New York City has many laws that apply to cycling. You are expected to follow them at all times. Here are NYC’s rules for riding a bike. You should read and follow them for your safety.
Cycle Citation however is about giving tickets to motorists for breaking the law.
Here are the rules for driving. While you can write a citation for any driving infraction, CycleCitation focuses on the laws protecting bike lanes. When we report drivers who invade the bike lane we draw the line in the sand. Claiming the space is vital to our future safety.
These are the most import driving laws to enforce. Pay attention to what cars do and report when they break these laws.
The most common citation is standing, stopping or parking in a bike lane. This is clearly illegal as they are considered no stopping zones.
(e) General No Stopping Zones (Stopping, standing, and parking prohibited in specified places). No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle in any of the following places, unless otherwise indicated by posted signs, markings or other traffic control devices, or at the direction of a law enforcement officer, or as otherwise provided in this subdivision:
(9)Bicycle lanes. Within a designated bicycle lane.
Trucks loading and unloading can stand on the roadway side of a bike lane when double parked. This however does not let a truck unload in a bike lane for any reason. Given them a citation.
The second most common citation is failing to signal a turn. Cars can enter bike lanes without signaling to turn or park. This is clearly illegal and dangerous. The law is that:
(a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in section eleven hundred sixty, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
(c) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
Cars can cross bike lanes in the following situations, but only after they signal. If they are in a bike lane but have no excuse they deserve a citation.
(2) Driving on or across bicycle lanes prohibited. No person shall drive a vehicle on or across a designated bicycle lane, except when it is reasonable and necessary:
(i) to enter or leave a driveway; or
(ii) to enter or leave a legal curbside parking space; or Section 4-12 57
(iii) to cross an intersection; or
(iv) to make a turn within an intersection; or
(v) to comply with the direction of any law enforcement officer or other person authorized to enforce this rule; or
(vi) to avoid an obstacle which leaves fewer than ten feet available for the free movement of vehicular traffic.
Notwithstanding any other rule, no person shall drive a vehicle on or across a designated bicycle lane in such manner as to interfere with the safety and passage of persons operating bicycles thereon.
Cars cannot open their doors in a dangerous manner. So if you are doored or nearly doored please cite the driver.
(c) Getting out of vehicle. No person shall get out of any vehicle from the side facing on the traveled part of the street in such manner as to interfere with the right of the operator of an approaching vehicle or a bicycle.
It is also illegal for cars to enter the buffer zone next to bike lanes.
(s) Crossing buffer zones.(1) For the purposes of this subdivision, a buffer zone is defined as an area in the roadway, created by white lines, that is used to separate a parking lane from travel lane or a bicycle lane from a travel lane, as indicated on the diagram below.(2) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on or across a designated buffer zone, except when it is reasonable and necessary to enter or leave a legal curbside parking space or a driveway.
Of course you can give citations for any traffic violation especially if it puts you in danger. Please consult the full driving rules if you are not familiar with NYC driving regulations.
Also you can find great information at Transportation Alternatives and the bicycle defense fund.