Calls For NYC Cyclists to Adhere to Laws, Practice Greater Safety
Just a few weeks ago, we blogged about New York City bicyclists and how they may actually make the roads of the city safer. But in a heated and ongoing argument, others believe that the bikers are smug, don’t care about the safety of others, and disregard the rules set up to protect them and everyone else. In an article in the Brooklyn Ink this week, we see that other side of the coin. Cycling advocates will tell you that as the number of bikes increase, the number of accidents decrease. But no direct correlation between that cause and effect can be found. Instead, some caution, cyclists must be held responsible for the accidents and injuries they cause. Case in point: two cyclists on two separate occasions in San Francisco, hit and killed pedestrians crossing the street. In both cases, the bicyclist faced criminal charges. Many don’t believe the same would have happened in NYC. Whether you commute on two wheels or make your living on your bike, the rules of the road apply to you too. In addition, there are several other laws:
- You are not allowed to ride on the sidewalks unless you are 12 years old or younger
- Many bridges, highways, and expressways forbid bicycles
- Riders must signal their turns
- Your bike must have functioning brakes
- You must always ride on the right side of the road
This isn’t enough, believes Nancy Gruskin, who established the Stuart C. Gruskin Family Foundation after her husband was killed after being hit by a cyclist. She is pushing for businesses to train their messengers in five specific rules:
- Put pedestrians first
- Stop at every red light
- Ride in the right direction (with traffic)
- Ride on the street, not the sidewalk
- Pick and lane and stick with it
Some cops are taking more action to hold cyclists accountable, including doling out speeding tickets in the Prospect Park area. According to the New York Police Department’s Transportation Bureau, officers issued 48,556 tickets to drivers in 2011. It’s true that bicyclists aren’t always the innocent victim in accidents. Sometimes their disregard for the laws puts other people in danger. But, more often, it seems, vehicle drivers are at fault, crashing into bicycles with often tragic outcomes. If you are injured in a bike accident in the city, especially during these times of heated contention, you need someone on your side. You need a legal advocate within the New York City system.
