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Updated: Pedestrian Critically Injured After Collision With E-Bicyclist in Amsterdam Avenue Bike Lane

April 18, 2021 | 11:02 AM - Updated on June 5, 2022 | 11:31 PM
in CRIME, NEWS
110


The intersection near where the collision occurred.

By Carol Tannenhauser

At around 1 p.m. on Saturday, a 71-year-old man was struck by an electric bike operated by a 39-year-old man, traveling north on Amsterdam Avenue, about 15 feet from the intersection with West 78th Street, according to an NYPD spokesperson.

“The victim stepped out into the bike lane between two vehicles,” the spokesman said. He was transported to Mt. Sinai West hospital with trauma to his arm and head. He is reported to be in critical condition. The tipster who told us of the incident, said police were diverting people around the scene.

We will provide more information as it comes in.

Update: According to an NYPD spokesperson on Tuesday morning, the injured man “has two broken legs, but is not likely (to die.)”

 

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Mark G Capolupo
Mark G Capolupo
1 year ago

I lived on the UWS on Amsterdam for 3 years. I regularly road my pedal bike in the bike lane and had many close encounters with e-bikes travelling a deadly speeds, always silent, often without lights–it was only a matter of time.

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Sid
Sid
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark G Capolupo

What “Deadly speeds” ? They can’t go above 25mph which is the city speed limit, and cars seem to go faster and kill more in the city than ebikes every will.

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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 year ago
Reply to  Sid

The difference is that almost no cars ride on the sidewalk and almost no cars run red lights. They all make illegal turns at top speed into the pedestrian lanes when turning, however. Electric bikes are out of control, as most bikes have been for the past 30 to 40 years in this City. It’s about time every bike — manual or electric — had a license plate, bells, and lights, and insurance, the same way cars do.

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Aaron
Aaron
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

Cars don’t run red lights? Really? Cars don’t park on the sidewalk? Cars don’t park across/block cross walks? Was I dreaming?

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tim Newman
tim Newman
1 year ago

The two groups that use our streets that violate traffic rules most frequently are pedestrians and cyclists.

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David Goldstein
David Goldstein
1 year ago
Reply to  tim Newman

Ha ha ha ha

Wait until you hear about drivers

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ST
ST
1 year ago
Reply to  tim Newman

And E vehicle riders. E bikes, E scooters, E everything. Huge mistake to allow them. So what else is new?

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Tim
Tim
1 year ago
Reply to  ST

I disagree with this as a general statement. We should be encouraging alternative forms of transportation/commuting vs. car-based ones that are clogging up the streets. There should be ways to get to work besides taking an uber.

There are always complaints about regular bikers as well going too fast.

What does need to happen is an overall of rules and regulations with regards to speed limits and signage.

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J
J
1 year ago
Reply to  Tim

streets are for cars.

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JL
JL
1 year ago
Reply to  J

@Arnold- not to mention the free on-street car storage on the side streets of most neighborhoods north of 60th street. That’s some pricey real estate because it’s only one level 75/100 sq.ft. open air Public free space.

No wonder there’s all the bike hate.

I’ve done the alternate side street shuffle for a number of years. Boy, talk about a sub-culture. All kinds of shenanigans involving staff/relatives holding spots. Driving to a prime spot to switch vehicles to hold that spot. Pedestrians and micro-mobility are left with scraps to fight over who’s right and who’s wrong.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  J

Please explain why?

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Arnold
Arnold
1 year ago
Reply to  J

One 17x6ft block of space for one solitary traveler? Gotta find alternate solutions.

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Vincent
Vincent
1 year ago
Reply to  tim Newman

Spoken like a true car owner.

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EdNY
EdNY
1 year ago
Reply to  Vincent

I am all three (a pedestrian, a bike owner/rider and a car owner/user). I agree that the first two groups violate traffic laws far more frequently than drivers, in part because there is little expectation of enforcement and penalty for crossing against a light, crossing mid-block, biking the wrong way, etc.

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Milt Mankoff
Milt Mankoff
1 year ago
Reply to  EdNY

Contrary to popular belief, data show crossing mid-block is safer, because one is far more likely to look to see if there is traffic. People who cross at the green are more apt to be faith-based pedestrians, assuming no driver is going to be mowing them down.

Admittedly, the bike lanes are leading to a new danger, until people stepping from curb or vehicle habitually look in both directions. I almost got seriously injured last year when I parked in a spot between the bike lane and sidewalk.I automatically took a step towards what had always been sidewalk, but was now bike lane.

But, since then, I never fail to look…both ways…since some bicyclists act as if lanes are two way.

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  EdNY

Totally true. In a typical 50 minute bike ride I usually run more red lights than I have in 50 years of driving.
And I’m careful not to do that where pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

Actually, bicyclists can get ticketed for running red lights as pedestrians can for jaywalking.
You ever jaywalk?
Ever?

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Deb
Deb
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

Again, you are admitting to running red lights.

If you were in a car, you would get ticketed and eventually have your licence suspended.

But, since there are no laws governing the licensing of cyclists or registering of bikes, there are no repercussions.

My point is, if cyclists needed to pass a test to get a mandatory license, and bikes needed to be registered, and cyclists were
required to carry insurance, there would be consequences for running red lights while riding a bike.

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

No, I only run red lights while biking when there’s no oncoming traffic.
How can I tell? The pedestrians parallel to me are jaywalking for the same reason.

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Deb
Deb
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

Paul – you readily admit that you will not run a red light only if a pedestrian is in sight. That is a problem – perhaps you should turn in your cyclist license.

Oh wait – cyclists don’t have licenses, don’t register their bikes, and don’t have insurance should they damage property or injure people.

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dodging bikes every day
dodging bikes every day
1 year ago

now that outdoor dining is permanent bike lanes need to be in the streets and not between the sidewalk and dining. take a lane away from cars and no parking on the bike lane side

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  dodging bikes every day

There’s no street dining in that spot, this is either the pedestrian or the ebike operator violating the rules, plain and simple.

Amsterdam and Columbus both lost traffic lanes to bike lanes years ago, and removing a second traffic lane is unjustified.

Riders have to slow down when near dining setups.

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Crankypants
Crankypants
1 year ago

I can’t believe this doesn’t happen multiple times a day all over the city. It’s chaos out there. Best wishes to the victim for a hopefully full recovery.

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josh
josh
1 year ago
Reply to  Crankypants

The victim being the Ebike rider following the rules or the pedestrian who was breaking the rules?

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Bruce Reznick
Bruce Reznick
1 year ago

This is not a surprise… the growing e bike phenomena for deliveries and transport is in need of some public education and perhaps enforcement..worse are bikes and ebikes going two ways in the bike lines and flying thrugh at high speed… I’m a biker.. I understand looking both ways.. but this is not a surprise and local officials are brain dead on the matter

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Doug Garr
Doug Garr
1 year ago
Reply to  Bruce Reznick

The e-bike delivery guys are mostly kamikazes who do not even think about obeying traffic rules. I sympathize that these are usually low-income people trying to feed their families delivering food to those who are way better well off. But 20 mph on a sidewalk? I’ve now reduced my thinking to, “I hope you don’t kill anyone, and I hope you don’t die.”

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Brenda
Brenda
1 year ago

Stepping into the lane 15 feet from the intersection can be risky ebike or no—though finding out the bikers speed will be crucial

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Kim
Kim
1 year ago

I understand that these delivery guys need to make a living but I see them all the time going at high speed in the bike lanes, cutting corners, going the wrong way on a one way street on the street and in the bike lanes. And they run silent. You can’t hear them coming. They can go ask fast as a car and they need to slow down. They need to restrict the speed ebikes can go and get them out of the bike lane when they are going at 30 mph. Put them in the street with the cars and make them follow traffic laws.

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Aaron
Aaron
1 year ago
Reply to  Kim

Agreed. Restrict the speeds of all vehicles in the city to 20mph.

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Gretchen Berger
Gretchen Berger
1 year ago
Reply to  Kim

Agreed! Exactly my point below.

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Juan
Juan
1 year ago

Prefacing my comment by saying it is based solely on what is reported above. That said, I hate to blame the victim, but if he was 15 feet from the intersection, there is no reason the biker should have been looking for him. E-bikes go way too fast but if the biker was going in the right direction (which it sounds like he was), it could not have been going so fast that it could have totally snuck up on the pedestrians. Bikers need to be more careful but so so pedestrians.

And no, eliminating another lane of car traffic won’t help.

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Jane
Jane
1 year ago
Reply to  Juan

Oftentimes, it is mid-street and not an intersection crossing that is, in fact, safest, especially if you’ve nearly been hit at an intersection.

Aren’t there licensing and insurance requirements for ebikes?

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HH
HH
1 year ago

Why cant the city have sensible rules and enforcement? 10mph max speed in bike lanes or something like that with a camera system to monitor. Seems like there is no will to enforce because it will disproportionately impact delivery drivers who are often low income minorities and people, somewhat justifiably, are sympathetic to their situation (work hard, don’t earn good wages, can get better tips if they ride faster and don’t obey traffic). But lack of enforcement leads to flagrant abuses and an every person for themselves mentality. Seems like there is 0 effort to figure out a reasonable approach to this effort.

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ben
ben
1 year ago
Reply to  HH

Realistically, the city doesn’t have enough resources to enforce speed limit on bikes. It’s just not possible. It’s down to people’s own common sense and discipline which unfortunately do not seem to exist for many cyclists.

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Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago
Reply to  ben

Ben, in that case, why not outsource enforcement to a firm that would be paid a portion of fines collected? Problem solved 🙂

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Upper West Side Cyclist
Upper West Side Cyclist
1 year ago
Reply to  ben

The reality, more, is that there is no need for the city to enforce the speed limit on cyclists. Some pedestrians seem to believe cyclists are speeding, and refer to them as flying all the time. The reality is that very fee cyclists have the ability to reach 25mph, which is the speed limit, except going down a hill. Yes, ebikes do make that easier, but as someone with a speedometer on my bike, I can tell you that the delivery riders are not breaking 25mph, and are typically closer to about 16-20mph.

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Big Earl
Big Earl
1 year ago

They are called bike lanes. They should be for bikes only, that is, ones you actually pedal. E bikes and electric scooters are motorized, they belong on the street with the cars. The outlawness of the bike lanes are akin to Thunderdome. We can do better.

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J
J
1 year ago
Reply to  Big Earl

agreed. Put the E bikes in the car lanes…take away the e/motor and THEN get into human powered bicycle lanes

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RAL
RAL
1 year ago
Reply to  J

I stopped at the end of the GWB the other day to ask two cops why they are not ticketing people on those Razor pocket motorcycles that are over pedestrian walkway. bike lanes and roads – no license plates – they told me that when they ticket them the city throws it out. It’s become like the wild west with motorized everything – as a non motorized cyclist – bike lanes and the GWB bike/pedestrian lane have become scary as hell.

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Ian Alterman
Ian Alterman
1 year ago
Reply to  Big Earl

Actually, that is not true. E-bikes reach speeds of between 20 and 30 mph. The speed limit FOR CARS in NYC is 25 mph. So if CARS were staying within the legal speed limit, then e-bikes, etc. should be in no specific danger when riding in motorized vehicles lanes, where they belong.

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Matt H
Matt H
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian Alterman

Rent a Revel scooter some time and drive it strictly at 25 mph on Amsterdam or roads like it. See how long it takes before a driver starts tailgating you. And then how long it takes for that driver or another to punishment-pass you. Some drivers in this city are absolute psychos.

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Josh
Josh
1 year ago
Reply to  Big Earl

Being on an e-bike or e-scooter (which have pretty slow maximum speeds – similar to people on citi bikes) in a car lane is incredibly dangerous and would result in people being killed by cars and trucks all the time. If you don’t want them in the bike lane that’s fine, but maybe propose a solution that wouldn’t kill people.

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AR
AR
1 year ago
Reply to  Josh

Not true.. as a cyclist, there are times I ride with car traffic and it doesn’t “kill people”.. you observe and follow the pattern of traffic.. not swerving and going at record speeds or in the opposite direction for which the lane (bike or car) is intended for. Often when I cycle on a bike lane, I have near misses with ebikes as their intent is to swerve and fly by you without your knowledge due to the record speed they are racing at and not using any bells or warnings to alert you.

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ben
ben
1 year ago

imo if you step out from in between two parked vehicles into the bike lane, away from any intersection, it is your responsibility to look before you cross. Not saying the e-bike wasn’t going faster than it should’ve but blame should probably be at least shared.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  ben

Bikers are legally permitted to ride at the same speed as cars. Why should fault be shared if the bike was going at a legal speed and the pedestrian was jaywalking between cars?

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J
J
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

but the E bike…able to go car speeds should then be in the CAR lanes and not the bike lanes

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UWSdr
UWSdr
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

Fault lies solely with the driver or biker…despite the speed limit, all vehicles, cars or bikes, must be able to stop to avoid hitting someone, unless they are on a restricted roadway, like a highway. That’s the law. I realize that the court of public opinion is different. But just because you are allowed to go fast doesn’t mean you should.

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Josh
Josh
1 year ago
Reply to  UWSdr

Sorry buddy, but that is making up your own laws. According to the actual law, a vehicle operator (which includes a cyclist) must do exercise due care, which means do what they can to avoid a collision (including swerving and/or braking). But it does not say an operator must be able to stop for anyone. In fact, the law also says that a pedestrian must not step out on front of a vehicle in a way that it cannot stop in time. And before you say it, pedestrians also do not always have the right of way – pedestrians only have the right of way when crossing in a crosswalk and following the directions of any traffic control devices if they are present. As for following the rules of the road, no one group is better or worse than any other, but when drivers break the law, there are much greater consequences – and I dont mean enforcement.

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John
John
1 year ago
Reply to  Josh

Perfect agreement here, Josh.

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Bob
Bob
1 year ago
Reply to  UWSdr

I’d love to know what provision of the law you’re referring to, because I’d be surprised if that were how it works. If a person dashes out from behind a box truck and into your way, you could have effectively zero time to stop. So you have to drive your car or bike so slowly that it could be stopped nearly instantaneously at any point? If so, then I’m guessing the maximum you could legally go in New York is roughly 5mph — and maybe that’s so, but it’d be surprising.

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Gretchen
Gretchen
1 year ago

These ebikes are really a menace to the public. They don’t pay any attention to traffic rules, travel at fast speeds, are often inattentive and starting at their phones, drive the wrong way down streets or even on the sidewalks. I hope the police will start some serious enforcement. The situation is really out of control and there will be more accidents.

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Josh
Josh
1 year ago
Reply to  Gretchen

Interesting that you say that, because, according to the reporting, it was the exact opposite that happened here.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  Gretchen

Same can be said about pedestrians who contribute to the chaos.

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Matt H
Matt H
1 year ago

Okay boomerinos. From the reporting the ebiker was northbound (the correct direction) and midblock. So the likelihood is that fault for the crash is either shared or entirely on the pedestrian. (Only if he popped out from between the cars and the e-rider had literally no time to stop.)

The notion of a 10 mph speed limit in bike lanes is outré, also. If the same lane were a general traffic lane, vehicles with 10-30 times the mass of a bike plus rider are a-ok to hurtle through at 25 mph, or often 30+ if speeding as would often be the case. That’s a laughable distinction.

10 mph is really quite slow. An average 8 year old on a bike can hit it on flat ground without really digging in. A poky runner goes about 6 mph, a faster one maybe as much as 9. (World-class marathoners are close to 13.)

I’m all for measures that encourage responsible road use; particularly things centered around proper infrastructure buildout rather than draconian enforcement regimes. Villifying delivery ebikers as boogeymen posing existential threat to the public doesn’t help.

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Matt H

Since when is “boomer” an acceptable insult and what replies are allowable on this blog?

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Matt H
Matt H
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

It’s, you know, playful, not a grievous insult. Boomers as a whole have not exactly been hurt by society so much as been boosted by it. Calling people out on stereotypically-boomery attitudes is hardly kicking down.

And if the shoe fits, the commenters I have in mind should wear it! Or perhaps I should say if the crankypants fit. ’cause these are some cranky, cranky attitudes I’m seeing here, make no mistake. I’m surprised nobody’s yet suggested building the whole road entirely out of speed bumps yet.

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Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Matt H

Ok then. Tell me which stereotypes are ok and which aren’t.

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Plates and accountability
Plates and accountability
1 year ago
Reply to  Matt H

What’s the harm in requiring DMV plates and registration for ebikes to disincentivize bad behavior owing to anonymity? The infrastructure for DMV already exists. Then the cost for hurtling like silent train can be born by offenders, and be captured by strategic radar and cameras. Bet that would help curb behavior for most.

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Not an e-biker
Not an e-biker
1 year ago

…”about 15 feet from the intersection with West 78th Street”

…”The victim stepped out into the bike lane between two vehicles”

Sorry for his injury but this is 100% the pedestrian’s fault. Stop ordering food from exploitative apps if you oppose e-bikes.

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Renie Reiss
Renie Reiss
1 year ago
Reply to  Not an e-biker

I walked past while injured person, who appeared to be unconscious, was waiting for an ambulance. I don’t believe there were cars parked between which he could have walked and no street dining structure. Seems like he stepped off curb with intent to cross street and didn’t realize it was a bike lane. That’s easy to do even at crosswalks.
An hour later – with the bike still there, most of the block was cordoned off, necessitating bikers to circle around into the traffic lane. Considering how hazardous that was I wonder why an investigation/evaluation would take that long.

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Brandon
Brandon
1 year ago
Reply to  Not an e-biker

what if the victim just parked one of those cars. How does he get to the sidewalk?

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Gen X Dad
Gen X Dad
1 year ago

My 2.5 year old daughter and I were almost just hit by a bicyclist and a scooter rider, both of whom were blowing through a red light at excessive speeds, and did not even slow down. They were not in a bike lane either.

This is not a ‘boomer’ problem, or a pedestrian problem. This is a city without competent leadership, or law enforcement.

DeBlasio and his Cold War with the NYPD are putting this city on the brink of a death spiral to unlivable.

Who (and how many) will have be killed or disabled for the feckless politicians to address this life-threatening problem?

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Ray
Ray
1 year ago
Reply to  Gen X Dad

@Gen X Dad –
“DeBlasio and his Cold War with the NYPD are putting this city on the brink of a death spiral to unlivable.”

Please explain to us all what EXACTLY this “Cold War” is, and how the mayor caused a pedestrian to step in to a bike lane in the middle of the block.

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good humor
good humor
1 year ago

Isn’t this jaywalking?

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Dan
Dan
1 year ago

I Citibike in that lane. The ebikes can be menaces. If it is a motorized vehicle should it not be with the other motorized vehicles?

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Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Anybody going mention about the thugs with the real motorcycles gangs running around. E bikes are horrible also but everybody else is avoiding the big question about all jerks out there. And not to mention the police are handcuffed to do anything due to local politics.

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Wayne Z.
Wayne Z.
1 year ago

I love how loose and wild the UWS is becoming. Soon we’ll be treated to the secondhand vape stank of diners enjoying a post-meal rip off their weed pens. Nice Matin will be converted into the mess hall for the here-to-stay tenants of The Lucerne. E-bikes open up a world of collision opportunities with dog walkers and sidewalk diners. Your next sucker punch is right around the corner. Municipal trash bins overflow to show one another that despite it all our appetites are alive and well. Oh, and the constant stream of helicopters overhead provides a dystopian ambient din to top it all off.

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D
D
1 year ago

The problem is throttle controlled ebikes, not pedal assist. A throttled controlled ebike with a max speed of 20+ miles per hour has no business in a bike lane any more than a moped should be in the bike lane. Then you add in how many are going the wrong direction and driven at max speed. Scary

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lina
lina
1 year ago

We need better monitoring of these bike lanes–electric bikes are going super fast in these lanes and many times in opposite directions. I thought the bike lanes were for ‘regular’ non-electric bikes only? With the outside dining on the parking lanes–this type of traffic is ever more dangerous. This needs looking into.

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anon
anon
1 year ago

I know nothing about this particular incident other than what is reported here but I have a general question. Lets say you park your car on Amsterdam on the left side between the bike land and traffic. How do you then get to the sidewalk? It seems like people would always walk across the bike lane when they do that. What is the correct method?

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JL
JL
1 year ago
Reply to  anon

I’m 100% against sidewalk fast movement. I’m also against treating the bikelanes as extensions of sidewalks. It is always dangerous to cross traffic without looking. I think they teach that to school children. Look both ways before crossing.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  anon

If one wants to be a stickler for legalities, the driver should walk in the zebra painted lane that connects to a crosswalk. There is a small area to stand in that is clearly marked as a crosswalk and protected by a concrete island.

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JerryV
JerryV
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

It is a rare event when ANY bike or scooter (motorized or not) ever stops for a red light!

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Juan
Juan
1 year ago
Reply to  anon

Fair question with a simple answer. Before getting out of your car, you look in your side view mirror to see if someone is coming. Gradually open the door and check again as you are getting out.

Admittedly, if an e-bike is going really fast, this is of somewhat limited value as they can sneak up on you pretty quickly, but the vast majority of the time this is sufficient.

Everyone needs to be a good citizen. Bike riders need to go at a safe speed in the correct direction and be on the lookout to the best of their ability for pedestrians. Pedestrians need to be aware that there is a bike lane and not just walk right into it, particularly when they are not at cross walks. Pedestrians should only have to look one way but unfortunately there are too many bikers who go the wrong way in bike lanes so it is best practice to look both ways.

I am so tired of these discussions devolving into “it is 100% the bikers fault” or “it is 100% the pedestrian’s fault.” We are all responsible. As I said above, this one sounds more like the pedestrian’s fault, but I don’t know all the facts.

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Matt H
Matt H
1 year ago
Reply to  Juan

There’s a buffer area between the parked cars and the lane proper as well. Do everything that Juan said, for sure. But you can also usually get out of the car first but stay alongside. Take a step upstreet, close the door behind you, but stay hard alongside your car. Take a good long look up the lane to make sure it’s still the case that nobody’s coming (and maybe a quick look downstreet as well in case there’s a bike salmon in the mix.) When it’s clear, go! If it’s not, pause until such time as it is clear. Point being, you don’t have to leave the car, close the door, and stride immediately across the lane all in one smooth motion!

This is hardly rocket science. 🙂

Also, it’s good to get into the habit of opening the driver’s side door with you right hand rather than your left, it forces you to turn your body and get a better look what’s behind you.

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Stop Complaining
Stop Complaining
1 year ago

If you don’t like the e-bikes, stop ordering delivery. Furthermore, this sounds like a case of a pedestrian walking into incoming traffic. I really wish that everyone who complains constantly about the upper west side becoming uninhabitable would just move. The value of their real estate alone would invalidate their assessment of the neighborhood.

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JL
JL
1 year ago

@1)”I agree that the first two groups violate traffic laws far more frequently than drivers, in part because there is little expectation…”

Yea, no that’s not correct. Just watch on any avenue when the yellow light turns to red, 2 or 3 drivers will go through a steady red– EVERYTIME. The speed limit is 25mph on city streets, do you know how many thousands of tickets are issued by cameras in NYC? The sensors are set at 35+, 10 over the speed limit. Yet drivers continue to get multiple tickets if they can afford them.

While people on 2 wheels and 2 feet often break laws when moving from point A to point B, please have some perspective on the level of risk and actual threat. Facts still matter, average no. fatalities /yr. for pedestrians vs. bikes of any kind=> less than 1. Vehicular violence KILL approx. 200/yr in NYC.

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J
J
1 year ago
Reply to  JL

where do you get your data of less than 1 death of biker/pedestrian… less than 1…AKA zero. Can you send the link with your statistics?

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Josh
Josh
1 year ago
Reply to  J

Try this: https://abc7ny.com/bike-lanes-safety-cyclists-bikers/5473859/

It’s a 2019 report about the dangers of cyclists to pedestrians, so you cant argue bias. 2 pedestrians killed by cyclists I. 2019 and none in 2018. If you actually look yourself for statistics, instead of just asking others to provide you with what you can get yourself with a simple Google search, you will find out that the average number of pedestrians killed in collisions with cyclists is less than 1 per year in NYC for at least the last decade.

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Matt H
Matt H
1 year ago
Reply to  JL

So much this.

Neutral studies of this seem to show similar lawbreaking rates by mode, it’s just that the nature of the violation varies with the mode. Drivers don’t tend to run clear, been-red-several-seconds lights, but stale yellows going to red? Sure. Speeding? Heckuva lot of it.

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JL
JL
1 year ago

@14) without seeing actual video footage, it is difficult to determine % of “fault” for each party. Someone on an ebike was killed last year in CP after a collision with someone on foot. Unnecessary preventable deaths are awful for the loved ones left behind (even drivers). Better street, road, bike lane (more space) designs, and sensible enforcement (why aren’t cops on bikes?) would go far to increase safety.

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Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago
Reply to  JL

I remember seeing a cop on a bike patrolling the W. 72nd St area in the late 90’s. It was always the same cop 🙂 Wonder if he was the pilot progam.

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Sarah
Sarah
1 year ago

Bicyclists are presently menaces to pedestrian traffic, even when they’re given fully protected lanes, but I have to say, if you’re going to jaywalk, you have to bear at least some portion of the responsibility if you get hit.

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Nevets K
Nevets K
1 year ago
Reply to  Sarah

What a surprise that protected electric bike lanes are causing more stress and controversy! Who would have imagined!
This is what happens when our politicians are in the pockets of “Transportation Alternatives” and other anti-community groups: More stress for UWS pedestrians; more stress for UWS reverse commuters, such as hospital workers and teachers, now competing for fewer and fewer parking spaces; and, “what irony!”, more stress for non-electric bike riders, finding that their “protected lanes” have been appropriated by e-bike riders.
But, hey, we can all agree that take out food is being delivered even faster!
Well done, Mr. Mayor, City Council members, Helen Rosenthal, and CB 7! Time to take your bows – but remember to look both ways – and keep looking.
And then look some more!

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Adam Cherson
Adam Cherson
1 year ago

Motorized vehicles are not bicycles and should not be on bike lanes.

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Florence Lotrowski
Florence Lotrowski
1 year ago

Why are the bikes silent? They should be required to emit some type of sound so that pedestrians have warning.

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Careful but bruised pedestrian
Careful but bruised pedestrian
1 year ago

The mopeds, ebikes and pedal bikes ridden by adults have also taken over the sidewalks, not to mention the skateboarders which weave from sidewalk to street to bike lane back to the sidewalk. We are in a state of transportation anarchy.

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AR
AR
1 year ago

As with any “motor vehicle”.. ebikes belong in car traffic lanes, not sidewalks and bike paths.

Most pedestrians look for cars when crossing a car lane, and would notice an ebike flying up..

Of course they would need to travel in the same directions as cars, and that’s the problem. They zig-zag around pedestrians on side walks and travel in both directions on bike lanes.

They need to get rid of the “receive in 15 minutes or food is free” offer for delivery when it encourages these bikes to go at a ridiculous speed.

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Jan
Jan
1 year ago
Reply to  AR

how long and how many injuries and deaths
need to happen for a ban on all of these bike
vehicles? Maybe our new mayor will see how
wrong decision a has been made and giant amounts
of money spent on these bike lanes etc when our schools need it. There is not enough room in the City
for all of these vehicles in addition to cars and trucks
needed to bring goods and services into the City.

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Ethan
Ethan
1 year ago

It doesn’t matter if pedestrians violate traffic rules more than cyclists or drivers, because pedestrians are not riding atop or inside of a potentially deadly missile, as is the case with the other two groups. That should be obvious. How many drivers have been injured or killed by errant pedestrians? The focus must be on pedestrian safety, and if that means banning bikes or cars or both, I’m all for it.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  Ethan

That’s a specious argument when you conveniently ignore that pedestrians can create a dangerous situation for vehicles and bikes by their own reckless behavior.

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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

A pedestrian is never the problem. Ever. We are walking on two fragile legs. Skin and bone will never be a match for any machine, let alone a 3,000 pound vehicle or an electric bike going 30 miles per hour. New York City used to be a pedestrian City designed for walking. Now, pedestrians have become bowling pins. Residents have been screaming about bikes for 40 years and all the City has done was pile more and more bikes on us, and now electric ones. And now public transportation is in a giant financial hole. They didn’t listen and this is all City Council’s fault.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

If you can’t conceive and accept how pedestrians interfere with cyclists’ safe operation of their vehicle, then it will probably be hard for you to also understand that bikes don’t travel at 30MPH. That often repeated nonsense about the weight differential between vehicles, bikes, and people is meaningless.

I was out riding today throughout the City and it was great to see so many people riding in the bike lanes and enjoying a beautiful day while getting to their destination. It’s unfortunate that people like you want others to give up what you choose not to participate in.

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Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

I am a cyclist. Was the cyclist traveling in the direction of the bike lane? Soooo many cyclists bike in the opposite direction which can wreck havoc.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

The wrong way cycling schtick is a useless criticism. It doesn’t really matter how the bike lanes are used if pedestrians don’t respect them and put themselves in harm’s way.

If this criticism were valid, then how do you explain the numerous 2-way bike lanes that exist all over NYC?

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Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

Boris, where there are two-way bike lanes — and I have never seen one on the UWS – they are marked as such, which alerts those crossing them warning to look both ways. I actually think it would be safer if all bike lanes were two-way. Then pedestrians would be be forced to look both ways, and would have no illusions about traffic only coming from one direction.

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Ralph
Ralph
1 year ago

Simple, no motorized vehicles in bike lanes , period.

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Robert Field
Robert Field
1 year ago

Just walking along or across the drives in Central lPark has become dangerous with scooters, bikes, and other electrified vehicles being driven at twenty miles per hour and sometimes more and at times without regard for pedestrians.

And be cautious about crossing Central Park West with the “walk” sign. Cars at times disregard the traffic signals.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago

It’s really not that difficult to safely cross a bike lane if one is not jaywalking and is paying attention. Pedestrians exaggerate what’s going on to justify their own contribution to the ‘chaos’. The bike lanes actually make the streets safer as the bikes are confined to a controlled area. Unlike on streets like West End & Broadway which have no bike lanes. How do people navigate those avenues without bike lanes to blame?

Besides, it’s not really a problem since the bike lanes are so underused. Isn’t that what people were complaining about when the lanes were installed and they lost a traffic lane?

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John
John
1 year ago
Reply to  Boris

Jay walking, lol the bikes do not stop for red lights or stop signs. There is a right of way law in every state

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Janice
Janice
1 year ago

Dear E-bikers: You need to come to terms with the fact that this is NYC. If you wanna ride a bike, go into the park or move back to the suburbs where you can ride fast to your heart’s content.

I’m sorry, but these bikers are a complete menace. And have been from the word go.

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John
John
1 year ago

This is why I keep saying anything with a motor need to carry liability Insurance. In NYC I would say 1-3 million policy may not even be enough.

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John Yat
John Yat
1 year ago

Cyclists think they can do whatever they want while everyone else can’t. They are very arrogant and entitled while they pretend not to be.

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Boris
Boris
1 year ago
Reply to  John Yat

Same can be said about pedestrians.

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Lawrence Braverman
Lawrence Braverman
1 year ago

You’re a little distracted because 1. you think all the time, 2. there’s restaurants IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET and you’re trying to look at 10 things and 6 directions at once while traversing (along with customers and waiters laden with food trays) that little solitary lane next to the sidewalk n before you know it BANG! You’re laid out by some e-bike barreling silently out of the gloom like a bat out of hell…

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josh
josh
1 year ago
Reply to  Lawrence Braverman

Can I use the same excuse when I am driving? How about if I build a building and it collapses. Or if I was cleaning a gun. When you are crossing the street, especially against the light or mid block, you have to take responsibility for paying attention to your surroundings. It’s your life. Ignore the distractions or you are gambling with your safety. Period.

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JL
JL
1 year ago

@Matt H at 24.2- The carnage from excessive speed combined with the tonnage of vehicles is enormous. The planet Earth stopped spinning on its axis during the first 12 months of the pandemic when 1.6 million people died. Yet we are conditioned to accept 1.3 million fatalities globally from traffic violence and bad driving. It is the only legal way to kill someone in the U.S. if you’re not drunk (or high?).

THIS average happens each and EVERY year. The number doesn’t include the countless millions of injuries AND lives cut short by air pollution. But hey, can’t pass up free parking for my personal use.

NYC is about 5or10 years (pre’19) behind Paris and London in having people friendly car-free public spaces.

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JL
JL
1 year ago

@J at 24.3 – Thank you for asking about the source. People say all kinds of unsubstantiated cr*p on the internet. It is human nature to extrapolate from personal perception, but it’s lazy if not intentionally deceptive. That’s why hard data is important. 100 looks like 100 no matter what planet you’re from.

It is possible to have averages less <1 (statistically insignificant). I understand that "Man Bites Dog" data is hard to find. It was always click bait for local news outlets even before the internet happened. But here are some relevant numbers if we are talking about pedestrian safety and not just episodic bike hate rants.

https://gothamist.com/news/nycs-streets-got-deadlier-in-2020

Last year was "Un…" in so many ways because of the ongoing pandemic with shifts from public transportation to personal ones. If my memory serves me, even in this bicycle-apocalypse, the bicyclist hit pedestrian fatality numbers for 2020 – WAS zero. I think a really bad year in the 25+ that I've been living on WEA topped out at 2 for the whole city.

I know, crazy right? Actual numbers over confirmation bias.

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JL
JL
1 year ago

@Lisa at 25.2- NYPD (6 billion/yr.) has lots of toys, bikes, smart cars, golf carts, gas Vespa type scooters, even a robot dog. I’m not sure what happened to foot patrols in general. Having the boys in blue travelling at the speed of bikes once in a while in the bikelanes will calm things down quite a bit.

It’ll also show how some laws are broken for safety, and in general how vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists are. Maybe they know that already and that’s why they don’t want to get out of their SUVs.

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Sam
Sam
1 year ago

City should banned this kind of electric bike and Bikers should ride in bicycle in Bike lane not racing with NY city Yellow cab drivers,

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