Bicycle Safety on the Morningside Campus

Individuals who ride bicycles must exercise sound judgment and courtesy at all times while operating their bicycles. It is important that each rider act in a responsible manner so that others will not be hurt. In order to promote the safety of bicycle riders and pedestrians, the following regulations apply to the use of bicycles on campus:

• Bicyclists are responsible for the safe operation of their bicycles at all times.  
• Cyclists need to be considerate of pedestrians, and must use caution on or around all walkways. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times. Pedestrians are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, but it is the cyclist's responsibility to yield to a pedestrian. Cyclists should keep in mind that a pedestrian may be visually impaired, hearing impaired or infirm, and that pedestrians may make sudden, unpredictable movements. Cyclists should also keep in mind that Pedestrians may be distracted by the use of electronic equipment.  Accidental collisions may seriously injure pedestrians or other cyclists. A cyclist who strikes someone may be liable for personal injuries and property damage.
• When riding and upon approaching pedestrians from behind, cyclists should alert them of their approach.
• When walkways are congested, or when directed to do by a Public Safety Officer, cyclists should walk their bikes. Note: Bicycles may be walked at any time on any campus walkway or roadway and it is usually prudent to do so.
• Bicycles are prohibited from being ridden within University buildings.  
• Bicycles are prohibited from being ridden on non-paved areas such as grass and planting beds.  
• Bicycles should be parked and secured pursuant to the requirements of the University's Bicycle Parking Protocols.

Safe Bicycling in New York City

Bicyclists have all the rights and are subject to all the duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. This includes obeying all traffic signals, regulating signs and pavement markings. Bicycle riding is permitted on arterial and local streets throughout the City even though no 
designated route exists. Bicycle riding is prohibited on the roadways of certain bridges, expressways and highways. Often a separate path exists on these facilities for bicycles.

Summary Listing of Bicycle Laws, Rules, & Regulations

NYC Traffic Rules and Regulations

§ 4-01 (b) – Definitions: A bicycle is defined as every two- or three- wheeled device upon which a person or persons may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, a chain or gears, with such wheels in a tandem or tricycle, except that it shall not include a device having solid tires and intended for use only on a sidewalk by pre-teenage children.

§ 4-02 (a) - Compliance with and Effect of Traffic Rules. The provisions of N.Y.C. Traffic Rules are applicable to bicycles and their operators.

§ 4-07 (c) (3) - Restrictions on crossing sidewalks. No driving bikes on sidewalks unless sign allows or wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter and rider is twelve years or younger. See also Administrative Code §19-176.

§ 4-12 (e) - Driver's hand on steering device. Driver of a bicycle must have hand on steering device or handlebars.

§ 4-12 (h) - Reporting accidents by drivers of other than motor vehicles. Rider involved in accident resulting in death or injury to person or damage to property must stop and give name, address, insurance information, etc., and must report to Police Department.

§ 4-12 (o)(1) - Use of Roadways. Bicycles are prohibited on expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes, bridges and thruways, unless authorized by signs.

§ 4-12 (p) - Bicycles• Bicycle riders must use bike path/lane, if provided, except for access, safety, turns, etc.• Other vehicles shall not drive on or across bike lanes except for access, safety, turns, etc.• Bicyclists may use either side of a 40-foot wide one-way roadway.

§ 4-14 (c) - Restricted areas of parks. No person shall ride a bicycle in any park, except in places designated for bike riding; but persons may push bikes in single file to and from such places, except on beaches and boardwalks.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws

§ 102-a - Definition of Bicycle Lane. A portion of the roadway which has been designated by stripping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.

§ 102-b - Definition of Bicycle Path. A path physically separated from motorized vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way and which is intended for the use of bicycles.

§ 375(24-a) – Equipment - Rider cannot wear more than one earphone attached to radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.

§ 1231 - Traffic Laws Applicable to Persons Riding Bicycles. Bicyclists are granted all rights and subject to all duties applicable to operator of vehicle except where not applicable.

§ 1232 - Riding on bicycles• Must ride on a permanent seat.  Feet must be on pedals.  Bike must carry only number of persons for which it is designed and equipped.

§ 1233 - Clinging to vehicles. No attaching bike or person to another vehicle being operated on the roadway.

§ 1234 - Riding on roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes and bicycle paths• Must ride bicycle on the right side of the roadway (some conditions and exceptions apply - see also N.Y.C. Traffic Rules and Regulations Section 4-12 above).  No more than two abreast.

§ 1235 - Carrying articles - Rider must keep at least one hand on handlebars when carrying packages.

§ 1236 - Lamps and other equipment White headlight and red taillight must be used from dusk to dawn; Bell or other audible signal (not whistle) required; Working brakes required; Reflective tires and/or other reflective devices required.

§ 1237 - Hand and arm signals Bicyclists are required to use hand signals to turn left and right and to stop or decrease speed; Rider can use either hand to signal a right turn.

§ 1238 - Helmets and carrying children• A child under age one is not permitted to ride on a bicycle. A child one or more years of age but less than five years of age must wear an approved helmet and be carried in a properly affixed child carrier. A child five or more years of age but less than fourteen years of age must wear an approved helmet.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws

S 1240. Leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled  non-motorized means of conveyance without  reporting in the second  degree.  

1. Any person age eighteen years or older operating a bicycle as a means  of  conveyance who knowing or having cause to know, that physical injury, as defined in subdivision nine of section 10.00 of the penal  law,  has  been  caused  to  another person,  due  to the operation of such bicycle by such person, shall, before leaving the place where the said  physical  injury occurred, stop, and  provide his name and residence, including street and street number, to the injured party, if practical, and  also  to  a  police  officer, or in the event that no police officer is in the vicinity of the place of said injury, then such person shall report said incident as soon as physically able to the nearest police station or  judicial officer. 
2. Leaving the scene of an incident involving a wheeled non-motorized  means of  conveyance  without  reporting  in  the  second degree  is  a  violation. 

 S 1241. Leaving the  scene  of  an  incident  involving  a  wheeled  non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the first degree.

1. Any person  age  eighteen  years  or  older  operating  a bicycle who  knowing or  having  cause  to  know, that serious physical injury, as defined in  subdivision ten of section 10.00 of the penal law, has  been  caused  to  another  person,  due  to  the  operation of such bicycle by such person, shall, before leaving  the  place  where  the  said  serious  physical  injury occurred, stop, and provide his name and residence, including street and street number, to the injured party,  if  practical,  and also to a police officer, or in the event that no police  officer is in the vicinity of the place of said injury, then such person  shall report said incident as soon as physically able to the  nearest  police station or judicial officer. 
2. Leaving the scene of an incident involving a bicycle without reporting in the first degree is a class B misdemeanor. 

NYC Administrative Code

§ 10-157 - Bicycles used for commercial purposes

• Business must be identified on the bike by name and identification number.
• Operator must wear upper body apparel with business' name and operator's number on the back.
• Business must provide operator with a helmet according to A.N.S.I. or Snell standards.
• Operator shall wear a helmet provided by business.
• Operator must carry and produce on demand a numbered ID card with operator's photo, name, home address and business' name, address and phone number.
• Business must maintain log book that includes the name, identification number and place of residence of each bicycle operator; and the date of employment and discharge. The log book must also include information on daily trips, identifying the bicycle operator's identification number and name; and name and place of origin and destination.
• Owner of business must file an annual report with the Police Department identifying the number of bicycles it owns and the identification number and identity of any employees. 

§ 19-176 - Bicycles operation on sidewalks prohibited Bicycles ridden on sidewalks may be confiscated and riders may be subject to legal sanctions. See also N.Y.C. Traffic Rules and Regulations §4-07 (c).