Two of yesterday's blog posts were about the bicycle enforcement initiative by the Police Department: "A Message to Bicycle Riders" and "Follow-up Message to Bicycle Riders."
The story behind increased enforcement of the rules of the road lies in a Gothamist article from November 2010, "With Cycling Deaths on Rise, NYPD Cracks Down on Cyclists":
There were at least 19 cyclist fatalities in NYC through October 31, seven more than in all of 2009, according to an analysis of NYPD data conducted by the Wall Street Journal. And during the same period, 3,505 bikers were injured in crashes with motor vehicles, more than last year's total and up 20% compared to the first 10 months of last year.
In an article in today's edition of The Brooklyn Paper, "Bikelash! Cops to crack down on two-wheelers," the police hastened to add that "the public has no reason to fear that the NYPD’s new mission against errant bicyclists will hamper their ability to stop other crimes like murder, rape, muggings, burglar and iPhone thefts."
Under New York State law, bicycles are defined as vehicles, and bicyclists are subject to specific traffic rules. A few of those rules are:
- No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any sidewalk area unless permitted by sign. This prohibition shall not apply to the operation of bicycles with wheels of less than 26 inches in diameter upon the sidewalk by children of 12 years or less in age.
- No person shall operate or ride a motor vehicle or bicycle without having his/her hand [at least one hand] on the steering device or handle bars.
- While working, commercial bicyclists must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
- Bicyclists cannot ride against the flow of traffic.
- Bicyclists cannot wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.
The Department of Transportation offers bicycle safety tips , including this information:
Cyclists in New York City must
- Ride on the street, not on the sidewalks (unless rider is age 12 or younger and the bicycle's wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter).
- Ride with traffic, not against it.
- Obey all traffic signals, signs and pavement markings. Cyclists must come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs. Cyclists are required by law to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, motor vehicles or other cyclists.
- Use marked bike lanes or paths when available, except when making turns or when it is unsafe to do so, etc. If the road is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel safely side by side, cyclists have the right to ride in the middle of the travel lane. Bicycling is permitted on all main and local streets throughout the City even when no designated route exists.
- Not ride on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes and thruways unless authorized by signs.
- Not wear more than one earphone attached to an audio device (e.g. radio, ipod, walkman)
- Use the following safety and visibility equipment:
- White headlight and red taillight must be used from dusk to dawn
- Bell or horn (not whistle)
- Working brakes
- Reflective tires or reflectors
- Helmets must be worn by children age 13 or younger, and helmets are strongly recommended for all others.