NEW YORK — State Senator Erik Bottcher and Assemblymember Jordan Wright today announced the introduction of new legislation that would allow bicycle and e-bike riders ticketed for noncriminal traffic violations to participate in safety training instead of paying a fine. The proposal would turn a ticket into an opportunity to prevent unsafe riding by allowing riders to review traffic laws and understand the consequences of their actions.

The Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Alternative Act (S10723) is inspired by the launch of an initiative by the City of London, which created a roadside tent known as the “Sin Bin,” where cyclists caught breaking traffic laws are offered the opportunity to watch a road safety film instead of paying a fine. The London film highlights the potentially devastating consequences of dangerous cycling, including testimony from a cyclist who was struck by a bus, as well as firsthand accounts illustrating the very real dangers faced by blind and visually impaired pedestrians when cyclists fail to stop at red lights. By confronting riders with the human consequences of traffic violations, the initiative seeks to change behavior and prevent future injuries.

“Cycling is good for our health, our wallets, and our environment, and we want more New Yorkers to feel comfortable getting around by bike,” said State Senator Erik Bottcher. “But with that comes a responsibility to follow traffic laws and protect pedestrians. A traffic ticket should be a turning point toward safer riding. London is trying something different, and it's getting people's attention. Instead of simply paying a fine and moving on, cyclists are being confronted with the real consequences of dangerous riding. Our goal isn't just to issue tickets. It's to stop people from breaking the law again.”

“We all want to get where we’re going safely, whether we’re walking, biking, or driving,” said Assemblymember Jordan Wright. “This program would help riders understand their responsibility to the people around them, while keeping penalties in place for reckless conduct and violations that hurt someone. It’s a practical way to make our streets safer for everyone.”

The educational alternative would be available no more than once in any twelve-month period. Riders who choose this option would complete a video program approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Upon verified completion, the ticket would be dismissed and no fine would be imposed. Violations involving physical injury to another person or reckless conduct would be excluded.

Research and experience from programs in the United States also suggest that educational alternatives can improve knowledge of traffic laws and encourage safer behavior. A Bay Area study of bicycle safety education, which included participants taking classes in lieu of paying traffic fines, found that participants reported improved knowledge of road rules following the program. In New York City, the Driver Accountability Program has used education as an intervention for motorists with repeated speed and red-light camera violations. 

In Austin, Texas, a bicycle ticket-dismissal program established in 2010 has provided safety education to thousands of participants. According to post-course surveys conducted by the Center for Cycling Education, 88 percent of participants reported that the training influenced them to ride in accordance with traffic laws, while 93 percent reported feeling more confident cycling in traffic.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles would set the rules for the program, including deadlines for completing the course and procedures for confirming completion and dismissing tickets. The legislation would take effect 180 days after becoming law.

To read the full legislation, click here.

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