Some City Residents Calling For Biking Licenses Amid Dangerous Weaving, Traffic Violations
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If you drive or walk in the city, you may find yourself dodging bicycle riders.
Some are breaking the law, but are there repercussions?
Bicyclists can be seen riding the wrong-way on busy city streets, dangerously weaving in-and-out of traffic and coming too close to walkers on the sidewalk where bikers aren't supposed to be, CBS2's Christine Sloan reported.
"I am concerned about getting hit by a bicyclist crossing the street than I am by a car," Upper West Side resident Vinnie Bove said.
"We hate it. Ever since they put the bike lanes in they go the wrong way. They almost hit people," Upper West Side resident Leslie Lockery said.
Drivers have to obey traffic laws and some said bikers should be required to have licenses.
A New York state lawmaker proposed licensing bicycle riders back in 2011 and then abruptly pulled the bill. He was unwilling to talk to CBS2.
City Councilman Ben Kallos said extra cops on bicycles will soon crack down on bikers behaving badly on the East Side and that bike licenses are unrealistic.
"It's always a struggle with government overreaching and forcing a toddler having to go to the DMV to get a license to to get on three-wheeler ... that is a little over that line," he said.
He said bikers breaking the law face the same summons as a driver who runs a red light or stop sign. The NYPD said last year it issues more than 5,000 summons to cyclists.
This year, it's close to 8,000. In addition, commercial bikers in the city have to wear vests with restaurant identification numbers. The business gets slapped with a fine if they don't obey the rules.
CBS2 couldn't find a city in the country that actually requires cyclists to be licensed.