New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident that another party caused, you deserve compensation for your injuries and other damages.

A New York bicycle accident lawyer at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. can help you. Call 516-932-0400 today for a free consultation.

We Handle Every Aspect of Your New York Bicycle Accident Case

Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. helps clients who sustained bicycle accident injuries recover the compensation they deserve.

8 Major Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accident cases we handle include those caused by:

• Distracted drivers
• Drunk drivers
• Aggressive drivers/road rage
• Reckless drivers
• Failure to yield
• Illegal turns
• Fatigued drivers
• Dooring

Our legal team investigates your case to identify the at-fault party. We identify all economic and noneconomic damages you sustained, so we can recover all the compensation to which you are entitled. We manage every aspect of your case, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Since 1991, we have advocated for the injured, fighting for justice and helping clients recover every dollar they deserve for their damages. Call us today to see how we can help you with your bicycle vs. car accident case: 516-932-0400.

For a free legal consultation with a Bicycle Accident lawyer serving New York, call 516-932-0400

How Working With a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Benefits You

At Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., we tailor our legal services to meet your needs. With more than a quarter-century of experience, we have the knowledge and resources necessary to build a strong case.

If you choose a bicycle accident attorney in New York at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. to represent you, we will:

Provide Updates & Communicate With You Throughout the Process

Our team answers your questions and provides regular updates on important developments and milestones in your case.

Establish Fault & Prove Liability

We obtain evidence and documentation to identify the parties who caused your bicycle accident and show their liability for your damages.

Represent You to All Parties

We handle every detail of your case, representing you to and communicating with all parties on your behalf while you focus on your medical treatment and recovery.

Calculating the Value of Your Claim

Our bicycle accident lawyers identify all the physical, economic, and emotional damages that you have suffered and document each to support the value of your claim.

Throughout the legal process, our team protects your legal rights and fights to obtain the results you deserve.

You have a limited time to file a legal action and take other critical steps to protect your rights after a New York bicycle accident. (For example, filing an application for No-Fault Benefit within 30 days if a car was involved or filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days if a municipality was involved). If you fail to file within New York’s statute of limitations or act within other applicable periods of time restriction, you may be unable to recover the full extent of compensation that you are entitled to. Call us today to see how our New York bicycle accident lawyers can help you: 516-932-0400.

New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400

Establishing Liability for a Bicycle Accident Case

Our bicycle accident lawyers in New York investigate your case and find evidence to identify the party (or parties) who caused your bicycle accident. Once we establish fault, we prove liability by demonstrating that the at-fault party:

1. Had an obligation to act reasonably and not subject you to harm;
2. The at-fault party breached that duty through negligence (e.g., speeding, texting, etc.);
3. Their negligence caused your accident; and
4. You suffered damages.

We support our findings of fault and liability with documentation that may include:

• Accident report
• Accident scene photos and video
• Witness statements
• Accident scene reconstruction

We may also use expert opinions or testimony to support your claim.

Click to contact our New York Personal Injury Lawyers today

Calculating Damages for a Bicycle Accident Claim

You have the right to pursue economic, emotional, and physical damages from the party who caused your bicycle accident. The types of damages to which you are entitled may include:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospitalization
• Surgical costs
• Medical testing
• Medications and medical devices
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost income and benefits
• Direct or out-of-pocket expenses
• Projected future medical treatment costs
• Projected future income and benefits losses
• Diminished earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life
• The costs and losses associated with permanent injuries or disability (e.g., renovations to your home or vehicle to accommodate your disability)

We support the valuation of your claim using evidence that may include medical records, income records, receipts, and expert opinions, including:

Medical – to address future treatment and care needs

Economic – to address the value of future financial losses

Vocational rehabilitation – to address your ability to return to work

Lifecare – to address your future care and assistance needs

If your loved one died due to their bicycle accident injuries, Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. is ready to prosecute a wrongful death action on your behalf. Contact us today for more information: 516-932-0400.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

Free Consultation With Friedman & Simon, L.L.P.: 516-932-0400

The New York bicycle accident lawyers at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will fight to get you the very best possible results. To make the claims process as simple as possible for you, our multilingual team can assist you in English, Greek, Spanish, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada.

Your initial consultation is free, and we never collect a fee unless and until we recover compensation for your damages. For your free case review, call now at 516-932-0400.

New York Bicycle Accidents News

19th Cyclist Death This Year, Driver Charged

The creation of more bike lanes and the availability of Citi Bike has meant that there are more people biking in New York City than ever. While this could account for the increase in bicyclist fatalities over this year, it may not be the only factor. In 2018, there were 10 fatalities total involving bicyclists. So far for 2019, there have been 19 fatalities involving cyclists. Cycling enthusiasts have held protests, including a “die-in” where cyclists all laid down with their bicyclist to protest for better laws protecting cyclists. Even Mayor Bill de Blasio called the current number of cyclist deaths “a crisis.”

CBS Local New York reports that an 18-year-old driver has been charged in the death of the 19th cyclist.

On August 11th, 18-year-old Umar Mirza Baig ran a red light and slammed into an SUV in Coney Island. After being struck by Baig, the SUV struck and killed 52-year-old Jose Alzorriz. Alzorriz was an avid cycling safety enthusiast from Spain.

Also injured in the crash were the driver of the SUV and a pedestrian.

Baig was initially released without any charges. He was not intoxicated, he had a valid license, and all law enforcement had was a video of him running a red light. They had to wait for the DA’s office to press charges.

Mayor Bill de Blasio weighed in, stating that the driver showed negligence and that there should be charges.

Police arrested Blaig on Wednesday and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and other charges.

Alzorriz was the 19th cyclist to be killed this year in New York City.

19th Cyclist Killed This Year In NYC

Throughout 2018, New York City had a total of 10 cyclist deaths. That number has already risen to 19 as of August 12th. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is running for president, finally admitted that there was a crisis back in July. This prompted a plan called Green Wave: A Plan for Cycling in New York City. The New York Department of Transportation will implement signal timing, which will change the timing of traffic signals, which are currently timed for cars. The DOT has also stated that by 2021, they will establish 80 new bike lane miles. By 2030, they plan to have a citywide protected bike network.

CBS Local New York reports that a 19th cyclist has died in New York City.

At around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday in Milwood, a 52-year-old man riding a bicycle was struck and killed. The accident occurred after a gray car traveling south on Coney Island Avenue ran a red light, T-boning a blue SUV that was driving east on Avenue L. The SUV spun out of control, striking Jose Alzorriz.

Alzorriz suffered from severe traumatic head injuries and was not able to be saved. The driver of the SUV and a pedestrian were also injured.

Those who were friends with Alzorriz said that he always impressed upon them the importance of staying in the bike lane and wearing a helmet. He was also always reminding them to obey the rules of the road.

The 18-year-old driver who ran the red light was released after being held overnight. He was not intoxicated, and he had a valid license. He will be charged, but the District Attorney told police the office wanted them to take a few more steps.

Central Park Crash Cyclist Dies Of Injuries, 20th Cyclist Death This Year

In all of 2018, there were ten bicycle fatalities on the streets of New York City. Already, that total for this year is 19. Cycling enthusiasts and advocates are calling it a crisis. Mayor Bill de Blasio agrees and has set the Department of Transportation and local city councils to work on solutions. Some of these solutions include adding more bike lanes and widening existing bike lanes. Another solution will be to allow bikes to proceed at stoplights at the same time as pedestrians. Increased enforcement of traffic laws governing both bicyclists and motorists is in effect as well.

The NYC Streets Blog reports that a 20th cyclist has died of injuries from a crash that occurred in Central Park.

43-year-old Charles Cheeseboro, a native of Harlem, died on Wednesday, August 28th, two days after the crash.

Police say that Cheeseboro was riding an e-bike in Central Park when he lost control of the bike and struck a pedestrian. He then fell off the bike and hit his head.

Police found the unconscious Cheeseboro on the East Drive near 74th Street. Nearby was a 77-year-old who had a minor injury. Investigation revealed that Cheeseboro had struck the pedestrian, lost control, and fell to the ground, where he struck his head.

Cheeseboro was taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he died from his injury two days later.

The NYPD will not likely categorize Cheeseboro’s accident as among the spate of cyclist deaths. They consider e-bikes to be motorcyclists in their crash statistics.

The section of Central Park where the accident occurred is notorious for collisions between pedestrians and bicyclists as well as cars, which are only allowed along the paths when making a delivery or conducting business.

Cyclist Strikes Continue To Rise This Year

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has called the recent increase in bicycle accidents a “crisis.” In 2018, there were a total of 10 bicyclists killed by vehicles on New York City streets. So far in 2019, there have been 19 cyclists killed. This prompted a number of protests, including a “die-in” protest where hundreds of cyclists laid down that occurred in July. In response to the increasing number of deaths, the Department of Transportation is looking at a number of solutions. These solutions include allowing bicyclists to use the “walk” signal that is used for pedestrians. They are also considering adding more bicycle lanes and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.

ABC 7 New York reports that another cyclist was struck after New York City saw 3 bicycle accidents in one day.

On Wednesday, August 14th, a bicyclist was struck by a vehicle at the Citi Bike stand near Whitehall Street and Walter Street in Manhattan. This accident came just a day after 3 separate bicycle accidents in New York City in one afternoon.

The victim was taken to a hospital and treated for a laceration to his face.

One of the cyclists in the accidents the day before was struck by an MTA bus in Midtown. Just before that accident, a cyclist reported getting logged under a fire truck in Brooklyn. Prior to that, on the Upper East Side, a cyclist was hit by a motorist who was attempting to make a turn.

The deaths of cyclists, 19 so far, are just a fraction of the accidents and injuries that are occurring on New York streets.

According to the New York Police Department, the speed of the driver will determine if he is facing any charges.

Driver Struck A Woman On A Bicycle. The Woman’s Current Condition Is Unclear.

In 2018, there were just 10 tragedies in which cyclists in New York City were killed in traffic accidents. Many were hailing it as a success of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative. Unfortunately, 2019 was much less kind to the bicyclists of New York. At the end of the year, that number had almost tripled to 29. Advocates and safety groups came forward, demanding to make New York City streets safer for the millions of bicyclists. One proposal is already in action: allowing bicyclists to go with pedestrian traffic at intersection traffic lights. There are also plans to extend and create new bike lanes.

AM NY reports that a bicyclist was left in serious condition following a collision with a dollar van near Kings Plaza.

The incident occurred near the Kings Shopping Plaza in Brooklyn on Saturday night.

According to police, a 42-year-old male was driving an F450 dollar van on Avenue U at about 5:10 P.M. on March 7th. He made a right turn onto Flatbush Avenue. As he did so, he veered towards the curb to pick up a passenger. As he was picking up the passenger, he struck the female on the purple bicycle.

For a distance, the driver of the van drove on with the bicycle and the victim under the van. According to police, the driver opened the door and attempted to flee, but civilians were able to keep him at the scene until Highway Patrol Officers arrived along with officers from the 63rd Precinct.

The condition of the victim is not immediately clear. Police said that she did suffer from life-threatening injuries. Other sources said that she may have lost one of her legs.

DUI Driver With License Suspended 6 Times Kills Bicyclist

Millions of New Yorkers choose to use bicycles as a mode of transportation each year. Some choose to only bike occasionally, while others bike daily either for fitness or as a part of their commute. While generally, most drivers are conscientious of bicyclists in the city, following a few safety tips can help ensure you’re not injured. Of course, you should always ride on the right side of the street and travel in the same direction as the traffic around you. Always dress in bright colors, especially neon, so that you can be easily seen by other drivers. You should always avoid cycling at night.

The Star Gazette reports on a woman charged in the death of a bicyclist in Elmira. Police responded to the scene at about 2 p.m. on Sunday. The accident happened on Grand Central Avenue and East McCanns Boulevard.

At the scene, police found 68-year-old Charles G. Rogers seriously injured. A witness to the accident stayed to render aid. Despite efforts, Rogers succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Rogers fled the scene. However, a witness to the accident reported the vehicle driving erratically on Grand Central moments before the accident. Elmira Heights police officers were able to identify the driver. She is 40-year-old Sara Harnas. She has been charged with first-degree unlicensed operation along with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Both charges are felonies.

Police believe that Harnas was intoxicated at the time of the accident. The complaint filed against Harnas indicated that her license had been suspended six times before being revoked.

Five Bicyclists Have Died From Traffic Accidents In New York So Far This Year

Throughout all of 2018, there were 10 cyclists killed on the streets of New York City. In 2019, that number had more than doubled. Although Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero has the lofty goal of no traffic deaths, it seems that cyclists were cast by the wayside. To curb the number of cyclist deaths, a $58.4 million five-year plan called the “Green Wave” was introduced. The plan intends to add more bike lanes, redesign intersections, and enforce existing traffic laws.

2020 has seen fewer bicyclist fatalities so far though there have been several pedestrian accidents this year. However, bicyclists are still putting their lives at risk on the streets of New York.

NYC Streetsblog reports that a Bronx cyclist was killed by a motorist on Willis Avenue.

The bicyclist is the fifth cyclist to be killed in a traffic collision this year. The crash occurred Friday at about 7:45 p.m. in the bike lane on Willis Avenue. Ivan Morales was biking southbound when he collided with a 2013 Lexus that was traveling eastbound on East 138th Street.

Morales suffered from severe head and bodily injuries in the crash.

The NYPD did not report whether it was Morales or the driver of the Lexus who ran the red light. The driver remained at the scene and was there when the police began their investigation.

Morales succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Last year, there were 23 collisions at that intersection. One pedestrian was killed, and two others injured. Nine motorists were also injured in the collision.

Motorized Bikes With Faulty Brakes Causes Injuries

Just like the e-scooters offered by companies like Bird and Lime, motorized pedal bike rentals are becoming just as popular. Companies such as Uber and Lyft are offering electric bikes for rent in major cities and on college campuses nationwide. Unfortunately, the widespread use of both the bikes and the scooters have led to a rising number of injuries. Many of these injuries are minor, but some have been serious. The user agreements of most of the applications used to rent the bikes and scooters recommend wearing a helmet, but helmets do not come with the bikes or the scooters.

The Verge reports on Uber’s Jump e-bikes having a braking malfunction that has led to several injuries.

The Uber Jump bike had only been in use for about 15 minutes when Rachelle Kuebler-Webber pressed the brakes. This caused the front wheel to lock up, sending her flying over the handlebars of the bike. She suffered from a broken wrist, a mild concussion and bruising.

The Uber Jump bikes use the same braking system as the bikes used by Lyft’s Motivate subsidiary. This week, Lyft recalled several bikes in New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco due to a braking problem that causes the front wheel of the bike to immediately lock up.

Uber acknowledged that they use the same bikes as Lyft, but claimed that it modified the braking system to fix the malfunction. Several Lyft riders have come forward with detailed injuries that occurred due to the malfunction, but so far, few Uber riders have done the same.

Murder Charges File Against Man Who Allegedly Ran Down A Cyclist Who Was Breaking Into Vehicles

New York City authorities and civil leaders are attempting to address the rising number of bicycle fatalities. There have been 19 deaths to date, many of them involving bicyclists and drivers. Protests from cyclists have occurred, including a “die-in” protest where hundreds of New York cyclists laid down. Authorities have attempted to combat the problem by enforcing traffic laws, giving cyclists additional time at traffic lights, and making plans to put in additional miles of biking lanes. While many of these incidents have been accidents, one recent accident is being charged as murder.

The New York Daily News reports that a man is being charged with murder for running down a cyclist who was breaking into vehicles.

41-year-old Korey Johnson has been charged with murder in connection to an incident where he allegedly ran down a man he witnessed breaking into his Jeep Cherokee SUV.

The incident occurred at about 6 a.m. when Johnson observed 47-year-old Donald Roberts breaking into his vehicle. He and his girlfriend confronted Roberts, which prompted Roberts to slash at the woman with a screwdriver. Roberts then jumped on his e-bike and fled.

Johnson and his girlfriend Renee Cassidy Puckett jumped into the SUV and chased Roberts down. They slammed into Roberts, pinning him against a row of parked cars. The SUV flipped upon impact and skidded to a halt.

Roberts was rushed to Wycoff Heights Medical Center, but he could not be saved.

Roberts had been released from prison just nine months prior to the incident. He has a lengthy criminal past, with 38 prior arrests. The most recent arrest was for breaking into a parked car on Flushing Avenue.

Johnson also has a lengthy rap sheet, totaling 42 arrests. His charges ranged from robbery and drug possession to trespassing and criminal possession of a weapon.

Pedestrian Accidents Involving Bicycles Are Underaddressed By The City

New York City is seeing a crisis in bicycle versus motor vehicle accidents, with 19 cyclists killed so far this year. In 2018, there were 10 cyclist deaths in collisions with vehicles. Mayor Bill de Blasio is responding by adding additional biking lanes and allowing bicyclists to move with pedestrians at traffic lights. The city is also enforcing laws meant to keep cyclists safe, such as enforcing speed limits and other traffic laws. However, one aspect of cycling is not being addressed by the city. According to the New York Post, the city is doing nothing about pedestrians who are injured or killed by cyclists.

Statistics from the City Department of Transportation reveal that more than 2,250 pedestrians have been injured by cyclists since 2011. At least seven of those victims died as a result of their injuries.

Through June 30th of this year, there were 127 injuries to pedestrians by bicyclists. This is up 12% from the same period last year, which saw 113 injuries. The great majority of these injuries occurred in Manhattan, where 134 pedestrians were injured, more than half of the 270 injured citywide.

So far in 2019, two pedestrians have been killed in encounters with bicyclists. 60-year-old Michael Collopy was run over by a cyclist while standing in the bike lane in the Flatiron district. He died a week after the accident.

67-year-old Donna Strum was another victim. She was crossing West 57th Street in a crosswalk when a bicyclist slammed into her. The cyclist, who was unidentified ran a red light and struck her, fracturing her skull. The cyclists told police that his gears malfunctioned and his brakes failed. Police issued him a citation and released him.

Pedestrian Killed By Cyclist Who Fled The Scene, A Rare Type Of Accident

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative had the admirable goal of reducing the number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities on New York streets. The initiative included redesigning intersections, giving pedestrians a head start at intersections and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Despite these initiatives, the number of cyclist deaths looks to be rising in 2019 over the number of 2018 deaths. While cyclists and their advocates are calling for safety reforms, another type of uncommon accident is also garnering the attention of advocates. Pedestrians being hit and killed by bicyclists are a rare occurrence, but as CBS Local New York reports, when they occur, families often ask for better enforcement of bicycle laws.

60-year-old real estate broker Michael Collopy lived by himself in Manhattan. He was described by relatives as a man who doted on his nieces and nephews. He was a Yankees fan who, like many New Yorkers, enjoyed walking everywhere.

At about midday on July 31st, Collopy was at the corner of 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue when he was struck by a cyclist who fled the scene. Collopy’s head struck the pavement, resulting in a traumatic head injury.

Collopy was taken to New York’s Bellevue Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries five days later.

A food vendor, who was a witness to the collision, said that it happened in a crosswalk close to the bike lane. He could not describe the cyclist well but said that the bicycle looked to be a personal bike and not a delivery bike.

Collopy’s family said that the city needs to address the interactions between bicycles, cars, and pedestrians. All three groups often break traffic laws. At the intersection where the accident occurred, cyclists were seen to blow through red lights, make illegal turns, and move in the wrong direction in traffic.

Since 2014, there has been an average of less than one death a year where a cyclist hit a pedestrian. This year, there have been two deaths so far, including Collopy’s.

People Seek Legal Help After Suffering Injury And Learning Of Motorized Bicycles Brake Recall

E-scooters and E-pedal bikes are fast becoming a popular method of transportation in cities across the nation. Companies such as Bird and Lime rent scooters, while companies like Uber and Lyft rent out the motorized bicycles. Accompanying the rise in popularity of these vehicles, we have also seen a rise in the number of accidents that riders are being involved in. These accidents are sometimes minor, resulting in relatively superficial injuries. However, many riders have experienced serious injuries such as broken bones and head injuries. Some riders of the e-bikes are now suing Citi Bike for having bikes with faulty brakes, as the NY Daily News Reports.

At first, Felipe Ventura blamed himself for the e-bike crash he was involved in. The crash happened when a pedestrian stepped in front of him, forcing him to brake. When he braked, he flew over the handlebars of the bike to the ground, breaking both elbows.

He changed his mind about it being his fault when he discovered that Citi Bike pulled its entire fleet of 1,000 bicycles because of a problem with their brakes.

Ventura is among several injured Citi Bike riders who are now seeking legal help.

Ventura’s crash, which occurred on March 16th, has prevented him from working his job as a nurse. His doctors say he may never be able to fully extend his arms again.

59-year-old Bill Somers broke his hip after braking on a Citi Bike he was riding on the upper-west side last month. Both Somers and Ventura have even hired the same attorney. The NY Daily News has also uncovered eight other New Yorkers who have been injured after flying off of the electronic motor-assisted bikes.

Many of those who have been injured after tapping the brakes have believed it was their fault until the bikes were publicly recalled.

Some Complain That Zero Vision Isn’t Doing Enough

Beginning in October of 2011, Local Law 13 requires the New York City Department of Transportation to compile the total number of bicycle accidents reported to city agencies. Starting on June 1, 2012, and yearly thereafter, the NYCDOT must provide a report on the annual number of crashes. In 2017 alone, there were 4,397 bicyclists injured in crashes involving motor vehicles. There were also 24 fatalities involving bicycles and motor vehicles. As a part of his Zero Vision campaign, Mayor de Blasio promised to make New York streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, at a vigil for a bicycle messenger hit and killed by a car, people say he is not doing enough. Curbed NY reports on the story.

On March 1st, bicycle messenger Aurillia Lawrence was hit and killed by a driver who left the scene. Lawrence was struck at Broadway and Rodney Street in Williamsburg.

Following the accident, friends and co-workers of Lawrence gathered to hold a vigil at the site of the accident. Those in attendance included members of the tight knit bike messenger community, safety activists, and local elected officials.

Those at the vigil used the memorial as an opportunity to call for faster work on street improvements, and also called for the New York Police Department to stop its policy of ticketing bicyclists.

Many of those who spoke at the vigil noted that the area of Broadway between Kent and New York Avenues has been a noted problem area and was even designated a priority corridor under de Blasio’s Vision Zero back in 2015. However, to look at the street today, one would be hard pressed to notice any changes.

Vision Zero Initiative Aimed To Lower Pedestrian And Cycling Deaths

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero Initiative is aimed to not only reduce pedestrian deaths in New York City but to also protect the lives of those who cycle in the city. According to the NYC Department of Health and Hygiene, 25% of New York City residents bicycle through the city at least once a year. In 2015, a total of 14 bicyclists lost their lives in collisions with motor vehicles. Another 4,433 were injured to the extent that they required medical attention. These numbers are lower than they were in 2000, when injuries and fatalities were almost three times as high.

The NY Daily News reports on a metro cyclist who was struck by a vehicle and died of his injuries.

53-year-old Robert Spencer was biking west on Borden Avenue in Long Island City on March 14th when a Chevrolet Cruze crashed into him at Second Street. Spencer was rushed to Mount Sinai, Queens by medics. He succumbed to his injuries there.

The driver of the Cruze had the right of way at the time of the accident and remained at the scene. According to police, Spencer had rolled through the red light at the intersection. Spencer was the sixth person killed on a bicycle in New York this year. In 2018, a total of ten cyclists were killed throughout the five boroughs. If fatalities continue at this rate, the city is on track for 30 fatalities this year.

What Are The Worst Intersections For Cyclists In NYC?

Cyclists in New York City may be putting their lives in danger just by getting out onto city roadways. In 2018, there were a total of 10 cyclist deaths in New York City. So far this year, there have been 17. The wave of deaths has sparked outcry from cyclists and family members of victims for change. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who instituted his “Vision Zero” plan five years ago to eliminate city traffic deaths by 2014, called the cyclist situation an emergency, calling on the DOT to develop a bicyclist safety plan.

The New York Post reports on the most dangerous intersections for cyclists in New York City.

The corner of West 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Chelsea, where a cyclist was recently killed by a tractor-trailer is one of the most dangerous in the city. In the five-year period ending in 2018, there were a total of 21 cyclists who suffered from injuries at this intersection.

23rd Street is wider than the streets that are parallel to it. It is also a major east-west route for delivery vehicles.

Data shows that 60% of cyclist deaths since 2014 have occurred at intersections, prompting Mayor Bill de Blasio to call for a redesign of intersections. Which intersections will be redesigned has yet to be announced.

A friend of Devra Freelander, a cyclist who was killed when he was struck by a cement truck, said that Brooklyn is a major problem. He says that neither drivers nor bikers follow the speed limit.

The intersections of Jay and Tillery Streets in Brooklyn, as well as Atlantic and Bedford Avenues, located in Crown Heights, are tied for the second-most dangerous, at 20 injuries in the time frame.

That area is a key area for both cyclists and motorists coming off of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

Wrestler Matt Travis Struck And Killed While Riding A Bicycle

So far in 2019, 28 cyclists have lost their lives in traffic accidents in New York City. That number is compared to a total of 10 for all of 2018. The National Transportation Safety Board recently released a report recommending that all 50 states pass laws requiring bicyclists wear helmets. However, advocates in New York say that helmets may not be enough. They are also calling for New York to follow another recommendation from the NTSB: improve infrastructure to make cyclists more visible and reduce fatalities. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city planners have a $58.4 million plan to include more protected lanes and more police enforcement at high-crash intersections.

Heavy reports that a wrestler making his way on the independent circuit was hit and killed while riding a bicycle in East Harlem.

On November 9th, Matt Travis was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a dump truck. The 25-year-old professional wrestler, whose full name is Matt Travis Palacios, was riding his bike in East Harlem when a dump truck made an illegal turn, striking him.

Travis was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Travis has been pursuing a professional wrestling career since 2016. He trained at the House of Glory wrestling school in Queens. He was active in competition at House of Glory Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, and Combat Zone Wrestling, all located in the northeast.

According to police, Travis was riding his bicycle south on a bike path coming from the Willis Avenue Bridge in East Harlem at about 2:30 a.m. A Kenworth dump truck was traveling south on 1st Avenue when it made an illegal left turn onto East 125th Street.

The driver fled from the scene and has not been identified. The truck was last seen heading north on the Willis Avenue Bridge.

Travis was the 28th cyclist to die in a traffic accident this year.

Young Boy Killed Riding His Bicycle In Crosswalk By Inattentive Driver

In all of 2018, New York City saw 10 cyclists die in traffic accidents. 2/3 of the way through 2019, that number is already more than doubled to 24. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative has come under scrutiny in the wake of these fatalities. The mayor has promised that the Department of Transportation will be making changes to improve safety for cyclists. These changes include more biking lanes, allowing bicyclists to proceed with pedestrians at traffic lights, and increased enforcement of traffic laws by both drivers and cyclists. Some are unhappy and say that more changes need to be made.

The NYC Streets Blog reports that a 10-year-old boy on a bicyclist has been killed by an unlicensed driver.

10-year-old Dalerjon Shahobiddinov was riding his bike in the crosswalk on Foster Avenue at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. A driver behind the wheel of a Ford SUV that had Illinois plates was attempting to make a left onto Foster from Seton Place hit the young boy.

The boy was rushed to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

29-year-old Victor Meija, who was driving the SUV, remained on the scene. He was charged with driving without a license, failure to yield, and failure to exercise due care.

When searching violations attached to the car, 22 were discovered. Most were parking tickets, but there were two citations for running red lights.

According to records, pedestrian and bicyclist accidents are up by double-digit percentages this year in the city.

Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form