Patchogue Introduces Reckless Bicycling Penalties

PATCHOGUE, NY — Following in the footsteps of Babylon Village, Patchogue Village is the next Long Island municipality to consider reckless bicycling fines, in an effort to combat what many residents see as a dangerous recent phenomenon: groups of youthful riders riding dangerously through car traffic. On Monday night, the village board introduced an amendment of current law to enact stiffer penalties for reckless riding. Bellport Village introduced similar legislation; both amendments will be voted on in March.

Residents in many Long Island towns have taken to social media in the last year to raise alarm about the potential dangers of these groups of youthful riders who they say often deliberately ride in front of oncoming traffic. Similar to the Babylon Village laws, code enforcement officials would be able to confiscate the bicycles of minors, only returning them to their parents, and those over age 18 would be fined.

In Nassau County, a Levittown lawmaker's bicycle safety legislation was recently signed into law, changing helmet requirements and consequences for reckless bike-riding — including dangerous games of "chicken" with cars.