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Jaywalking is so common in New York City that drivers expect pedestrians to leap out in front of their cars if they slow down. It’s such a staple of the city’s culture that it has been mocked in multiple movies. The most iconic is, of course, Dustin Hoffman’s “I’m walking here!” line in Midnight Cowboy. And it seems the city government has finally given up the fight, declaring jaywalking legal in New York City.

This new law applies to more than just crosswalks. Pedestrians may now cross a roadway at any point, regardless of nearby traffic signals. That’s right, walk/don’t walk signs are officially more of a suggestion than a law.

So does that mean pedestrians will be running back and forth in front of your bumper next time you try to navigate the Big Apple? Hopefully not. The law specifies that pedestrians outside of the crosswalk don’t have the right of way.

The City Council actually approved this law a month ago. Mayor Eric Adams diplomatically ignored it, and when he ran out of time to veto, it passed officially. It will go into effect in February 2025.

Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse argued that the new law will make policing fair. “In 2023, over 92% of jaywalking citations went to Black and Latino New Yorkers, highlighting an unacceptable disparity. The bill changes that by removing criminal penalties, ensuring everyone is treated fairly, regardless of race or background.”

Legal Aid Society attorney Natalie Peeples went a step further, saying, “We are also hoping the long-term consequence will be that it will no longer be a pretext to stop, question, and search New Yorkers.”

Councilmember Narcisse also argued that this bill will free up police time and energy for more serious issues. “Police officers have shared with me they prefer to focus on true public safety efforts, not issuing tickets for crossing the street.”

What is less clear is what happens when pedestrians are not using the streets safely and failing to yield the right of way to cars. Theoretically, police would still intervene as they have since jaywalking laws were enacted in 1958.

Learn about the history of jaywalking laws in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.