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Cyclists Petition to Change Central Park Traffic Lights
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 24, 2011
Modified Feb 25, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 24, 2011
Modified Feb 25, 2011
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The NYPD has been relentlessly cracking down on cyclists who pedal through red lights in Central Park, handing out numerous $270 tickets to violators. Despite an outcry from cyclists who say it's absurd to stop at a red light when the crosswalk is clear, one police source says they're going to enforce the letter of the law from now until "forever." But there's one thing the NYPD didn't count on: a petition.
A group of cyclists have started an online petition (it will also be in NYC bike shops starting this weekend) calling for a compromise: "At all times when Central Park roadways are closed to motor vehicles, traffic signals will flash yellow unless a crosswalk button is pushed by a pedestrian, at which time it will turn solid yellow, then red. When traffic signals are flashing yellow, cyclists are permitted to ride through with caution."
Local attorney (and former assistant D.A. in Nassau County) Guido Gabriele helped draft the petition (below); he tells us he started cycling as an alternative to running because of bad knees. "Within one summer I got into the best shape of my life, even started racing," Gabriele explains. "It has come to mean a lot to me. Riding in Central Park every morning, I saw that everyone simply proceeded through traffic lights when the roads were closed to traffic, sometimes in the presence of the NYPD. I think that anyone (especially tourists) could reasonably believe that the traffic signals did not apply when cars were not present. I was just as surprised as everyone else when the 'crackdown' began...
"I believe dog walkers have an exception written into the law that allows them to have 'off leash' hours in the Park. So why not make a similar exception for cyclists?... While DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan has exhibited a great affinity for the City's cyclists, there are many that feel that the NYPD does have a negative and hostile attitude towards cyclists. I must stress that I—as a former prosecutor and member of law enforcement—have nothing but respect for the NYPD and their efforts at promoting safety. Many feel that they are being treated unfairly, but I believe that the best policy is to work with the City to whatever extent possible."
Aja Hazelhoff at Transportation Alternatives wouldn't comment on the specifics of this proposal, but says, "Everyone agrees that pedestrian safety in the park is paramount. Right now, the traffic signals there do relatively little to inform the behavior of cyclists or walkers because they are tailored to cars. There needs to be a better way to protect the most vulnerable users by alerting cyclists to the presence of pedestrians who need to cross the loop drive, while still facilitating recreation for the thousands of New Yorkers that rely on the park for daily recreation."
Tagged
bicycling
biking
central park
cycling
cycling crackdown
cyclist crackdown
petition
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.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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