In a striking example of the New York Police Department’s intensified focus on cycling regulations, a mother in Park Slope, Brooklyn, has found herself facing a criminal summons alongside a hefty fine for alleged traffic violations while riding her e-bike.
Phaedra Paulson, a professional designer and stylist, is grappling with the implications of being labeled a criminal for navigating the city’s streets in a manner she deems safe and responsible.
Last Wednesday evening, Paulson was transporting work materials by e-bike along Dean Street, a busy bike lane. She approached a red light at Fifth Avenue and came to a complete stop.
According to Paulson, there were no vehicles or pedestrians nearby when she decided to proceed through the red light, following a Citi Bike e-bike rider who did the same. However, her decision attracted the attention of a police officer who was present at the next intersection, Flatbush Avenue.
The officer issued Paulson a $190 ticket for allegedly failing to yield to a pedestrian, despite her insistence that no pedestrians were crossing at the time.
In addition to the ticket, Paulson received a criminal summons for running the red light. The entire experience left her bewildered and frustrated.
“I’ve been in New York for 20-something years and to be considered a criminal for passing through a red light [after stopping] on my bike is what the absolute fucking ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ are we living in,” Paulson expressed.
As a mom of a 6-year-old, she finds this situation particularly distressing. Paulson’s e-bike has become an essential tool for her family life, allowing her to transport her daughter to school and carry materials for work across boroughs.
Paulson reflected on how transformative biking has been for her. “I’ve spent the better part of my adult life on a bicycle, I hate driving. It’s freedom, it’s ease. I don’t want to be stuck in traffic,” she said.
The current crackdown on cyclists is part of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s broader campaign against what she describes as “out-of-control” e-bikers. Critics argue that the measures being enforced are more punitive than necessary.
This incident is reportedly among the first instances of the NYPD issuing both a criminal summons and a standard traffic ticket to a cyclist since the crackdown began on April 28.
Authorities have justified these measures by claiming that they are data-driven, yet Tisch has also admitted that her campaign has been largely influenced by community complaints, presenting a questionable basis for the aggressive enforcement strategy.
According to available data from the NYPD, e-bike riders were responsible for just 0.04 percent of pedestrian injuries within the first three quarters of the year. This statistic raises questions about the necessity of the stringent measures being applied.
Paulson’s case exemplifies the frustration felt by many cyclists amid the NYPD’s crackdown, which has resulted in increasingly aggressive policing tactics. Past incidents reported by Streetsblog reveal instances of officers drawing Tasers on cyclists and issuing summonses for actions that fall within legal parameters.
After receiving her summons, Paulson must now prepare to take time off from work to contest her charges in court, adding a personal and financial burden to what is already a stressful situation.
“I will lose a day of work – for working,” she lamented, underscoring the implications of the NYPD’s actions on everyday citizens trying to adhere to their obligations.
A spokesperson for the NYPD, who chose to remain unnamed, indicated that the department is currently reviewing Paulson’s case. Meanwhile, the cycling community and various advocacy groups have expressed growing concerns about the potential for this crackdown to turn into a wider cultural issue, impacting cyclists from all walks of life.
Streetsblog has consistently reported on the developments surrounding Tisch’s decision to swap traditional traffic citations for criminal summonses, documenting a host of incidents that showcase the backlash against the NYPD’s aggressive tactics.
Fears of excessive policing of cyclists have escalated, with community members and advocates highlighting the targeting of those who rely on bikes for daily commuting. The situation has spiraled into a full-blown controversy, igniting discussions about the efficacy and motivations behind the NYPD’s strategies.
As the city grapples with the implications of its evolving transportation policies, many are left questioning the balance between public safety and the freedom to navigate urban spaces without fear of being treated as a criminal for minor infractions.
Paulson and others like her are seeking to live their lives sustainably while embracing cycling as a viable alternative to motor vehicles amid the city’s challenging traffic landscape.
This incident is just one of many showcasing the delicate interplay of law enforcement practices and everyday commuter experiences in New York City.
As the NYPD continues its campaign against e-bikes and cycling violations, the discourse surrounding this issue remains heated, with a growing number of voices calling for a reassessment of how cyclists are treated on city streets.
In light of her experience, Paulson hopes that her story resonates with others and prompts a larger conversation about the future of cycling in New York City.
The public will be watching closely as her case unfolds, and as the NYPD reassesses its approach to managing its policies surrounding cycling and pedestrian safety in the urban environment.
image source from：https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/06/16/double-whammy-nypd-slaps-brooklyn-mom-with-criminal-summons-190-fine
