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SAFETYDOT staff visited 4,000 businessesprior to enforcement of the strengthenedcommercial cyclist lawCOMMERCIAL CYCLIST ENFORCEMENTCyclists who make deliveries for businesses and restaurants,either directly or through a messenger service, are a fixture onNew York City’s streets. These hardworking men and womenprovide a valuable service for New Yorkers and the City’seconomy, and do so in an environmentally sustainable andcongestion–beating manner. But if they fail to obey traffic rulesor lack necessary bicycle safety equipment they pose danger tothemselves and to others.In response to community and elected official requests, DOTlaunched a comprehensive education and enforcement campaignin summer 2012 to educate businesses on requirements of thecommercial cycling rules. While City law has long mandated thatrestaurants display posters about safe cycling, outfit bikes withlights and bells, provide helmets and safety vests to deliverycyclists, few were complying.Commissioner Sadik–Khan greets commercial cyclists with new reflective vestsCOMMERCIAL CYCLIST OUTREACH TO BUSINESS, BY BOROUGHBOROUGHMANHATTANBROOKLYNQUEENSBRONXSTORES VISITED2,891547370284TOTAL4,092DOT launched the City’s first–ever commercial cyclist outreachand enforcement unit, a six–person team of DOT inspectors totravel door–to–door to ensure that businesses comply with the law.Between summer 2012 and spring 2013, the inspectors visited over4,000 businesses and then began enforcement in spring of 2013.In addition, DOT held 36 educational forums reaching near 5,000attendees, handing out helmets, bike bells, reflective vests, andsample ID tags for businesses and their employees.City officials announce the commercial bicyclist safety effort.DOT also partnered with the City Council to revise the commercialcycling law and make compliance simpler for businesses and lessburdensome on delivery cyclists.The education, enforcement and legislative effort had a noticeableeffect on delivery cyclists’ compliance with the law. Now cyclistsacross the City can now be seen wearing reflective vests with thename of the business they represent.44Chapter 3: Tools for Safe Streets