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NYC bicycle accident injuries and fatalities have hit all-time highs during the pandemic. Many New Yorkers who traded in their Metrocard for a bike lock discovered that commuting by bike in New York City remains tough, particularly in regions with sparse bicycle infrastructure.
On assist new cyclists and refresh more experienced riders, the New York City Department of Transportation recently released “Bike Smart,” a guide to riding a bicycle safely in New York City.
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Courtesy and respect go a long way into preventing bicycle accidents
The guide discusses New York City’s bike legislation and gives basic safety suggestions such as monitoring for visually impaired pedestrians, waiting for people to cross rather than passing them, and signaling others with a bell when approaching them.
Additionally, the booklet discusses how to ride a bike with children based on their age. Children under the age of 12 must ride on the sidewalk in New York, whereas adults must ride on the street. They should come to a complete stop at junctions and cross only alongside the supervising adult. Children over the age of 12 should ride in the street, somewhat ahead of the adult but beside him or her when crossing junctions.
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Cyclists can cross intersections in 3 different manners
When turning left, parents should teach their children to do turns “pedestrian style.” To make a pedestrian turn, bikes must pull over in front of the crossing and out of the way of oncoming vehicles. When the light becomes green, they should proceed forward, cross the road on the crosswalk’s side, and then turn left. Making a left turn pedestrian-style is the safest way to do so in New York. Given that 89 percent of bicycle accidents in New York City occur at crossings, it is prudent to exercise caution. Newcomers should unquestionably make a left turn in that direction.
For expert cyclists who are comfortable crossing traffic lanes, performing a left turn “vehicular style” requires safely exiting the bike lane and entering the right lane, carefully transitioning to the left lane, and making the left turn like any other vehicle.
A alternative option for making a left turn is to use a “bike box.” When the light is red and a bike box has been painted in front of the cars, cyclists can ride in the bike box in front of the cars and make their turn just like a car when the light turns green.
The brochure also discusses the various bike lane options available, as well as the signalization painted on the bike lanes, such as a dashed line with chevrons in the middle of the block to indicate an active driveway or dashed lines with chevrons at intersections to indicate that cars may turn across the bike path.
Additionally, Bikesmart provides users with navigation suggestions, parking and locking advice, and ways for commuters to carry their bikes inside the commercial building where they work.