> There is an irony embedded in the enforcement push. Cyclists who blow through red lights without endangering anyone else can now be forced to appear in court. Drivers who commit the same violation cannot. Instead, drivers face the same traffic ticket they always have, a moving violation with a fine payable by mail.
The difference with drivers is that moving violations often result in higher insurance rates. If you don't pay, you eventually can't register their car, can't get insurance and lose their license. Similar enforcement doesn't exist on e-bikes. I'm not sure how many people would pay e-bike tickets, but I imagine the penalty and repercussions of not paying would be a big enough deterrence.
They should consider doing something similar for toll evaders on subways and buses. Increased enforcement doesn't really scale but you can make the cost much greater to deter criminal activity. Make that person go to court. About 45% of bus fares are evaded in NYC, and it make sense. If a ticket is $3 and a fine is up to $100 after the first offense, then enforcement has to be really high.
The difference with drivers is that moving violations often result in higher insurance rates. If you don't pay, you eventually can't register their car, can't get insurance and lose their license. Similar enforcement doesn't exist on e-bikes. I'm not sure how many people would pay e-bike tickets, but I imagine the penalty and repercussions of not paying would be a big enough deterrence.
They should consider doing something similar for toll evaders on subways and buses. Increased enforcement doesn't really scale but you can make the cost much greater to deter criminal activity. Make that person go to court. About 45% of bus fares are evaded in NYC, and it make sense. If a ticket is $3 and a fine is up to $100 after the first offense, then enforcement has to be really high.
https://www.mta.info/press-release/icymi-governor-hochul-ann...