Northeast - Cyclist Dies After Being Run Over by Bus - NYC

Be careful out there......

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/cyclist-dies-after-being-run-over-by-bus/?ref=nyregion

Delivery bike riders seem to me to be totally out of control here in Brooklyn, riding the wrong way, ignoring red lights (perhaps what happened here) and doing both at intersections as they turn going up another wrong way street. They're just about as dangerous as cars, especially because they're always in a hurry while riding recklessly.

Here's the bike helmet law going into effect for delivery people for NYS: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A6741-2011

Sigh.

That is one nasty intersection, though, especially now that it's all torn up.

Sigh.

That is one nasty intersection, though, especially now that it's all torn up.

Exactly, that is one nasty area, in terms of riding conditions, in general.
Street all torn up for the 2nd ave project, lanes eliminated or narrowed, barriers of all types everywhere, bad visibility.
This could happen to any of us when riding in torn up, potholed streets trying to steer clear of cars and buses inches away. All it takes is one rut, pothole, ridge, steel plate to bump us off our line and into traffic.

As always, traffic fatalities are an unfortunate part of living in a city with millions of people.

However, let's keep in mind that bicycle fatalities in all of NYC are actually quite low, and 1/4 of the national rate. Last year there were only 18 bicycle fatalities, the year before that there were 12. Given the number of cyclists and motorized vehicles, that's a remarkably low rate.

Mind you I don't think you should wrong-way cycle blind-folded donw 7th Avenue. ;) But I don't think we need to exhibit an excess of fear when cycling; just wear a helmet, remember cars aren't always expecting you, and use some common sense.

As always, traffic fatalities are an unfortunate part of living in a city with millions of people.

However, let's keep in mind that bicycle fatalities in all of NYC are actually quite low, and 1/4 of the national rate. Last year there were only 18 bicycle fatalities, the year before that there were 12. Given the number of cyclists and motorized vehicles, that's a remarkably low rate.

Mind you I don't think you should wrong-way cycle blind-folded donw 7th Avenue. ;) But I don't think we need to exhibit an excess of fear when cycling; just wear a helmet, remember cars aren't always expecting you, and use some common sense.

agreed. I suspect that everyone on these forums know the basics of safe riding, just being a member probably shows a real interest in the topic. But for me (and my interest) is trying to reach those like this delivery person who is 'winging it' because he needs the job and he'll make sure to make his deliveries fast to ensure he doesn't get fired.

Did anyone hear about that widowed wife from soho that has started a program to teach delivery people 5 basic bicycle safety things to do? I'm searching for it but can't remember the name of her program. It had the number 5 very large in the title of the program and was in the NYC news last week. Her husband collided with a delivery bike rider and he died.

Her husband collided with a delivery bike rider and he died.

For the record, the delivery person collided with her husband who happened to be a pedestrian. The way you write it, makes it sound like he was on the bike and was the one at fault.

http://gruskinfoundation.org/

For the record, the delivery person collided with her husband who happened to be a pedestrian. The way you write it, makes it sound like he was on the bike and was the one at fault.

http://gruskinfoundation.org/

thanks for the correction and link, i quickly overheard the story on the news and wanted to follow up with a read but didn't know the name, and obviously all the details (partly why I mentioned it hoping that someone, you Mr. RatDog, would guide me to the story-thanks). I figured it was two bicycles as it's hard to believe a bike/pedestrian collision could kill a pedestrian, but of course I still don't know all the details. Very sad story none the less.

The article says "he fell off his bike in the middle of Second Avenue," wonder what caused that? Sometimes when cars pass me closely I pray that nothing suddenly goes wrong and causes me to fall.