What's happening
This bill allows motorcycles and bicycles to cautiously proceed through a red light after stopping and yielding to others.
Why it matters
Addresses sensor limitations. Many traffic lights use sensors that sometimes fail to detect motorcycles and bicycles due to their smaller size or lack of metal, leading to long, unnecessary waits at red lights for these users. This law provides a legal remedy for that problem.
Prioritizes safety and clarity. The bill specifies that motorcycles and bicycles must come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and all other traffic before proceeding, emphasizing caution and responsibility rather than simply allowing them to run red lights.
Promotes equitable road use. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by cyclists and motorcyclists, the law aims to create a more balanced and fair set of rules for all road users, potentially encouraging more people to use these environmentally friendly modes of transport.
Could reduce traffic disruptions. Allowing cautious passage through red lights may help prevent unnecessary traffic buildup and frustration among cyclists and motorcyclists, potentially improving overall flow at problem intersections.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Bikes, Motorcycles Run Reds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 55
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3765
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 26, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing motorcycles and bicycles to cautiously go through a red light
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 1 of subdivision (d) of section 1111 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 760 of the laws of 1974, is amended and a new paragraph 2-a is added to read as follows:
1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular red signal, unless to make such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or in the event there is no crosswalk, at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in [paragraph] paragraphs two and two-a of this subdivision.
2-a. Motorcycles and bicycles facing a steady circular red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to go straight through the intersection or to make a right or left turn, stopping as required by paragraph one of this subdivision, except that right turning motorcycles and bicycles are not required to stop when a steady right green arrow signal is shown at the same time. Such motorcycles and bicycles shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the intersection and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07551-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing motorcycles and bicycles to cautiously go through a red light
Purpose
This legislation will allow motorcycles and bicycles to cautiously to through a red light.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends vehicle and traffic law to add a new paragraph allowing motorcycles and bicycles who face a steady circular red signal to go straight through the intersection, make a right or left turn, stopping as required and yielding to the right-of-way pedestrians.
Justification
This bill is necessary due to the fact that when motorcycles or bikes are at a red light they do not typically trigger traffic light sensors making the light turn green. This would allow a motorcyclist or bicyclist to stop at the red light, ensure no one is coming in either direction and then continue on through the red light without penalty. This would not give drivers a free pass to break the law or cause an accident, but would ensure a safe and legal option to avoid the danger and inconvenience of being trapped at a red light. While some may not see this as an issue in cities or busy suburban areas, it can be frustrating on rural or less traveled roads where a cyclist may be the only one at a light.
Legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediate
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.