[rompish]

Hello everyone, I am new to NYC and the laws here state that

The city and state require a person riding in New York to have:

a bell that can be heard at 100 ft., but not a siren or a whistle;
a brake "that will skid on dry pavement;"
a reflector;
two lights, red in back and clear in front, which must be used from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise.

+ they say that I am not allowed to ride on sidewalks.

I do not have a bell, a reflector and lights, cause I have a bmx, and don't want to put any on it.

My question is how serious are they in enforcing these laws?

 

[bullit398]

The only one I would worry about is the sidewalk.

 

[cracked]

The BIG one is bike on the sidewalk. That is summonsable and arrestable.

The other stuff is fluff. required but not strictly enforced.

Stay off the sidewalk and you'll be fine!! Wear your helmet though!!!

 

[rompish]

Thanks!

So if i cant ride on sidewalks, that means I ride on any street (except highways of course)?

And can i ride between lanes?))

 

[MOBEONER]

Yes, where I live in Williamsburg Brooklyn there are bike lanes and cars are forced to respect the bike lanes at all times. I have seen cops brake chops with bikers on side walks and summons them. Like stated above, keep off side walks and u will be fine.

 

[demo 9]

Sidewalk will get you a ticket guaranteed, i work in the city and watch them write them all the time

 

[Toshi]

Lighting has been enforced in the past few years, at least sporadically.