Articles & Resources

If you hit a cyclist with your car, you may face a police report, traffic citations, an insurance claim, civil responsibility for the cyclist’s medical expenses and lost wages, property damage, higher car insurance premiums, and possible criminal prosecution. In the event of a motor vehicle collision, understanding the situation early helps both parties protect their...

A bicycle accident claim is how you recover money for what the crash cost you: hospital bills, lost income, bike repairs, and the injury that was not your fault. The process looks simple on paper. In practice, it involves deadlines that vary by state, coverage rules that overlap across four or five policies, and adjusters whose job is to pay you as little as possible. What...

After a bike accident, move out of the traffic lane, call 911, and do not admit fault. Photograph the place, your injuries, and property damage, then collect witness contact details and exchange policy details with the motorist. Seek medical attention within 24 hours, whether you were doored, struck in a lane, or hit at an intersection. Adrenaline masks concussions, fractures,...

After a bicycle accident leaves you injured, the idea of hiring legal representation can seem like just another burden on top of overwhelming medical expenses. In reality, having an experienced attorney on your side can relieve that pressure, as they are equipped to secure far greater compensation than you would likely be able to obtain on your own. There are various ways...

Are bikes allowed on sidewalks? As of 2026, sidewalk cycling is legal in many areas but is often discouraged due to safety risks and is regulated by local ordinances. According to the League of American Bicyclists Sidewalk Riding Laws Table, most states either explicitly permit sidewalk riding or remain silent, deferring to local ordinance. Only a handful of states prohibit...

Yes, you can legally ride a bicycle on most highways in the United States, but not on all of them. No federal laws prohibit bicycle use on the interstate highway system or other expressways, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Each state sets its own bike laws and regulations. Controlled-access highways and freeways typically ban bicycles with posted...

In most parts of the United States, wearing headphones while biking is generally legal. There is no federal law that addresses this issue, and only 7 states have specific laws that restrict or prohibit using headphones while cycling on public roads. The remaining 43 states and D.C. have no specific prohibition. In states like California and New York, riding with one earbud...

In 2025, bicyclist fatalities accounted for over 10% of all traffic deaths in New York City, nearly half of the state’s cycling deaths. Distracted driving remains the leading cause of severe bicycle accidents, followed by failure to yield the right-of-way and road user errors. The majority of fatal crashes involve common vehicles such as sedans and station wagons. In...

Every cyclist should know three essential bike hand signals. To go left, extend your left arm straight out to the side. For a right turn, point your right arm straight out, or raise the left one upward at a 90-degree angle. To signal a stop, lower it downward with your palm open and facing behind you. These universal gestures are recognized across all 50 states and should...

Arizona remains one of the most dangerous states in the country for bicyclists, and its 37th-place ranking on the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card reinforces that concern. In 2024, the Arizona Department of Transportation recorded 1,379 bicycle crashes statewide, the highest figure in five years and a 21% increase over 2023. About...

In New York City, riders and motorists share the same road, and any person on a bicycle can receive a citation for violations such as running red lights, riding on sidewalks, riding against traffic, and lacking lights or reflectors at night. Fines typically range from $50 to $190, though red light citations can exceed $250 with surcharges and fees. As of 2026, cycling...

As of 2026, New York City permits electric bikes in three categories on city highways, bike lanes, and bridges. All e-bikes operating in NYC are subject to a 15 mph limit effective October 24, 2025, and must also be UL-certified for fire safety. Users must be at least 16 years old, and a helmet is mandatory for those aged 16 to 17 and all operators in the fastest category. E-bikes...

Most bicycle accident settlements in New York City land between $50,000 and $200,000 when injuries are moderate and driver fault is clear. Your number depends on the crash and injury severity. The national median bicycle accident settlement is around $45,000, but the average bicycle accident settlement in NYC runs higher because of medical expenses, insurance policy limits,...

In New York City NY certified headgear is legally required for minors under 14 years old, commercial cyclists, and all who ride Class 3 e-bikes. Adults on standard bikes are not required to wear approved bicycle helmets by state or city law, though headgear is strongly recommended by the NYC Department of Transportation for all bicyclists. As of 2026, bicycle safety statistics...

In New York City, bicycles and e-bikes are legally treated as vehicles and must follow the same traffic regulations as a motor vehicle driver on the road (VTL 1231). That includes obeying signals, making proper turns, riding with traffic, yielding to pedestrians, and using usable bike lanes unless blocked or unsafe. These provisions apply in the same manner to all who...

You can catch a DUI charge, or a BUI (Biking Under the Influence), if your state’s law treats a bicycle as a “vehicle.” Ride drunk on a public road and you risk arrest, jail time, and a criminal record. Everything depends on one word in your state’s statute: “any vehicle” or “motor vehicle.” We reviewed the DUI statutes in...

The statute of limitations is two to three years in most states, but Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee give you only one. Maine and North Dakota allow up to six. Every state sets its own timeline, and no federal law applies. Some deadlines are even shorter than you’d expect. If a government entity vehicle or road defect caused your crash, you may have as little...

Since 2010, bicyclist deaths in the United States have increased by 87%. In 2023, 1,377 bicyclists died nationwide, including 937 in motor-vehicle crashes and 440 in other incidents, according to the National Safety Council. An additional 341,774 bicyclists suffered nonfatal injuries that same year. Cycling accounts for only 1% of all trips in the United States, yet bicyclists...

Roughly one-third (30-35%) of non-fatal bicycle accidents involve head injuries that require emergency treatment. The numbers are far worse in fatal crashes: TBI and related trauma cause an estimated 60% to 75% of all cyclist deaths, most commonly in collisions with motor vehicles. A properly fitted helmet can significantly reduce head injury risk by 60% and traumatic...

Arizona gives you two years to pursue damages after a hit-and-run accident. For most bicyclists, that two-year civil claim deadline is the most important one to know. Criminal and civil claims follow different timelines, and the classification of the offense changes which deadlines apply. Missing any of them can close the door on your rights. Arizona Hit-and-Run Filing...