Officials with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) recently announced that the launch of Citi Bike proved to be highly successful. Since its launch, travelers in New York took close to 115,000 trips on personal bikes and on shared biked.
These recorded trips are more than the combined daily ridership on Manhattan’s two busiest bus routes and equivalent to close to 30 percent of the number of yellow taxi trips originating in the service area in parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan below 60th Street.
Our bicycle accident lawyers understand that more travelers come with increased risks for accidents. And according to this newly-released information, we can see that more and more travelers are switching from driving to bike sharing. In the share program’s first 200 days, users took close to 6 million trips, totaling more than 10 million miles. As it stands now, the program has close to 100,000 members and nearly 400,000 people have purchased weekly or daily memberships.
One of the biggest problems we have in the area regarding bicyclist safety is the irresponsible and unaware drivers around them. We’re asking, with the New Year, to renew your awareness of these vulnerable travelers — especially with the steep increase in ridership.
Driving Safely Around Bicyclists:
-Drivers of motor vehicles must treat bicycle riders the same as drivers of other motor vehicles.
-Be patient when passing a bicyclist. Slow down and pass only when it is safe. Do not squeeze the bicyclist off the road. If road conditions and space permit, allow clearance of at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.
-Automobile drivers must leave safe passing room. Leave 3 feet of space as a buffer; if you are not sure you have enough room to pass, don’t.
-Watch out for cyclists when you are turning right. A bicyclist may well be to the right of you and planning to go straight at the same intersection. Do not speed ahead of the bicyclist thinking you can negotiate the turn before they reach your car. The cyclist may be going faster than you think and, as you slow to make the turn, the cyclist may not be able to avoid crashing into the passenger side of your vehicle.
-When approaching or passing a bicycle, slow down to a safe and prudent speed.
-Before opening your car door, look for bicyclists who may be approaching.
-Children on bicycles are often unpredictable — always expect the unexpected.
-No cyclist’s speed can be taken for granted. With today’s improved equipment, some bicyclists may be traveling 25 or 30 miles per hour, if not faster. Others will be traveling at much slower speeds.
-Drive the Speed and Avoid Aggressive Maneuvers. Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at stop signs. Allow extra time for bicyclists to traverse intersections. Recognize hazards that bicyclists may face and give them space to maneuver.
And bikers, don’t forget to strap on a helmet. Close to 75 percent of all bicyclist fatalities result from head injuries.
In 2012, there were 17 bicyclists killed and another 3,500 injured, according to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations. Call 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
No Helmet Law Increase Injury Risks in New York City, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 20, 2013
New York Bicyclist Struck By SUV Days After Launch of City Program, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 8, 2013
