State Sen. Erik Bottcher has a clever idea for bicycle law enforcement: Rather than slap cyclists with the $190 fine for running a red light, why not give them an opportunity to learn from their mistakes?
Bottcher’s Bicycle Traffic Safety Education Alternative Act, which he announced on Monday, would give cyclists caught committing “non-criminal traffic violations” the option to “watch a safety video” rather than pay a fine:
What if a traffic ticket could actually change someone’s behavior instead of just costing them money?
Assemblymember @jordanjgwright and I are introducing legislation that would give cyclists ticketed for breaking traffic laws a choice: watch a road safety video or pay a fine. pic.twitter.com/Q75qGO7Poa
— Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) October 19, 2026
Bottcher said he got the ideal from London, where the City of London Police direct law-breaking cyclists into a “Sin Bin” roadside tent to watch a safety video before sending them on their way. It’s a nice idea, and one that prioritize safety over punishment.
This morning, City of London Police were at Bank Junction, introducing a new approach to tackling cyclists who ignore red lights, giving offending riders the opportunity to watch a short hard-hitting road safety film instead of receiving an immediate fixed penalty notice. pic.twitter.com/S9Z8qVi9BS
— City of London Police (@CityPolice) October 14, 2026
In other news:
It’s Streetsblog’s Central Park Day! Follow along on our live-blog, which you’ll be able to find on our homepage starting around 7 a.m.
Comptroller Mark Levine wants DOT to implement Sammy’s Law 20 mph speed limits in the communities that have requested it. (amNY)
Riders Alliance wants to end unarmed bus fare enforcement. (Daily News)
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Intersection improvements at Atlantic Avenue and Boerum Place are set to begin soon. (Patch)
Cops still don’t know what led to the shooting of a 26-year-old on a Midtown subway platform on Saturday, and still haven’t caught the alleged killer. (NY Times)
GOP candidate for governor @NassauExec took the LIRR into Penn, rode the E to 53rd Street 7th Avenue where the fatal subway shooting happened this weekend.
Blakeman blames opponent @KathyHochul: says she should add more cops to platforms—though Hochul added more & split $ w city pic.twitter.com/Gotq2boko9
— Bernadette Hogan (@bern_hogan) October 19, 2026
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Authorities only took a few days to apprehend and charge an alleged hit-and-run driver who injured an NYPD officer in the Bronx over the weekend. (Daily News)
President Trump’s new press secretary is a recidivist reckless driver. (Daily Beast)
An office building at 100 Gold Street could become the densest apartment building in the country. (The City Reporter)
The MTA’s train yard facilities are in bad shape, the authority’s inspector general said. (Gothamist)