The NYPD is putting the brakes on speedy cyclists who recklessly blow red lights in Central Park’s inner loop.
Cops have blitzed riders with a staggering 230 tickets already this year for ignoring traffic signals and other violations as they tear around the 6-mile circuit.
A bike is “a vehicle and the traffic law applies,” said Captain Philip Wishnia, commanding officer of the Central Park Precinct. “You can’t blame officers for doing their job.”
Wishnia insisted his officers use discretion before issuing summonses, factoring in speed and safety.
“I’m not against bicyclists. There is a reason the law was put in place,” Wishnea said. “One injury to pedestrians is one injury too many.”
The cyclists — many who took around in sporty bikes that sell for up to $10,000 — complained it’s impossible to get a good workout when you have to stop every few feet.
“There would be no point of riding in the park if I stopped at every red light. What’s the fun in that?” gripped Tom Laskey, 52, former president of the NY Cycle Club, who griped about getting a $270 ticket for running a red light in the park in January.
“Enforcing red lights to protect the crosswalk is meaningless,” he said.
“Pedestrians don’t cross in the walk, they cross wherever they want.”
Michael Bar, 39, of the Upper West Side, bellyached, “It’s a park and you’re supposed to get vigorous exercise. If you stop at 47 red lights, you wouldn’t get exercise.”
He was stopped by police Sunday for riding his $6,000 Merlin bike outside the designated bike lane, which he claims was blocked by runners. He was not issued a summons.
“It’s about getting a good workout,” said Bar.
Unlike fines for specific infractions by motorists, which are set by law, punishment for cyclists are at the discretion of the judge.
Some 200 angry cyclists packed a meeting with some of the NYPD’s big wheels on the Upper West Side this week to confront them about what they claim is an aggressive campaign to ticket cyclists.
Cyclists argue that it is unnecessary to stop for traffic lights during the early morning and late night hours when few pedestrians use the park.
Police maintain that the law is the law, and it applies to cyclists in the park as it does on streets, said
The enforcement is part of the NYPD’s “Operation Safe Cycle,” a citywide initiative that kicked off in mid-January and applies to cyclists in all five boroughs.
The Department of Transportation has dismissed a proposal by City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who suggested traffic signals in the park be changed to a flashing yellow during hours that cars are prohibited.