In New York City, all modes of transportation share the streets in very close proximity. Bicyclists are considered operators of a vehicle. They are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. When biking in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.

Drivers of cars, trucks, and buses must also respect the rights of bicyclists. Motorists violate the rights of a bicyclist when they:

• Crowd the lane occupied by the bicyclist
• Follow too closely behind the bicyclist
• Fail to yield to a bicyclist who has the right of way
• Fail to be aware of the traffic conditions around them (motorist inattention)

Many bicycle accidents with a motor vehicle occur simply because the car, bus, or truck did not see the bicyclist. When this occurs the result can be devastating for the cyclist. Bicycles are the most vulnerable of all vehicles on the road.

According to a Joint Report from the New York City Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and the New York City Police Department, 3,462 NYC bicyclists were seriously injured in crashes with motor vehicles between 1996 and 2003 in New York City. Another 225 were killed. Almost all (92%) of these bicyclist fatalities occurred as a result of crashes with motor vehicles. About one-third (32%) of these bicyclist fatalities occurred as a result of a crash with large vehicles (trucks and buses). Only one fatal collision with a motor vehicle occurred when a bicyclist was in a marked bicycle lane. Nearly all bicyclists who died (97%) were not wearing a helmet. Most fatal crashes (74%) involved a head injury.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all bicyclists wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.

NHTSA Safety Tips include:

• • Drive with the flow, in the same direction as traffic.
  • Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car.
  • Assume the other person doesn’t see you; look ahead for hazards or situations to avoid that may cause you to fall, like toys, pebbles, potholes, grates, train tracks.
  • No texting, listening to music or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes and ears or your mind off the road and traffic.

Defensive bicycling is also a key factor in keeping the bicyclist safe on the road.