that less than half do so. Also:
- Commercial cyclists such as messengers and delivery workers are required to wear helmets, but only 27 percent were observed wearing helmets.
- A gender disparity in helmet use was also evident, with roughly half of female cyclist observed using helmets, compared to just a third of the males.
- About 13 percent of cyclists were observed riding against traffic, and almost 13 percent were observed riding on sidewalks.
But Ben Fried at Streetsblog says, "the findings are presented in a way that feeds into the worst stereotypes about cyclists and a blame-the-victim mentality toward traffic injuries and deaths. Another way to view the Hunter College findings is that rates of traffic violations among cyclists are symptomatic of a system designed mainly to accommodate cars. In other words, cyclists follow the rules more when they feel safe." Reached for comment, Wiley Norvell, a spokesman for Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group for cyclists and pedestrians, said:
"To our eyes, this isn't just about personal behavior, this is about streets that are dangerous and not serving all the people who use them. Well-designed streets give us behavior we want. A good example is 9th Avenue in Chelsea, where there is now a protected bike lane.
The DOT has found that accidents have declined dramatically there, and bike riding on the sidewalk has [decreased] about 80%, from 5% of bike riders using the sidewalk to 1%. So this first-generation of new street designs is showing how far we can get in reducing these traffic infractions."
, Norvell added, "Obviously it’s incumbent for cyclists to obey the laws: They have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians and motorists. The most important rule is to yield to pedestrians, always, no matter what. It gets under my skin if a bicyclist doesn’t yield to a pedestrian."
Photo courtesy Ichance.
Tagged
bike
hunter
law
rules
safety
study
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man took girlfriend’s body to beach in a wagon, where it remained for 5 days
Seraphina Pereira was found in a shallow grave at Rockaway Community Park. Rogelio Lozano-Garita pleaded not guilty to murder on Wednesday.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 6:58 p.m. ET
Mamdani extends NYC racial equity leader's term after Council pushes back on replacement
Linda Tigani, the current chair of the Commission on Racial Equity, is expected to stay on in the role through July 2027.
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
Mamdani extends NYC racial equity leader's term after Council pushes back on replacement
Linda Tigani, the current chair of the Commission on Racial Equity, is expected to stay on in the role through July 2027.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Woman charged with federal hate crimes after allegedly stabbing 2 Jewish men in NYC
By
Giulia Heyward
Ex-NYPD sergeant sentenced to 4-12 years in deadly drunken Taconic crash
By
Charles Lane
After being booed at integration forum, NYC chancellor praised by school parent leaders
By
Jessica Gould
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .