NYPD: Already Around 5,000 Bicyclists Busted For Running Red Lights In 2018

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Bicyclists ignoring traffic laws are becoming more of a problem in New York City.

CBS2's Hazel Sanchez has obtained various surveillance videos that show riders running red lights and crashing into pedestrians, as was the case in one clip showing a bicyclist running into a woman pushing a baby stroller and another of one ignoring a "stop" sign on a school bus before crashing into a child trying to cross the street.

"This happens on a daily basis," Williamsburg resident Gary Schlesinger said. "Obviously, bikers don't feel that the law applies to them."

Luckily, neither person struck was badly hurt.

The NYPD says it has busted nearly 5,000 cyclists in the first four-plus months of 2018 for running red lights, which is a few hundred more violations than at the same time last year.

The Department of Transportation has installed more than 100 traffic lights specifically aimed at bicyclists. To avoid collisions, bike riders are given the green light about six to 10 seconds before vehicle traffic headed in the same direction.

Almost all of the lights are in Manhattan. Only five are in Brooklyn, six are in Queens and eight are in the Bronx.

Many residents believe the city needs more of them, but at a cost of nearly $1,000 per installation, change could take a while.

MORE: Williamsburg Residents Say City Dumped Chained-Up Bicycles In Their Neighborhood

Downtown Brooklyn resident John Terrebessy said the problems with cyclicsts go beyond just running red lights.

"Bicycling on the sidewalk. OK if it's a little kid, you can understand. But why adults think they have the right to bicycle on the sidewalk, I don't know," he said.

Some recreational riders blame delivery bikes for most of the close calls.

"Just because they're working so fast and so much, they sometimes go the wrong way down the bike lanes. or you see them kind of shoot through red lights," said Kyle Tigges, of Fort Greene.

But there are pedestrians who think most bike riders follow the rules.

"They do generally stop when they're supposed to stop and go when they're supposed to go," said Steve Lacaille, of Flatbush.

Everyone agreed slowing down and respecting each others' right of way will keep everyone safer.