New York City is becoming safer year-to-year for cyclists, thanks to the New York City Department of Transportation’s “Vision Zero” initiative. Despite the intention of the city to improve the lives of cyclists and offer a safe alternative to driving, it does not eliminate the risk of injury, or loss of life, to the residents of New York who decide to ride their bicycle to the park, through their neighborhood to their favorite cafe, or on their way to earn a living. Paul Koenigsberg and his team at Koenigsberg & Associates want to equip you with the knowledge of what to do if you experience an accident while riding your bike and you get hit by another cyclist, or driver.
Brooklyn Residents Enjoy A Vast Bicycle Path Network
In New York City there are over 1,500 miles of cycling-specific lanes that you, and your neighbors, get to enjoy. There are so many bicycle lanes that New York City is considered to have the largest bicycle network in North America. NYC DOT has data showing that 99% of our city’s residents live within a mile of our fantastic bicycle network. According to a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) Community Health Survey more than 762,000 of your neighbors ride a bike on a regular basis, as a form of exercise, transportation, or leisure, helping to add to the nearly 13 MILLION riders in New so far in 2025. Did you know that the busiest, most popular road for cyclists is right here in Brooklyn? Can you guess where? If you guessed WIlliamsburg Bridge you’d be correct. Data from Automated Bike Counters installed throughout the city by the NYC DOT reveals that on average 7,235 cyclists use that path daily. Through our analysis of cycling accidents in Brooklyn in 2025 so far, we know that there are about 8 people involved in accidents per mile of available cycling paths that have resulted in everything from a tense verbal confrontation, to broken bones, and in some cases, death.
Adverse Interactions Experienced by Brooklyn Ridership
With nearly 13 million people riding a bike throughout New York City this year, they have come face-to-face with a wide range of adverse experiences while on their way. Most bicycle accidents in Brooklyn result from driver negligence rather than cyclist error, though bias against bicyclists often obscures this reality. Common causes include drivers failing to see cyclists at intersections or while turning, dooring accidents when car doors open without checking for approaching cyclists, and right hook or left cross collisions when drivers cut off or fail to yield to cyclists. Rear-end and side-swipe accidents occur when distracted or inattentive drivers strike cyclists or pass too closely, while complex intersection traffic patterns, aggressive driving, road rage, and poor road conditions like potholes and debris further endanger cyclists and contribute to serious accidents. You may be wondering, “What happens if I’m one of the people injured in an accident? What happens if I get hurt, or worse?!” We understand how concerning this information is, and we know how to help. You have rights if any of these circumstances, or others like it. We understand how concerning this information is, and we know how to help. You have rights if any of these circumstances, or others like it, happen.
Every Day Risks of Riding A Bicycle In New York City
The Path To Ensuring Your Rights As A Cyclist
Taking proper steps after a bicycle accident is crucial for protecting your health and legal rights. Immediately seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, call police to the scene regardless of accident severity, and thoroughly document everything by photographing vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, your bicycle, and your injuries. Collect the driver’s license, insurance information, and contact details, and gather contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident. In order to protect your legal rights, preserve your damaged bicycle without repairing or disposing of it before expert examination, avoid apologizing or making statements about fault, report the accident to your auto insurance company if you have coverage, and keep detailed records of all medical treatment, expenses, and how injuries affect your daily activities. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights are fully protected throughout the claims process.
Knowing Your Rights
Injured cyclists have the same legal rights as any other accident victim, despite the bias they may face from insurance companies, and others, who affect what you can recover depending largely on where liability is placed, and in most cases each insurance company involved will try and point it somewhere else so that they can avoid a payout. In New York City there are laws that help safeguard cyclists. And strengthen their claims.
VTL § 1231
At the foundation of cyclist rights VTL § 1231 grants cyclists all the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, ensuring legal equality and full protection for their road use.
NYC RCNY § 4-02(a): Application of Traffic Rules
This principle is reinforced locally by NYC RCNY § 4-02(a), which extends all city traffic rules to bicycles and their riders.
VTL § 1146: Due Care Requirement
Beyond establishing legal equality, the law actively protects cyclists through VTL § 1146, which mandates that drivers exercise due care to avoid collisions with cyclists and provide audible warnings when necessary.
VTL § 1122: Safe Passing Distance
VTL § 1122 requires vehicles overtaking bicycles to pass on the left at a safe distance, creating a protective buffer zone.
RCNY § 4-12(p)(3): Bike Lane Use Requirements
New York City has implemented specific regulations governing where and how cyclists may ride. RCNY § 4-12(p)(3) requires cyclists to use designated bike lanes when available unless safety concerns such as obstructions or hazards necessitate leaving the lane, or when preparing for turns.
RCNY § 4-12(p)(1): Wide One-Way Street Rules
RCNY § 4-12(p)(1) permits riding on either side of wide one-way streets (at least 40 feet).
NYC RCNY § 4-08(e): Bike Lane Obstruction Prohibition
To further safeguard cyclists, NYC RCNY § 4-08(e) explicitly prohibits vehicles from blocking or obstructing bike lanes and holds violators liable for any resulting cyclist injuries.
VTL § 1120: Drive on Right and Passing Rules
VTL § 1120 reinforces the general rule requiring motorists to drive on the right except when passing cyclists, thereby acknowledging the cyclist’s presumptive right to road space.
Additional Safety and Equipment Requirements
Additional safety requirements mandate that cyclists use a white front light and red or amber rear light during nighttime riding, along with proper reflectors, and generally prohibit sidewalk riding (except for children under 12 with small-wheeled bikes) and expressway travel unless specifically permitted by signage.
Vision Zero Increases Safety, But Doesn’t Eliminate Risk
Despite the increased safety New York citizens have experienced through the implementation of the “Vision Zero” initiative in 2020, there is still a chance for an accident to occur. Knowing your basic rights as a cyclist in Brooklyn, New York may not be as tangible as wearing a helmet on your ride to your favorite spot in Williamsburg, but we at Koenigsberg & Associates believe it’s just as important. The next time you step out of your front door to go for a ride heed these words, and if you find yourself becoming one of those dreaded 8, we have office locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. Remember, You Better Call Paul.
