Why Cyclists Do What They Do

Cyclists often have valid reasons for behaving the way they do, paralleling the reasons that motivate pedestrians and motorists. Behind most of these actions is a sense that since the city denies cyclists the barest minimum of space or respect, cyclists must carve out their own safe and efficient path as best they can. This is not to excuse cyclists who are reckless or inconsiderate and those who frighten people needlessly — they deserve public scorn just as does a rude or reckless motorist (they also deserve an education in better riding habits).

Some cyclists ride briefly on the sidewalk when double-parked vehicles block the street because it is safer and more passable than the clogged roadway. Some cyclists ride against traffic, particularly on the avenues, because the choice of routes in the correct direction is limited. For instance, only cyclists with rugged mountain bikes dare ride regularly on Sixth Avenue, which has been a virtual mine field of steel plates, huge bumps and deep holes since it was torn up for reconstruction in 1989; the next logical choice, narrow Madison, is choked with diesel-fume buses.

Cyclists and Red Lights

New York cyclists are notorious for running red lights. By now, going through red is an ingrained cycling tradition. Big-city impatience and the desire to maintain hard-earned momentum discourage bicycle riders from stopping fully when the law dictates — the same is true for pedestrians. But, though it may seem surprising for non-cyclists, many riders point to health and safety as reasons to disobey red lights.

For one thing, going through a Manhattan red light gives the cyclist a block or two of respite from the exhaust fumes of accelerating cars and trucks. More importantly, bicycles and cars accelerate differently. Motorists waiting behind a stopped bicycle are in no mood to wait for the cyclist to reach cruising speed. Pressure from impatient drivers is especially unnerving for novice cyclists, who need a modicum of open street space to start up. Because motor traffic occupies that space, the only way bicyclists can start up safely is by getting in front of the traffic, which often entails running lights.

Reducing the frequency and danger of bicyclist red-light running will probably require the following steps: educating cyclists; educating motorists about bicyclists' right to the road and need for safe distance; enforcing laws forbidding intimidating and dangerous driving; and, at certain intersections, reconfiguring streets and traffic signals to give bicyclists a head start when the light turns green.

In some European cities, bicycle lanes have separate traffic signals with their own phasing. These give cyclists and pedestrians 5-10 seconds of green time in advance of motorists waiting at the same intersection, thus helping non-motorized road users establish secure presence in the roadway. This enhances comfort and safety while engendering respect (among cyclists) for traffic control devices (see Chapter 4: Street Design).

Crossing and Yielding

Though cyclists are nominally lumped together with motor vehicles, in many ways they more closely resemble pedestrians — they are small, maneuverable, human-powered and exposed to the elements. As with pedestrians, cyclists' most frequent offense is crossing against traffic signals. Pedestrians are rarely or never ticketed for this offense, but cyclists have received up to 25,000 summonses per year.

Cyclists who barrel through lines of pedestrians at red lights are behaving inexcusably. But a cyclist who slows to a near stop for a red light, looks, waits for all pedestrians to cross and then “slips through” is being responsible and considerate. Rather than trying to issue a ticket to every cyclist who runs a light — a futile endeavor — the Police Department should focus its efforts on cycling offenses that endanger others.

The cycling community has made great strides in educating its constituency on courteous riding habits (see Chapter 17: Accidents). The city, rather than railing against cyclists and indulging in ticketing binges, should also make an effort to educate its populace.