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While I never enjoy seeing bicyclists or pedestrians killed, whenever I deal with it I usually feel nothing at all. Most people, no matter how they die, seem to have made some terriblr mistake to help it along. That's been my observation at least.
The collision in which a young woman lost her life is a terrible thing to have happen, but looking at the pictures from the article, I see no lights of any kind on the bicycle, nor any mounting brackets for lights. Lacking such safety equipment and riding at night in a complex urban environment? That's an accident waiting to happen, even if one has on a reflective vest and helmet-mounted headlight. No mention of safety equipment was noted, but at 9:20pm, the time of the accident, why are there no lights on that bicycle? Bicycle safety tends to be excused, and it's the bicyclist who ends up on the losing end of an accident, regardless as to who was correct in a given accident, merely by the physics involved in the accident when struck by a heavier object that is likely moving at a higher rate of speed.
The Citibikes are actually better in this regard as they have flashing LEDs when the bicycle is in motion, though there should be a steady stationary light when the cyclist is obeying traffic laws and stopping for lights and stop signs. It is not easy to see a bicycle with no lights on it at night, especially on Park Avenue at 125th because of the complexities of Park Avenue at that intersection. It's even dangerous for pedestrians and other cyclists to contend with bicycles lacking basic safety equipment for night riding.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
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125th is a damn drop zone. Sad to see it at times, but you get used to it- because Pedestrians (especially in the rain) and Bicyclists think they're immune to the rules of the road.
I've seen dozens of peds die on 125th because they run out in traffic, jaywalk, or bike aggressively in a ridiculously crowded street with some wonky drivers.
I know running a red light could cause an accident for me and god forbid someone else- and I never do it even in safe conditions because I -know- I'll be ticketed and fined... of course the NYPD doesn't want the gruff from ticketing jaywalkers in NYC, so they make it a habit- and few stand up to a Crown Vic.
125th needs those elevated walkways like they have in Vegas.
Maybe you could fund it with Jaywalker tickets.
The collision in which a young woman lost her life is a terrible thing to have happen, but looking at the pictures from the article, I see no lights of any kind on the bicycle, nor any mounting brackets for lights. Lacking such safety equipment and riding at night in a complex urban environment? That's an accident waiting to happen, even if one has on a reflective vest and helmet-mounted headlight. No mention of safety equipment was noted, but at 9:20pm, the time of the accident, why are there no lights on that bicycle? Bicycle safety tends to be excused, and it's the bicyclist who ends up on the losing end of an accident, regardless as to who was correct in a given accident, merely by the physics involved in the accident when struck by a heavier object that is likely moving at a higher rate of speed.
I agree that lights are critical at night. However we do not know if this young women was wearing a helmet, or of she had mounted lights on that helmet. Not a lot of information about that collision. Multiple news sources have conflicting details. According to the NYC Daily News she was clipped from the rear by a closely following cab, followed by colliding with an Eastbound taxi.
Quote:
The Citibikes are actually better in this regard as they have flashing LEDs when the bicycle is in motion, though there should be a steady stationary light when the cyclist is obeying traffic laws and stopping for lights and stop signs. It is not easy to see a bicycle with no lights on it at night, especially on Park Avenue at 125th because of the complexities of Park Avenue at that intersection. It's even dangerous for pedestrians and other cyclists to contend with bicycles lacking basic safety equipment for night riding.
A solid red when the bicycle is at a complete stop may sound good in theory but a blinking light is more noticeable from a smaller source, especially in bad weather.
Park Ave is dangerous for everyone. It needs to be re evaluated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WithDisp
125th is a damn drop zone. Sad to see it at times, but you get used to it- because Pedestrians (especially in the rain) and Bicyclists think they're immune to the rules of the road.
I've seen dozens of peds die on 125th because they run out in traffic, jaywalk, or bike aggressively in a ridiculously crowded street with some wonky drivers.
I know running a red light could cause an accident for me and god forbid someone else- and I never do it even in safe conditions because I -know- I'll be ticketed and fined... of course the NYPD doesn't want the gruff from ticketing jaywalkers in NYC, so they make it a habit- and few stand up to a Crown Vic.
125th needs those elevated walkways like they have in Vegas.
Maybe you could fund it with Jaywalker tickets.
Aggressive traffic calming would reduce deaths along 125th St significantly. Park Ave would be a good place to start. SBS lanes would go a long way to prevent double parking, which causes a lot of the problems at least during operational hours.
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