The New York City Council passed a bill decriminalizing jaywalking, an act in which a pedestrian crosses a street outside of designated crosswalks or against traffic signals. In the Big Apple, thousands of people commit jaywalking, and hundreds receive tickets for it each year.
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, a Democrat from Brooklyn who sponsored the legislation, said Tuesday, Oct. 29, that the new law addresses racial disparities in enforcement. City records show that last year, 92% of people ticketed for jaywalking were Black or Latino, according to The New York Times.
The bill became law over the weekend after Mayor Eric Adams chose to take no action on it. The new law allows pedestrians to legally cross the street at any point and permits crossing against traffic signals.
The law also requires the Department of Transportation to implement an educational initiative about the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, as well as operators of motor vehicles, bicycles, and other mobility devices on city roadways.
Critics of the law say it will cause more collisions and pedestrian deaths.
According to America Walks, an organization dedicated to promoting walkability, state and local groups from California, Virginia, Nevada and Kansas City, Missouri, have succeeded in changing and repealing jaywalking laws.
New York City is also proposing to transform its iconic Fifth Avenue corridor into a more pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. The city’s proposal includes expanding sidewalks, shortening crosswalks, reducing the number of traffic lanes from five to three between Bryant Park and Central Park, and adding plants and lighting for aesthetics and safety.
If the project gets approval, construction could start in 2028.
