25th Bicyclist Killed in New York City: New Yorkers Demand Action

Statement of Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“On behalf of Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets, and all New Yorkers committed to safe streets, we send our deepest condolences to the family of the 60-year-old male bicyclist killed by an SUV driver on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens Sunday.

He is the 25th bicyclist killed on our streets this year -- putting 2019 on track to be the deadliest year for bicycling in New York City since 1999.

For years, residents and activists have been demanding protected bike lanes and design changes along the Cross Bay Boulevard due to a series of traffic deaths and serious injuries along the notoriously dangerous road.

As our city struggles with a preventable public health crisis on our streets, made more dangerous by the proliferation of SUVs by car manufacturers, the mayor must fight for the safety of all New Yorkers by accelerating implementation of his signature Vision Zero program, specifically the Green Wave bicycling safety plan. Moreover we urge the New York City Council to pass, and the mayor to sign, Speaker Corey Johnson’s Streets Master Plan bill on October 30th -- a bill that will standardize the type of street treatments, including protected bike lanes, which will save countless lives.”