The number of fatal New York City bicycle accidents dropped to an all-time law with the death of 12 riders in 2009, according to the city’s department of transportation.
The Manhattan area has more bicycle commuters than anywhere in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Census. And the city has made great strides in making itself more bicycle friendly. Still, more than 200 riders have been killed in the last decade and thousands of cyclists are injured each year in New York bicycle accidents.
Nationwide, 716 cyclists were killed and more than 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The city has greatly expanded the number of bike lanes and bike racks within the city and passed an ordinance that requires employers to provide storage for bicycles used by commuting employees. As the popularity of cycling grows for health and fitness, and as the city becomes more bicycle friendly, the number of riders is likely to continue to increase.
The New York Department of Transportation provides a free New York City bicycle brochure. Safety advice includes:
-Obey all traffic lights and signs
-Only children 12 and younger may ride on the sidewalk
-Ride in the direction of traffic
-Use lights at night
-Yield to pedestrians
-Wear a helmet
-Stay visible
-Look, signal, look again
-Use a bell
-Pass safely and courteously
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in the New York City or Long Island areas — including Suffolk, Staten, Westchester and Rockland counties — contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose to discuss your rights. Call 718.261.0549.
