For Immediate Release Contact: Jane Swanson
September 25, 2007 646-220-1505

Council Members Jessica Lappin and Alan Gerson Introduce Legislation to Improve Public Safety by Strengthening Bike Laws

Month after month, many Council Members hear from concerned constituents about illegal and dangerous bike riding on the sidewalks. Just recently, Council Member Lappin received a letter from a scared nine year old constituent. "I like to walk with my father in the neighborhood," wrote Ms. Azziz, "And, we can't take a walk without being nervous of bicycles zooming next to us." Another constituent, a senior, was hit by a bike last week and needs hip replacement surgery as a result.

On September 25, 2007, Council Members Jessica Lappin and Alan Gerson introduced legislation to help deal with this serious public safety issue. Joining them at a press conference shortly before the bill was introduced to show their support for the legislation were Annabel Azziz, Council Members John Liu, Daniel Garodnick and Miguel Martinez, along with State Senator Liz Krueger, Assemblyman Micah Kellner and representatives from Transportation Alternatives.

"This is a serious public safety issue," Lappin said. "For children and seniors, getting hit by a bicycle can be life threatening. So the message is simple. Businesses have to be held responsible for their bikers."

Council Member Gerson said, "My office has been producing legislation to make it safer to cycle in the City. Bicycle safety rules should protect both bikers and pedestrians. By transferring the fines from individuals to the businesses they work for, we are taking an important step toward making our sidewalks safer for all New Yorkers."

The new legislation will transfer the fines that commercial bike riders receive from the riders to the businesses they work with. New York law currently requires bicycle riders to comply with all traffic regulations. Any rider who fails to do so can be fined between $100 and $300. An additional $200 fine may be imposed if the rider hits a pedestrian.

Transferring the fine from the rider to the business affiliated with that delivery person will hold business owners responsible for the actions of their delivery personnel. This will encourage restaurants and messenger services to adequately train their riders, protecting both the commercial cyclists and the public at large.

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