enforcement

i try not to run red lights or stop signs anymore.

back in the day, and even on a good present day,

you can get away with a bit of wild riding in NYC.

plenty of people do it daily. sometimes i wish i did.

today was a good one; fast paced and on the edge.

in traffic, lanes split, ahead of the pack.
faster on the outside, tucking away from obstacles,
floating over bumps and hopping over plates.

with the increased enforcement,

and camping cop cars at high traffic corners,

i have a hell of a time going with instinct.

i end up slowing way down, sitting at the line,
even for empty intersections, meanwhile trying not to huff exhaust.

bike moving violations are something like $275.
no rights on red, no rolling stops, zero tolerance.
they'll toss other things, like no lights or bell, on top.
these tickets can cost more than some peoples' bikes.
i have to remind myself, "i can't afford that shit".

i would say that i begin to ride more like a motorist.
but the fact is that motorists pull all kinds of wild shit too.
and they end up maiming, murdering, and destroying all kinds of property.
these are things you cannot easily do to people or things while you're on a bike.
for some reason the cars get away with way more damaging shit too.

most riders can just as safely get from A to B,
stopping for cars, pedestrians, pets and city animals,
whether or not they stop at the next red light or sign.
i've come across pedestrians who even expect me to run it.
i stop, smile, and wave em on, saying "it's your light!".
and when it isn't their light, they're in the street anyway!
so isn't like everyone is doing the right thing,
and only cars or bikes or people or whatever need to tighten their shit.
it's the cumulative effect of all the people in this city,
getting where they need to be on time and safely.

a couple weeks back i saw a bus chase a light and run a red.
a nearby cyclist shouted at him "did you see that red light?".
the bus driver played dumb, and the cyclist continued "the one you just ran!".
the bus driver denies it with conviction, but i back up the rider. it was red.
the cyclist goes on and says something about throwing rocks.
i simply say to the driver, "we all have to be more careful".
he made a face like he didn't expect that kind of comment.
and i hope that he took it into real consideration.

taking risks is very rarely an individual cause and effect.
not when we live and move in cities like these.