George

Good advice.....

Now that the bicycle season is once again upon us it's probably a good idea
to have everyone review their responsibilities on the road.

As found on the NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law found at
http://www.safeny.com/bike-vt.htm

We must all remember that even though Section 1231 states

Section 1231. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles or skating or
gliding on in-line skates.


Every person riding a bicycle or skating or gliding on in-line skates
upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject
to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this
title, except as to special regulations in this article and except as
to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no
application.

We must never forget that it is all of the sections in the law that make up
all the privileges and responsibilities on the road. For example an
extremely important on is Section 1234 states

Section 1234. Riding on roadways, shoulders, bicycle or in-line skates
lanes and bicycle or in-line skates paths.


(a) Upon all roadways, any bicycle or in-line skates shall be driven
either on a usable bicycle or in-line skates lane or, if a usable
bicycle or in-line skates lane has not been provided, near the
right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand
shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the
flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when
reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to
continue along near the right-hand curb or edge. Conditions to be taken
into consideration include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving
objects, vehicles, bicycles, in-line skates, pedestrians, animals,
surface hazards or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle or person on
in-line skates and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the
lane.


(b) Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates
upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast. Persons riding
bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a shoulder,
bicycle or in-line skates lane, or bicycle or in-line skates path,
intended for the use of bicycles or in-line skates may ride two or more
abreast if sufficient space is available, except that when passing a
vehicle, bicycle or person on in-line skates, or pedestrian, standing
or proceeding along such shoulder, lane or path, persons riding
bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates shall ride, skate, or
glide single file. Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on
in-line skates upon a roadway shall ride, skate, or glide single file
when being overtaken by a vehicle.


(c) Any person operating a bicycle or skating or gliding on in-line
skates who is entering the roadway from a private road, driveway, alley
or over a curb shall come to a full stop before entering the roadway.

Of course the most important part if Section 1234 is that bicycles are
permitted at the shoulder of the road only. Unlike Washington DC which
allows cyclists to ride within traffic the accident rates in DC reflect the
unwiseness of comingling within traffic. Common sense should always
prevail.

Happy and safe cycling from your Department Of Transportation member.

Hope to see you guys on the (side of the) road.....



John J Cotter
Web Applications Management Section
Technical Services Group, AJF-A7
Information Technology Office
Office: 718-553-3438
Fax: 718-995-5673