Bicycling in NYC - NYC Health

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Bicycling in New York City

New York City is a great place to hop on a bicycle. You can explore the city through its hundreds of miles of bike lanes, greenways and parks, and avoid public transportation by biking to work or school. Exercise is easier to maintain when it's part of your everyday life. Whether using your own bike or the City's bike share system, Citi Bike, you can improve your health while getting around safely and efficiently.

Health Benefits

Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days each week, and children and adolescents need at least twice as much activity. Biking is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit.

New Yorkers who bike to routine destinations report better overall health. You can burn calories and improve your mood, as well as prevent obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and many other health problems.

Ride Safe

To be sure you stay safe while biking in the city:

Always wear a helmet. Children 13 or younger are required to use a helmet, but everyone else should too.

Ride predictably and carefully. Always stay alert and aware.

Make sure you are easy to see and hear. Use a bell or horn and reflectors, and use front and rear lights when traveling after dusk. You should also avoid riding in drivers' blind spots.

Ride on the street, with the traffic, on marked bike lanes or paths when possible. Only children 12 or younger may ride on the sidewalk.

Obey all traffic signals, signs and pavement markings, and always yield to pedestrians.

Stay off expressways.

Make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians when riding through intersections.

Leave extra room when riding near buses, trucks and parked cars.

Use hand signals before you turn or change lanes.

Don't weave in and out of traffic.

Don't text or talk on the phone while riding.

Don't drink and ride.

Don't wear more than one earphone — it's best to use none.

Additional Resources

New York City Cycling Information: nyc.gov/bikes

NYC Department of Transportation: Bicycling Resources

Citi Bike

Cycling in the City: Cycling Trends in NYC (PDF)
Ride the City (online route planner)

Bike New York (free cycling classes for adults & kids)

Biking Rules (a "street code" for NYC cyclists)

Bike Safety Checklist for Workers (PDF)
Other Languages: [中文] [Español]
Vision Zero: the Role of Bikers

More Information

Cyclist Safety in Public Health Data

Physical Activity

Active Design

Traffic Injury Data and Safety Tips

NYC Bike Maps