Quirky Bike Laws in NY: Who Knew?

There are weird laws in every state, including New York. Here's a few odd balls when it comes bike law.

For this month’s NYBC update, we thought you’d enjoy a peek at some of New York’s more unusual statewide and local laws. Some of these are barely enforced (if ever), but they’re still on the books!

• Ring that Bell! If you are riding in Albany New York, you must ring your bell at every intersection!  We assume this is leftover from a time when the big concern was bikes scaring horses. Thankfully, Albany’s Common Council is working on updates, including finally scrubbing all mentions of velocipedes from the city code.  It’s the law statewide that you must have a bell or a horn on your bike - and that’s a great safety practice anyway - but don’t make the mistake of using a whistle, that doesn’t pass legal muster in New York 
   
• Rear and Hitch Racks are Usually not Legal: If you use a rear or hitch bike rack in New York, you are likely breaking the law. The issue? Your rear license plate must be fully visible, and it has to stay affixed to the car - you’re not allowed to relocate it to your rack - even if you want to. While you’re unlikely to get pulled over in most places, NYC is a different story. Parking enforcement is cracking down on obscured plates, so be careful if you’re driving into the city with a rack - even one that doesn’t have a bike on it! Read more at New York's License Plate Laws don't work for Bike Racks. 
   
• E-bike rules can be surprising! Under NYS law, even the smallest, lightest, pedal-assist e-bikes can’t legally be ridden on roads with speed limits over 30 mph even though regular bikes can. On top of that, local governments have a lot of say in e-bike rules, meaning some places require helmets, reflective gear, or even ban e-bikes outright. If you’re planning a group ride, it’s worth checking the local code first! More info at NYS E-Bike Law, and if you happen to work with local law enforcement and want to get some improved training for your officers, let us know. Law Enforcement training is one of the services NYBC provides with support from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
   
• Who decides what’s a safe distance? Unlike most states (and all our neighbors), New York doesn’t require drivers to give cyclists a specific buffer, our law has just a vague “safe distance.” Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts all have a 4-foot passing law, and most states require at least 3 feet. NYBC is trying to change that, but in the meantime, we hope all drivers will follow the recommended 3-foot rule - even if it’s not technically law!  New York is lucky to have a Vulnerable Road User law that has real penalties for drivers who injure pedestrians and bicyclists - up to an including jail time, but we believe drivers need the clarity of a “defined” safe distance law of at least 3’.

Does all of this make you wonder what your town, village, or city says about bikes in its local laws? Most local codes are easy to find with a quick google.  If you find any gems, let us know at nybc@nybc.net, we’d love to hear about them.

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The New York Bicycling Coalition is the only statewide organization focused primarily on cycling. Our unique role is to unite, inspire, and support the New York cycling community and to provide a cohesive voice for people who ride bikes across New York State. We work closely with the New York Safe Streets Coalition to advocate for safe streets for everyone in New York.

Find us at www.nybc.net, https://www.facebook.com/nybicyclingcoalition, or https://www.instagram.com/nybicyclingcoalition