Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Officers Stopping Cyclists in Central Park

1408109514_eaa76ab6ba.jpg

From Streetsblog commenter Steve:

Project "Look" may include new programmatic law enforcement effortstargeting bicyclists. Each morning this week we were confronted by aParks & Rec. Department law enforcement personnel operatingcheckpoints at different locations on the Central Park Loop.

Today's checkpoint was different than the previous two. There weretwo serial checkpoints, with the officers at the first one (locatedmidway up a downhill stretch) gathering information on the bicyclistspassing them and radioing it down to a more formal checkpoint at thefoot of the hill.

We were actually waved through a red light by the officers up thehill, I think because they saw that we were going to stop in time forthe red light and thus yield no useful information for the officer atthe foot of the hill.

The officer at the foot of the hill didn't seem to be giving outtickets, only warnings. However, we saw him grabbing and detainingbicyclists who attempted to evade him by riding in the traffic laneoutside the cones, and giving them extra-long warnings. One of thesecounseling sessions was actually pretty intense, with the bicyclistattempting to wrench his arm free.

Photo by ifreedman500/Flickr. Click through to see the shot with notes added. 

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Data: New Yorkers Keep Biking In This Cold, Cold World

Even in the city's historic deep freeze, New Yorkers are getting around by bicycle, according to publicly available data.

February 11, 2026

The Real Problem in Central Park Isn’t Speed — It’s Scarcity

New York City has chronically underinvested in cycling infrastructure compared to its global peers.

February 11, 2026

More Troubles for Fly E-Bike: Feds Order Costly Moped Recall

Federal officials have ordered Fly E-Bike to recall all Fly 10 mopeds, the latest troubles for the micromobility company.

February 11, 2026

Safe Streets, Workers Rights, Crash Victims Targeted By Big Tech In Super Bowl Ads

Some Super Bowl commercials are ads. And some are warning shots.

February 10, 2026

Opinion: The City, Not Just Lyft, Deserves Blame for Citi Bike’s Winter Mess

The Mamdani administration should fine Lyft for falling short of its contractual obligations — and reward it for meeting or surpassing them.

February 10, 2026
See all posts