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This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.
Bicycles are ubiquitous in New York streets. Whether you ride a bicycle for transportation or fun, you should always know the bicycle laws of New York. The NYPD strictly monitors the road and takes necessary steps against violators. Some bicycle laws in new york are often violated. Today, we will discuss six bicycle laws often violated so that you can avoid getting a ticket in New York.
At first, you are not allowed to ride on the sidewalks unless there is an allowed sign. Riding on sideways is permitted for kids under 12. You can also do it if the wheels are less than 26 inches. Similarly, riding bicycles in a park are also prohibited. However, riders can push cycles in a single file line to and from such places as long as they are not on the boardwalks and beaches. It seems safe to ride on the sidewalks, but it is the opposite. Sidewalks are made for pedestrians mainly and riding alongside pedestrians would be a great hassle in reality. It is why you see a different bicyclist lane all over New York. On the other hand, bicycles are prohibited on highways, drives, expressways, bridges, thruways and interstate routes unless given authorization by signs.
Secondly, you have to keep one hand on the handlebars. If you are a frequent rider, you will know the basics of riding without touching the handlebar. However, it is not permitted in New York. Similarly, if any bundle or package prevents you from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebar, then carrying that package is prohibited as well.
Thirdly, you have to install a bell and lamps on your bicycle to ride in the darkness. If you choose to ride before sunrise or after sunset, then these are a must. A white front lamp that can lighten at least 500 feet forward and a red tail light that can cover 300 feet behind you is mandatory if you ride in the darkest hours. At least one of your lights must be visible for 200 feet on each side of you. Apart from the lights, the sound is equally vital in the dark. According to the law, it is necessary to have a bell or any device to emit an audible sound for at least 100 feet. However, you cannot use whistles or sirens as your bell.
Fourthly, children under the age of one are not allowed to carry on a bike. The children who are more than one year old but less than five years old must use an approved helmet while riding. In addition, they are to be transported in a properly affixed child carrier. Similarly, the children aged more than five but less than fourteen must wear an approved helmet at the time of riding. This law is nothing but to ensure safety for your children, so you must follow it at any cost.
Fifthly, riding with two earphones is illegal. The combination of riding and listening to your favorite music is out of the world. However, wearing two earphones or headphones simultaneously while riding a bike in New York is entirely illegal. It will block your hearing no matter what the volume level is. It will also limit your ability to listen to your surroundings and you may end up in a severe accident.
Last but not least, you know that most bicycles do not have any indicator lights. So, when turn signals are required, right turns can be signaled with either hand and left turns can be signaled with the left hand only. Besides, your bicycle must have working brakes and reflectors. You can use reflective tires or reflective devices as well. Moreover, clinging to vehicles or attaching a bike to another vehicle operated on a roadway is prohibited.
Finally, these six violations are high in numbers in the streets of New York. I hope you will be safe from violating these laws in New York after reading this post.
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