NYC DOT - Bike Smart

Cycling is one of the truly great ways to travel around New York City — biking is efficient, affordable, equitable, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

my bike, my city.

Bike Smart: The Official Guide to Cycling in NYC

Bike Events

Helmet Fitting Tips

Biking Myths vs Facts

NYC Biking Laws

Safety Tips

Children on Bicycles

NYCycles Newsletter

my bike, my city.

NYC DOT's my bike, my city. campaign features women, girls, transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers enjoying bike lanes across the city.

The goal of this campaign is to promote cycling as a useful, healthy, and accessible form of transportation, particularly to women, girls, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals by providing resources such as cycling tips, informative events, and safe biking routes.

Share your biking habits via our brief survey!

Bike Smart:

The Official Guide to Cycling in NYC

Bike Smart: The Official Guide to Cycling in New York City is a helpful handbook with information on making your cycling trip safer and easier, including tips on using newer bike facilities such as protected lanes and bike boxes, and basic tips for locking your bicycle. NYC DOT distributes up to 135,000 copies per year of the

New York City Bike Map, which contains the most important rules of the road highlighted in the Bike Smart Guide.

Download Bike Smart in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean , Polish, Russian or Spanish

Bike Events

Each spring and fall, NYC DOT celebrates cycling by hosting events for Bike Month (May) and Biketober (October).

Visit the Bike Events calendar for bike-friendly events hosted throughout the year.

Bike Helmet Fitting Tips

Looking for a new bike helmet? Here are six steps to find the right bike helmet and wear it safely.

Six Steps to Properly Fit a Bike Helmet

Watch our video for tips to safely fit your bike helmet (YouTube)

Biking Myths vs Facts

Challenge your NYC biking knowledge by reviewing these biking myths and facts.

Biking takes too long. FACT: More than half of peak hour taxi trips would be faster if taken on a bike.

Riding a bike in NYC is too dangerous. FACT: Cycling risk is very low and can prolong your life. Cycling commuters have roughly half the risk of developing heart disease.

My bike will get stolen. FACT: While an unlocked wheel can be a target, a bike lock can prevent theft. Stolen bikes can be covered by renters’ insurance.

I’ll get too sweaty. FACT: Biking takes half the energy of walking and you can bike in regular clothes.

Biking Myths vs Facts Postcard

Mitos y realidades de andar en bicicleta

騎乘自行車的迷思與事實

NYC Biking Laws

Cyclists have all the rights and are subject to all of the duties and regulations applicable to drivers of motor vehicles.

Stop at red lights and stop signs. Most serious cycling injuries (89%) occur at intersections.

Go with the walk, unless there is a bike signal or sign, cross the intersection when the pedestrian signal shows “the walk".

Yield to pedestrians. People walking may not see or hear you coming. Nobody likes to be startled!

Ride in the direction of traffic. That’s where people expect to see you.

Bike Laws Postcard

Leyes para andar en bicicleta

自行车交通法规

Safety Tips for a Safer Ride

If you can’t see the driver they can’t see you. Use extra caution when passing trucks, buses, or approaching an intersection alongside a larger vehicle.

Be sure to be seen when stopped. At red lights, stop to avoid the driver’s blind spot – slighting ahead of a waiting vehicle.

Be seen to avoid collision. Use a white headlight and red taillight at night.

Be aware of your surroundings. Do not wear more than one earphone while riding. Check behind you, especially changing lanes.

Safety Tips Postcard

Consejos para su seguridad

安全提醒

Look Out for Others

Watch: Look out for people with long white and red canes or traveling with guide dogs.

Wait: Always let people walking go first and keep the crosswalk clear. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way on shared paths and Greenways. Do not ride up behind or around a guide dog and owners.

Warn: Slow down near people walking, and ring your bell or call to let them know you’re coming close.

Slow Your Roll Postcard

Vaya con calma

減慢速度

Cycle Eyes Video

While we continue to promote cycling as a means of transportation, we also want to help you identify our 175,000+ low vision or blind pedestrians.

Watch an audio described version of the Cycle Eyes video

For Children on Bicycles

Children under age one cannot be carried on a bicycle.

Children must be carried in a properly affixed child carrier.

Cyclists 13 or younger must wear an approved helmet.

Children 12 or younger should ride on the sidewalk, while adults must ride on the street.

NYCycles Newsletter

The official newsletter of NYC DOT's Bicycle Program is NYCycles, an email newsletter providing updates on new bike lanes, bike-friendly events, and tips for new and experienced riders.

Subscribe to NYCycles monthly cycling email newsletter