Whether you’re on foot, on your bike, or behind the wheel, our streets are vital links to your daily destinations—like work, markets, clinics, or coffee with friends. At GObike, we champion the right of every traveler to navigate these paths safely and smoothly. Remember, safety isn’t just personal; it’s a collective pact. Own the road wisely and responsibly, whatever your travel choice.
Whether biking or walking, knowing the rules keeps us safe. Remember - bikes have the same rights and responsibilities as cars. Here are some guidelines to sharpen your skills and boost your safety, no matter how you’re traveling.
Be careful at intersections. Position yourself in the correct part of the lane depending on your direction.
Give parked cars a wide berth - stay at least 3 feet clear to avoid the door zone.
Aim to cross streets where drivers are on the lookout—at crosswalks or intersections. Keep your eyes peeled for cars coming from any direction, including those turning.
Claim your space and rights on the road alongside other vehicles.
Stay safe by knowing the laws and riding with confidence.
Be vigilant for small-scale hazards that could trip you up—like rocks, trash, storm grates, or railroad tracks. Wet leaves, potholes, gravel, and slick streets can also be treacherous. Dodging these dangers helps keep you safely in the saddle. Keep an eye out for bigger obstacles too, like pedestrians wandering into bike lanes, the sudden swing of parked car doors, or vehicles darting from driveways.
Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, pedestrian, or domestic animal upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary. NYSVTL 1146
The operator of a vehicle overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding on the same side of a roadway shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a safe distance until safely clear thereof. NYSVTL 1122
Although New York State doesn’t have a minimum passing distance for vehicles overtaking bicyclists or pedestrians, we recommend a minimum 3ft passing distance.
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic, and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall a person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
NYSVTL 1214 No person shall get out of any vehicle from the side facing on the traveled part of the street in such manner as to interfere with the right of the operator of an approaching vehicle or a bicycle.
Preventing dooring is the responsibility of the person exiting their motor vehicle– nonetheless, we recommend bicyclists always avoid the door zone by keeping a minimum 3ft distance from parked cars.
The same laws that apply to other drivers, with some obvious exceptions and special rules, apply to cyclists. Most importantly, bicyclists must obey, and are also protected by, the rules of the road. NYSVTL 231
When riding on the road, keep right, allowing room for cars to pass you on the left. Maintain a comfortable distance from the curb or edge of the pavement.
These clearly marked divisions of the road are designated for cyclists. Bike lanes and cycle tracks are mandatory when available and safe. However, shared-use paths are optional — if you see one, you can still ride in the road.
Don’t ride on sidewalks unless no other safe option exists. Bikes belong on the street. In the city of Buffalo, sidewalks are only allowed for people 14 and under.
When on a multi-use path, be courteous and communicate when passing. People on foot have the right of way.
A portion of the roadway which has been designated by striping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles.
NYSVTL 102-If available, ride on the trail, paved shoulder, bike lane, or bike route. If no bike lane is available or if the bike lane is unnavigable due to blockages or safety concerns, ride in the rightmost area of the road if the road is wide enough to be shared. Maintain a 3-foot distance from both parked and traveling motor vehicles.
The NY Vehicle and Traffic Law does not expressly regulate sidewalk bicycling. However, NY General Municipal Law (Section 180)6 states that NY municipalities can regulate bike riding on sidewalks. They cannot require that bicyclists use a sidewalk instead of a public roadway, but they can impose limits to sidewalk bicycling. So it is up to individual municipalities to regulate sidewalk cycling as they see fit. In the City of Buffalo, it is illegal for persons over the age of 14 to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk.
In the City of Buffalo, it is illegal for cyclists over the age of 14 to ride on the sidewalk. Although you might think it’s a safer option, motorists are not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk, especially those riding against the direction of traffic.
At every driveway and intersection, you are at greater risk of being hit by a motorist than if you were riding on the road with traffic. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, not bicyclists.
Ride in a straight line, do not weave in and out of cars, and use hand signals when turning or stopping.
Obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to traffic when appropriate.
If riding in the dark, use front and rear lights, as required by New York State law. If able, wear reflective materials or brightly colored clothing. Do not wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while bicycling.
Whether you’re just learning to ride or you’ve already mastered two wheels, follow these tips to stay bike smart.
Helmets are required for people aged 14 and under. We recommend everyone wear a helmet at all times.
When riding on the road, always travel in the same direction the traffic is going.
Use front and rear bike lights and reflectors: white in the front, red in the back.
Red means stop for everyone on the road, bikes included. Make full stops a habit.
Use hand signals to let others know if you’re turning, shifting lanes, or hitting the brakes.
Keep an eye out for foot traffic, and slow down near crosswalks and sidewalks.
Ride in a straight, steady line. Don’t swerve or make other unpredictable movements.
Always lock your bike in a visible, well-lit area to prevent theft.
Allow two fingers width between eyebrows and helmet. The side straps should make a “Y” below the ear. Leave a half-inch between your chin and the strap.
These are the parts of your bicycle that keep your wheels moving.
This is where the rubber meets the road! Make sure they’re inflated. You shouldn’t see any cracks or loose threads.
A straight rim is “true.” Rims need to be true to pass through the brakes without rubbing.
Spokes are the thin wires that hold your wheel together. A single spoke isn’t very strong, but as a group they can go anywhere.
This transfers power from your crank to your rear wheel. It’s happy when it’s lightly oiled.
This is another name for the seat. It’s where you sit.
This is the part of the bike that holds the front wheel and allows you to turn. Always check to make sure the wheel is securely fastened to the fork.
These are foot-operated levers used for powering your bicycle. The harder you push, the faster you go.
This is the steering bar of a bicycle. Keep your hands on the bars at all times.
These levers drive the chain and need to spin smoothly to work.
Also called the freewheel, the chain wraps around these gears and turns the rear wheel.
A well-tuned bike helps keep you - and everyone around you - safe.
Before you hop on your bike, be sure to do an ABC quick check. Making sure your bike is ready to ride will keep you and others around you safe and keep your bike in top shape.
Press down on your tires. If they squish, pump them up. Also, scan for any cuts or punctures.
Squeeze those brake levers. You should have a thumb's width of space between the lever and handlebar. Eyeball the brake pads for wear and make sure they align with the rim.
Look over your chain, cranks, and cassette for any grime or rust, and check they're well-oiled. Ensure everything's snug and secure.
If your bike has a quick release, make sure it is closed and angled to the back of the bike.
Now that your bike is good to go, make sure you are, too. Throw on some high-vis, well-fitting clothes that won’t get caught. Dress for the weather, always wear your helmet, pack a lock, and carry water to stay hydrated. Now, you’re ready to ride.
Know your bike. It’s the first step to keep you safe while you ride.
Now that your bike is good to go, make sure you are, too. Throw on some high-vis, well-fitting clothes that won’t get caught. Dress for the weather, always wear your helmet, pack a lock, and carry water to stay hydrated. Now, you’re ready to ride.
(a) Every bicycle when in use during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible during hours of darkness from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red or amber light visible to the rear for three hundred feet. Effective July first, nineteen hundred seventy-six, at least one of these lights shall be visible for two hundred feet from each side. NYSVTL 1236(b) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
Helmets are required for persons age 14 and under. We recommend everyone wear a helmet at all times.
Use a light when you’re riding at night! It’s not just the safest way to see and be seen - it’s the law!
(a) Every bicycle when in use during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible during hours of darkness from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red or amber light visible to the rear for three hundred feet. Effective July first, nineteen hundred seventy-six, at least one of these lights shall be visible for two hundred feet from each side. NYSVTL 1236
(b) No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.
Helmets are required for persons age 14 and under. We recommend everyone wear a helmet at all times.
Intersections are hotspots for mishaps involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Extra caution here can prevent accidents and save lives.
Intersections and driveways are critical zones for cyclist awareness. Always be on the lookout for cars making right-hand turns that cut across your path or left-turning vehicles that cross in front of you. Try to make eye contact with drivers when possible, but operate under the assumption that they haven't noticed you. This heightened alertness can make all the difference in avoiding collisions.
Speeding might save minutes, but it could cost a life. The higher a vehicle’s speed, the more likely it is to be fatal to pedestrians. Understanding the real impact of speed on safety is crucial:
- At 19 mph, the risk of pedestrian fatality is 5%.
- Increase to 23 mph, and the risk doubles to 10%.
- By 37 mph, the risk shoots up to 50%.
- At 43 mph, it’s 75%.
- Reach 50 mph, and the risk is an alarming 90%.
These stats, drawn from a comprehensive review of 15 studies, underline a harsh truth: the faster you go, the deadlier the stakes.
(a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk on the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, except that any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles.
(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.
(c) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. NYSVTL 1151
- At 19 mph, the risk of pedestrian fatality is 5%.
- Increase to 23 mph, and the risk doubles to 10%.
- By 37 mph, the risk shoots up to 50%.
- At 43 mph, it’s 75%.
- Reach 50 mph, and the risk is an alarming 90%.
These stats, drawn from a comprehensive review of 15 studies, underline a harsh truth: the faster you go, the deadlier the stakes.
If you approach a stop sign in a motor vehicle or bicycle and a pedestrian is waiting to cross, you must yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.
The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alleyway, building, private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk extending across such alleyway, building entrance, road or driveway. NYSVTL 1151-a
(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(c) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. NYSVTL 1152
(a) Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.
(b) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall when practicable walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. Upon the approach of any vehicle from the opposite direction, such pedestrian shall move as far to the left as is practicable. NYSVTL 1156
.(b) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall when practicable walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. Upon the approach of any vehicle from the opposite direction, such pedestrian shall move as far to the left as is practicable. NYSVTL 1156
