Off the chain! City slams bicyclist with $1,500 in fines for running red lights

BY Tanyanika Samuels
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, August 21st 2011, 4:00 AM

Manhattan bicyclist Juan (JC) Rodriguez didn't learn his lesson after running his first red light. Or his second.

 

But the third time may be the charm - because it came with more than $1,500 in fines.

 

"It's absurd," complained Rodriguez, 45, who's also a pedicab driver. "When you look at the fines leveled and the actual offenses, it makes no sense."

 

Some bicycling advocates agree fining two-wheelers the same as tractor-trailers is overkill, while others say bikers should stop at red lights.

 

"They are endangering pedestrians, many of whom are elderly or children who may not be able to get out of the way quickly," said City Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx).

 

"We have too many people riding their cars and bicycles and thinking these rules are not meant for them."

 

Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Nick Cantiello says cyclists are subject to the following fines for red-light violations: $190 for the first offense, $375 for the second, $940 for the third.

 

They don't, however, face $80 in surcharges that motorists get and there are no license points to worry about.

 

"Bicycles are expected to follow the rules of the road just like any other vehicle," Cantiello said.

 

Rodriguez says that regardless of whether it's legal, it's common practice for bikers to roll through red lights when it's safe.

 

He did it on March 3 as he rode down Central Park West near 109th St. on his way to work, and a traffic cop pulled him over.

 

"My first thought was, 'Are you serious? Is this some sort of joke?'" he said.

It wasn't. The officer also gave him a ticket for not having a bicycle bell.