New York City, known simply as “The City” to all its devoted fans, is home to many things like dazzling lights, upscale restaurants, and intense taxi drivers. Despite all these endeavors, one activity that is often overlooked is biking in the Big Apple. In recent years, cycling culture in NYC has grown exponentially — garnering support for the concept to make New York City a true biking city.
Why A Bicycle City Is a Good Idea
There are many reasons why a biking city is beneficial to residents, businesses, and the environment. To begin with, the health benefits of biking are unmatched, as it provides a low-impact option for staying active and healthy. This can help combat obesity, obesity-related diseases, and stress — all of which are leading causes of death in the United States.
Furthermore, biking also has environmental benefits. According to studies, with every mile traveled by bike, an individual is saving one pound of carbon dioxide from entering the environment. Given the growing effects of climate change, this could not be more important.
Additionally, a biking city can help lessen economic disparities. Studies have shown that individuals who can afford cars tend to have better job opportunities and higher incomes than those without access to vehicle ownership. Cycling is an affordable option for getting to and from work, going to the store, and carrying out other everyday errands.
Making NYC a true bike city will also help create better traffic conditions for everyone. The fewer cars on the road, the less congestion, and the quicker trips for everyone.
The Bicycle Revolution in New York City
In recent years, the city has begun to recognize the importance of becoming a true bike city and has started to initiate change.
City Initiatives
The city has implemented a few initiatives in order to make biking more accessible, safe, and enjoyable.
• Bike share programs. In order to make biking more accessible, the city implemented one of the nation’s largest bike share programs. The bike share program allows members and nonmembers to rent bikes at over 10,000 locations, with no time limit.
• Bike lanes. This initiative has made the city more bike-friendly by providing bike lanes with varied widths and support spaces for bicyclists.
• Modernized signals. The updated signals offer more protection and visibility for bicyclists when going through intersections.
• Bike parking. The city has added accessible bike parking around major destinations, such as parks, universities and government centers, in order to make bicyclists feel safe while securing their bikes.
Community Efforts
Aside from all the city-wide initiatives, New York is also home to a range of smaller-scale, grassroots biking campaigns.
• Bike Tours. This project aims to provide riders with a guided bike tour through the streets of NYC. The tours emphasize safety and etiquette, as well as highlighting interesting and historical sites in the city.
• Bike Repair Shops. NYC is also home to a handful of privately-owned bicycle repair shops, which provide the tools and services needed for safe and efficient rides.
• Bike Collectives. Through these collectives, bike enthusiasts are able to come together to learn, share knowledge, and engage in hands-on activities.
Overall, these have contributed to the revitalization of cycling culture in NYC.
Safety
Despite the many strides NYC has taken to becoming a biking city, there are still a few safety concerns that should not be overlooked.
• Visibility: Bicyclists should wear fluorescent colors while biking and make sure to be easily visible in their surroundings.
• Knowledge of the law: Before jumping on a bike, cyclists should educate themselves on the rules of the road. This includes the right of way, signals, and proper lane usage.
• Proper gear: Especially in NYC, wearing a helmet is essential for safety and should not be overlooked.
In addition to proper gear, cyclists should also make sure their bikes are in good condition, with fully functional brakes and properly inflated tires.
For all its hectic cityscape, New York City is poised to become a true bike city. With its renovated infrastructure, supports grassroots initiatives, and dedication to safety, the future of biking in NYC looks bright. As citizens, businesses and the city itself gets more comfortable with the idea of two-wheel transportation, the potential for further growth and investment is exciting. After all, a biking city is a healthy and environmentally friendly city — something that everyone can get behind.
