| It's Summer time. You must be safe on your bike or suffer the (legal) consequences. Bike Lanes (caseyneistat) www.youtube.com Riding your bicycle on the public sidewalk can sometimes be illegal without your knowledge. Well, it would certainly depend on your state laws. Generally, it is illegal to ride your bike on a sidewalk unless it is a marked bike path. Additionally, roads are generally smoother, making the ride easier, quicker, and more comfortable. The police can seize your bike if you are riding on the sidewalk. What kind of gear do I need on my bike? The city and state require a person riding in city streets like in New York to have: 1. a bell that can be heard at 100 ft., but not a siren or a whistle; 2. a brake "that will skid on dry pavement;" 3. a reflector; 4. two lights, red in back and clear in front, which must be used from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise. Do I have to ride in the bike lane if there is one? Generally, yes (as per 4-12(p) of the aforementioned NYC Traffic Rules), except when you need to turn off the road and for reasons of safety, and only if the bike lane is usable. Many bike lanes in New York City are not usable; they're unsafe, obstructed, and not even built to highway code specifications. You could get a bogus ticket for not using them, though. Where on the roadway should you ride your bike? Lots of people first guess "on the left, facing traffic" for a variety of reasons. But that first choice is wrong ... |
