Cool Rider

Posted by: Hope on August 2nd, 2009

July 30, 2009 NYPD: Hard at Work

Bicycling is all the rage, especially here in Brooklyn. The sales of track bikes alone have probably significantly given this boroughs economy a boost this yet. The benefits of biking are great: it is less expensive than a metrocard, good for the environment and wonderful exercise. However with all this freedom comes responsibilities. As a bicyclist you are granted all of the rights and yet are subject to all of the duties as the driver of a motor vehicle. Maybe I should have brushed up on my biking laws before I rode up on that sidewalk last week.

NYC takes great pride in the fact that it has added 200 miles of bike lanes in the past 3 years for our use, and which the DOT has proclaimed is the “bicycling capital of the USA“. I am also very interested in checking out the NYC Summer Streets program to take place again this August. Yet, what is a biker to do when in the hazardous parts of Bushwick where there ARE NO BIKELANES. Well the NYPD will ticket your sorry ass if you even think about going on the sidewalk. Surely, NYPD has plenty of drug dealers, addicts, game members, thieves or murderers in my neighborhood that they could be busting. Yet at approximately 6:30pm last Saturday my joyride was abruptly cut short by two cops who had no interest in my feminine charms, and clearly just trying to make their monthly quota. The would prefer me getting hit by one of the the many industrial vehicles that travel on this street, then preserving my safety on the sidewalk. So for all you ladies out there who like to ride like the wind, take a hint and do your research. Know your traffic rules before you hit the pedal. Here are some of the laws I found interesting, and for which I could see any of us getting ticketed for the next time some bored officers are lurking:

Cyclists involved in accidents resulting in death or injury to person or damage to property must stop and make a report to the Police Department.
Cyclists must have at least one hand on handlebars at all times.
Riding bicycles on sidewalks is prohibited. Bicycles may be confiscated. NOTE: Tickets for riding on the sidewalk fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Control Board (ECB). If you are given a ticket or summons that requires you to appear in criminal court instead, you should be able to get the ticket thrown out for lack of jurisdiction.
Cyclists must ride on a permanent seat; feet must be on pedals; and bike must carry only the number of persons for which it is designed and equipped.
The law states that bicyclists should ride in usable bike lanes, unless they are preparing to turn, or are avoiding unsafe conditions (including but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, pushcarts, animals, surface hazards).
Clinging to vehicles - attaching bike to other vehicle being operated on roadway is prohibited.
Bicyclists may ride on either side of one-way roadways that are at least 40 feet wide.
Bicycles must have a bell or other audible signal.
Every new bicycle shall be equipped with reflective tires.
Helmets required for bikers under 14 in Manhattan and Kings Counties.
Cyclists may not wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.
When turn signals are required, left turns shall be signaled with the left hand, and right turns may be signaled with either hand.
Bicycles are prohibited on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes and thruways unless authorized by signs.