NYC Cyclists Face Safety Crackdown from City Council
To combat unsafe commercial cyclists, measures are taken to enforce safety classes and accountability.
New York City is taking street safety seriously by enforcing new regulations for commercial bike riders. Riders will now be required to attend safety classes and wear new equipment to make them more visible. The measures, passed by the City Council, await approval from the mayor.
Cyclists must now wear reflective vests identifying their employer and an observable identification number, allowing pedestrians to call in complaints.
If businesses fail to comply and provide cyclists with this equipment, they will be subject to fines up to $250 per offense.
The City Council is also working toward deputizing transportation agents, allowing them to write citations in addition to police officers.
According to Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, approximately 72 percent of Upper East Side pedestrians say that they have almost been hit or have been hit by commercial bicyclists.