NYC Cyclists: dodging taxis and dodging death (mostly the taxis)
Hey there, fellow fearless cyclists (or maybe you're a pedestrian who occasionally gets the urge to yell at a cyclist, no judgement here). Today we're diving into the not-so-sunny world of NYC bike deaths. Buckle up, it's a bumpy ride (but hopefully not a fatal one).
So, how many cyclists became unwilling participants in a real-life Frogger game in 2023?
Brace yourselves for this shocker: a whopping 30 cyclists met their demise on the mean streets of New York City. That's right, 30 brave souls traded their helmets for halos. Now, before you pack up your bike and move to a Dutch village with designated tulip lanes, here's a breakdown to ease the anxiety (or maybe heighten it, depending on your outlook).
- E-bikes take the lead (unintentionally): Out of the 30, a staggering 23 were e-bike riders. Seems those speedy electric steeds come with a side of danger.
- Traditional two-wheelers weren't far behind: Still a not-insignificant 7 cyclists on classic pedal-powered bikes became unwelcome road ornaments.
Where were these cyclists playing real-life Frogger?
According to some reports, most of these fatalities happened on streets without the holy grail of cyclists: protected bike lanes. Looks like our streets need more barriers than a teenager's diary.
The good news (sort of): The city installed a whole bunch of new protected lanes in 2023 (30 miles to be exact). So, here's to hoping that number goes down faster than a politician's approval rating in an election year.
Why all the carnage?
This is where things get a little less funny and a bit more serious. Here's a mix of factors that contribute to the danger zone:
- Car collisions: The usual suspects. Sharing the road with multi-ton metal boxes is always a gamble, especially when some drivers are about as focused as a squirrel on payday.
- Reckless riding (by both cyclists and drivers): We've all seen them - the weaving cyclist who thinks they're in the Tour de France and the distracted driver who wouldn't notice the Eiffel Tower in their rearview mirror.
Look, cycling in NYC isn't for the faint of heart. But with a little caution, some better infrastructure, and maybe a good dose of luck, you can survive the jungle out there.
Remember, a bike helmet is basically a participation trophy for the game of urban cycling. Stay frosty, stay safe, and maybe invest in a flashing red light for your helmet (because apparently, bioluminescence isn't a standard bike feature yet).
