Mamdani says he opposes police crackdown on cyclists but policy continues under police commissioner he hired
Criminal Bike Crackdown Persists Under Mamdani Administration
New York City cyclists continue receiving criminal summonses for traffic violations at an accelerated pace despite Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s repeated statements that he opposes the police enforcement strategy. The disconnect highlights tensions between mayoral rhetoric and operational reality within the Police Department, raising questions about command authority and policy implementation.
The Ongoing Sting Operations
On February 12, Streetsblog witnessed two additional cyclists receive criminal summonses for allegedly running red lights at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, continuing a pattern of aggressive enforcement that shows no signs of slowing. The operations typically involve multiple police officers stationed at intersections targeting cyclists, particularly at locations designed to bar through traffic by cars but still requiring cyclists to observe traffic signals. One cyclist described the experience as feeling entrapped by the police sting comprising at least five officers at a single traffic light. The intersection in question at Delancey and Suffolk Street is what some cyclists call “a fish-in-a-barrel spot for cops” because the traffic light was installed for cars and now applies only to cyclists following street redesign.
Criminal vs. Traffic Violations
The critical distinction lies in the citation type. Drivers who run red lights in their 2,500-pound vehicles receive traffic tickets payable online or by mail. Cyclists receive criminal summonses that require court appearances, potentially consuming entire days. One ticketed cyclist noted the police officer wrongly told her the ticket could be paid online, when in fact criminal summonses mandate court appearances. The disparity in enforcement creates a two-tiered system where identical violations result in vastly different legal consequences depending on the mode of transportation.
Mamdani’s Public Opposition
In statements spanning several weeks, Mamdani has said repeatedly that he opposes the criminal crackdown on cyclists. When asked directly why the policy continues under a police commissioner he hired, the mayor has given responses that fall short of concrete commitments to halt the practice. In one exchange, he stated: “That’s a policy that was in place in the prior administration. It has continued thus far. It is the subject of internal communications. We will have an update on that very soon as to what the new policy will be.” This language suggests ongoing deliberation but provides no timeline or guaranteed outcome.
Policy Origins
The criminal summons policy for cyclists was created under Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch during the Eric Adams administration. Yet Mamdani retained Tisch in his administration, at least initially, despite claiming opposition to her signature policy. When asked repeatedly about allowing his police commissioner to enforce a policy he opposes, Mamdani has insisted conversations with Tisch are “continuing” and that updates will come “very soon.” These non-committal statements have frustrated advocates expecting swift action from the newly elected mayor.
Streetsblog Investigation
Reporter Sophia Lebowitz confronted the mayor directly on February 12: “Mr. Mayor, I apologize for asking a question you’ve already been asked, but we haven’t really gotten a clear answer: You said as a candidate, and have reiterated as mayor, that you do not support the NYPD’s criminal crackdown on cyclists. Since taking office, you have said your conversations with Commissioner Tisch are ‘continuing.’ Why do you continue to allow the commissioner to enforce a policy that you say you oppose?”
The Enforcement Map
A map of where criminal summonses for bicyclists have been issued suggests the policy comes from the top of the Police Department hierarchy but that precinct-level commanders retain discretion in implementation. This indicates both that the policy is official department direction and that individual precincts have some flexibility in enforcement intensity. The Williamsburg Bridge corridor and certain other locations have become hot spots for targeted enforcement.
Cyclists’ Safety Concerns
Cyclists note the broader irony: the intersections where police concentrate enforcement often present significant hazards. Drivers routinely run the same red lights with impunity. The safety benefits of criminalizing cyclist violations remain unclear, and some transportation advocates argue the resources devoted to summonses would be better invested in street design improvements and driver enforcement.
Broader Context
The cyclist crackdown represents a larger question about Mamdani’s ability to reshape police department operations aligned with his stated values. As a self-described democratic socialist elected on an agenda of police accountability, continued enforcement of a policy he publicly opposes raises questions about the mayor’s operational control and political will. See also: Streetsblog NYC, NYC Police Department.
