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Bicyclists
Bicycle Safety Tips
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Riding in Traffic
- Use bike lanes when available, except for access, safety, turns, etc.
- NYC Traffic Rules and Regulations, Section 4-07 c3: Bicyclists must ride on the street, never on the sidewalks (unless under age 14 and the bicycle must have wheels less than 26 inches in diameter).
- NYC Traffic Rules and Regulations, Section 4-12 o1: Riding is permitted on the main and local streets throughout the City even when no designated route exists. Riding is prohibited on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes and thruways unless authorized by signs.
- Bicyclists must obey all traffic signals, regulating signs and pavement markings. Must come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights.
- NYC Traffic Rules and Regulations, Section 4-12 p: Bicyclists must always ride with traffic, never against it. Keep right when possible. However, when the road is narrow and cars cannot safely pass, you have the right to ride in the middle of the travel lane. You also have the right to ride all the way to the left on a 40-foot wide one-way street.
- Bicyclists must not ride more than two abreast. Must not attach the bike to another vehicle being operated on roadway.
- Ride predictably. Use hand signals, ride in a straight line and do not weave in and out between parked cars. Riding predictably reduces your chances of a crash with a motor vehicle.
- Bicyclists must always have at least one hand on handlebars. Must ride on a permanent seat. Must have feet on pedals. Cannot wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.
- Establish eye contact with drivers. Seeing a driver is often not enough. Make sure drivers see you before executing a turn or riding in front of a turning car.
- Look for drivers in parked cars. Being aware of drivers in parked cars can prepare you for the possibility of a car door being opened in your path.
- Be visible. Wear brightly colored clothing for daytime riding. At night, use reflective materials and lights.
- Motorists: $115 fine for parking, standing or driving in a bike lane.
See tips for safer travel (pdf) for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on City streets.
Safety Regulations
Required Equipment
- A horn or bell.
- Working brakes.
- A white headlight and red taillight for use from dusk to dawn.
- Reflective tires or spoke reflectors and other reflective devices.
- A bike must carry only the number of persons for which it is designed and equipped.
Children on Bicycles
- A child must be carried in a properly affixed child carrier.
- Children under age one (1) cannot be carried on a bicycle.
- NYC Administrative Code Section 1238: Bicyclists under age 14 must wear an approved helmet.
Commercial Cyclists
- The business must be identified on the bike by name and number.
- The operator must have the business' name and the operator's number located on his/her upper body apparel.
- The operator must carry and produce on demand a numbered ID card with the operator's photo, name, home address and business' name, address and phone number.
- The business must maintain a log book of all operators and trips.
- The owner of the business must file an annual report with the New York City Police Department.
Return to main Bicyclists page
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