In a crowded metro area like New York, bicyclists depend on dedicated bike lanes to be able to navigate their way safely through the city. However, a New York Post article talks about how the stretch of 72nd Street in front of P.S. 102 in Brooklyn is the city’s worst biking hazard as it blocks the lane. This is according to 311 data compiled by the real estate website Localize.city.
In a one-year period between Sept. 4, 2017 and Sept. 4, 2018, that city block racked up 94 complaints from bicyclists who had become tired of having their lanes obstructed by vehicles. On Thursdays, from 2 to 3 p.m. parents parked bumper to bumper on the green-painted bike path as they picked up their kids from school. During this time at least three bicyclists were reportedly forced to swerve into traffic.
A Dangerous Practice
Blocking bike lanes is an extremely dangerous practice, safety advocates say. This is because anytime a vehicle impedes or checks a bike lane, it means that the bicyclist needs to veer into traffic, which is a highly dangerous move. Last month, a garbage truck struck and killed a bicyclist who was forced to veer out of a bike lane near Central Park West because an Uber was blocking the way.
Long Island City is the home to the second most blocked bike path with 72 complaints about Vernon Boulevard between 44th Drive and 45th Avenue. The section south of that area on Vernon between 45th Avenue and 45th Road, came in third, with 40 complaints.
Safety advocates believe the problem of blocked bike lanes is not unique to any one borough. It’s a problem in all five boroughs. According to city law, drivers who block a bike lane can be slapped with a $115 fine.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your legal rights are protected. First, file a police report and obtain a copy of the signed report for your records. Get prompt medical attention, treatment and care for your injuries. This not only documents the nature of injuries that you have sustained and the treatment you received, but also puts you on the path to recovery.
Obtain as much evidence as possible from the scene of the collision such as photos, videos and physical evidence such as torn or bloody clothing and debris. If you are injured and need to get to a hospital, ask a family member or friend if they can collect this information for you. Your personal injury lawyer may also be able to collect and compile this type of evidence. Some of the information that should be collected at the scene includes names and contact information for all involved, insurance information, driver’s license and license plate details, contact information for eyewitnesses, etc.
Immediately contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that your legal rights are protected every step of the way. You may be able recover compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://nypost.com/2018/09/08/this-block-in-brooklyn-has-the-most-obstructed-bike-lane/