Cyclists in New York are legally required to stop at stop signs, just like drivers. According to the Vehicle and Traffic Law of New York, bicycles are classified as vehicles. This means that every cyclist in the area must abide by existing traffic laws to avoid traumatic bicycle accidents.
If you choose to roll through an intersection, you risk not only serious injury and property damage but also legal consequences. New York City law takes such actions seriously. The more you understand your rights and responsibilities, the better prepared you’ll be to avoid legal trouble.
Key Takeaways
- Cyclists must follow the drivers’ lead and treat stop signs like motor vehicles.
- New York laws don’t include the Idaho Stop rule.
- Non-compliance with traffic laws leads to legal responsibility.
- Stopping at stop signs ensures increased safety for all traffic participants.
- It is possible to recover compensation after ignoring stop signs.
- A professional New York bicycle accident lawyer is your best ally in a bike crash.
Do Traffic Laws Apply to Bicyclists in NYC?
Even though a regular bicycle may lack the protection and power that any car has, in New York, it is classified as a full-on vehicle. All the traffic rules and regulations in the city, as well as across the state, apply to cyclists. This means that an average rider has to comply with traffic light signals, stop signs, and right-of-way laws.
Some bicyclists falsely assume that bike laws are more relaxed and that all it takes is to invest in an operational brake system and reflective tires and follow in the same direction as the rest of the traffic. However, local authorities put a lot of means and effort into monitoring the situation in the city to enhance overall road safety and decrease the fatality rate among vulnerable road users.
Should All Cyclists Stop at a Stop Sign?
In the majority of states, including New York, all bike riders have to comply with general traffic rules and stop at stop signs. However, there are a few exceptions. In Idaho, Delaware, Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington: bicyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs. This exception is often referred to as the “Idaho Stop” law.
The regulation was implemented into Idaho’s traffic regulation system in 1982. Under this rule, cyclists have to slow down at stop signs, evaluate the situation, and proceed if the road is clear. However, the law does not apply to New York City or the state in general.
Why Is It Important to Stop at Stop Signs?
A bicycle accident with a car or any other vehicle can be highly traumatic and turn a person’s life upside down in an instant. However, obeying the stop signs isn’t just about your safety; it is also about respect toward other traffic participants and your legal protection. Here’s a list of reasons to consider before you choose to ignore a sign in New York City:
- Accident prevention: NY Bicycle accident statistics prove that recent years are among the deadliest for cyclists in the city. Although not all fatal incidents happen because of non-compliance with stop signs, halting at an intersection can help you assess the road situation better so that you can do everything possible to prevent a traumatic bicycle crash.
- Ticket avoidance: Since general traffic rules apply to bike riders, ignoring a sign can lead to a costly fine.
- Implementation of positive cycling culture: The more bicyclists abide by traffic regulations and stop at stop signs, the more positive reputation the activity in general gets. This will assist in creating a more bike-friendly society and decrease road rage rates.
- Decrease of liability: Most bicycle accidents involve a few parties contributing to it. If a rider fails to stop at a corresponding sign, they can be held liable for the incident and may even lose their right to fair compensation.
Can You Recover Compensation After Ignoring a Stop Sign?
New York City, as well as the rest of the state, abides by a pure comparative negligence law. This law ensures that if you were injured on the city’s streets, you can still recover your damages even if you are partially responsible for the incident. A cyclist who is 99% at fault for a collision is entitled to rightful compensation.
However, the amount of contributory fault will be deducted from the final settlement. Let’s say you ignored a stop sign, which contributed to an accident, and you were assigned 30% fault. This means that you will be granted only 70% of the initial compensation you have filed for.
Contact an Expert NYC Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Stop signs are an important part of NYC’s traffic regulation system that all the cyclists navigating the city’s streets must abide by.
However, it is human to make mistakes. If you’ve been ticketed for ignoring a sign or a negligent driver collided with you at an intersection, contact us for a free legal consultation. Our legal team will evaluate your claim and advise you on how to preserve your rights and get compensated. Together, we can build a strong and success-oriented case!
If you’re a cyclist who has been in an accident, call today for a free initial consult about your legal claim. We’re here to help with your legal questions. Contact our law firm for coast-to-coast bike accident and personal injury representation.
Since his academic days at the UC Berkeley School of Law, Robert Goldwater has remained a committed advocate for victims of other people’s negligence. His tort law background, together with his unquenchable thirst for justice, helped young Robert found a now-successful law firm – Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, gathering same-minded and promising attorneys from all over the country.
