🚲🚶 Can Cyclists and Pedestrians Get Traffic Tickets Too?

When most people think of traffic tickets, they picture speeding cars, red-light cameras, or texting drivers. But here’s a fun fact: in New York, you don’t need to be behind the wheel to get slapped with a ticket. Cyclists — and yes, even pedestrians — can find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

🚲 Cyclists Aren’t Immune

New York treats bicycles as vehicles under many sections of the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL). That means cyclists are expected to follow the same rules of the road as drivers:

• Stopping at red lights and stop signs

• Riding with traffic, not against it

• Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks

• Using lights at night

Break the rules, and a cyclist can be issued a ticket — complete with fines and sometimes even points.

Example: Running a red light on a CitiBike in Manhattan can cost you over $150. That’s an expensive ride for a $4 rental.

🚶 Pedestrians Can Be Ticketed Too

Yes, you read that right. Pedestrians can and do get tickets — most commonly for jaywalking.

While it’s often shrugged off as “part of NYC culture,” jaywalking is technically illegal under the VTL. Police officers can, and sometimes do, issue summonses.

Other pedestrian violations include:

• Ignoring traffic control signals (crossing against the “Don’t Walk” sign)

• Failing to yield to emergency vehicles

• Walking on highways where it’s prohibited

Though pedestrian tickets are less common than cyclist tickets, they still happen — and fines can range from $50 to $250 depending on the violation.

⚖️ Do These Tickets Affect Your License?

Here’s the part most people don’t realize:

• Cyclist tickets can sometimes be tied to your driver’s license, depending on the violation and whether ID was provided. That means points and insurance consequences are possible.

• Pedestrian tickets are usually treated as civil summonses, not motor vehicle infractions. But ignoring one can still lead to a court date — or even a warrant if you fail to appear.

🤔 Why Does This Matter?

Because rules exist to keep everyone safe. The city is crowded — trucks, cars, buses, scooters, cyclists, and walkers all compete for space. When anyone — driver, biker, or pedestrian — ignores traffic laws, accidents happen.

So yes, even if you’ve sworn off driving and only get around by bike or foot, the law still follows you.

✅ Final Takeaway

If you’re a cyclist or pedestrian in New York, don’t assume you’re untouchable. A ticket may not just hit your wallet — it could affect your driving record, your insurance, and even your freedom if you ignore it.

And if you do get ticketed? Well, you know who to call. (Hint: He answers emails, calls, and texts faster than a red-light camera flashes.)