Bicycle law in NY regarding riding?

[hyun-su]

When you riding your bike at NY where exactly should you go? I am very confused from what ppl had told me. Should I:
A) Get on the sidewalk?
B) On the road same as the direction of the traffic?
C) On the road opposite of the direction of the traffic?
And what are the fine if done incorrectly?

[melville]

Riding a bicycle in New York, requires that you obey all the rules of the road just like the operator of an automobile.

You are supposed to ride in the same direction of travel as the travel of roadway and if there is a bike lane, you are required to use it.

Failure to do so, results in fines but no points. The minimum fine for "other" violations of the vehicle & traffic law are a minimum of $135.

[dallen47]

I never said I agreed with the rules, I just quoted what they were. :0)

[dubh35]

I know of no place where bicycles ridden by adults go on the sidewalk. NEVER ride facing traffic, it is illegal, and highly dangerous. A bicycle is a vehicle, you are not a pedestrian while riding.

[cadby]

Section 1234 New York Laws..

(a) Upon all roadways, any bicycle or in-line skates shall be driven either on a usable bicycle or in-line skates lane or, if a usable bicycle or in-line skates lane has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along near the right-hand curb or edge.

Conditions to be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, in-line skates, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle or person on in-line skates and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.

(b) Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast.

Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a shoulder, bicycle or in-line skates lane, or bicycle or in-line skates path, intended for the use of bicycles or in-line skates may ride two or more abreast if sufficient space is available, except that when passing a vehicle, bicycle or person on in-line skates, or pedestrian, standing or proceeding along such shoulder, lane or path, persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates shall ride, skate, or glide single file.

Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall ride, skate, or glide single file when being overtaken by a vehicle.

(c) Any person operating a bicycle or skating or gliding on in-line skates who is entering the roadway from a private road, driveway, alley or over a curb shall come to a full stop before entering the roadway.

Presently, if you ride your bicycle on the sidewalk near a pedestrian, you could

Be fined $300.00 dollars.

Be summonsed with a criminal misdemeanor (and be arrested if you are on parole)

Have your bicycle impounded

A person who violates this section in a manner that endangers any other person or property shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than twenty days or both such fine and imprisonment.

Such person shall also be liable for a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars, except where a hearing officer has determined that where there was physical contact between the rider and another person, an additional civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars may be imposed.

[broehain61]

Cyclists and Bike Taxis are suppose to obey all traffic laws. They have to use same lane as motorist and they"re suppose to stop at red signal and facing same direction traffic are travelling.
They not allow to go wrong way of street or sidewalks. Only children cyclists is allowed on sidewalk because they could get hit by car.
For cyclists, they"re suppose to walk across the bridge on pedestrian pathway or Central Park pathways, but they do not listen. Some routes with bicycle is on left side if it was one way street.

[edin]

On the road, with traffic. Since bicycles usually travel more slowly than cars, keep towards the right side of the road unless you are going to turn left, or road conditions make it dangerous to keep right.