Can I Ride My Bike on the Sidewalk in New York City?
Cycling is an increasingly popular mode of transportation in NYC and almost 50,000 cyclists in the city commute daily on it. As more people are using bicycles, the NYC DOT and New York State Legislature have developed a few laws to increase bicycle safety.
Every bicyclist must be aware of these laws and adhere to the regulations to ensure public safety. A question that most bike riders in New York City ask is whether it is legal to ride bikes on sidewalks instead of roads.
The answer is yes and no, as people over the age of twelve cannot ride bikes on sidewalks. Moreover, children under 12 are only allowed to ride bikes on sidewalks if the diameter of their bikes is 26 inches.
Sidewalks Maintenance Tips for Cyclists Under 12
As the children are allowed to ride bikes on sidewalks adjacent to your property, it is your responsibility to keep the sidewalks well-maintained. Properly repaired sidewalks, with the help of professional experts like Sidewalk Repair Contractor NY, will be safe, functional, and smooth for cyclists under 12.
Let us tell you how professionals ensure the safety of the sidewalks for everyone to use without tripping and getting injured.
- Inspect the sidewalks for potential damages, including cracks, potholes, and water damage.
- Ensure there are no obstacles on the sidewalks.
- Fix the damages as early as possible
- Make sidewalks ADA-compliant
You can also ensure the safety and functionality of your sidewalks for cyclists under 12 by regularly inspecting and maintaining them.
Penalty of Riding Your Bike on Sidewalks
As only children are allowed to ride bikes on the sidewalks adjacent to residential or commercial property in NYC, if an adult is riding a bike on your sidewalks, they are breaking the law.
According to American Legal Publications, a person violating the laws of the NYC government and riding a bike on the sidewalks will be held accountable for a civil penalty of $100.
Moreover, a person endangering the life of another person while riding a bike on the sidewalks is guilty of a misdemeanor and might be imprisoned for not more than 20 days. Such a person will also be liable for a civil penalty of not less than $100 to $300.
Bike Riding Laws in NYC
As a cyclist in NYC, there are certain rules that you must be aware of to ride the bike while ensuring everyone’s safety. Let us have a look at these rules one by one.
Designated Bike Lanes
Traffic laws applicable to cars and other vehicles also apply to bikes in the State of New York. The regulations of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Laws Act allow bikes to have a separate lane and position. The designated lane for bikes on roads has markings for exclusive use of bikes.
The term exclusive shows that other vehicles on the roads are not supposed to use the designated area for bikes.
Absence of Bike Lanes
If there is no designated bike lane on the roads, the New York Vehicles and Traffic Laws Act allows cyclists to ride bikes on the right-hand shoulder or edge of the road. Drivers are mandated to be careful while opening car doors towards the right-hand shoulder, as it can endanger cyclists.
In the case of a permanent object on the right-hand side of the road, cyclists are allowed to ride on the left side. Moreover, if the road is over 40 feet, cyclists are allowed to use either side of the road as long as they are close to the edge.
Prohibited Cycling Areas in NYC
As a cyclist in New York City, you are prohibited from riding on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes, thruways, and bridges, and using them is a crime according to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Laws Act.
Moreover, according to the Traffic Rules and Regulations, a cyclist cannot ride a bike on the sidewalks and if they violate this law, they might be subject to legal sanctions. You can only ride the bike in the prohibited areas if signage for bikes exists.
Bike Equipment Including Lamps and Bells
If you are riding the bike in darkness, your bike must be equipped with a front lamp that shines a visible light at least 500 feet forward. Similarly, the backlight on your bike must shine a red or amber light at least 300 feet behind it.
Moreover, your lamps must make the road on each side visible for at least 200 feet. Similarly, just as being seen is important for cyclists, the bicycle must also have a bell that emits audible sound for around 100 feet. Installing sirens and whistles on the cycles is prohibited.
Snapshot of Some Other Bicycle Laws
There are some other bicycling laws that a cyclist in NYC must be aware of. Let us have a look at them.
- Cyclists must yield to pedestrians
- While riding in traffic lane, cyclists cannot ride more than two across
- While riding in the bike lane, the cyclist must ride more than two across if space allows
- Bike must have brakes
- Cyclists can only use one earphone and one ear must be free to hear their surroundings
- At least one hand of the cyclist must be on the handle bars
- The bike seat must be permanent and the rider's feet must be on pedals
- A bicycle must carry the number of people it is designed and equipped for
Conclusion
As a cyclist, you must be aware of the essential rules stated by the NYC government. So that you can not only ensure your safety on the roads but can also save others from injuries. New York State law establishes that a cyclist can be held responsible for negligence while riding the bike. We hope that by reading this informative article, you will be able to follow NYC guidelines to ride a bike in a more efficient way.