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Updated: Bicyclist Hit and Killed by Postal Truck Driver on Central Park West

June 30, 2021 | 1:34 PM - Updated on June 5, 2022 | 11:31 PM
in CRIME, NEWS
116


After the collision. Photo by Ken Coughlin.

A 71-year-old man bicycling up on Central Park West on Tuesday was hit and killed by a postal truck driver making a right turn into the park, according to police.

Update: The deceased man’s name is Jeffrey Williamson. According to the latest police report, he was “traveling northbound on Central Park West when he was struck by a United States Postal Service truck that was traveling northbound on Central Park West and attempting to make a right turn to eastbound West 86 Street….No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad.”

The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m., at 86th Street and Central Park West. The victim sustained “severe body trauma” and was taken by ambulance to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police did not release his name on Tuesday night. The postal truck driver remained at the scene. The NYPD is investigating and no charges have been filed. Central Park West has a protected bike lane, although there are gaps at intersections.

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Petra
Petra
3 years ago

So sad!

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Roberta Maxwell
Roberta Maxwell
3 years ago

NYC! 🚴🏽..😢

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Georg CPW
Georg CPW
3 years ago

We need more factual details to understand why the accident happened.

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S
S
3 years ago

Every single time I am biking anywhere in the city this is what I am thinking about.

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Linda
Linda
3 years ago
Reply to  S

Good. Bikers tend to overestimate their visibility to drivers. Don’t forget how quickly a moving bike can zip in and out of a blind spot…
No one starts their day hoping to cause a tragedy. Let’s not make it easy to!

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Anthony
Anthony
3 years ago
Reply to  S

Good, you should be. I have found that strong daytime flashing lights are key to catching attention for cars. being careful at intersections of course. left turns statistically are the most dangerous because drivers can’t see a=on account of the A pillar. riding the wrong way too. I guess I tell myself that being careful, having lights, a helmet, makes it fairly safe

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Leigh
Leigh
3 years ago
Reply to  S

Same. I use my bike to commute to and from work and am so scared to ride anywhere outside of the park. I’m thankful for the bike lanes, but they’re definitely not perfect- especially at intersections like this one.

This is such a tragedy. My heart goes out to his loved ones.

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Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
3 years ago

The USPS trucks speed through the city, blow red lights and swerve in and out of traffic – all with impunity it seems. Have you EVER seen a USPS vehicle receive a traffic ticket? I haven’t, but I’ve almost been run over by one on more than 1 occasion. They are a menace!

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Menachem Goldstein
Menachem Goldstein
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

It’s true. They mail truck drivers drive fast and recklessly. They don’t have license plates and they don’t face any consequences. They’ve reportedly had to settle exorbitant amounts of money in wrongful death suits.

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Big Earl
Big Earl
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

I consider USPS trucks the biggest menace on Columbus. For years I’ve wanted to document their driving. I see Columbus Ave all the time and without doubt the worst speeders are the USPS trucks. And yes, they also run yellow lights only to go another 100 yards and stop at the next red. They scare me and I keep a watchful eye out for them. So sad they took this man’s life.

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Ken
Ken
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

Oddly, it would be equally appropriate to say that bicyclists “speed through the city, blow red lights and swerve in and out of traffic – all with impunity it seems.” Not in any way implying such behavior on the part of this poor man, but if we’re going to argue about the general problem of traffic on the UWS, this should be taken into consideration.

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Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

Have not noted USPS trucks speeding or blowing red lights any more frequently than other cars and trucks.

In order of descending frequency, specified below, I look out for these types of vehicles’ drivers/riders breaking the laws against running reds, driving/riding the wrong way, + making illegal turns:

Throttle ebikes, e-scooters (licensed and not, blade type too), and bicyclists.

Car/truck drivers aren’t on the list, not because they never break traffic laws, but because they do it far less frequently than e-bike/e-scooter drivers and bicyclists.

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Alice
Alice
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

That’s just not true. You’re obviously not looking at New York City drivers. First of all, they don’t know how to drive. If you’ve ever been on a bike in NYC, you would see it clearly. And they do break laws with impunity.

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Boris
Boris
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

That truck shouldn’t have been on CPW which is for passenger cars only. I’d bet that he drove on CPW all the way from Columbus Circle to avoid going two avenues out of way on Amsterdam Ave. They’re on West End and Riverside all the time.

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Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  Boris

Josh,

Should you read Boris’ post to which I responded, Boris favors banning USPS trucks on Central Park West, not banning a specific type of USPS truck. And yes, there is a postal station in the immediate area: Planetarium Station.

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Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Jay,
If YOU read Boris’ post to which you replied, you will see he did not say anything about banning USPS trucks. He just stated that this particular truck should not have been on CPW. Yes, there is a post office in the vicinity, but that doesnt mean this truck can be driven on CPW. CPW is passenger cars only, except for local deliveries, which allows DELIVERY vehicles from USPS to be on the avenue. Bit this truck was not a delivery vehicle making a local delivery.

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Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  Boris

Boris,

You can’t know that the USPS truck came up CPW from 59th street.

Also no mail trucks on CPW would mean no mail at some CPW buildings.

Furthermore, and utterly relevant here, 86th street crosses the park.

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Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Jay, this is not a delivery truck. This is the type of truck they use to transport mail between post offices.

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West Side pedestrian
West Side pedestrian
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

100% right. As a pedestrian, I’ve nearly been hit multiple times by bicyclists going the wrong way, running lights, etc. They’re out of control. Wish the police would start ticketing them.

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Ken
Ken
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Less frequently? Hogwash, Jay. Virtually every driver in NYC, given a clear road ahead, violates the 25 mph speed limit, with impunity. Most drivers will try to “beat the light,” also with impunity unless there happens to be one of the city’s few red light cameras. Many fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists, including the driver of this truck. And, given these vehicles’ size and speed, the result is a horrific toll — nearly 200 pedestrian and cyclist deaths a year and thousands of serious injuries.

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Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  Ken

Ken,

I suggest you read my comment, thereby confirming that your response makes no sense.

I didn’t say anything about drivers of cars not yielding to pedestrians when the cars/trucks have turned.

Nor did I say that car/truck drivers less frequently run reds or speed than USPS trucks.

It is an absolute fact that e-bike drivers blow reds and drive the wrong way far more frequently that car/truck drivers. If you’re claiming otherwise, you don’t live in NYC.

Bicyclists, e-bike and scooter drivers are a significant danger to pedestrians in NYC. That’s because they so frequently break the law.

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Bob
Bob
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Jay,
I should not need to remind you that a man is dead. He had a life, presumably a family, perhaps children and grandchildren. He woke up in the morning, put on his shoes, got dressed, went about his day, and expected to come home — perhaps to his wife or significant other, I don’t know. And he didn’t make it. He had projects, he had plans, he had hopes and dreams, and they’re all gone now. He’s dead.

And yet somehow you’re sitting here using his death as an opportunity to rail against bicycles? I’m not even suggesting that you need some perspective — you need some basic humanity. Sorry, but I don’t think his family cares right now that you got offended at some delivery guy riding on the sidewalk — and using this death as an opportunity to talk about that, to effectively pivot to “well, he’s dead, but he was a cyclist and cyclists, boy, I gotta tell ya,” is just… not something I can fathom doing. I think you shouldn’t either.

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Linda
Linda
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Bob, it appears Jay is responding to a pre-established thread regarding road safety. To prevent future tragedies discourse is required. There were two people involved in the accident and hearing commentary from like-minded parties is how we come up with the most safe, practical and ultimately successful solution.

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Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Then you’ve not been paying attention. Take note next time you see one.

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Wags
Wags
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

Could not agree more with Ish, USPS trucks constantly speed and weave around traffic in a dangerous fashion down Columbus every day. I have often wondered why this has not happened sooner/more.

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Simon
Simon
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

Strangely, they can’t be ticketed, as they don’t have license plates. See this streetsblog article for more info: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2019/08/14/unaccountable-the-united-states-postal-service-is-a-rogue-company-delivering-road-violence/

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Boris
Boris
3 years ago
Reply to  Simon

The drivers can be ticketed for moving violations. USPS trucks are a menace especially when they’re racing down streets that are for passenger cars only.

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20/20 Vision
20/20 Vision
3 years ago
Reply to  Ish Kabibble

Ish Kabibble (may I call you “Ish”?): You seem to be confusing USPS trucks with motorized delivery bikes. I bet you’d likewise mistake Don King for Telly Savalas.

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Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
3 years ago
Reply to  20/20 Vision

Guessing you work for the Post Office. It’s okay!!

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EdNY
EdNY
3 years ago

Who had the light?

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EdNY
EdNY
3 years ago
Reply to  EdNY

Sorry, they both apparently had the same light. A matter of both yielding (driver) and being extra-cautious (bicyclist).

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Sid
Sid
3 years ago
Reply to  EdNY

The cyclist had the right of way. He had a green GO light for the bike lane, while the truck had a flashing yellow turn signal, to indicate a slow careful turn.

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Zeb
Zeb
3 years ago

The tragic problem is the street design. Drivers certainly should look before they cross over the bike lane to make their right or left turns. But the streets aren’t designed to encourage that. Although the car is legally required to yield, both the driver and cyclist have a green light — and we know who loses that battle. Bike lanes can be great. But the city needs to do a much better job designing the streets to avoid these awful events. Sadly, we can’t rely on drivers to follow the yield rules.

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Kevin F
Kevin F
3 years ago
Reply to  Zeb

This is factually inaccurate. At this intersection, the drivers turning right have a yellow turning arrow, not a green light. The onus is on the drivers to obey the yellow arrow.

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Zeb Landsman
Zeb Landsman
3 years ago
Reply to  Kevin F

Good point. Thanks for the correction. I was speaking generally.

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Romke Hoogwaerts
Romke Hoogwaerts
3 years ago
Reply to  Kevin F

A yellow arrow doesn’t do a whole lot to prevent accidents if the driver can’t see the bike lane clearly.

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Martin
Martin
3 years ago
Reply to  Romke Hoogwaerts

?!? The bike lane is directly to the driver’s right. If the driver can’t see that it runs alongside them nearly the entire stretch of CPW, then they shouldn’t have a driver’s license. Similarly, the driver should understand the meaning behind a flashing yellow turning light.

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sean
sean
3 years ago

It is a mess everywhere on the UWS. Delivery bikes are on every sidewalk just yesterday even though the bike lane was open.. What is going on. Electrical bikes and electrical scooters are going too fast in bike lanes and through lights. It is pandemonium.. We were in lockdown and anything became acceptable because pedestrians were not out and about like now.. I am not surprised at the poor actress killed by the electrical bike not other accidents. It is one BIG CONFUSION.. Not sure what happened here.. But, it is one big mess up here 😰

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Dani
Dani
3 years ago
Reply to  sean

Is this just a problem on the UWS?

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RAL
RAL
3 years ago
Reply to  Dani

no. Citibike riding in bike lanes on the east side is terrifying – third avenue and thereabouts.

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Wayne
Wayne
3 years ago
Reply to  sean

Sean is right on the money with this. I have been biking on the UWS since 1973 and it was manageable until the proliferation of unmonitored bike lanes without one-way enforcement and the inexplicable hazard of e-bikes allowed to use them. I think it is safer to ride in the street where the hazards are more forseeable. I am not optimistic that the city will act on this. That inevitably manes more death and injuries.

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Deb
Deb
3 years ago
Reply to  Wayne

“the proliferation of unmonitored bike lanes without one-way enforcement” – are you saying that police should be enforcing the same set of rules to cyclists that would apply to drivers of cars (i. e.: Observing traffic signals and signs, riding in the correct direction on a one way street, etc) ? Maybe it’s time for all cyclists to be licensed, have their bikes registered, and carry insurance, the same as drivers of cars.

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Linda
Linda
3 years ago
Reply to  Deb

Very thoughtful point Deb. An expansion of education and accountability has the potential to really improve safety outcomes.

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George zyourke
George zyourke
3 years ago

A friend of mine had her son on a bicycle killed by a apostal truck asking a left turn in rooklyn about eight years ago. It was devastating. The son was with his father, also on a bicycle.some drivers are not well trained.

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Naomi B Bishop
Naomi B Bishop
3 years ago

Those trucks whiz by and it is still “snail mail.” I’ve had a few near-miss runner vs. auto encounters at that intersection. It’s scary. This was a tragedy and I hope it triggers some action.

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Juan
Juan
3 years ago

So sad. My condolences.

I’m not sure what the proper solution to this is. I drive very rarely. However, if I am taking a left turn off Amsterdam (turning across the bike lane), I am always very concerned and cautious. I do my best to see if bikers are coming since they theoretically have the right of way (similar to pedestrians), but they are often hard to see and can approach fairly quickly, unlike pedestrians.

Drivers should be more careful but it is challenging. And bikers can’t be expected to stop at every intersection.

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CC
CC
3 years ago
Reply to  Juan

You nailed the solution! Drivers being more careful, being held accountable, and infrastructure and education to promote understanding that bikes can share the road with cars safely in a dense urban environment

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Amanda Tory
Amanda Tory
3 years ago
Reply to  CC

Solution: Mandatory biker safety education; biker law education; mandatory biker licensing; mandatory biker insurance; mandatory helmet use; increased penalties (including prison) for biker infractions and felonious behavior; increased enforcement.

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RAL
RAL
3 years ago
Reply to  CC

when cycling I am super cautious at intersections with turning traffic – both sides – I slow down to let the car go or make eye contact with oncoming to make sure they see me coming through – I might have the right of way with the light but am not going to take my chance on enforcing that right against a vehicle more like to kill me – I am surprised this does not happen more. And by the way – never come close to hitting a pedestrian – but had more than a few nearly hit me stepping in front of me etc.- so enough already with the blanket statements about cyclists.

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adam
adam
3 years ago

NEEDED: New infrastructure to accommodate the various forms of transport (including the bipedal variety)! What we have now isn’t safe.

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SSchwartz
SSchwartz
3 years ago

This is horrible. I don’t drive in the city very often, but last week i was making a left turn off Amsterdam onto 87th St. and nearly hit a cyclist coming up on my left. He must have been in my blind spot when I started to make the turn because i didn’t see him. He seemed to come out of nowhere. Luckily I was moving slowly and just managed to avoid hitting him. But it was a scary scene (for me).

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CC
CC
3 years ago
Reply to  SSchwartz

He came out of nowhere! Likely from that big green bike lane you crossed over to turn left!

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Lorrie
Lorrie
3 years ago
Reply to  SSchwartz

This is so upsetting. I was in a cab at that intersection shortly after it happened, and I saw the victim being put in an ambulance. It was upsetting enough at the time, but now knowing he didn’t make it really angers me. I’ve been living in the city since 1967, and I hardly recognize it any more.

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Lulu
Lulu
3 years ago
Reply to  SSchwartz

Only one comment here mentions the proliferation of wheeled vehicles on sidewalks. Note the word side-walk.
Cyclists, motorized scooters, and little kids with three wheeled scooters zoom around from behind, no bell or word of warning. And from head on, when I see a laden delivery bike barreling through a crowded sidewalk with eyes on his phone, I just don’t know which direction to jump. A loud “hey!” from me almost always gets a yelled “f—- you”. Dustin Hoffman would have said “WE’RE WALKIN’ HERE!!” And of course it’s not safe for any walker to complain out loud.
It’s only a matter of time until walkers anywhere become easy prey for two wheeled racers on sidewalks or crossroads. We need a solution yesterday already.

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Bob
Bob
3 years ago
Reply to  Lulu

I suspect that so few comments here are talking about sidewalks because a man is dead and the only connection between his death and sidewalks is that he was a cyclist — not one who ever rode on a sidewalk, as far as we know, but, you know, a cyclist. So why, exactly, should this man’s death be an opportunity to discuss some other annoyance you feel regarding cycling?

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Sid
Sid
3 years ago
Reply to  SSchwartz

Traveling north on Amsterdam on 78th, the cyclist did not “come out of nowhere,” there is a clearly marked and delineated protected bike lane.

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A
A
3 years ago
Reply to  Sid

This is ridiculous. Cars DO have blind spots, and if the bicyclist happens to be in one then they are almost impossible to see. Turning at intersections one also has to be aware of other cars AND pedestrians in addition to bikers. There is a lot going on and it is not always the driver’s fault.

My condolences to this man’s family. It is a difficult situation for all, as I’m sure the driver is also a decent person and likely regretful for the outcome as well.

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Paul
Paul
3 years ago
Reply to  SSchwartz

The safe way to make that turn is to stop before crossing the bike lane.

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Tag Gross
Tag Gross
3 years ago

This exact type of accident was brought up by numerous people at the community board meetings held about the CPW bike lane. A proposal passed essentially over a July 4th weekend when many residents were away. This lane was opposed by the majority of residents of the community. The DOT and CB7 never bothered to study turning the eastern sidewalk along the park into a bike lane or making the park drive two-way. New bike lanes are not the answer to every tragedy or situation. The dangerous conditions that continue to get worse on the UWS are the result of an agenda driven by Transportation Alternatives. It consists of initiatives that are not based on what works for the neighborhood and its residents but instead on the politics of TA and its members on CB7. The proof is now in. CB7 has made our community less safe.

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Maggie Parker Brown
Maggie Parker Brown
3 years ago

I’m taking my life into my own hands every single time I start pedaling. I’m super cautious and have a healthy fear of traffic. This is tragic.

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D
D
3 years ago

The opening scene of the new Stephen king book is set at this intersection where a male bicyclist is killed.

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PJS
PJS
3 years ago

The so-called “separate” bike lane is a disaster for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. A car making a right turn across the bike lane can’t see the bicycle behind the parked cars creating the separation zone. The cyclist can’t readily see the car. Without the bike lane, a cyclist should be riding in the middle of the right-hand lane, where a vehicle (car or bicycle) is both expected and visible. Bike lanes on the curb side of the parked cars were a nice try, but have failed miserably. I hope NYC will eliminate this awful design. How many more people need to be killed?

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Matt H
Matt H
3 years ago
Reply to  PJS

There actually are no parked cars on the northbound right hand side of CPW any more. The protection in the case of this “protected” bike lane is an extra-wide striped buffer where the old unprotected bike lane and half the curbside parking lane used to be.

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Lisa
Lisa
3 years ago
Reply to  PJS

PJS, I agree. But – what about getting “doored”? That’s why the parked cars were used as a barrier. Problem is, you can still get doored by someone exiting the passenger side.

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Sam Koo
Sam Koo
3 years ago

The other day I was waiting for the crosswalk to clear before I made left turn on 79th and Amsterdam.
Suddenly a man on his bike slammed into my car causing a damage.
When I tried to see if he was ok he ran. I should say biked away. I am left with $500 repair bill.
Most bicycle accidents are caused by speeders and people like this person.

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Matt H
Matt H
3 years ago
Reply to  Sam Koo

Man the cyclist approaching from your 7 o’clock? Legally you were at fault for failure to yield, then. Be happy that it was just $500 in property damage and nothing more serious.

Though of course the cyclist should have stayed on the scene.

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Matt H
Matt H
3 years ago
Reply to  Matt H

“Was the cyclist”, not “Man the cyclist”, oops.

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Kelly
Kelly
3 years ago

Who has right of way in that situation? Making a right turn, I always watch for pedestrians but if turning right and a biker speeds past me on the right, I may not always expect it if keeping an eye on the pedestrians in the crosswalk. Having a bike lane to the right of a right hand turn lane seems inherently dangerous.

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Bob
Bob
3 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

The cyclist. Sorry, that’s pretty basic driving knowledge — traffic proceeding straight has the right of way over traffic turning except where there’s a light. It’s the same as asking whether you have the right of way turning left across traffic; you do not.

I mean, I’m glad you asked — but it scares me that people don’t know that.

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MS
MS
3 years ago

It’s not about type of vehicle. I was just riding my bike on CPW yesterday and today and had to slam on my brakes and screech to a halt as a car going full speed, not even slowing down, took right turn right in front of me. We BOTH had green light going in same direction. It’s pure insanity. If my bike was another car, no way in HELL that car would’ve just turned right like that before cutting across another lane of traffic, which is what essentially the bike lane is and should be seen as! And I was on normal old school bike, no motor, going normal bike speed.

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Joanne on Wheels
Joanne on Wheels
3 years ago

This is truly tragic. My heart goes out to his family.

But to be honest, these days when cycling (mostly on bike paths) I am more scared of other cyclists, many who are completely out of control. I am also scared of those riding the electric bikes/scooters/hover boards, etc. They are not allowed on bike roads but ride on them anyway.

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Paul
Paul
3 years ago

We need a rule, full stop before turning across a bike lane where such turn involves both the vehicle and the bike having a green light.

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Peter & Mary
Peter & Mary
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

We need a rule: cyclists stop at all traffic lights to avoid hitting pedestrians.

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EdNY
EdNY
3 years ago
Reply to  Peter & Mary

We already have that one.

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Marina
Marina
3 years ago

Notwithstanding that any death is not a good thing, the bike situation on NYC has become a free for all. The problem is that there is no regulation, no enforcement and no penalties. It is a fine thing to try to emulate European cities that have had a longer tradition of biking, but perhaps emulating their rules and regulations might be timely. In Sweden, bikes are licensed, people must wear helmets and florescent vests or banners, the bikes must have lights-front and back, the riders are subject to ticketing if they violate the road rules which include where to “park”the bikes and above all, these are all enforced. So if we want a new culture of bike riding which must coexist with cars (not everyone can bike) and pedestrians, some effort must be made to make clear what the rules are and enforce them. Camera catch red light violators when they drive, for instance, so they could do the same for bicyclists, e-bikers and motor bikes.

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Boris
Boris
3 years ago
Reply to  Marina

You are absolutely wrong about Sweden’s bike laws. They don’t exist the way you described them. Post a link if you feel otherwise.

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John
John
3 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Are you making this up are are you just confused? In Sweden, there is no mandatory helmet law if you are over the age of 15. Bikes are NOT licensed and cyclists are not required to wear reflective vests nor are they required to have banners. Lights are required ONLY at night time. Don’t post fake news.

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Samantha Stevens
Samantha Stevens
3 years ago
Reply to  John

@John: This is most certainly the law, and has been for hundreds of years, including in the more urban parts of Andorra and throughout the European Union. Stop already with your fake-refuting of REAL history!

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Boris
Boris
3 years ago
Reply to  Samantha Stevens

I have cycled extensively in Europe, andaround the world, and can confirm that what you describe is not totally inaccurate.

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Lisa
Lisa
3 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Marina, this is the best comment ever.

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Annie
Annie
3 years ago
Reply to  Marina

Great comment! In Amsterdam, police observe at busy intersections and ticket cars AND bicyclists who run through red lights. The problem in NYC for pedestrians is that bicyclists don’t observe traffic rules. No one in Amsterdam would dare ride a bike on the sidewalks.

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Sid
Sid
3 years ago

Similar situation of a tanker truck swinging right across the CPW bike lane at 86th st. was captured on camera last fall:

https://twitter.com/jeffnovich/status/1326671737082290178

Notoriously bad intersection.

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James Goodman
James Goodman
3 years ago

We need more facts, but with the dramatic increase in bicycle traffic there needs to be a corresponding increase in car and truck awareness of the possibility that there is a bicycle where there wasn’t one before. If the bicycle and truck were approaching the intersection at the same time, the bicycle has the right of way, but it might very well have been in the trucks blind spot or hard to see. The bicycle entered the intersection at 86, the truck turned, and that was the end of the cyclist’s life. Not too great for the truck driver either.

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js
js
3 years ago
Reply to  James Goodman

Since Covid, many more cyclists (and skateboards and t-scooters) on the street and with explosion in ecommerce, also more delivery trucks.

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BZ
BZ
3 years ago

I have called USPS about their drivers at least 5 times over the last few years. Many of them blow lights and speed through turns. They are responsive over the phone. But sadly it still continues. And UPS, Sanitation and the private garbage haulers are just as bad

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Nili Baider
Nili Baider
3 years ago

I don’t think NYC is meant for safe bike riding. Too much traffic and too dangerous.
Unfortunately bicyclist go through red lights and against traffic. Being myself a driver and a former ciclyst, I am so cautious, since I never know what to expect.
It is heartbreaking to hear of someone loosing their life.

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Robert Goodman
Robert Goodman
3 years ago

Isn’t it way past the time to ban USPS trucks from the wide city streets reserved for bicyclists?

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Josh
Josh
3 years ago

Seeing the picture of the truck, this crash never should have happened because that truck should not have been making a right turn off of CPW because that truck should not have been on CPW. CPW is for passenger cars onpy.

USPS vehicles cannot get parking tickets because they don’t have license plates. But the drivers are able to be cited for any moving violation. That driver needs to be charged. Had the driver not been illegally driving on CPW, the crash never would have happened. This is in addition to being cited for failure to yield and being charged under the ROW law.

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Nene Ecrasé
Nene Ecrasé
3 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Can reckless, safety-threatening cyclists be ticketed for endangering innocent pedestrians? If not, why not? Think of the children!

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Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  Nene Ecrasé

Yes, they can. A cyclist can be ticketed for any traffic infraction a police officer witnesses in the same way a driver can.

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Sarah
Sarah
3 years ago

Tragic. Condolences to this man’s loved ones.

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Lady Di
Lady Di
3 years ago

sorry but I’ve experienced more “near misses” from bicycles, scooters and ebikes, both on the sidewalk and while crossing the street than I have by USPS, UPS, Fedex or Sanitation trucks. Neither cars nor trucks can sneak up on you and are big enough to see(and hear) coming if, as I do, you look both ways and don’t walk with your head down with your face in your cell phone.

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will
will
3 years ago
Reply to  Lady Di

Of the 100+ pedestrians who die in traffic accidents in the city every year, less than one per year is caused by a collision with a bike. The rest are cars. So cars are over 100 times more likely to kill you as a pedestrian than a bike, yet you think bikes are more dangerous?

sources: https://nypost.com/2019/08/31/nyc-bicyclists-are-killing-pedestrians-and-the-city-wont-stop-it/

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

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Alice
Alice
3 years ago
Reply to  will

Thank you. People are entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts.

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JC
JC
3 years ago

The addition of the bike lane on CPW increased hazards all around, but 86th is a particularly dangerous intersection with cars turning in different directions, bikers and motorized scooter riders who don’t slow down or obey the lights — some going in the wrong direction in the bike lane. It’s also an area highly trafficked by children crossing to school buses or entering/exiting the park. There needs to be attention paid at all the big intersections on CPW where you can cross to the East Side to make it safer — either by having a guard there during school/rush hours or something. It is not safe.

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Barbara Bee
Barbara Bee
3 years ago

Without hearing exactly what happened my money is on the postal service truck. They are some of the worst traffic offenders. They speed. Pull out as if they have the right of way.many time I have been endangered both as a pedestrian and a driver. If you see something say something

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jan
jan
3 years ago

Dear Lord get all bikes off NYC street

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Josh
Josh
3 years ago
Reply to  jan

This comment was found worthy of publication?!

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Bob
Bob
3 years ago
Reply to  Josh

It’s really appalling. I can’t imagine the lives these people live that they see the death of this human being as an opportunity to express anti-cycling sentiment. And honestly I’m more than a little disappointed with the West Side Rag for letting them use this as a forum to do so. Mr. Williamson deserves better from his neighbors.

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Steen
Steen
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob

100% agree, Bob. So many people on here using this tragic story of a man dying on a bicycle to somehow blame cyclists for every evil in NYC. Over and over, this blog really shows me the ugly, secret side of so many of my neighbors.

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Bebe McPhuckinjosh
Bebe McPhuckinjosh
3 years ago
Reply to  Josh

And this one?

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Susan
Susan
3 years ago
Reply to  jan

I was nearly hit by bikes over and over
it is impossible to function in such a busy city with bikes flying in every direction with no rules. At night the ebikes are flying criss cross, pedestrians are not safe at all
either our city cleans up or we all clean out

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Bob
Bob
3 years ago

I am appalled, but not shocked, by the number of people here whose response to this tragic death is to immediately pivot to “well, sure, he’s dead, but bicyclists… well, you know, they’re awful.” No. That’s not an appropriate response. That’s not a human response. It’s not a response that I think this blog should be supporting. If you’re incapable of just saying that this is a tragedy and condolences to the family, if you know you will inevitably see this as an opportunity to take a sideways swipe at the deceased because of his mode of transport… maybe this is a good chance not to say anything at all.

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Matt H
Matt H
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Hear hear. The ghoulish responses we’re saddened (but not shocked) to see here are appalling.

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Kay Tehodas
Kay Tehodas
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob

How about ceasing and desisting with telling everyone else what’s ‘appropriate’, and go out and collect signatures to mandate enforcement of basic traffic safety laws, such as bicycles NOT operating on sidewalks, and mandatory stops by cyclists at ALL traffic signals?

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RAL
RAL
3 years ago
Reply to  Kay Tehodas

you are a sad individual. This mans death has nothing to do with stopping at a red light. He got run over by a truck!

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dannyb
dannyb
3 years ago

A related issue is the lack of side/safety barriers on the postal trucks. NYC is installing these on its fleet (slower than we’d like, but at least trying). These should be mandated for _all_ trucks, and as soon as possible.
Would these have saved this bicyclist? Can’t be certain, but definitely would have improved the chances. And, of course, plenty more in the future.

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Harlemrunner
Harlemrunner
3 years ago

Biking in NYC is the greatest example of social Darwinism. It is obvious how inherently dangerous it is because of the intrinsic nature of NYC yet time and time again the solution is to continually encourage the growth of this dangerous hobby and wonder why tragedies increase. I’m an exercise fanatic run marathons, back country ski but I have the sense to realize biking in the city should be restricted to parks as the inherent dangers that make NYC , NYC are not conducive to safe biking.

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Harlemskier
Harlemskier
3 years ago

Bikers complaining about biking being dangerous in NYC is like smokers complaining about smoking being dangerous. The practice is dangerous. You chose to do it. You shouldn’t be surprised at the outcome.

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Erica
Erica
3 years ago

Obviously, transportation and safety is important to a lot of people in this thread. For those who want to give feedback to the NYC Dept. of Transportation, they are starting a planning process, beginning with a survey and following with neighborhood workshops. Take 10 min and fill out this survey to tell the DOT your thoughts:
https://live.metroquestsurvey.com/?u=th1v1l#!/?p=web&pm=dynamic&s=1&popup=WTD

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stu
stu
3 years ago

with more bikes on the road i’m afraid there will be many more incidents like this. At times, it is very difficult to see the bikes coming from behind. There are corners such as Amsterdam and 79th Street where both cars and bikes have the green turn signal at the same time. With more cars on the road it is time for the city to try to figure out how to get along with them instead of eliminating them

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CHRIS
CHRIS
3 years ago

i worked with Jeff at an ad agency when I was first starting out. This is tragic.

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Wendy
Wendy
3 years ago

I passed by this (on my bike) about 1 1/2 hours after it happened . Many police still there plus the truck. It was all roped off. Very sad and unfortunately at intersections like these, the dedicated bike lanes break. I don’t think there is a right arrow there, or a red/green light for bikes (unlike the intersection light for turning left on W. 86th and Columbus). RIP and hopefully they can improve this intersection so it never happens again. As cyclists, we can never assume that we are easily seen by cars and trucks, especially passing them on the right side….carpe diem and drivers/cyclists, please be careful and aware, always.

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Anon
Anon
3 years ago

There’s a usps truck that bucks down Columbus ave in the 90s running every red light. I’m never quick enough to get a plate. It’s blatant recklessness and disregard for safety.

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Matt H
Matt H
3 years ago
Reply to  Anon

usps trucks don’t have plates! The truck number is painted onto the body somewhere or other tho.

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Estelle ESWS
Estelle ESWS
3 years ago

Six degrees of separation: I and others have come to know through others, bicyclists who have been killed.
It requires courage to ride a bicycle. I was knocked down by a taxi driver I 2017 and sustained a fracture. The driver claims that I fell down and there had been I contact. I had the light; I was walking in the crosswalk. It takes courage to walk across the street.

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