Advocacy & Safety - not clear on nystate bike law

if i interpet it correctly new york state vehicle law states i am legally allowed to "take" the car lane. i spoke to a local police officer and all he said was i would get killed if i did that. he did not state if it was legal.
i was wondering if other people who ride bikes on long island new york "take " the car lane when they ride their bikes on busy main roads such as hempstead turnpike or jericho turnpike, or do they ride on the shoulder of the road.
i think if i "take" the car lane i should put some safety flag or something that is very visible for safety's sake on my bike.

Keep in mind that no one here has any idea what exactly you are trying to interpret.

That is, if you are asking a question about the law, you should provide a link to the law you have the question about.

Here is the text of the relevant law.

http://www.safeny.com/bike-vt.htm


Section 1234. Riding on roadways, shoulders, bicycle or in-line skates lanes and bicycle or in-line skates paths.

(a) Upon all roadways, any bicycle or in-line skates shall be driven either on a usable bicycle or in-line skates lane or, if a usable bicycle or in-line skates lane has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along near the right-hand curb or edge. Conditions to be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, in-line skates, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle or person on in-line skates and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.

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i think if i "take" the car lane i should put some safety flag or something that is very visible for safety's sake on my bike.
Regardless of the "lane taking" issue, it's a good idea to be visible. Many people using blinking rear lights. (No one uses a flag on a pole except recumbent riders.)

That seems pretty clear. Ride in the bike lane if it's there and rideable and you're not turning left. If it's not there, is not rideable, is obstructed or contains hazards, or there's some other reason that you determine that it's not safe to ride there, go out into the lane.

I wear a neon green/yellow reflective vest, and have a very bright flashing taillight.

If I lived in a state with a 3 foot mandatory space law, I'd think about mounting one of those spring-loaded sticks that go 3 feet to the left of my bike - and I'd think about putting a sharp bit of metal there too. Or maybe a paint marker.

lanes too narrow for a bicycle or person on in-line skates and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane

In Texas they have similar verbage but quantify that too narrow means less than 14 feet. A good way to eyeball that is to look at the car tire tracks. If they are anywhere near centered, the lane is likely less than 14 feet. If in an outside lane the tire tracks are much closer to the left than to the right, it's likely more than 14 feet and is relatively safe (from a width perspective) to operate side-by-side with a car. If there are conditions on the right side of the lane that make riding a bike there hazardous (debris, uneven pavement, etc.), then it's still okay to take the lane. As has been already stated, visibility is the key. If the car drivers can see you, they won't purposely hit you. If you take the lane it reduces the chance of them hitting you accidentally when they try to squeeze past.

if i interpet it correctly new york state vehicle law states i am legally allowed to "take" the car lane. i spoke to a local police officer and all he said was i would get killed if i did that. he did not state if it was legal.
i was wondering if other people who ride bikes on long island new york "take " the car lane when they ride their bikes on busy main roads such as hempstead turnpike or jericho turnpike, or do they ride on the shoulder of the road.
i think if i "take" the car lane i should put some safety flag or something that is very visible for safety's sake on my bike.

Why don't you just take a basic cycling class offered by the LAB? They will cover safety and positioning in various conditions in your state. Then you can determine for yourself how you want to ride safely. They will cover the laws and they're conditions and exceptions. Your worth the effort.

if i interpet it correctly new york state vehicle law states i am legally allowed to "take" the car lane. i spoke to a local police officer and all he said was i would get killed if i did that. he did not state if it was legal.
i was wondering if other people who ride bikes on long island new york "take " the car lane when they ride their bikes on busy main roads such as hempstead turnpike or jericho turnpike, or do they ride on the shoulder of the road.
i think if i "take" the car lane i should put some safety flag or something that is very visible for safety's sake on my bike.

Print out this page (https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/repository/bicycle/safety-and-laws/tips.html) from the NY State Dept. of Transportation along with the relevant law someone already quoted:


TIPS FOR MOTORISTS SHARING THE ROAD WITH CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

Be aware that when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side by side, bicyclists should ride in or near the center of the lane to discourage motorists from trying to pass.

It can't get any clearer than that.

I rode on Jericho Turnpike once last year. It has no shoulder. I started by coming off of Brookville road and Old Jericho Turnpike. I crossed Jericho tpk and WAITED on the grass, for traffic to clear. I waited about five minutes, then I got on the bike and went Eastbound. I don't think Jericho tpk is safe for bicycling. I only went as far as Robbins Lane, and went south to the LIE Service road. Less than a mile on Jericho.

Heavy Truck traffic and no shoulder. Like I said, I stood on the grass and waited a full five minutes. If you want to demand your right-of-way, you can expect to be declared "Dead-Right".

I'd think about mounting one of those spring-loaded sticks that go 3 feet to the left of my bike - and I'd think about putting a sharp bit of metal there too. Or maybe a paint marker.
I would have loved to have such a device on my bike today. About an hour ago, while riding back home on an avenue that, sadly, has no marked bike lane (only a "shared" path painting) some guy started getting way too close. I gave his window a soft knock to let him know, to which he responded aggressively by swerving his car towards me. I ended up having to bail and took a nasty spill onto the sidewalk. This was at considerable speed too. I could have easily broken a few bones. Luckily I escaped relatively unscathed. A bit sore, but I'll survive.

Pissed that the guy sped off before I could get up and catch a license plate. I hope karma deals him a good blow.

I pride myself on being able to ride on all kinds of roads. But to be honest, the Jericho Tpk would give me the fantods.

(No one uses a flag on a pole except recumbent riders.)



when i tour (self-contained) and commuting, i use an orange safety flag. it always feels "dorkey" at first, but i don't see it while riding, i assume the other road users (car/truck drivers) do.

i use the blinkies and head/tail lights at night.

i ride my recumbent with flag and lighting as well.

going through NY state, my friend "borrowed" a real estate flag/pole +/- 3 feet tall and attached it horizontally to encourage increased road sharing!

i'm Someone who "uses a flag on a pole" with 2 of my DF bikes :-) !

I had a bike frame fastened sideways to my rear rack, and everyone was giving me a wide berth. That's not uncommon around here though. I considered it as a permanent accessory on my commuter