Join the more than a million New Yorkers who bike, and please do so safely. Safe cycling in New York City means knowing NYC biking rules and the rules of the road that apply to cyclists. Not only will following the NYC biking rules keep us safe and traffic-ticket free, but it will also have a positive impact on the overall safety of the streets. The following information is provided by Bike Rent NYC and aggregated from public information provided by the NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Transportation Alternatives, and the Biking Rules website.
Bike safely in NYC. Watch this short video simply illustrating the most important New York City biking rules. All NYC biking rules and regulations documented below the video.
The following safety guidelines will make your bike ride in New York City safer and prevent unwanted consequences.
Bicyclists have all the rights and are subject to all the duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. This includes obeying all traffic signals, regulating signs and pavement markings. Bicycle riding is permitted on arterial and local streets throughout the City even though no designated route exists. Bicycle riding is prohibited on the roadways of certain bridges, expressways and highways. Often a separate path exists on these facilities for bicycles. Download NYC Department of Transportation Biking Rules and Regulations.
§ 4-01 (b) Definitions: A bicycle is defined as every two- or three- wheeled device upon which a person or persons may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, a chain or gears, with such wheels in a tandem or tricycle, except that it shall not include a device having solid tires and intended for use only on a sidewalk by pre-teenage children.
§ 4-02 (a) Compliance with and Effect of Traffic Rules The provisions of N.Y.C. Traffic Rules are applicable to bicycles and their operators.
§ 4-07 (c)(3) Restrictions on crossing sidewalks No driving bikes on sidewalks unless sign allows or wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter and rider is twelve years or younger. See also Administrative Code §19-176.
§ 4-08 (e)(9) Stopping, standing and parking prohibited in specified places No parking, standing or stopping vehicles within or otherwise obstructing bike lanes.
§ 4-12 (e) Driver’s hand on steering device Driver of a bicycle must have hand on steering device or handlebars.
§ 4-12 (h) Reporting accidents by drivers of other than motor vehicles Rider involved in accident resulting in death or injury to person or damage to property must stop and give name, address, insurance information, etc., and must report to Police Department.
§ 4-12 (o)(1) Use of Roadways NYC Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Operations 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041 www.nyc.gov/dot Bicycles are prohibited on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes, bridges and thruways, unless authorized by signs.
§ 4-12 (p) Bicycles
§ 4-14 (c) Restricted areas of parks No person shall ride a bicycle in any park, except in places designated for bike riding; but persons may push bikes in single file to and from such places, except on beaches and boardwalks.
§ 102-a Definition of Bicycle Lane: A portion of the roadway which has been designated by stripping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.
§ 102-b Definition of Bicycle Path: A path physically separated from motorized vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the highway right–of-way or within an independent right-of-way and which is intended for the use of bicycles.
§ 375(24-a) Equipment Rider cannot wear more than one earphone attached to radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.
§ 1231 Traffic Laws Applicable to Persons Riding Bicycles Bicyclists are granted all rights and subject to all duties applicable to operator of vehicle except where not applicable.
§ 1232 Riding on bicycles • Must ride on a permanent seat;
§ 1233 Clinging to vehicles No attaching bike or person to another vehicle being operated on the roadway.
§ 1234 Riding on roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes and bicycle paths
§ 1236 Lamps and other equipment
§ 1237 Hand and arm signals
§ 1238 Helmets and carrying children