DMV Marks Bicycle Safety Month by Reminding All to Share the Road Safely

May is Bicycle Safety Month, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds all road users that they have a responsibility to share the road safely, whether driving, biking or walking.

Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and have the right to share the road and drive in the same direction as motor vehicles. Wednesday, May 3, is Walk and Bike to School Day So drivers have to pay special attention to children riding bicycles to and from school that day.

“Cycling is great fun and great exercise, so we hope New Yorkers will take advantage of the spring weather to get out and ride,” DMV Commissioner and Chairman of the Governor’s Transportation Safety Committee Mark JF Schroeder said. “We also want drivers, passengers and other road users to look out for each other so everyone gets to their destination safely.”

At all times, drivers should:

• 
  Check your “blind spots” before turning, parallel parking, opening a door, or leaving the curb. Don’t just rely on your mirrors – turn your head to look for cyclists, skaters and scooter operators who may be next to or approaching you.
• 
  Give cyclists room when driving. Reduce speed when passing them. Air pressure from vehicles passing them quickly can throw them off balance.
• 
  Be aware that cyclists near or in front of you may be reacting to road hazards Sudden changes in speed, direction or lane position.
• 
  The rules of the road and right-of-way apply to and protect these and other highway users. You must give way to them, just as you would give way to other vehicles. They must obey the traffic rules like motor vehicle drivers.

Cyclists must:

• 
  Ride on a bike path if you can. If not, they must remain on or near the curb or shoulder to prevent interference with other traffic. Cyclists don’t have to keep to the right when they are about to turn left or when they have to move left to avoid a hazard.
• 
  Come to a complete stop before they enter the road from a driveway, alley or curb.
• 
  Never drive more than two side by side in a lane.
• 
  Never ride on sidewalks if prohibited by local laws.
• 
  Approved helmets must be worn by cyclists and their passengers and inline skaters aged 1 to 13. Adults must obey any local laws or regulations regarding the use of helmets.
• 
  Turn, change lanes and stop by using hand signals. When a cyclist extends their right arm straight to the right, they can signal a right turn.Turn left – left arm fully extended to the left; stop – left arm extended and bent down at the elbow; right turn – right arm fully extended to the right or left arm extended and bent at the elbow
• 
  Do not take infants under 1 year old as passengers. This is against the law. Child passengers between the ages of 1 and 4 must ride in the included bicycle safety seat.
• 
  Never carry a passenger unless the bike has a passenger seat.
• 
  Always keep at least one hand on the handlebars, and don’t carry anything that prevents proper control of the bike.
• 
  Any bicycle accident resulting in death or serious injury must be reported to the DMV within 10 days of the accident. The Bicycle Accident Report Form (MV-104C) is available at any Motor Vehicle Office.

Bicycles for road use must have adequate brakes and a horn or bell that can be heard from at least 100 feet away. Bicycles for night use must have a front light visible from at least 500 feet ahead and a red rear light visible from at least 300 feet behind. One of these lights must be visible from at least 200 feet on each side. Bikes sold by dealers must have wide-angle, spoke reflectors or reflective tires, wide-angle rear reflectors and pedal reflectors.

Electric bikes and scooters:

In 2020, the law was changed to allow pedelecs (also known as e-bikes) and electric scooters to operate on some streets and highways in New York State.

• 
  You can use these devices on the highway, the speed limit is 30 mph or less They do not need to register with the DMV
• 
  Municipalities can further regulate when, where and how these devices operate
• 
  you cannot Operate these devices on sidewalks unless authorized by local laws or regulations
• 
  using a helmet is always encourage and necessary By law, if an e-bike can go 25 MPH

Mini bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs, go-karts and golf carts cannot Operates on public streets and highways.Vision Zero provides information on Operating Electric Bikes and Electric Scooters in New York City.

The Governor’s Transportation Safety Committee website also provides Bicycle Safety Information. You can learn about bike rodeos, helmet fitting events, and find educational materials and resources.

For more information on the DMV, visit www.dmv.ny.gov website or follow usFacebook,Twitterandinstant messagingGram.