The New York Daily News reports that a tenth victim has died from a bicycle accident in New York. The 24 year-old male bicyclist was riding east on Borinquen Place and was hit by an SUV as he was making a turn onto Rodney Street.
This makes the second fatal bicycle accident in less than a week. Earlier this week, a female professional dancer was killed on her bicycle while trying to avoid debris left in the bike lane at a work zone. The 29-year-old cyclist was riding southbound on Bushwick Avenue a few blocks from home when she lost her balance near a pile of wood and fell into the street. Police officials and witnesses report she was run over by a Mercedes-Benz and was found lying in a pool of blood after the collision. She was taken to Woodhull Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Manhattan bicycle accident attorneys know how dangerous it is to ride a bicycle in New York City and have compassion for the families who deal with a fatal tragedy involving a bicycle collision. Considering we live in a cold weather climate it is almost unfathomable that our state is averaging more than 1 bicycle fatality per month by early September this year.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles reported 29 bicyclists fatalities in 2009 and over 5,400 injuries in bicycle accidents throughout the state. A total of 6 fatalities were children ages 10 to 17 but the age group reporting the most bicycle fatalities in New York was 35-39 year-olds.
Children between the ages of 14 and 17 sustained the most injuries from bicycle accidents in 2009 at 698 and young adults ages 25-29 reported the next highest total of bicycle-related injuries at 574.
Transportation Alternatives, an advocate for safe bicycling, walking and public transit in New York City, reported 26 bicyclists deaths in New York City in 2008, 12 in 2009 and 18 in 2010. Since its inception in 1973, Transportation Alternatives (TA) has been working hard to replace automobiles on New York City streets with walkers and bikers. By getting more vehicles off the streets, pedestrians and bicyclists can feel safer and not be afraid to commute by means of a much healthier alternative.
TA has introduced an interesting bike valet program which is similar to a coat check. Patrons are encouraged to ride their bicycle to an event, have it secured and watched over by TA staff, receive a claim stub for their bike and then take valet service to attend a premier summer outdoor event in the City.
To view a full list of TA Bike Valet events, visit online. Bicyclists can reduce the risk of injury when attending an event by parking in a safe location and not having to worry about traffic congestion or riding safety at an overcrowded event.
Bicyclists are urged to always use a bike only lane when one is available and be extra alert around speeding cars and pedestrians using city streets in order to avoid a bicycle accident in New York.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC represent victims and their families in Manhattan, Queens and the surrounding areas of New York City. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, call for a free appointment at 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
Additional Resources:
Brooklyn man is 10th cyclist in New York to die in bike accident this year, by Erik Badia, John Doyle and Tina Moore, New York Daily News.