Surprising No One, Study Says Cyclists Ignore Traffic Laws

Westernqueesnland, I want to join your club. You are exactly right in all respects.

#49 : When the City becomes properly bike-friendly, cyclists can become friendlier and behave more properly.

Typical threats and bullying from the cyclist lobby.

In NYC, the average number of pedestrian deaths attributable to cyclists each year is approximately 1. In 2006, cars killed 156 pedestrians and 17 bicyclists in NYC and -- get this -- injured more than 10,000 pedestrians and more than 2,800 bicyclists badly enough to be hospitalized.

Let us review. NYC non-drivers hospitalized and killed by drivers in 2006: 13,000 (rounded).

This is the most ridiculous discussion I've ever seen. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians all pointing fingers at each other. 2/3 or more of New Yorkers know how to ride a bike, so they have been a cyclist at some point in their life. Probably the same number have driven. And everybody is a pedestrian, at least at the beginning and end of every journey. "Pedestrians" aren't a class of people. "Cyclists" are not a race. "Driving" is not a creed or a religion. It's a mode of transportation!, and each comes with predictable behavior patterns. Duh.

In New York City, most people on bicycles (not "cyclists") run red lights. Duh. Most people driving cars (not "drivers") don't come to a complete stop at stop signs. Duh. Most people walking (not "pedestrians") cross streets whenever are wherever they feel safe to do so. DUH! This simple human psychology. We are all people.

Half a dozen studies show that people on bicycles obey traffic laws most when they are given robust facilities (protected bike lanes, dedicated signals), and when those facilities are heavily used. But right now, riding a bicycle in New York City is still quite dangerous, or perceived as dangerous, for most trips. Therefore, the people on bicycles observed are typically the more reckless and disobedient types of personalities. But, if cycling is made safer, both by making more separated facilities and by the presence of more cyclists, then people with safer, more responsible personality types will be encouraged to ride and compliance will rise dramatically.

This has been obviously proven in Copenhagen, in Portland, and in Paris. If you are actually interested in encouraging people on bicycles to obey the laws, you have to build better facilities an encourage more cycling. The city knows that, which is explicitly why they are building more protected bike lanes.

What a useless study.

I think it's ludicrous to state or imply that automobiles and pedestrians follow the laws more closely than cyclists. That being said, cyclists must have accountability for their actions. I have been almost hit or hit by people on bikes much more often then incidents with automobiles. In EVERY instance with a cyclist there was no apology or recognition, while in some instances with an automobile the driver will stop and apologize.

I think a key issue is something that's been pointed out already; although as a pedestrian I often jaywalk, I stop when a car or cyclist has the right of way. Good luck finding ANY cyclist or driver that can say the same thing. If stopping short is a problem then you were probably going to fast.

When the City becomes properly bike-friendly, cyclists can become friendlier and behave more properly.

Well, it is nice to see people so happy with their ignorance. I guess it's the gift that keeps on giving.

Bike posts are a menace.

>>"Expecting cyclists to obey traffic laws and watch out for pedestrians does not equate to hatred. Is it necessary that a bicycle smash-up with a pedestrian cause instantaneous mortality to warrant sympathy or attention. I don't think so. An elderly person may not recover from a bicycle accident, particulaly when it results in broken bones and may lead to a decline ending in death."

Wow, I thought the nursery school teachers who worked in my building were getting super-paranoid about peanuts, when only two of their students were inconvenienced by allergies, while five people outside our building were killed by cars.

But according to many posters here, its better to have cars kill the old/crippled/young/handicapped than have some bike riders occasionally scare or inconvenience them.

OK

I'd prefer an apology to a trip to the ER or morgue, but have it your way, and just deal with the cars.

Re: "There is nothing more annoying than cyclists with a martyrdom complex."

Except maybe new yorkers with a victim complex.

The scary bike people are not out to get you.

The all-powerful hipsters are not taking over the city.

It's going to be OK.

I don't know how some people make it through their commute without someone holding their hand.

There is no excuse for riding on sidewalks. Unless, of course, you don't mind drunks driving down bike paths in the park.

Riding a bike into someone at full speed is not exactly throwing a soft billowy pillow at them.

Being knocked into traffic by a biker who is riding on the sidewalk can also be a bummer.

I was hit by a biker on 8th ave. and W46th lastyear. The guy took off after completely knocking me on my ass (and I'm a tiny person at only 5 ft. 100 lbs.) at a cross walk where the peds. had a walk light. (I broke my tailbone in the fall and you all know how cool it is to carry an inflateable dough-nut around with you!)

The delivery guy continued on his way as he screamed around the corner,while we were all crossing, and after knocking me down and running over my feet, continued at top speed going the wrong way down a one way street.

One very old man shouted at the guy and, no joke,"You are a douche bag...yesireeeee!"

Right on.

Bicyclists and pedestrians didn't co-exist peacefully before the automobile. Cyclists who rode recklessly were known as "scorchers;"in fact,one of these was the Duke of Marlborough...see Valentine's Manual for a piece on cyclists.

Expecting cyclists to obey traffic laws and watch out for pedestrians does not equate to hatred. Is it necessary that a bicycle smash-up with a pedestrian cause instantaneous mortality to warrant sympathy or attention. I don't think so. An elderly person may not recover from a bicycle accident, particulaly when it results in broken bones and may lead to a decline ending in death.

I am never out for any length of time without seeing cyclists disobeying traffic laws. I believe it's more likely that I will be hit by a bicycle than a car and I have had many more near misses with cyclists than with cars.

The only people who think it's OK for cyclists to ride as they please are other cyclists and probably not all of them. I'm sorry that law observing cyclists are lumped in with the others, but until cycling advocates insist on strict enforcement on cyclists, I'm not interested their demands for more perks and, frankly, their whining demands irk me. Bicycles should be licensed and cyclists should carry insurance.

Guess what? The actions of drivers or pedestrians don't make it OK for bikers to break the law.

I am 100% against Cyclists. They think they own the streets and they feel that laws don't apply to them.

biking on the sidewalk is outrageous. but other than that how can you blame a cyclist for most of this? everything on the streets in this city is arranged according to cars and their needs. even the pedestrians (people who are living, working, and enjoying themselves in the city) are at a disadvantage according to the laws. at most intersections people cross for 50% of the time and cars go for 50% of the time, but you always have cars turning onto the street when people have the right of way. at the end of the day i don't think we can ever criticize cyclists unless they are on the sidewalk or until we make separated bike lanes or close some streets to pedestrian/bike traffic only

1. Bike Lanes are death traps.

2. Central and Prospect parks are for kids and seniors (not serious cyclists).

3. Cycling is fun.

4. Bridges are great to ride over.

5. NY, in spite of the traffic, is a great place to ride (b/c a. cars are at least aware of pedestrians and cyclists, b. most intersections are right angles, c. the lights are timed, d. there are places to go that are worth being, e. there are places to lock your bike everywhere!)

Hunter College? is that a real school?

that said, I've noticed food delivery guys don't really bike fast. the cigarette in their mouth would fall loose if they did. that or their greasy hair is so matted, no matter how fast they go, it doesn't look wind blown.

cyclist who don't obey traffic laws and jaywalkers deserve to be hit.

By the way WTF are they delivering,eviction notices?

Yup! the worst is when crossing and they come at

you aginst the direction of traffic then smile

when you curse then cause they almost broke yo'

hip.Don't tell me about jaywalkers causing issues

for the bikers,no way ,maniacs.

The bike messenger's are pot smoking maniacs who

try to run over slow people or old folk on 5th

Avenue especially near Madison Sq.Park.

That being said it keeps one fit to dodge them.

I've been to several cities in Europe and every city I went to, pedestrians, cyclists & motorists were more likely to obey the laws and get along with each other than here, by far. There's something about this city (my hometown) that's "different".

Call it a stealthy form of aggression & tension which influences the behavior of many people here. It seems far worse here than anywhere else, with perhaps the exception of some third-world cities.

If I was king, it would be common for me to unilaterally declare whole swaths of streets off limits to cars, with one dramatic wave of my hand. "Banned!" I would yell, and my inner circle would get to work removing every car from whatever street happened to catch my wrath that day.

With that said...Ive def had more near misses with cyclists while crossing a street than with cars. Granted I can see a car better than a cyclist, but regardless, I often forget that although the crosswalk says walk and the cars are stopped, that does not preclude that a bike will not come whizzing by. Today it happened two times. Both by bike delivery.

#26 and #27 got it right very succinctly;

"There is nothing more annoying than cyclists with a martyrdom complex."

&

"I have yet to see a bicyclist be considerate, other than screaming sorry after clipping you in the crosswalk.'

In Copenhagen, cyclists obey the law. In NYC, they don't.

No more bike lanes till cyclists obey the law.

Good, finally someone reports that the Critical Mass crowd has some 'other' work to do now. Organize a rally to get bicyclists to obey traffic laws - hey hipsters! What do you think? There's an idea!

"I almost got killed by a bike today"

If you are not grossly elderly, I will not hear this statement. Bikes rarely, if ever, kill people. Further, when a biker does come close to clipping someone, it is usually because the ped is jaywalking or the biker is an asshole. In either case, its usually a known action and not that dangerous.

Here's my experience as a pedestrian in NYC. Sometimes you get the considerate car who waves you to cross while he turns. Sometimes you get the considerate pedestrians who stop to let cars go if they're blocking the box(rare). I have yet to see a bicyclist be considerate, other than screaming sorry after clipping you in the crosswalk.

There is nothing more annoying than cyclists with a martyrdom complex. I've sat in that new area in the middle of Broadway at 23rd Street and saw a cyclist dash thru red lights back and forth, over and over. When I guess he'd finally got close enough to someone to feign a crash (there was a good 4 or 5 feet between him and the cab) and pick a big showy argument, the cabbie was so untypically apologetic, especially for having done absolutely nothing, the cyclist just gave up and went on to greener pastures.

Of course this is an extreme example, but some of these guys have this cult mentality and as my example shows, will risk their life just for some more attention to their nebulous "cause."

I ride on the sidewalk occasionally in Brooklyn or Queens. But only if the street is narrow and theres a lot of cars going both ways. I don't see why i should risk my life riding on narrow streets with no bike lanes and fast moving cars being driven by people that feel like I'm somehow intruding on their space by riding a bike down the street.

I do everything i can to make sure i don't get killed while riding my bike. And i refuse to obey any law that makes it more likely for me to die. And for the record, while i protect myself, I'm very careful to never put a pedestrian in harms way.

cyclists should never ride on sidewalks or ride against traffic. everything other than that is pretty inconsequential. running a red light and buzzing a pedestrian is obnoxious, but so much of the time when pedestrians say "i almost got killed by a bike" they a) were jaywalking and it was their own fault or b) were startled but actually no where near getting hit.

#18 - Honestly, I will only listen to and care about the "plight of the drivers" once they start following the laws. I HATE it when people park in bike lanes, open their car doors without looking, and drive recklessly. It is the most annoying thing in the world to me.

Also, so many pro-car people claim that cars are easy targets, they're more likely to be pulled over for running a red light, etc, but did it ever occur to anyone that drives are supposed to follow the laws, period. the chance of getting hurt would lessen? That just seems obvious to me.

Having said that, here's some thoughts of my own: there needs to be some sort of attempt made to educate delivery guys about wearing helmets (and actually buckling the strap), and more importantly, not riding the wrong way down a one day streets and not riding on the sidewalk. I'd actually like to see cops out enforcing this - if you're not going to ticket the delivery guy himself, following him back to the restuarant and ticket them.

As a cyclist myself, I treat red lights as stop signs in Queens, but I almost always treat them as red lights in Manhattan.

I follow traffic regulationson a bike -- ride with traffic, stop at reds. If nothing's coming, I'll go through. Know what? I'm def in the minority.

As a pedestrian I have to dodge riders on sidewalks. I have to look both ways when I cross at the green, not in between, since if I don't I might get flattened by a rider running the red.

As a pedestrian I believe I face much greater danger from riders, because most do not feel obligated to obey regulations. At least, cars do, and when they don't, I can see and hear them coming.

www.forgotten-ny.com

bikers break the law all the time. so do drivers. it does seem more risky for bikers though since they have to deal with their own law breaking plus law breaking drivers.

Cyclists, especially food delivery people on bikes, are riding all over the sidewalks in total violation of the law. If the city and the mayor wanted to raise some money, they would ticket these cyclists and the restaurants they work for, protecting pedestrians in the process. I've been hit by food delivery people a half a dozen times and have many friends and neighbors who have been hit as well. It's out of hand and absolutely uncalled for....

Honestly, I will only listen to and care about the "plight of the bikers" once they start following the laws. I HATE it when people ride on sidewalks. It is the most annoying thing in the world to me.

Also, so many pro-bike people claim that bikes are easy targets, they're more susceptible to being hurt, etc, but did it ever occur to anyone that if bikers followed the law and used common sense, the chance of getting hurt would lessen? That just seems obvious to me.

Traffic lights and laws were created and introduced in response to the growing, and increasingly chaotic, automobile usage at the start of the last century.

Bicyclists and pedestrians has co-existed peacefully before then.

@ the Ben Fried thing: uhh, cyclists don't run red lights because they feel like they're in danger. I would argue that most cyclists who do only cross when there aren't any cars coming.

It's been shown scientifically that, if you're riding a bicycle, stopping at a red light is more dangerous than running it (assuming the intersection is clear). I can explain why if need be, but you can probably figure it out for yourselves if you care to. For non-bicyclists, imagining what's it's like to be riding on the streets may be an amusing exercise.

In general, the streets, stop lights, traffic laws, and the enforcement thereof, have been arranged for the convenience of motor vehicles, especially cars, so it is not surprising that pedestrians and bicyclists ignore them.

I don't know why helmets were mentioned. They are not legally required, and most of them are too light to be effective in a serious crash. In any case, a bicyclist's refusal to wear a helmet doesn't affect anyone else's safety.

I'm surprised no one has pointed out the "Also too" yet.

I am a cyclist and I always obey traffic laws. Because you must follow the rules to have the moral high ground. I wish more people understood this.

Riding through a red light when no pedestrian is crossing and running over whoever is in the way when riding through a red light are obviously two different things. As a pedestrian, yes I cross when and where I am not supposed to often but I yield to whoever has the right of way. I can't even count how many times I've been almost struck by a biker that ignored the red light. That's what makes many bikers inconsiderate, not the fact they don't stop at red light.

Where's the study about cars that roll through red lights, or double park, or speed on city streets? How about the stats comparing deaths and injuries due to automobiles versus deaths and injuries due to bicycles, for New Yorkers?

Bicyclists = easy target.

Automobile drivers = untouchable.

the only cyclists who ride on the street are mexican and chinese delivery guys.

That was fast. I was wondering when the bike haters would come in and start insisting "It's wrong! I know it's wrong! It must be close to 100% who don't stop for red lights!" But first post? Kudos, #1, not that I expect any better from someone with such a crass handle.

cyclists are more dangerous than cars inside Prospect & Central Parks

cyclists are never wrong

never

I have to say, I'm overwhelmingly pro bikes, but it REALLY irks me when I see people riding up on the sidewalks.

I'm always tempted to say something like "Hey, that's illegal. You could get a ticket." Which is really passive aggressive cover for "get your fucking bike off the sidewalk, asshole!"

i came here to say the same thing. do you wait for the 'walk' signal everytime you cross the street? we've all got places to be, people.

as for the helmets, well, if you don't wear one you're just being plain stupid.

Cyclists = Urban Roadkill

Somehow they'll justify it by blaming the roads, the cars or the pedestrians. When the bikers stop bitching out cars for not following the rules and actually start obeying those exact same rules ... then maybe I'll sympathize with their plight.

#1- guess what? 99% of every pedestrian new yorker jaywalkd sand does not yield to don't walk or red light signs. How many deaths by bikers to pedestrians occur a year? exactly.

Ben Fried's wrong -- bikers follow the law when they feel in danger. I'm shocked to hear that 43 percent of the bikers observed actually stopped at red lights. My guess is that the red lights in the study were all the type where if you didn't stop you were likely to get killed. If you looked at red lights that you could go through without getting killed the compliance rate for bikers is probably 10 percent or less.