History of Biking in NYC

When you look at most major cities throughout the world in 2015, you will find a healthy population of people using bicycles for many different reasons. The number of riders is continually growing as laws and regulations are created to empower and protect bicycle riders. NYC looks much different today than it did ten years ago, and this is especially the case when you look at city streets and new bike lanes. It may seem as if New York City has only recently became bike friendly, which is certainly not the case.

The very first bike lane dates backs to the early 1890s, and this was due to the popularity of bikes in NYC at the time. The bicycle boom of the time flooded NYC boroughs with bikes and this caused the city to address the situation. More lanes and paths were created, but the biking fad soon died out. Robert Moses was a big advocate for bikes, and in the early 20th century his parkway project included bike paths. As cars became affordable, there was a quick push towards the personal car, and so Robert Moses couldn't build the paths. In fact, if the car didn't become popular in NYC, the city streets would look rather different.

Cars shape the landscape of the city, and there are so many that traffic can be difficult. Biking offers a great alternative to sitting behind slowly moving cars. This reason, and many others, has caused a resurgence of biking in NYC. The NYC DOT is working diligently to create better systems for encouraging more people to ride while keeping everyone safe. In 2015, the DOT has planned to complete over 20 projects dedicated to biking throughout each borough. The number will continue to grow as more and more people begin to ride bikes.

Cargo Bike

The biking laws of the DOT encourage all types of biking, and this includes commercial biking. As you walk around the city, you will see a good deal of cargo bikes delivering food, goods, and office work. These bikes allow for companies to save money and keep their employees healthy.

If there was ever a time begin biking in NYC, it is now. If you follow the laws of the road, maintain a properly working bike, and wear protective gear, the risk of riding is relatively low. This doesn't mean that biking is completely safe, and so you should always ride with the utmost care.