The Post today cites Department of Transportation records that show there were 754 bike-car collisions in the five boroughs during the last three months of 2011.
Brooklyn had the most collisions of any borough with 285 crashes while Manhattan had 229. Per the paper: "The highest concentration of bike-car crashes in all of the city was on the Upper East Side, which had 26. The West Villlage had 21 crashes, and the East Village and Midtown East, each had 19."
Sadly the numbers are only going to go up with the flood of bikes Citibank is introducing in July. They can try all they want but this not a bike friendly city.
ReplyDeleteNot really worth being "Noted" unless put up next to DOT numbers for pedestrian-car collisions.
ReplyDeleteWould like to know deaths for these categories as well.
Gotta side with Notorious on this one. Sadly, bike lanes not only screw up business deliveries but they encourage people to bike in the city who should reserve their biking for Wisteria Lane in East Podunk. I used to like riding a bike in the city, but the past couple years, uh uh. No more. Too many rules, too many bicyclists who aren't savvy, too many cops trying to make quota with absurd tickets. And another big Thank You to Nana Bloomie for ruining one more aspect of the city I used to love.
ReplyDeleteit would also be interesting to know what kind of street situation these occurred in--i.e. are the protected lanes really safer? Are accidents in intersections? Avenues? Some street situations are scary-hazardous, and others are pretty comfortable...are those subjective reactions accurately reflected in the data?
ReplyDeleteMore (law-abiding) bicyclists should actually improve safety, as drivers get more accustomed to paying attention to cyclists as the norm rather than a rare exception.
ReplyDelete- East Villager
@John M - People who think there are now "too many rules" to riding bicycle are exactly the people that shouldn't be riding bikes. Cyclist follow the same "rules" as any other vehicle on the road.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous East Villager - Not "Should" that is what is happening. As number of cyclists has increased per capita accidents has decreased.
ReplyDeleteAlso see http://crashstat.org/
i'd also like to know how many pedestrians have been hit by bikes
ReplyDeleteNana Bloomie! Love it!
ReplyDelete@blue glass
ReplyDeleteYes, me too. As long as the number is put next to the number of pedestrians (and cyclists) hit (injured and/or killed) by cars. In fact, I'd like to just see a simple daily tally. I wonder how many today?
According to DOT, over the last 4 years 3 have died in collisions with bikes. In the same time, 600 people, pedestrians, have been killed in NY being hit by cars. Three people dying is, of course, tragic and the danger to pedestrians should be addressed...but its important to keep the discussion realistic.
ReplyDeleteAn avid biker friend told me he tries to to extra courteous and careful when riding in the city, so as to reinforce the sense bikes in the city is a good thing--a good lesson for all of us who ride in the city.
I am with the previous commenter who would like to know how many pedestrians have been hit by cyclists. I almost got nailed crossing the street near Life Cafe the other day. Some idiot came flying around the corner on his bike. I had the light, and I didn't even see him coming.
ReplyDeletei also worry about the false sense of safety that the bike lanes promote. i see so many people not wearing helmets, women in high heels, riding bikes while texting on iPhones, just as tuned out as they are when walking.
ReplyDeleteit's part of this larger false sense of safety that Bloomberg promotes--how many signs have you seen signs from the NYPD asking people to please not save seats in bars with their handbags, and don't leave your laptop unattended, etc.?
yes, the city is safer than it used to be. but it's still the city.
Blu glas - I saw a biker nail a girl on 2nd Ave last weekend, he had the light but it was obvious the kidult chicks were not going to pay attention and I guess he decided to teach them a lesson and blasted through the herd, but I hope he got arrested as she was unconscious, he should have been beat down for that - if it had been my friend he would have been in worse shape.
ReplyDeleteThe Bicyclist suck big time and are out-of-control. They need to be licensed, policed and if-nee-be beaten down with Bats when caught riding reckless.y. That time is coming soon.
ReplyDelete