Long Island roadways are the deadliest in the New York metropolitan region for bicyclists, according to a recent Newsday analysis. According to federal data, at least 64 cyclists have been killed on Long Island in bike crashes since 2005.
Why are the statistics so high? One reason is Long Island’s roadways were not designed with bicyclists in mind. More than a quarter of the accidents occurred on high speed, multilane roads such as Sunrise Highway and Hempstead Turnpike. These roads have also been recently called out as among the most dangerous for pedestrians as well.
Other contributing factors to the bicycle accidents included drunken motorists, cyclists who failed to stop at red lights, and drivers who said they didn’t see the bicyclist until it was too late.
We’ve been seeing a high rate of injured bicyclists at our office. Bicyclists and motorists need to both show caution and learn to share the roads safely. Cyclists especially should show caution and make sure they are visible to drivers by wearing bright colors and having reflectors and lights, especially in the evening and at night.
Several groups on Long Island, including the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, are pushing for Governor Cuomo to sign “Complete Street” legislation that would require the designers of major road reconstruction and construction projects to consider all users of the road, and incorporate such elements as bike lanes, longer crossing lights and pedestrian islands. We support such legislation and believe it would make the roads safer for all users.
Were you or someone in your family injured in a bike accident that was someone else’s fault? Whether it’s a careless motorist, a defective bicycle, or poor roadway construction, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our lawyers for a completely free case evaluation. We’ll listen to your case, answer all your questions, let you know what you can expect, and work our hardest to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Goldstein and Bashner
