Community Information

Cycling in the City

via flickr, macz_outvia flickr, macz_outCycling is not only great for your health; it’s better for the environment and less expensive than other forms of travel. Currently the city is working toward making NYC more friendly to cyclists and as a library we're trying to make information regarding cycling a little easier to find.

So, here are some helpful resources regarding cycling programs, biking clubs, books, blogs, and other practical guides. At the end of this post you’ll also find a list of library locations equipped with bike racks!

The Department of Transportation has lots of resources for cyclists on their webpage including maps, safety tips, and parking. Also keep an eye out for information regarding the city’s Bike Share programs. Citi Bike Share has been in talks for a while and due to open for the summer.

Knowing how to get where you're going can be a challenge. It's nice to know where you can find bike lanes, bike paths, or a greenway. NYC Bike Maps has what you need. Maps for each borough, for parks, and a few even outside the city. Map out your commute with the help of Ride the City. Ride the City helps to navigate NYC's Shared areas and Bike Lanes. Plus, the site includes bike shops and rentals on the map so you can find the supplies you're looking for when you're out and about.

As a cyclist, it's important to know your responsibilities and the rules of the road. The group Transportation Alternatives has some great links to bicycling laws and maps. They brought us Bikingrules.org which provides street codes both online and as a FREE PDF copy of Biking Rules (also available in Chinese and Spanish). They also have a list of "Cycling Savvy Lawyers." Plus, you can sign up to become bike friendly business and be added to the site's directory.

Also, check out Bike Blog NYC to keep up on cycling news, meet-ups, events, and other resources.

Transportation Nation has a section on bikes; it is a project from public radio stations that reports on the changing modes of transport in the U.S.

Looking for a social layer for your cycling adventure? Check out a Bike Club:

In case you missed it, Gothamist discussed bikelock etiquette and safety earlier this year and Lifehacker provided information for getting your neglected bike ready for the season and keeping it in shape for next year.

Need to take your bike on the subway? At some point you might need to. Perhaps your bike needs a repair, the weather has turned or you were injured. Keep in mind general etiquette for making the trip easier for public transportation travelers. The MTA website has information on the Bike & Ride page along with a bike safety and courtesy page.

  • Avoid rush hour, the trains and platforms are already crowded.
  • Yield to other travelers, bikes can be very difficult to maneuver around.
  • Enter at a booth station entrance and have a booth attendant unlock it (don’t lift over turnstiles).
  • Hold onto your bike, sudden movements might have it rolling away from you and hurting someone else.
  • Wait for stairways to clear and always carry your bike up and down the steps.
  • Listen to directions from police officers and MTA employees.

Pictures of cycles and cyclists in the Digital Gallery.

Library Books for Cyclists

General

Care and maintenance

City cycling

Branches with Bike Racks (as of July 2012):

Manhattan

58th Street
96th Street
Hudson Park
Mid-Manhattan
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Yorkville

Staten Island

Dongan Hills
Huguenot Park
Richmondtown
South Beach
Todt Hill-Westerleigh
West New Brighton  

The Bronx

Belmont
City Island
Eastchester
Edenwald
Kingsbridge
Melrose
Pelham Bay
Soundview
Spuyten Duyvil
Van Cortlandt

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

Bike Resources

Thanks you! These are amazing and in depth bike resources. Thanks for the your wonderful blog.

THANK YOU!

This is a wonderful round-up of resources--thanks for compiling it. An item that may be of interest to readers: The New York Times had a recent article about summons being issued to cyclists. NYC has started cracking down on cycling infractions such as cycling on the sidewalk or on the wrong side of the street, and not stopping at traffic lights. See http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/nyregion/manhattan-court-sends-erring-cyclists-to-remedial-class.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share.

Free Rides (and fix-your-bike workshops) with Time's Up!

Time's Up! is another great resource that people should know about. They host free weekly bike repair workshops & classes, in both Brooklyn & Manhattan, as well as group rides that are open to all. Check the calendar at http://www.times-up.org

Cycling in the City

Here's an opposing view. Enjoy. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/complaint-box-on-your-left/

Additional NYC Cycling Resources

Thanks for this outstanding list of resources! Your readers might also be interested in http://velojoy.com, a growing online source of news, events, how to’s and gear for city cyclists and “bike curious” New Yorkers. The site is dedicated to attracting more women to NYC’s bike lanes by demystifying and celebrating the joys of two-wheeled transportation. In addition, the following blogs are excellent sources of news and commentary about NYC cycling and transportation issues: http://brooklynspoke.com and http://www.streetsblog.org

In Case of Car Crash

Cyclists (and pedestrians) should know they are entitled to medical care if ever struck by a car in NYS. This not-for-profit Web site provides details: http://NycCarAccident.net We're also in the NYPL's electronic resources: http://catalog.nypl.org/record=b19618306~S1 You are entitled to care regardless of who is at fault; if the driver is insured or not; or how serious the crash appears to be (always get checked out because you may be wrong). You don't need to hire an attorney or file a lawsuit to get care under No-Fault or MVAIC insurance. However, you must get a police report and send the insurer a simple letter of notice within a certain time period. This insurance is mandated by NYS law, but there's very little information available to the public. Thanks for helping get the word out!

Thanks

Thanks, great resources in the blog and the comments.