As ride-sharing services become more prevalent in big cities across the nation, Bike-sharing companies are not far behind. Numerous organizations have developed networks of public-use bicycles distributed around the city designed for use at low costs. These self-serve bike stations are commonly placed in close proximity to public transportation hot spots so people can get from a bus to work, for example, without having to walk a great distance. Unfortunately, adding this much non-motorist traffic to already-crowded thoroughfares can prove deadly. While reported vehicle-bicycle collisions are scattered, there was a recent wreck that ended in fatality for a Citi Bike rider. A man was pedaling south on the Henry Hudson Parkway just after midnight on October 7th when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. Doctors treated the man at a nearby hospital after the collision. Unfortunately, he could not be saved. Citi Bike is only one of many bike-sharing options for commuters in and around New York City. Unfortunately, these riders face a multitude of accident types, including:
- Driver negligence: Drivers of cars, trucks and motorcycles can fail to see bicyclists. Whether this is due to distracted driving, impaired driving or drowsy driving, they can cross through dedicated bike lanes, miss warning signals or pass through an intersection without identifying non-motorist traffic.
- Road conditions: Potholes, cracks and other road defects can cause a bike-share rider to lose control or swerve to miss hazards. Unfortunately, avoiding one danger might force them to face another.
- Dooring: It is not uncommon for the driver of a motor vehicle to park and quickly jump out of the car or truck without looking for pedestrian or bicycle traffic. When this happens, passing cyclists can hit the open door leading to serious injuries.
This post first appeared on NY Injury Law Blog | Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick, please read the originial post: here
