Riding your bicycle to work may seem like the most environmentally responsible move to make these days. It seems better than hopping in your car and burning more fossil fuels. But if you live in a big city like New York, you may want to think twice. New York’s cyclist death toll is rising as streets become more crowded.
A growing city population means more people on the roads. But the city government can’t keep up with the infrastructure improvements needed to make the city bike-friendly. According to an article by City Limits, NYPD data reports that 27 NYC cyclists have been killed as of mid-December. But why is this number so high when cyclist fatalities were only ten a year earlier? A few factors become more lethal when they all occur simultaneously. The article outlines a few of them below.
Distracted Driving
Smartphones are a major contributor to cyclist death tolls because they distract drivers with incoming texts, unopened Snapchat messages, Instagram likes, emails, etc. According to statistics from The Zebra, 51% of drivers with iPhones admitted to texting while driving. Roughly one-third said they take photos while driving.
Amazon Prime and Other Delivery Services
The popularity of convenient services such as HelloFresh, Amazon Prime, Favor, UberEats, and Instacart spurred ramifications across industries. But its most tangible effects are seen in the increased number of delivery vehicles on the roads. With these vehicles stopping and going, illegally parking in bike lanes, and adding congestion to overcrowded streets, bicyclists are left without ample cushion between them and their delivery trucks.
The Mayor’s Green Wave
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the cyclist crisis by unveiling the “Green Wave” plan to protect cyclists in his city better. The plan is to build bike lanes and conduct bike safety outreach programs. But only time will tell whether police authorities can effectively implement this plan or if lax enforcement will put riders back at square one.
Contact a New York Bike Accident Lawyer
Were you hurt in an accident as a cyclist in New York? If so, you could be owed significant compensation if a negligent motorist, defective bike part, or defective road condition caused your injuries. To get the full compensation you’re owed, be sure to contact Hach & Rose, LLP at (212) 779-0057 to speak with one of our experienced NYC bike accident lawyers right away.