The Rise of E-Bikes in NYC
E-bikes are an increasingly popular form of transportation in New York City. However, they pose a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. If you have been hurt in an e-bike accident, the attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP can help you.
More People Are Cycling in NYC
New York is a geographically small but fast-paced city filled with millions of commuters and many travel options. Over the past two decades, New Yorkers’ interest in biking has increased dramatically, especially over the past few years, due in part to the introduction of 1,240 additional miles of bike lanes in 2018 and new bikeshare program. For example, between 2015 and 2016 alone, there was a 150% increase in NYC bike travel.
How Your Personal Auto Insurance Impacts Your Bike Accident Claim
Bicycle accidents can be devastating, often leading to long-term trauma like brain damage and spinal cord injuries. Because of how costly treatment for bicyclist injuries are, many cyclists worry about how high their medical bills will be after an accident. While you may be able to pursue an auto accident claim against the driver who injured you, it is possible that your own auto insurance might come into play as well.
Van Injures Cyclist and Hits Multiple Cars in NYC Hit and Run
A cyclist traveling in the bike lane on Greenpoint Avenue in Queens was struck and injured by a speeding grey van, that veered directly into the bike lane, rear-ending the cyclist, throwing him onto the roadway, as reported by the Daily News. The driver of the van, rather than stopping and rendering aid, chose to drive off, leaving the cyclist injured and screaming in pain on the road. The entire incident was captured on a GoPro, clearly revealing the careless, reckless, and uncaring actions of the driver of the grey van. Another cyclist stopped and rendered aid to the injured victim.
Two Wheels or Four, Cars and Bicycles Must Share the Road
In New York, bicycles are allowed to operate on roads just like motorized vehicles. Motorists are expected to “share the road” with bicyclists. If everyone plays his or her part, accidents will be reduced.
May is National Bike Safety Month
May is National Bike Safety Month, an important month for New York bicyclists. Although rates of car and truck crashes have gone down over the past decade, the rate of bicycle injuries on New York roadways has actually increased, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
You can help keep yourself and those you care about safer on bicycles this summer by knowing the top causes of bicycle accident injury and how to avoid them. As always, never hesitate to speak to an experienced New York bicycle injury lawyer if you are hurt in a crash this summer.
According to the National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors, the top three causes of bicyclist injuries include:
- Being hit by a car. This one event accounts for one in every three bicycle accidents. Bicyclists can wear helmets and reflective clothing to help protect themselves, and motorists should always look carefully for bicycles while driving.
Rules to Remember When Bicycling in New York
With the exception of a few particular clauses, bicyclists in New York are governed by the same traffic laws as different vehicle drivers. These are designed to keep bicyclists safe and help them travel throughout New York’s busy streets, just the same as any other vehicle.
However, if you are bicycling, it is important to remember these legal guidelines to avoid a New York City bike accident and prevent accidental violations of the law.