It is really hard to ride in NYC without running red lights. In many ways I feel safer doing that, than waiting among the other vehicles. And the police know this; I've had traffic cops wave me through red lights that they weren't waving cars through (why? I dunno!) and I've followed NYPD bike cops through red lights (they run them too). I have yet to buy a ticket, but I've only been doing this six years or so, so I suppose it's just a matter of time.

The existing traffic laws seem poorly suited to the reality of bicycling in the city, and (perhaps as a result of this?) police generally turn a blind eye to all cyclist infractions. This, I think, is unfortunate. They should decide what is and what is not acceptable, and crack down on the cyclists who cross the line.