New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A07071

Introduced
3/20/25  
Refer
3/20/25  
Report Pass
5/28/25  
Refer
5/28/25  

Caption

Relates to special provisions for the operation of bicycles when approaching stop signs and traffic-control signals including steady circular red signals and red arrow signals.

Summary

A07071 would create special traffic rules for people operating bicycles when approaching stop signs and certain traffic-control signals. At stop signs, a bicyclist would be allowed to slow to a reasonable speed rather than come to a full stop, unless stopping is needed for safety; the bill also sets out where a stop must occur if a stop is required and requires yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. For red circular signals and red arrows, bicyclists would still have to stop, but after stopping they could cautiously proceed straight, left, or right unless a sign prohibits the turn, subject to yielding rules for pedestrians and vehicles. The bill also adds a rule that if a bicyclist passes a stop sign without stopping and then collides with a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a vehicle in the intersection, that collision would be prima facie evidence of failure to yield the right of way. The measure would take effect 30 days after becoming law and would amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new section 1231-a.

Impact

The bill would amend New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law to create bicycle-specific rules at stop signs and red traffic signals, carving out treatment distinct from the rules that apply to motor vehicles. It would affect bicyclists statewide by clarifying when they may slow instead of stop, where they must stop when required, and how they may proceed through intersections after stopping at red lights. It would also affect enforcement and liability by establishing prima facie evidence of failure to yield in certain collision scenarios.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable committee sentiment, with the Assembly Transportation Committee reporting the bill favorably and advancing it to the Codes Committee by a 17-6 vote. No committee transcript is provided, but the vote indicates support for the bill’s approach to bicycle traffic rules. The absence of recorded discussion limits the ability to assess detailed arguments, though the committee action shows the proposal has meaningful backing.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be whether bicyclists should be permitted to treat stop signs differently from motor vehicles, especially the provision allowing slowing rather than a full stop in some circumstances. Another likely area of debate is the prima facie evidence rule for collisions after rolling through a stop sign, which could be viewed as strengthening accountability or, conversely, as creating a presumption that may disadvantage cyclists in enforcement or litigation. The 17-6 committee vote indicates some opposition, but no specific objections are recorded in the provided materials.

Companion Bills

NY S00639

Same As Relates to special provisions for the operation of bicycles when approaching stop signs and traffic-control signals including steady circular red signals and red arrow signals.

Previously Filed As

NY S00639

Relates to special provisions for the operation of bicycles when approaching stop signs and traffic-control signals including steady circular red signals and red arrow signals.

NY HB812

Traffic regulation; bicycles, and certain other devices, bicycle signals.

NY S02643

Relates to the operation of bicycles at stop signs and traffic-control signals.

NY HB812

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-833.2, relating to regulation of traffic; bicycles and certain other devices; bicycle signals.

NY HB918

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; in general provisions relating to operation of vehicles, further providing for traffic-control signals and for pedestrian-control signals; in special vehicles and pedestrians, further providing for right-of-way of pedestrians in crosswalks; and imposing penalties.

NY HB661

Traffic reg.; bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, etc., yielding at stop signs.

NY S1715

Relative to turning on red signals

NY HB249

Allowing bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs.

NY HB1875

VEH CD-BICYCLES-STOP SIGNS

NY SB306

Traffic light signals and traffic control device monitoring systems; locality to report to VSP member of traffic violations, etc.,report.

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