Bill Could Give NYC Bicyclists Head Start At Intersections Before Green Lights
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The City Council is considering a new bill that could give city bicycle riders a head start at traffic intersections.
As WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported, at certain New York City intersections, the Department of Transportation gives pedestrians a 3.7-second head start before displaying a green light before drivers going in the same direction.
Councilman Carlos Menchaca (D-38th) is the chief sponsor of a bill to give the same courtesy to bicycle riders.
"A lot of cars don't see bicycles at intersections, and that's the most important thing at intersections is for both pedestrians who have the right of way," Menchaca said. "This will not remove that right of way for pedestrians, but now will allow bicyclists to get in front of the cars within those few seconds -- and that could mean life or death for bicyclists."
Menchaca is also sponsoring a separate bill to force the city to study putting Citibike stands in public parks.