New data released by the NYPD shows over 6,000 criminal summonses issued to cyclists in the second quarter of 2025. That number increased tenfold compared to the first quarter. That number is also greater than the total number of criminal summonses issued to cyclists in the past seven years.
A ticket is a tort offense, in the context of a ticket, it is the government saying you have done something wrong (And they may punish you by fine, or some other civil sentence), but it doesn’t rise of the level of a misdemeanor. (https://legaldictionary.net/tort-law/)
TL;DR: The government is saying that the cyclists are committing a much greater offense than car drivers.
Speaking as a layman, in a casual sense:
A criminal summons is basically the quick version of arresting someone & releasing them. You are formally charged with a crime, and have to appear in court to defend yourself. (https://www.jettonmeredithlaw.com/blog/2018/august/what-are-criminal-summons-and-private-warrants-/)
A ticket is a tort offense, in the context of a ticket, it is the government saying you have done something wrong (And they may punish you by fine, or some other civil sentence), but it doesn’t rise of the level of a misdemeanor. (https://legaldictionary.net/tort-law/)
TL;DR: The government is saying that the cyclists are committing a much greater offense than car drivers.
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