New York Fatal Bicycle Accident Statistics
Total Traffic-Related Deaths in Recent Years
From 2010 to 2015, the state of New York had statistically minor increases and decreases in total traffic-related fatalities. In 2010, the state had 1,201 total traffic deaths. This figure decreased slightly in 2011 and 2012 and rose back up to 1,202 in 2013. In 2015, this number went down again to 1,121.
Fatal Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2010, there were 36 total bicyclist/cyclist deaths resulting from car accidents. This number rose to 57 in 2011, went down to 45 in 2012, down further to 40 in 2013, then went up to 46 in 2014 and finally in 2015, went down to 36, the lowest it has been in the last few years.
State Laws for Bicycle Users
In the state, there are specific laws in place that cyclists must follow. First, bike riders are obligated to follow the same basic rules of the road that drivers of motor vehicles must abide by. This includes following the same right-of-way rules, obeying traffic control devices and using their signal when turning.
Bicyclists are permitted to share the roadways with motor vehicles. However, bike riding is prohibited on interstate highways and expressways. Bicycle riders must also ride in the same direction traffic is flowing. When there is a bicycle lane, a cyclist must use that rather than the roadway.
Bicycle Equipment Required by State Law
For the safety of its residents, this state regulates bike riding equipment. The state requires that all bicyclists through the age of 13 must wear helmets. Bike passengers from the ages of one through four are also obligated to ride in child safety seats. The law does not permit any infant under the age of one to be a passenger on a bicycle. If a child is found to be riding a bike without wearing a helmet the parent can be issued a fine.
In addition to these state laws, there are different city ordinances to be aware of. For instance, some cities and counties require all bike riders to be wearing a helmet while riding, rather than just up through age 13 which is required under the state law.
Bikes must also have the proper brakes (ones that allow the tires to skid on level and dry pavement), and the bikes are required to have a bell or other sound-making device that can be heard at least one mile away. The sound cannot be a siren or whistle noise.
Vision Zero – New York City’s Safety Plan
Vision Zero is a program developed by the mayor of the City of New York, Bill de Blasio. The goal is to significantly reduce traffic injury and death –ideally, all the way down to zero. Some efforts of the program include increasing New York Police Department crash investigation training and implementing more red-light cameras. The use of red-light cameras has already reduced serious injuries and deaths on the roadways.
Other aspects of the program include engineer restructuring to make changes at intersections and areas of the roadway that would make riding safer for bike riders and walking safer for pedestrians. Easier access pedestrian signals at busy locations are also being incorporated. These safety measures are aimed at reducing all traffic-related injuries and deaths.