As warmer weather approaches and more motorists take to the road, NYC officials announced new efforts to keep motorcyclists safe, including beefed up law enforcement.
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and NYPD Transportation Chief Philip P. Rivera held a press conference at One Police Plaza in Manhattan on Friday to announce the efforts, which include new training programs, greater public awareness and expanded law enforcement as part of the city’s Vision Zero strategy to combat traffic deaths.
“Today’s Vision Zero event is specifically about how to keep motorcyclists safe,” Rodriguez said. “The message is clear. NYC is a great place to ride a motorcycle, and there are so many New Yorkers and visitors who enjoy riding motorcycles. Most of them do it right and respect the law, but there is a percentage of reckless ones.”
Since the pandemic in 2020, according to the DOT, the rate of crashes involving motorcycles – both nationally and within New York state – has increased, with NYC motorcyclist fatalities in 2023 reaching 55 deaths, a record level.
Most of those incidents involved unregistered vehicles or unlicensed riders. Only 13 of those killed had a proper license to ride a motorcycle.
Rodriguez said the NYPD will be “going after” motorcyclists who break the law. Vehicles must be registered, inspected and insured, per the law, the commissioner said.
Officials also warned that riding recklessly, failing to wear proper safety gear or using improperly maintained vehicles can subject riders to arrests and summonses, as well as having their bikes seized.
Additionally, the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles requires all Class M motorcycle registrations to have been renewed by May 1.
“As the weather becomes warmer, many communities experience a lot of reckless motorcycles in some areas, people wheeling and speeding,” the commissioner said. “My message to those communities is that the NYPD is doing their part in terms of enforcement. We want to be sure that people know that DOT, NYPD and the governor’s office are working to ensure that enforcement will be seen in our communities.”
A plan to keep NYC motorcyclists safe
But it is not all about criminalizing motorists, Rodriquez explained. Many riders are not aware of the training, laws and requirements needed to own and ride a motorcycle, so the city is launching a public awareness campaign to keep motorcyclists safe.
A social media push will highlight tips for riders, such as the importance of wearing DOT-approved helmets and reflective clothing at night.
Other tips that are part of the campaign will center around vehicle maintenance. Riders should ensure their lights and horn are working, mirrors are adjusted and tires are properly inflated with legal tread depth.
DOT will also hold a free riding practice at Icahn Stadium in Randall’s Island on Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. for motorcyclists to hone their skills. The four-hour open practice session in the stadium’s lot will allow motorcyclists to practice life-saving skills on a closed course with other bikers, the commissioner said.
More information about motorcycle safety can be found online at nyc.gov.
