New York’s Riders Draw Attention to Bicycle Safety

Bicyclists and safety advocates in New York’s five boroughs are calling for the city to make cycling safer in the city. According to a news report in The Wall Street Journal, city officials say that while there has been a surge in biking in New York, the fatalities and serious injuries caused by bicycle accidents have remained relatively flat. However, bicyclists who ride on city streets everyday state they don’t always feel safe. They say although the city is doing a better job than before, there is still a long way to go in terms of enforcing traffic laws, particularly speed laws, illegal turns, failing to yield the right-of-way and distracted driving.
In 2011, 24 fatal bicycle accidents were reported in New York City. According to the Department of transportation, bicycle commuting declined in 1999, but has since risen consistently every year. It increased by 32 percent and 26 percent in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2011, the DOT estimated that there were 18,846 commuting cyclists in 2011, which is an 8 percent increase over 2010. The agency’s Cycling Safety Indicator also shows that the risk of serious injuries and fatalities for bicyclists in the city fell by 72 percent between 2000 and 2010.
The numbers are no doubt reassuring. However, this is certainly not the time to get complacent about bike safety. With the numbers of bicycle commuters increasing with every passing year, it is important that the city and New York’s drivers get more vigilant. Motorists at all times must remember that they share the roadway with bicyclists. Under New York law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. This means that motorists, for example, should yield the right-of-way to bicyclists just as they would to another vehicle such as a car or motorcycle. Some of the most common causes of devastating bicycle accidents in New York include drunk driving, distracted driving, inattention and failure to yield the right-of-way.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, the experienced New York personal injury lawyers with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our firm recovered $600,000 for the estate of a man on a bicycle who rode through a red light and was killed by a truck. There were three eyewitnesses who said out client went through the red light. Since our client was deceased, we had no witnesses who could have helped our side. Please call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in 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 phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
www.work4youlaw.com
Source: The Wall Street Journal