November 22, 1997
Killers on Wheels? City's Cyclists Are More Likely to Be Victims
To the Editor:
Re "On Sidewalk, Fatal Collision With Bicyclist" (news article, Nov. 20): This tragedy will further contribute to the understandable unpopularity of bicyclists in New York, as shown by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's declaring that "bicycles are a very big quality-of-life problem."
Responsible cyclists are more often victims than perpetrators, with 16 cyclist fatalities this year. The few existing bike lanes are so often used as turning lanes, standing lanes and drop-off lanes for taxis that I find them more dangerous than car lanes.
I applaud the efforts of Transportation Alternatives to promote courteous riding in the group's "Give Respect, Get Respect" campaign.
More police summonses issued to reckless cyclists (and to the business owners employing them) would also help.
But better enforcement of traffic laws and more efforts by drivers and pedestrians to respect cyclists on the streets could encourage them to stay off sidewalks.
RICHARD ROBBINS
New York, Nov. 20, 1997
Ban Sidewalk Skaters
To the Editor:
The death of a pedestrian who was hit by a bicycle has led to renewed calls for stricter laws against reckless cyclists (news article, Nov. 20).
Any bill should also ban in-line skating on sidewalks. I have treated a number of pedestrians for significant injuries from collisions with skaters.
EDGAR D. ALTCHEK , M.D.
New York, Nov. 20, 1997
Mandate Safety Features [Ban fixed gear bikes]
To the Editor:
As a longtime recreational and competitive cyclist, I hate to hear stories like "On Sidewalk, Fatal Collision With Bicyclist" (news article, Nov. 20). Bicycles are a great mode of transportation, but any time they are used recklessly, something tragic can happen.
I've been amazed at how many cyclists use bicycles without brakes and with fixed gears that make it virtually impossible to stop pedaling. New York City should consider banning these bicycles and regulating safety features. Cyclists should also undergo training just like the driver of a commercial motor vehicle.
JOHN -ANDREW MURPHY
South Bend, Ind., Nov. 19, 1997
Drivers Flout Laws
To the Editor:
The death of a pedestrian struck by a bicyclist who was riding on the sidewalk (news article, Nov. 20) is tragic, yet Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's comment that "bicycles are a very big quality-of-life problem" misses the mark. As you note, fatalities due to pedestrian-bicycle collisions are uncommon. A greater risk to pedestrians is the disobeying of traffic laws by drivers.
Every day in New York, at almost every intersection, drivers break the law by going through red lights or failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk while making a turn. Yet there is no attempt by the police to stop these lawbreakers. There is also no attempt to control traffic at gridlocked intersections like those near the entrances to the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. Pedestrians must pass through traffic mayhem when trying to cross at these intersections.
ANDREW WOLFRAM
Brooklyn, Nov. 20, 1997
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