By Malcolm Carter
Add me to the legion of Manhattanites who complain about cyclists who race the wrong way on streets, barrel along sidewalks and ignore traffic lights.
My complaint is about the men — only men, I think — making deliveries on bicycles and their employers. I should say that I sympathize with those folks, whose jobs, such as they are, must rank among the worst in the city.
Living on a corner of Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side where a plethora of restaurants means a plenitude of bicycle deliveries, I am unusually cautious when crossing that thoroughfare. I pause, look both ways, step into the street and look again and again as I venture to the opposite side.
That was my practice the other night on my way home from the gym. Despite my vigilance, however, I was startled as a biker swerved to avoid me — successfully, thank goodness.
In retrospect, I was in no danger, but it sure felt that way momentarily. Probably, you’ve had a similar experience.
Had he a light on the front of his bicycle, I am certain that I would have noticed him. Why didn’t he? I wondered, then decided to find out whether there was a law against its absence.
I could hardly think of a single instance when I spied a bicycle used for deliveries with a functioning light. I also wondered whether it was required.
Sure enough, there is such a law, and it covers many more abuses. The New York City Department of Transportation has issued a summary of the laws, rules and regulations for bicyclists. The illuminating four-page document begins with this sentence:
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.
It gets better: According to the city’s Administrative Code, bicycles used for commercial purposes must comply with the following provisions:
- 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;
- 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 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.
Oh yeah, businesses and their delivery personnel religiously adhere to the foregoing requirements.
Among other things, bicycles ridden on sidewalks may be confiscated and riders may be subject to legal sanctions, according to the Code. And riders may not wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while cycling.
Right!
In addition, bicyclists are required to use hand signals to turn left and right and to stop or decrease speed. When was the last time you saw that happen?
Now for the equipment bicycles must have: Bell or other audible signal (not whistle); working brakes; and reflective tires and other reflective devices, or both.
Finally, “a white headlight and red tail light must be used from dusk to dawn.”
I don’t have a clue what the penalties are for violating the laws, rules and regulations, but I’m betting they’re not severe. Perhaps that’s why they seem to be so infrequently enforced. But still. . .
The police have proved how easy it is to fix parking tickets. Can’t they fix illegal bicycle riding as well?
The argument they’ll make about enforcing the bicycle laws is that they have better things to do. Such as protecting the public and saving lives?
Okay, time for a quick poll:
[poll id=”4″]
Malcolm Carter is a real estate broker and columnist for the West Side Rag. A version of this post was first published at Service You Can Trust, Malcolm’s blog.
I am delighted to see this article. I, too, step across a street with great trepidation, looking both ways vigilantly. It would be interesting to see the stats on the number of people killed or injured by onrushing bicycles oblivious to red lights. Years ago, my son, then a child, was hit by a bike and hurt quite badly, though not critically. That same son, when 17 years old, took a summer job as a bike messenger. Ye gods, did I worry about his safety! Now, I worry about mine. I learned then that the messengers are paid according to the number of deliveries rather than by hours worked. If that system still applies, it partly explains why they speed so dangerously ignoring all traffic rules.
Yes Malcolm I agree with all you said and I am in the bicycle business. I moved to New York over a year ago and use my legally lighted dutch bike with bell as my main form of transportation. Reckless cyclists give the regular bike commuter a bad name. Having said that my question is about motor vehicles. In Toronto where I come from drivers don’t beep there horns like here and they mostly don’t speed. If New York City needs money why don’t they enforce the speed laws and running red lights, I assume the limit is 30 miles and hour. My dream is to have everyone on a bike, riding in a designated bike lane. Ride on with care. Curbside Don
Here Here, Don! I am a bicyclist and a driver. I cringe when I see cyclists speeding down sidewalks but I also cringe when I see a cyclist on the road wearing no helmet! We all need to respect each other and obey the laws so there would be less need for enforcement.
I agree completely. i was knocked down in Central Park and had to face$20,000 in dental implants. The police never took the right info so I was “stuck” and angry. If these laws exist why aren’t they enforced. I was told that if i could get a picture of the offending cyclist and the name of the restaurant the police would act. I doubt that! The delivery cyclists need jobs but they need to obey the laws.I am walking the UWS all the time and the other cyclists don’t stop for lights either. And what about the motorized scooters with no license plates that can go 30 miles an hour? Where are our local elected officials?
Why don’t the police visit the restaurants and do a little inspection? Fine the offenders-more $ for the city and I bet many would start obeying the laws.
This is a quality of life issue. Perhaps we need to start a citizens’ protest in front of these restaurants!
If you can figure out the proper action count me in.
Thanks
The delivery people using those illegal motorized scooters are even more frightening. They have no headlights, no reflectors, no helmets, and they can go 30 miles per hour. Early this evening I saw one going the wrong way on W 66th Street and turning onto Amsterdam Avenue, against the light.
When you ask them which eatery they are from, every one of them lose any ability to speak English.
This is not a real problem. This issue is very minor and isn’t worth obsessing on, much less writing about or God forbid creating a new layer of bureaucracy for it. Tackling noise, motor vehicle traffic and litter would do far more for the quality of life on the UWS than harassing these poor pathetic unempowered cyclists.
Sorry, but I don’t understand what would be the new layer of bureacracy.
Ironically, a dear friend of mine happened to be in touch the very day this post appeared to say she was recovering from a collision 10 days earlier with just such a bicycle–32 stitches in her leg. The delivery guy vanished into the night.