How to Stay Safe Biking in New York City
Service Article | Safety Biking | Austin Kong
Biking in New York City is fun. It's dangerous.
These pointers are meant to give riders a better sense of how to properly ride the streets of New York City.
I know this because I’ve been biking in New York city forever. For all my pro-bikers and fixie enthusiasts, you probably don’t need to hear this redundant list of dos and don’ts and most likely, you’ll tune it out and keep on riding. For those that have never set their two wheels in the concrete jungle, there are many factors at play and keeping your eyes on the road is just one part of it. With cars speeding to the lights, you can easily get clipped by them and the bike lane doesn’t always guarantee your safety 100%.
Riding in a city versus riding in the suburbs is a whole different ordeal. Whether you’re riding a Citi bike or on your own bike, there’s an unspoken law when it comes to riding in the streets. This article is meant to teach you these etiquettes and hopefully, prevent any unwanted accidents.
These pointers are meant to give riders a better sense of how to properly ride the streets of New York City.
Know Your Bike and Your Ability to Ride
Before you start riding, ask yourself this; Do I actually know how to ride? Am I confident enough on a bike? This can be a big difference in order to ride with ease, especially around crowded traffic and its cars honking. Think of your bike as an extension of yourself flowing like a river in pebbled bedrock. Always know your ability and confidence whilst riding. And keep practicing by riding more!
Know how your bike is structured. Not every bike is the same and they all come in different sizes and frames. Some have wide handlebars which can be difficult to squeeze in between cars. Those with drop bars are more likely to squeeze through. Fixed gear can mean more resistance on elevated roads, so you’ll have to sprint more to get on top of the hill. BMXers will have to watch their handlebars as well and can be slower compared to roadies or fixies.
Go With the Flow, Not Against
No one likes swerving to not hit a bike going 10 miles per hour. Don't be that type of cyclist, okay? Just go with the flow, especially in a hectic city where people tend to walk wherever they feel. That's why jaywalking is a thing—well kind of. Riding in traffic tends to be the easiest and that's what's expected. Granted you might think that it's closer if you go the other way, but every street tends to consecutively go in opposite directions for every block. So don't worry, you're not going to miss your turn. Just go with the flow.
Don't Be a Bozo, Don't Lose Your Head
It might look cool raw dogging the streets without a helmet or just wearing a bike cap. But it's a safer bet than sorry not wearing one. All cyclists should wear helmets on the road and there are fashionable ones that make you look faster with the sharp aerodynamic edges meant to bend air. Heaven forbids it but you never know when you'll get into that inevitable crash, and you'll be lucky to find that helmet on top of your head. It won't fully protect you but it's still a good precaution to take. Besides, many badass cyclists and bike messengers wear head protection.
Check Your Corners And What's Around You
To turn safely and avoid road frustrations with cars, make sure your left and right are clear. Not sure who's behind you—signal with your hand to let what your intentions are on the road. Even if you're simply trying to go around a car that is double-parked on the bike lane. That way, the vehicle behind you will know and hopefully, give you space to pass.
At intersections, check both sides of the road and not just one way. Cyclists and e-bikers often go in opposite directions. Cars are ruthless and will pass over you with very little space. If you want to cross the intersection with the utmost safety, cross over to the other side of the street into the pedestrian crosswalk and wait for the light to make a turn. That way you don't suddenly turn into the car's path.
What to Know Before You Bike.
Keep At Least a Car's Length Away Particularly From Trucks or Large Vehicles
One of my biggest safety tips is to stay the hell away from any moving truck or large vehicle. Tragic accidents have happened where cyclists get run over by an 18-wheel truck that ended up fatal. Stay several feet or a car's length away from trailer trucks, garbage trucks, construction vehicles and buses because most often, they have blind spots where they can't visually see cyclists even in their sideview mirror. The drivers are often seated higher up so their periphery is limited so don't trail directly behind them.
Not All Roads Are Smooth
It's true. New York City might seem the city of dreams, but their roads are not. Expect to see potholes, bumpy roads and roadblocks like trash. Mountain bikes with suspension in their wheels can ride over potholes with ease. Fixies and road bikes have more difficulty and must swerve or risk a bumpy saddle. Know which route is smoother to plan your ride accordingly. The city has a resurfacing schedule for repaving the asphalt which happens mainly at night so expect whole streets scrapped off for construction.
Be Aware of Pedestrians
New York City pedestrians are known for being in your way and you can't avoid that. Read other people's body language to anticipate their intentions when crossing in front of you. A lot of times they'll stand in the bike lane waiting for the light. A bike bell keeps them on their toes but if you want them to really move out of the way, do what any New Yorker would do and shout in their face.
Look Out for Other Cyclists
Just like you're essentially a vehicle on the road, other cyclists are road vehicles as well. Give them space and know when it's safe to pass over them. Be aware of delivery bikers and e-bikes that tend to speed by you at an intersection. Signal to the ones behind you whether you're making a turn or simply switching lanes.
The Infamous Double-Parked Cars
You've probably seen this in movies where the cyclist zips by and just as someone opens their car door, he crashes into it tumbling into the concrete. This happens in real life. Some inconsiderate drivers intentionally park their cars in the bike lane and expect you to move around them. The correct way to approach this is to check your left side to see if there is a car tailgating you, then give at least a few feet to pass over them and enough buffer from the car door.
Tune Up Regularly
It's equally important to maintain your bike's condition. Check to see if there is rust, if a brake is working improperly, loose parts, or simply, if you need to oil your chain. Just like cars need to get regularly checked for inspection, the same applies to two-wheeled vehicles. Get familiar with your local bike shop and their tune-up prices. Make sure every part is properly working before riding. That way, you'll save the hassle of breaking down in the middle of the road.
Check the Weather Before You Go Out to Ride
Of course, you can ride in any weather you set your mind to. But know the limit to which your bike can handle. With bare tires that you'd find on a road bike, you can easily slip on wet slippery ground making the wrong turn. Water makes your chain rust so be wary of getting your bike wet. Snow can be a slippery slope as well so those with skinny tires with no teeth can have a hard time getting traction.