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Cyclist Safety Tips
Where to Ride
Children on Bicycles
Bicycles Used for Commercial Purposes
Required Equipments
Riding in the Traffic
Safety Regulations
Where to Ride:
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 may ride on either side of a 40-foot-wide, one-way roadway.

Bicyclists must always ride with traffic, never against it.

Bicyclists must ride on the street, never on the sidewalks (unless under age 14 and the bicycle has wheels less than 26 inches in diameter).

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.

Bicyclists under age 14 must wear an approved helmet.

Be sure your helmet fits correctly. For a free bicycle helmet fitting by a safety educator, call 311 for a helmet fitting appointment in your borough.

Bicycles Used for Commercial Purposes:
The business must be identified by name and number on the bicycle.

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.

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.

Riding in Traffic:
Use bike lanes when available.

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.

Ride predictably. Use hand signals, ride in a straight line and do not weave in and out between parked cars. The more predictable you are the more drivers will respect you.

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.

Safety Regulations:
  • Must obey all traffic signals, regulating signs and pavement markings

  • Must come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights

  • Must always have at least one hand on handlebars.

  • Must use a bike path or lane if provided

  • Must stop and give name, address, insurance information, etc., if involved in an accident resulting in death or injury to a person or damage to property

  • Cannot wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while riding

  • Must ride on a permanent seat

  • Must have feet on pedals


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