Another Biker Hit Last Night near St. Marks Bistro---

anonymous

Last night I was driving on Prospect Place near 6th ave and the street was blocked by an ambulance---off to the side of the street was a mangled bike. I think another biker was hit, but I'm not sure. I was able to get a glance of the person in the ambulance and he/she seemed okay. Be careful. Exercise caution when riding your bike.

emily

I just read on BoingBoing that someone prominent in the body modifiction (i.e. tattooing, etc.) community was killed riding a bike somewhere in Manhattan yesterday.

I wonder if there are citywide stats on this. Are there more incidents happening? Is it because more people are out on bikes in the good weather?

medusa

EmilyM wrote: I just read on BoingBoing that someone prominent in the body modifiction (i.e. tattooing, etc.) community was killed riding a bike somewhere in Manhattan yesterday.

I wonder if there are citywide stats on this. Are there more incidents happening? Is it because more people are out on bikes in the good weather?

Stats are hard because by the time they're collected, they're out of date.
But for stats through to 2001 on both cyclists and pedestrians, check out:

http://www.transalt.org/crashmaps/index.html

It's sobering.

anonymous

Subject: Just want to say

I've never been in an accident while riding a bike that wasn't my own stupid drunk fault, but I have been hit by a bike while walking a few times. One time I literally got run over by a bicycle (still not sure exactly how that happened!) and let me say that was a shitty experience. My mom got hit by a bicyclist while crossing the street in lower Manhattan last year, had to go to the emergency room.

So what I'm saying is: biking safely means watching out for others too. I divide my travel pretty evenly between walking, bus/train, biking and driving, and always see bicyclists doing amazingly jackass things, then getting all high and mighty about it if someone, say, gives them the finger, or yells at them to get off the sidewalk as they thread the needle between an old lady with a walker and a toddler. You're not Greg Lemonde, and it's not a race, and once in a while yes, you are allowed to stop at the red light or stop sign.

burningorange

there has been so many biking accidents this year.

my childhood friend andy morgan died on houston st. riding his bike at the end of june. A delivery truck ran him down. so so sad. I am a big freak about people wearing helmets. I see bikers everywhere without helmets. granted it can't always save your life, but it can't hurt to wear one.

rhodamine

Subject: Re: Just want to say

Anonymous wrote: I've never been in an accident while riding a bike that wasn't my own stupid drunk fault, but I have been hit by a bike while walking a few times. One time I literally got run over by a bicycle (still not sure exactly how that happened!) and let me say that was a shitty experience. My mom got hit by a bicyclist while crossing the street in lower Manhattan last year, had to go to the emergency room.

So what I'm saying is: biking safely means watching out for others too. I divide my travel pretty evenly between walking, bus/train, biking and driving, and always see bicyclists doing amazingly jackass things, then getting all high and mighty about it if someone, say, gives them the finger, or yells at them to get off the sidewalk as they thread the needle between an old lady with a walker and a toddler. You're not Greg Lemonde, and it's not a race, and once in a while yes, you are allowed to stop at the red light or stop sign.

ahh, another troll-ish guest post.

when you were hit by the cyclist, were you by any chance walking on a "dont walk"? most peds who have been hit neglect to mention this fact.



also: greg lemond? what is this, 1990 or something? he only raced professionally from 1986-90, not that that matters...

emily

burningorange wrote: I am a big freak about people wearing helmets. I see bikers everywhere without helmets. granted it can't always save your life, but it can't hurt to wear one.

So am I. If I weren't shy, I would tell every person I saw without one that they should wear one! A few years ago, I witnessed a minor, low-speed bike accident in Manhattan. Guy went over the handlebars and hit his head sans helmet. Man, it was like his blood sprayed everywhere. He was disoriented but not unconscious, so I'm sure he was okay in the end. But it certainly gave you an idea of what might've happened had either bike or car been moving faster. *shudder*

anonymous

Subject: I know its bad but I ride my bike on the sidewalk...

I'm too afraid to ride in the street...Its dorky, but I ride on the sidewalk. I don't wanna get hit... :shock:

dailyheights

Subject: Re: Just want to say

Rhodamine, CHILLS, please. The guest makes a valid point. Not every biker is as conscientious as we are...

emily

Subject: Re: I know its bad but I ride my bike on the sidewalk...

RBG wrote: I'm too afraid to ride in the street...Its dorky, but I ride on the sidewalk. I don't wanna get hit... :shock:

Careful--that could be an expensive habit! (Or so we've heard...)

I solve this problem by being too chicken to ride a bike at all. :roll:

daveb

Subject: Re: I know its bad but I ride my bike on the sidewalk...

EmilyM wrote: I solve this problem by being too chicken to ride a bike at all. :roll:

You're not the only one. I miss my bike, but I sure as shit don't miss it here.

medusa

Subject: Re: I know its bad but I ride my bike on the sidewalk...

daveb wrote: [quote=EmilyM]I solve this problem by being too chicken to ride a bike at all. :roll:

You're not the only one. I miss my bike, but I sure as shit don't miss it here.

Me too. I think I'd be willing to walk a bike to the park and then ride around the park, though. When there were no cars, that is.

As a pedestrian, I have to say to RBG that I hate it when people ride on the sidewalks. I understand why people do it, but it's rude and dangerous to pedestrians. We'd all be better off with more and better enforced bike lanes--check out the transportation alternatives website.

If I can just add one more thing that makes me cringe--people who ride with their kids and put helmets on the kids but not on themselves. If there's an accident, is the kid gonna call 911 about mommy's cracked skull?

11238

Why does RBG need to bike when she has a beemer?

daveb

Subject: Re: I know its bad but I ride my bike on the sidewalk...

Medusa wrote: If I can just add one more thing that makes me cringe--people who ride with their kids and put helmets on the kids but not on themselves. If there's an accident, is the kid gonna call 911 about mommy's cracked skull?

I unfortunately witnessed that precise thing about 10 years ago. The parent was at a campground and was riding down a small hill, missed noticing a rut and went over the handles, face first. Out cold, with the baby crying in the kiddie seat. Very hard to watch.

anonymous

11238 wrote: Why does RBG need to bike when she has a beemer?

I like to switch it up sometimes...plus, you can't ride a bike to the Hamptons in the summer---its too far away.... 8)

anonymous

Subject: Medusa---I know you're right...

I usually try to go into the street if I see a group of people coming towards me and then I get back on the sidewalk...I'm just afraid of getting hit...

daveb

Subject: Re: Medusa---I know you're right...

RBG--RichBlackGirl wrote: I usually try to go into the street if I see a group of people coming towards me and then I get back on the sidewalk...I'm just afraid of getting hit...

That's what I did until I just gave up. Aggressive biking just isn't in my blood. Manhattan bike messengers provoke awe in me.

anonymous

Subject: Re: Just want to say

rhodamine wrote:
also: greg lemond? what is this, 1990 or something? he only raced professionally from 1986-90, not that that matters...

But he raced so well. And with so much more style than this Lance guy.

And no, I wasn't walking on a don't walk when I got run over by a bicycle. I was crossing the street in a residential neighborhood at a 4-way stop. But thanks for your concern. :shock:

I'm just sayin', you know, watch out. And if I find the bicyclist that hit my mom (while running a red light, I might add), I will hit the fucker in the face with my U-lock. Well, no, probably not. But I will give him a really really dirty look.

ana.log

Medusa wrote:
Me too. I think I'd be willing to walk a bike to the park and then ride around the park, though. When there were no cars, that is.

I actually find riding in the park to be more precarious than riding on the street -- I always wear a helmet in the park, though I am less diligent about it on the street. The main hazards in the park are the large number of bike racers who use the park to train and ride very fast, and kids who meander slowly and aimlessly, often against traffic. Once in Central Park, I was coming around the curve at the north end of the park (which is also on a long downslope, so you accumulate a lot of speed), and when i came 'roudn the bend there was a little kid on a tri-cycle zig zagging straight towards me. I swerved suddenly and missed him by a fraction of an inch. At the speed I was traveling, it would have been very bad for both of us if I had hit him. (And luckily I didn't hit anyone else when I swerved).

Still, nothing could keep me off my bike in the summer. Biking is one of life's greatest pleasures.

jamesondean

Ana, I agree that it's amateur hour in the park. On weekends, it seems like half the people on the asphalt are oblivious. Cellphone staggerers, the stroller set, large families walking five abreast across both the bike and pedestrian lanes. It doesn't stop. Usually I'm just running, not biking, and it's still obnoxious. Folks need to wake up. That said, car vs. bike and car vs. pedestrian always equals true misery.

rhodamine

Subject: Re: Just want to say

dailyheights wrote: Rhodamine, CHILLS, please. The guest makes a valid point. Not every biker is as conscientious as we are...

perhaps, and not every cyclist is a thug out for blood, either.

i know this topic is getting tired, but im just about as tired of hearing people say stuff like "and always see bicyclists doing amazingly jackass things, then getting all high and mighty about it if someone, say, gives them the finger", etc... in my daily riding, i see few to no jackass cyclists, and tons of jackass drivers and peds, so... i suppose its a matter of perspective.

and given the fact that weve had, what, five cyclists hit on vandy in the past month and no peds and no major auto accidents there in that same time, id say that this attitude of disregard towards cyclists is a rather serious problem, or at least contributes to the treatment of cyclists as third class citizens, which makes them fodder for speeding cars.

so sorry for not being chill, but, you know... sometimes it has to be said, and im the designated cyclist devil's advocate!

11238

My husband and I ride early in the park (6am) and its great but early... When we go with my friend at 8am, its like a free for all. I was in the bike lane and two couples with two strollers were casually strolling along in the bike lane going the OPPOSITE way. When I almost barreled into them, they yelled at me. Meanwhile, I WAS PLAYING by the rules. :twisted:

On Sat mornings starting at 7:30am they have bike races that take up the car lane so all the normal folk are squeezed into the jog and bike lanes. Its total chaos.

rhodamine

11238 wrote: My husband and I ride early in the park (6am) and its great but early... When we go with my friend at 8am, its like a free for all. I was in the bike lane and two couples with two strollers were casually strolling along in the bike lane going the OPPOSITE way. When I almost barreled into them, they yelled at me. Meanwhile, I WAS PLAYING by the rules. :twisted:

On Sat mornings starting at 7:30am they have bike races that take up the car lane so all the normal folk are squeezed into the jog and bike lanes. Its total chaos.

oh man, ive toitally been in that exact scenario before, heh. and believe you me, somewhere, somehow, one of those people is posting in a forum about how much cyclists suck and how they and their stroller-convoy almost got plowed over by one in p. park this morning :roll:

simple solution: close the park to traffic! then cyclists and walkers alike can have at it with enough space to make it fly... after all, it is a park...