Bicyclists in the Big Apple will now be getting another reminder to yield to pedestrians, as Manhattan Council Member Erik Bottcher on Thursday unveiled a new public awareness campaign targeting rule-breaking pedal pushers.
Aptly named “Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll,” the informative blitz will consist of messages on LinkNYC kiosks throughout Council District 3, where Bottcher represents Manhattanites from Columbus Circle to Tribeca.
The idea, Bottcher said, is to remind cyclists about the rules of the road — namely to yield to pedestrians, avoid biking on sidewalks, stop at red lights, and refrain from biking against traffic.
“One of my goals is to help cycling grow in popularity as we make biking safer and build more safe cycling infrastructure, like protected bike lanes,” the pol said on Thursday. “This campaign goes hand in hand with those efforts. As we celebrate the many benefits of cycling and micro mobility, we also recognize the responsibility that comes with it. Cyclists must adhere to traffic laws and be vigilant in ensuring the safety of pedestrians, fostering a harmonious coexistence on our bustling sidewalks and bike lanes.”
The Council Member’s announcement comes after the city saw 28 cyclist fatalities in 2023, along with 5,150 bike riders injured on the streets of the five boroughs.
His new awareness push also comes as many parts of New York, including in his district, have seen more public space dedicated to cycling infrastructure — namely 38.6 new miles of protected bike lanes that were installed in 2023. The city’s Council-mandated goal, called the NYC Streets Plan, calls for nearly 200 more miles of cycling lanes to be installed by 2026.
That comes as the city has green-lit various expansions of the Citi Bike program that offers two-wheelers for rent at docking stations situated on street curbs and sidewalks — further adding to the city’s elevation of bicycles.
While those developments are undoubtedly a benefit for approximately 900,000 city dwellers who rely on bikes for work and transportation, the push towards devoting public space for non-car transportation options has angered many other residents, who often point towards scofflaw pedal pushers riding on sidewalks and failing to yield as reason for their disdain.
Bottcher, aiming to bridge the divide between the dueling camps, hailed his PR campaign as a way to curb illicit biking, while also noting that cyclists are far more likely to be injured in traffic-related incidents than to cause injury to others.
“The vast majority of pedestrian injuries and deaths are caused by cars and trucks, and many cyclists are killed each year by cars and trucks,” he said. “Addressing traffic violence by cars and trucks must be the main focus of the city’s efforts, but we must also ensure that bikers, particularly those on e-bikes, follow the rules.”
“Through this public awareness campaign, we aim to underscore the importance of mindful cycling and encourage a culture of mutual consideration, ultimately fostering a safer and more inclusive urban environment for all. In other words: Slow your roll, respect the stroll.”
In an effort to limit the backlash from outspoken activists of alternative transit methods, Bottcher was joined on Thursday to announce his new push with a host of groups that typically advocate for bike riders.
Antonio Solis, a leader of Los Deliveristas Unidos, which advocates for food delivery workers, said the campaign would “empower” their members with a blitz of information.
“Since the delivery worker minimum pay rate has been implemented, we can now continue to empower workers through street safety education and outreach programs across the city, and we are grateful to Council Member Bottcher for his partnership and support,” said Solis. “As essential workers, we are deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our community.”
A representative from Transportation Alternatives, which lobbies for non-car transit options, also gave their blessing to Bottcher’s new push, while adding that the best solution to the conflict between cyclists and pedestrians would be to expand the amount of space dedicated to both.
“Everyone has a right to feel safe on our streets, at intersections, and on sidewalks — especially pedestrians,” the rep said. “We know the best way to protect New Yorkers is by dedicating more space to pedestrians, bike riders, and bus riders from cars, so everyone has the room they need to navigate our streets.”
