Arrogant cyclists a deadly hell on wheels
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Arrogant cyclists a deadly hell on wheels
https://www.nypost.com/seven/07302008...eel_122259.htm
Feel free to comment at andrea.peyser@nypost.com
ARROGANT CYCLISTS A DEADLY HELL ON WHEELS
Posted: 3:48 am
July 30, 2008
IT'S murder out there if you like to walk. The bike people won't repeat this. But those who enjoy hoofing it on city streets stand a good chance of experiencing a close encounter with a kamikaze rider who treats stoplights like suggestions, and pedestrians like speed bumps.
And some of you will die.
"Some guys are out for a quick buck - but you're always going to have that in New York," bike messenger Gilbert Diaz, 38, told me cheerfully after zipping along Chelsea's Ninth Avenue bike path.
"I have [hit a pedestrian]," Diaz confessed. "You can't help it!"
Each year, an average of one walker - most over age 60 - dies after being struck by a bicyclist somewhere on city streets. Last year, two died.
Plus, an alarming number of pedestrians - 500 a year, according to a bicycle-advocacy group - get struck by a bike in the city, and live. Which means more than one person a day is potential road kill for the cyclist in a hurry.
Why don't we hear about this?
Most accidents occur on choked Manhattan streets, where bicycles rule and bipeds scramble. Ever try to cross Sixth Avenue at lunchtime? It's like human pinball. You get more warning before a lightning strike.
"They own the city - at least they think they own the city," griped Larry, 70, who walked carefully on the bike path. "Even in the parks. We're always in the way!"
A spokesman for Transportation Alternatives, the bicycle-advocacy group, told me the number of pedestrian fatalities was "statistically insignificant." I started digging.
Buried deep in a 2006 city report was the news that 11 people died after being struck by bikes between 1996 and 2005. After businessman Arthur Kaye was killed by a deliveryman in 1997 - the only case that got significant press - Transportation Alternatives revealed the truth: 500 people are struck by bikes each year.
I would not recommend that anyone, particularly a cop, push a biker off his perch. But to deny the tension that exists between lawless bikers and foot lovers is a mistake.
You take your life in your hands when you use your feet.
andrea.peyser@nypost.com
Posted: 3:48 am
July 30, 2008
IT'S murder out there if you like to walk. The bike people won't repeat this. But those who enjoy hoofing it on city streets stand a good chance of experiencing a close encounter with a kamikaze rider who treats stoplights like suggestions, and pedestrians like speed bumps.
And some of you will die.
"Some guys are out for a quick buck - but you're always going to have that in New York," bike messenger Gilbert Diaz, 38, told me cheerfully after zipping along Chelsea's Ninth Avenue bike path.
"I have [hit a pedestrian]," Diaz confessed. "You can't help it!"
Each year, an average of one walker - most over age 60 - dies after being struck by a bicyclist somewhere on city streets. Last year, two died.
Plus, an alarming number of pedestrians - 500 a year, according to a bicycle-advocacy group - get struck by a bike in the city, and live. Which means more than one person a day is potential road kill for the cyclist in a hurry.
Why don't we hear about this?
Most accidents occur on choked Manhattan streets, where bicycles rule and bipeds scramble. Ever try to cross Sixth Avenue at lunchtime? It's like human pinball. You get more warning before a lightning strike.
"They own the city - at least they think they own the city," griped Larry, 70, who walked carefully on the bike path. "Even in the parks. We're always in the way!"
A spokesman for Transportation Alternatives, the bicycle-advocacy group, told me the number of pedestrian fatalities was "statistically insignificant." I started digging.
Buried deep in a 2006 city report was the news that 11 people died after being struck by bikes between 1996 and 2005. After businessman Arthur Kaye was killed by a deliveryman in 1997 - the only case that got significant press - Transportation Alternatives revealed the truth: 500 people are struck by bikes each year.
I would not recommend that anyone, particularly a cop, push a biker off his perch. But to deny the tension that exists between lawless bikers and foot lovers is a mistake.
You take your life in your hands when you use your feet.
andrea.peyser@nypost.com
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And how many of the struck pedestrians were crossing against the light?
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Do you know how many people die every year from Rabies? Five! It truely is the silent killer.
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Don't know what the US equivalent figures are, but in the UK in the 8 years ending 31/12/05, 5 pedestrians were killed in collisions with cyclists on crossings, footways and verges. In the same period 912 pedestrians were killed in collisions with motor vehicles in same circumstances.
Guess which deaths get the national media's knickers in a twist.
Guess which deaths get the national media's knickers in a twist.
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__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
#8
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I first thought this was a joke piece until I noticed the source: New York Post.
That's what convinced me.
That's what convinced me.
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Lets see, a quick Google search found that NYC averages 310 pedestrian deaths by autos each year. For the 10 year period in question that means 3,100 vs 11. Looks like bikes are more a cure than a problem.
#10
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I'm glad this was written up and publicized. Now everyone has fair warning that I'm a two wheeled homicidal maniac. Get out of my way and all will be well. Better still, stay in your plastic bubble. You never know when (two-wheeled) lightning will strike.
baaaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
baaaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
#11
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https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...non+Bennett%22
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/446519-sort-diferent-story-uk.html
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
#12
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I almost nailed my first pedestrian yesterday.
The fellow was crossing against the light and after some hard g braking and a near miss, and we're talking inches, the fellow apologized.
The fellow was crossing against the light and after some hard g braking and a near miss, and we're talking inches, the fellow apologized.
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people killed by cars every year in the united states: ~ 63,000
people killed by bikes every year in the united states: ~1
just, you know, to keep things in perspective.
people killed by bikes every year in the united states: ~1
just, you know, to keep things in perspective.
#14
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Take care out there. That attitude, held by many non-cyclists, is being used to justify violent attacks on cyclists, especially in the UK since this case hit the headlines.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...non+Bennett%22
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=446519
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...non+Bennett%22
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=446519
Tongue in cheek, my man.
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We know that but not everyone reading the forum does.
Have fun, stay safe and keep riding.
Have fun, stay safe and keep riding.
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
#16
Senior Member
Elderly pedestrians in danger from bikes, oh noes!!
A couple of years ago, in the space of about 3 months, three pedestrians were killed in Victoria, BC by elderly car drivers who mistook the gas for the brake pedal. Three separate incidents. Drivers were all over 70.
A couple of years ago, in the space of about 3 months, three pedestrians were killed in Victoria, BC by elderly car drivers who mistook the gas for the brake pedal. Three separate incidents. Drivers were all over 70.
#18
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I've ridden with someone who hit a pedestrian. This was in a crosswalk. The light turned green and the cyclist figured he didn't need to look to see if anyone was in the crosswalk, because after all the cyclist is always in the right, isn't he?
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With the increase in fuel cost there will be an increase in bike/pedestrian interaction. There have already been articles on it locally.
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How about indirect deaths due to bicycling? Such as those murdered by their spouses when the Visa bill came?
#25
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One on average! And last year there were two! OMG
More people die from falling vending machines, right?
More people die from falling vending machines, right?