September 25, 2015
Bike New York’s newest intern recently audited a Street Skills Class; here’s what she learned.
Riding my bike around the city, I like to think of myself as safe. I stop at stop signs. I use hand signals. On my way to school or out on a weekend ride, however, there are always a few moments of hesitation. Moments when I question how well I actually know the rules of the road. I ask myself, “Is this right? Am I supposed to be here?”
In an effort to combat my uncertainties, I attended the Street Skills Class this past Wednesday at the NYPD 5th Precinct. Our class was led by Rich Conroy, Bike New York’s Director of Education. The purpose of this class is to inform cyclists about their rights and responsibilities as well as the rules of the road.
My classmates were from all over the city, with very different cycling backgrounds. Many had never ridden on the streets and were learning the basics for the first time. Claudia Salazar of the Upper West Side just started—last weekend she participated in our Learn to Ride–Adults class.
“Its like learning to drive a car—you have to learn the rules,” she said. Anthony Scudesc of Bedford Stuyvesant, meanwhile, is new to city riding and was impressed by the interactive approach of the class.
Beginning riders and new friends Anthony Scudesc and Claudia Salazar. They both participated in the Street Skills Ride on Saturday, September 19th.“Its great here because everyone is at your same level,” Scudesc said. “It is a really safe space to ask questions and learn,” he added.
The class started with very basic traffic laws, requirements for cyclists, and strategies to remain safe on the road. From handling wet leaves to navigating intersections and taking the lane, we covered it all.
Experienced riders also got the opportunity to troubleshoot specific scenarios and discuss the best strategies for navigating these areas. One member of the class expressed concerns about crossing the Queensboro Bridge while Kate McDonald of Carnegie Hill asked about a bike lane on her street. We worked through these scenarios as well as how to predict the actions of drivers.
I came away from the class with a new confidence. I eliminated those, “am I doing this right?” situations, whether I’m switching lanes or making left turns. The class also brought to light a few technical laws I had overlooked. Who knew we were legally obligated to have a bike bell or a horn?
“I definitely learned to assert my own safety,” Scudesc said. Before the class, he was unsure of road positioning and where cyclists are allowed to be on the road. “You have the right to be there. Whatever feels safe for you, you do,” he added.
I was surprised to find that as well as being an informative session, the class opened a discussion about cyclists’ reputation in the city as well as our relationship with law enforcement. This particular class was arranged by Sergeant Yip of the NYPD in response to a series of discussions with cycling advocates on ticketing and safety in the 5th precinct. “There are weaknesses out there,” said Yip in regards to the state of infrastructure in the city.
Hearing Sergeant Yip’s concerns and seeing his determination to improve relationships with cyclists gave me a new perspective on the tensions between cyclists and law enforcement. “People think we just give tickets, but we are cyclists too,” he said.
Class instructor and Bike New York Director of Education, Rich Conroy with Sergeant Yip.
On my way to school the next morning, I felt less anxious and surer of my decisions, confident in where I was supposed to be on the road. The class has definitely made me a safer and more aware rider.
My classmates Anthony and Claudia continued on to the next Bike New York class, the Street Skills Ride, and both have goals for where riding will take them. Anthony intends to use his bike to get around his neighborhood more easily.
“I want to have control over my own transportation and not be as constrained to the MTA schedules,” he said. He also wants to take long rides and explore more of New York.
“I want to ride to the beach in the Rockaways. I want to take the long ride and feel the wind in my hair,” he said.
Claudia is excited to be riding for the first time and is looking forward to riding with her husband and friends.
“The bike is a different way to see the city and I am ready to be a part of that.”
Want to learn how YOU can feel more confident riding on city streets? Check out Bike New York’s full list of public bike education programs here.