A bicyclist is now dead after a hit-and-run accident on the “Boulevard of Death” or Queens Boulevard. According to the New York Daily News, the 38-year-old bicyclist was heading down Queens, near Hoover Avenue, at roughly 6:00 a.m. when the accident happened. Officers have not yet caught the driver involved in the crash.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found the cyclist lying on the bicycle on the ground, unconscious. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
This isn’t the first fatal accident along this roadway either. There have actually been quite a few, which is why it’s been dubbed the Boulevard of Death. Queens accident lawyers understand that bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable travelers on our roadways. They stand virtually no chance against the strength and the power of a motor vehicle. Safety advocates in the area recognize this too and they’re working to make changes along Queens Boulevard. But these changes aren’t coming quick enough as people continue to die on this dangerous roadway.
As a matter of fact, Transportation Alternative officials say that this portion of road, which is the easiest way to get across Queens, needs to have a bike lane installed among other improvements. The problem with roads like this is that they’re only designed with vehicular traffic in mind. Oftentimes, there’s more than enough room available to allow travelers of all kinds to safely use the street. Transportation officials simply fail to make such accommodations a reality.
At its widest point, Queens Boulevard is 12-lanes wide.
Officials with the New York City Department of Transportation say that they have already made enough improvements to the roadways. They’ve dropped speed limits and they’ve installed speed-monitoring devices. But none of that allows room for travelers other than motor vehicles.
According to the most recent statistics from the New York City Department of Transportation, there were close to 6,280 bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles in the state in 2010. In these accidents, close to 40 people were killed and more than 6,200 were injured. New York City Police investigated close to 60 percent of the state’s accidents, meaning that most of them happened within the city and within NYPD jurisdiction.
Regardless of where you’re riding you’re urged to keep an eye on your surroundings. Bicyclists have to make their maneuvers near traffic as predictable as possible and stay one step ahead of vehicular traffic. Make sure you’re always wearing a helmet and other protective biking equipment. Avoid biking during the evening hours if you can. This is the time when accidents are most common. You’re also urged to avoid the Boulevard of Death and other dangerous roadways. Plan you trip ahead of time to coordinate the safest route possible. Aware and responsive biking habits can save your life out there on our city’s dangerous streets.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact injury attorney Nicholas Rose, PLLC for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-877-313-7673.
Additional Resources:
Bicyclist killed in Queens Blvd. hit-and-run, by Joe Kemp, New York Daily News
More Blog Entries:
NYC Bicycle Accidents to Increase with 2013 Bike Share Program, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, September 28, 2012
Citi Bike Bringing Thousands of Cyclists to New York City, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, September 12, 2012
