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

Dear Streetsblog Readers: How Do You Handle a Sidewalk Riding Ticket?

A reader sends along this question about how to deal with the legal aftermath of riding a few feet on an empty sidewalk:

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a little advice for my court date. I got a ticket for riding my bike on the sidewalk last month and am wondering whether to plead guilty or innocent. The other problem is that I can't read the court date on the ticket. I am going to call the court building and see if they can look it up as I already talked to an officer in the precinct I got the ticket, and he advised me to just show up at the court which seems stupid to me. (I got the ticket out in an industrial section of Bushwick and simply rode up on the sidewalk when I got to my destination to lock up my bike.)

I'm not a lawyer, nor have I ever had to contest a ticket, let alone a silly one like this. If you've got some advice, pass it along in the comments. If you don't have any advice but simply wish to comment on the NYPD traffic enforcement priorities on display here, feel free.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Security Blanket: Will NYPD Smother Mamdani’s Love of Transit and Bikes?

Zohran Mamdani likes taking the train and riding a Citi Bike — but the demands of being New York City’s mayor may not be compatible with his transit habit.

November 18, 2025

Gov. Hochul Vague on Free Bus Plans As Her Open Budget Salvo Nears

Hochul has said she would neither support a plan that would deprive the MTA of a key revenue stream — fares — nor would she raise taxes to make up for the missing swipes.

November 18, 2025

Report: Traffic Injuries Increase Near Amazon Last-Mile Warehouses

Injuries are increasing near last-mile warehouses and advocates want to change the model for more accountability.

November 18, 2025

Trump Admin Seeks To Decimate Federal Transit Funding

"When you're talking about taking away money from transit, your proposal is flawed from the get-go," said one expert.

November 18, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Soft Focus Edition

The DOT unveils its latest effort to get car drivers to stop killing us. Plus other news.

November 18, 2025

Delivery App Regulation Should Learn from Commercial Carting Reform

Third party delivery apps say they have no ability to police the very system they created — while the city's patchwork regulation isn't addressing the root of the problem.

November 17, 2025
See all posts