NYC Council Member Filmed Violating Traffic Laws on Citi Bike
Councilman Chi Ossé was captured on video riding a Citi Bike against traffic and running red lights in Manhattan.
New York City Council member Chi Ossé was filmed riding a Citi Bike the wrong way on a busy Manhattan street and disregarding traffic signals, according to a witness account and video footage. The incident occurred on Worth Street and Broadway near City Hall.
The witness stated that Ossé, a representative from Brooklyn, was pedaling northbound against southbound traffic and weaving close to pedestrians in crosswalks. "I saw him pulling all these stunts and running red lights," the witness told The Post. "It’s unfortunate that some council members don’t think they have to set an example."
This is not the first time Ossé has been documented violating bicycle laws. A separate video shared on social media by the NYC Democratic Socialists of America showed Ossé riding a Citi Bike on a sidewalk.
New York City law requires cyclists to adhere to the same rules as motorists, including stopping at red lights, not riding against the flow of traffic, and staying off sidewalks.
The infractions come as Ossé previously withdrew support for an e-bike safety bill in 2024, citing its reliance on NYPD enforcement. A fellow council member, who saw the recent video, expressed concern about the apparent disregard for traffic laws. "Council members need to set an example especially on the issues people care about and the issues that are important to New Yorkers, especially something as important as e-bike safety," the colleague stated. "We had a 10-hour hearing on this issue. It creates a sense of lawlessness in our community where anything goes."
The colleague also speculated on how Ossé might react if he had been stopped by law enforcement. "I’m sure if he would have gotten pulled over he would have played the victim and thought about ways of getting attention out of this rather than thinking about how his behavior can create problems for our overall community."
The City Council held an extensive hearing on 23 bike safety bills on September 30, during which Ossé reportedly attended online but did not speak.