In other words, for each cyclist killed, statistically there’s probably a certain number of cyclists injured. Just curious if anyone has any estimate based on any statistics.

1. I think you should attend.

2a. You might merely make a general statement about lack of driver attention to cyclists

OR

2b. If you think there might be some deterence in making an example of this driver, then call for sanctions.

My feeling is that the extent of your injuries should not be a factor in your decision. Like the broken windows theory, minor accidents from driver inattention are deaths from inattention waiting to happen. You could be dead or severely injured, leaving your wife & children without a husband/father. Be respectful (as I know you will) and firm in your sense of justice to prevent future incidents.

Good luck!

I have a complaint scheduled to be heard tomorrow before the TLC against a cab driver who hit me three months ago. I was proceeding northbound in the Central Park West bike lane at night with all the requisite lights and reflectors, and the cab driver merged right, into the bike lane, preparatory to making a right turn onto the 65th St. Transverse, hitting me and knocking me off my bike.

To his credit, he did not flee the scene or try to blame me. He said he did not see me, and I think that is true (although I think it is also true that he did not look for me). I summoned the police and made out a police report, and I am purusing the insurance company for property damage (my bike and clothes). I was not seriously injured although I am still quite sore in one finger months later.

Should I attend the hearing and argue for the driver to be sanctioned in some way for having hit me?

All of the crash situations, as known from the media or first hand reports are there, with links to the sources. I’ve been over them all, and I would say that a vast majority of them were the result of inattentive and/or downright uncaring drivers and/or faulty infrastructure. The few resulting summons and arrests (reported) are also reported there.

One night I was in a line of traffic, and it was the “dumb motorist” who slammed on the brakes, saving a cyclist who was doing all 3 of these at once. You should check out Bob Mionske’s book “Bicycling and the Law”, particularly Chap. 3 which covers types of bike crashes. It has a great discussion crashes caused by things that cyclists do to reduce their own visibility.

One might argue that large SUVs, because they crush cyclists and pedestrians under the wheels rather than flip them onto the hood (and crash through the side windows of passenger cars), are designed to reduce the survival rate of those outside the vehicle while increasing the survival rate for those inside.

You’re certainly right about Houston Street. I’m a decent cyclist, keep my bike in good condition, wear a helmet, know where and when to be looking for cross traffic, and STILL feel like I’m going to get plowed over every time I’m there.

(And that’s not even mentioning the potholes, construction barricades, etc.)

Note the number of motorcyclist deaths, which has increased exactly 50%, hardly insignificant. I haven’t noticed any great increase in motorcyclists either.

Since cyclists and bikers suffer from the same lack of visibility vis a vis dumb drivers, I would have to conclude that more worse drivers are in the city.

Denton