The goal of T.A.'s Working Cyclist program is to improve the safety of commercial bicyclists working for restaurants and courier services by ensuring that they are properly equipped and educated on traffic rules. The project centers around a "Working Cyclist Safety" poster for businesses that employ delivery cyclists. The illustrated English/Chinese, English/Spanish posters contain traffic laws and safety tips for bicyclists and are designed to encourage safe cycling. During the first phase of the program, the project will be limited to Manhattan neighborhoods with the most commercial cycling activity.

GTSC NYPD CAU Miller Brewer Moskowitz Quinn

Transportation Alternatives is operating the Working Cyclist program in cooperation with the New York City Police Department; the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit; City Councilmembers Gifford Miller, Gail Brewer, Eva Moskowitz and Christine Quinn; and Manhattan Community Boards 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

To date, T.A. has distributed 650 posters directly to businesses, elected officials, police, community boards, city agencies and individuals for businesses in their neighborhoods as part of our Working Cyclists program.

If you would like to help distribute posters or know a business that needs a "Working Cyclist Safety" poster, please contact T.A. at WorkingCyclist@transalt.org or 212-629-8080.

Download this poster in PDF format (includes both an English/Spanish and English/Chinese Version) - 800k. See below for an image of the English/Chinese version of this poster.

Street Smart Cycling Tips

Wear a Helmet
New York State law requires children under age 14 to wear helmets. Adults should set a good example and wear helmets whenever they ride a bicycle. Use your brain; you only have one.

Stay Away From Car Doors
Ride four feet away from parked cars, even if it means riding in a whole lane of traffic. This will reduce the chance of a motorist opening a car door into you.

Use Lights at Night: Front and Rear
Be smart, be visible, be safe, be legal; front and rear lights are required by law.

Never Ride on Sidewalks
When you ride on the sidewalk, you anger and threaten pedestrians and break the law. The police can take away your bicycle and fine you $300.

Ride With Traffic, Not Against
Riding against traffic is dangerous for you and for pedestrians. It’s also illegal. Fine: $55

Report Crashes to the Police
If you are in a crash call 911. You and the motorist, pedestrian or other bicyclist must stay and provide your names, addresses and telephone numbers for the police.

Give Pedestrians a Break
Yield to pedestrians crossing streets. Stay out of crosswalks when stopped at red lights.

New York’s Finest … Cyclists

The New York City Police Department has one of the oldest cops on bikes programs in the United States. For over fifteen years, the NYPD has sent out officers on bicycles for community policing, traffic enforcement and even ticketing other bicyclists. Today, the city’s largest unit of bike cops on regular patrol enforces traffic regulations in Manhattan’s Central Business District (Houston Street to 59th Street).

When the weather heats up, so does police ticketing. The police typically step up enforcement to remind cyclists to obey the law in early summer. City cyclists need to know and obey cycling laws. In addition to the above safety tips, follow these other laws to keep you safe (and free of tickets).

Bike Law reminder:

• Use front and rear lights after dark and bells at all times.
• Cyclists are vehicles under New York State law.
• Ride on the street. Walk your bike on the sidewalk.
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Obey traffic signals.

Read more on the T.A. Web site: www.transalt.org/features/lawart.html
NYC Bicycle Regulations: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bikeped/bike-nyc.html
NYS Bicycle Laws: http://www.dot.state.ny.us/pubtrans/share.html
 

Download this poster in PDF format (includes both an English/Spanish and English/Chinese Version) - 800k.