Cycling Safety and the Law in New York City by Glenn Herman: What Every NYC Cyclist Should Know

New York City cyclist lawyers Glenn A. Herman and Robin S. Herman discuss what NYC cyclists should know about crash safety, no fault insurance, dooring accidents, and their legal rights.

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New York City cyclists share some of the most complex streets in America with cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians, delivery vehicles and a rapidly growing number of e-bikes. Knowing how to ride safely matters. Knowing your legal rights when something goes wrong matters too.

Watch the source here: https://hermannyc.com/2026/08/10/bridge-from-episode-1.

For thousands of New Yorkers, a bicycle is more than recreation. It is transportation, exercise and part of everyday life.

But what happens when a routine ride ends with an opening car door, a turning vehicle or a collision?

NYC bicycle injury attorney and cyclist Glenn A. Herman discusses these questions with Robin Herman in Pedals to the Courtroom, a New York-based video series examining cycling safety and the law in New York City.

You Were Hit by a Car. Who Pays the Medical Bills?

One of the most important questions after a New York City bicycle accident may also be one of the most misunderstood:

If a cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle, who pays for medical treatment?

New York has a no-fault insurance system for motor-vehicle accidents. Depending on the circumstances, an injured cyclist may have access to no-fault benefits for accident-related medical expenses when a motor vehicle is involved.

That distinction matters.

A cyclist who assumes medical assessment and treatment will have to come entirely through their personal health insurance may delay getting evaluated after a crash.

In Pedals to the Courtroom, Glenn Herman discusses this issue through the example of a cyclist injured in a dooring incident who was concerned about the cost of seeking medical care.

NYC Streets Are Changing. So Are the Questions Cyclists Ask.

• Cycling in New York is no longer limited to traditional bicycles.
• Today's streets include pedal bicycles, electric bicycles, Citi Bikes, delivery bikes, scooters and other forms of micromobility operating alongside cars, trucks and buses.
• The legal and safety questions are evolving with them.
• What rules apply to cyclists?
• What happens when a car door opens into a cyclist's path?
• What should a rider do after being hit?
• How does New York no-fault insurance apply?
• What rules apply to e-bikes?
• These aren't abstract legal questions when you're riding through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island.
• They can become important in seconds.

Cyclists Have Responsibilities and Legal Rights

New York law establishes rules governing bicycles and cyclists using public roadways.

Cyclists generally must follow applicable traffic rules, but being on a bicycle does not mean a rider gives up legal protections when injured by someone else's actions.

Several issues can become important following a bicycle crash, including:

• How the collision occurred
• Whether a motor vehicle was involved
• Whether the cyclist was hit or "doored"
• Available insurance coverage
• Medical treatment and documentation
• Police and accident reports
• Photographs, video and witness evidence
• Applicable New York bicycle and traffic laws

Every accident is different, which is why understanding the facts surrounding the collision can be as important as understanding the law itself.

What Is a Dooring Accident in NYC?

A dooring accident occurs when the occupant of a parked or stopped vehicle opens a door into the path of an approaching cyclist.

The cyclist may strike the door directly or swerve to avoid it and collide with another vehicle or object.

On crowded New York City streets, the rider may have only seconds to react.

Dooring is therefore both a cycling safety issue and a legal issue.

What Should a NYC Cyclist Do After a Crash?

Safety comes first.

After a bicycle collision, an injured rider should consider obtaining appropriate medical attention and, when possible, preserving information about what happened.

This may include photographs of the scene, vehicle information, witness contact information, police documentation and records of subsequent medical care.

Serious injuries are not always immediately apparent following a collision.

The legal and insurance questions can also depend heavily on whether another motor vehicle was involved and the circumstances surrounding the crash.

NYC E-Bikes Add Another Layer to Cycling Safety

New York City's transportation landscape continues to evolve as e-bikes and other forms of micromobility become increasingly common.

This evolution is generating new discussions involving speed, enforcement, infrastructure, delivery workers and the responsibilities shared among cyclists, motorists and other road users.

For riders, the practical lesson is simple:

Know the road. Know the law. Know your rights.

Watch Pedals to the Courtroom

Reading about New York cycling law is one thing.

Hearing these issues discussed by a lawyer who is also a New York City cyclist provides another perspective.

In Pedals to the Courtroom, Robin Herman and NYC bicycle injury attorney Glenn A. Herman discuss cycling safety, bicycle accidents, no-fault insurance, dooring incidents and the changing laws affecting cyclists across New York City.

Watch: Cycling Safety and the Law in New York City — Pedals to the Courtroom

About Glenn A. Herman

Glenn A. Herman is a New York City personal injury attorney and cyclist with Herman & Herman PC. His practice includes representing people injured in bicycle and motor-vehicle accidents throughout New York City.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations may change, and the application of law depends on the specific facts of each matter. Reading this article or viewing Pedals to the Courtroom does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Media Contact 

R. William

1-845-444-2442

Website: https://hermannyc.com

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