Bad accident--bikes going against traffic on 23rd St.

I'm not gonna pretend I'm not guilty of the same thing with riding against traffic but I've only done it later at night when there's not as many cars goin up and down the streets. I'd NEVER do it on the avenues though, especially 4th. That's just asking for a big mess. Regardless, it's a bad move cause even at night you get the drivers who figure the same thing you are, "hey there's nobody else on the road right now". Not worth it to save yourself having to ride one more block over.

That sucks.

People need to remember that there is no protection when you're on a bike (or motorcycle) and be even extra careful.

It sounds like they just crashed on their own accord, but imagine how bad a driver would have felt if they were involved. A girl I used to know hit somebody who darted out in front of traffic out of nowhere. Wasn't the driver's fault at all, but haunted her for years.

Hell, it's all you can do not to be hit by some cars even when you're being careful and obeying the laws. Riding like that just lacks common sense (and of course they didn't DESERVE to get hurt, but need some better decision-making skills...both of them).

delurking to add...

I'm a cyclist, and have been known to break a traffic rule or two, including riding the wrong way on that block. Part of the draw of riding the wrong way down that block is because it is next to the cemetery -- as opposed to the parallel street, with its many parked cars, driveways, kids running out into the street and other risks. You do generate a lot of speed, unless you totally ride your brakes.

Now, granted, it sounds like these kids were intentionally going for a thrill. But non-thrill seekers do it too. Sometimes it feels safer to do the wrong thing.

Agree with chipster: this behavior won't change until bike lanes are well marked and sensible, don't suddently end, depositing you in the middle of busy intersections, or take you the longest possible point from a to b.

Subject: Re: Bad accident--bikes going against traffic on 23rd St.

lostingreenwoodhts wrote: folks on the block who now have to look both ways on a one way street

You should always do this.

Subject: Re: Bad accident--bikes going against traffic on 23rd St.

lostingreenwoodhts wrote: OK, finally happened!

This past Saturday night (09.08.07) right after dark fire trucks and EMS galore...why? Young couple from 6th Ave riding down 23rd St. on a bike, he peddling, she on the handlebars...fast as heck and against traffic. He slams on the front breaks, both go ass-over-teacups and it looks REAL BAD. Her leg was definitely broken in several places and not sure of her boyfriend. Very bad news.

This is bad for:

A. bikers going the wrong way on one of the steepest hills in Bklyn
B. folks on the block who now have to look both ways on a one way street
C. bad for motorists going the RIGHT WAY up the hill having to swerve to avoid bikers

Any thoughts? Why to cyclists (not all, I understand) not have to obey traffic laws? :evil:

Thoughts? Agreement? Disagreement?

Sorry, I don't quite get this post. :scratch:

I don't see how this creates an issue for the rest of us. I read this story as two morons competing for a Darwin award. :clown: :ncool:

lostingreenwoodhts wrote: qtrain, first, awesome avatar (I have a similar photo).

Thanks! It's a crop from this photo. Did you hear that they are adding seven stories to that building?

Riding against traffic is stupid and puts bikers actually following traffic rules in danger.

And she was on the handlebars? On a busy street? Uphill?

Sorry, they're idiots.

lostingreenwoodhts wrote: Bike lanes on a one way street (uphill) is ridiculous, sorry. Avenues I can agree with, wide streets, well OK (though 9th St. is a MESS), but our block is silly.

Next time I almost get hit by someone barrel-assing down the block (sorry curlygirl, I think ALL bikers going the wrong way down are block are either "thrill seekers" do to the speed and the cemetery views OR are plain old lazy and can't deal with 22nd St.) I'll make sure to point out how "safe" it is do do the wrong thing.

My 2 cents as a frustrated resident and one who's also concerned for everyone's safety: cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.

A grouchy 2 cents. :evil:

I don't want to detract from the criticism of the idiocy of those particular cyclists: riding someone on handlebars is dangerous period, down a steep hill even more so. And I'm guessing they weren't wearing helmets. But from what I read about the acccident, the fact that they were going the wrong way down a one way street actually seems not to have played into the accident at all. They were going too fast, hit the brakes too hard, and flipped. So what does the one way street have to do with it?

Cyclists break traffic rules for one of two reasons: it is either more expedient or safer. There is no "expedience" reason to go down 23rd st rather than 22nd -- southbound, you come to 22nd first, so you're not getting anywhere faster. That leaves safety. When I have gone the wrong way down 23rd, it's because it has less traffic than 22nd, because it is a quieter block with fewer risk of things coming out at you (yes, pedestrians, cars from driveways, whatever), and thus since you will be getting some speed up because of the hill no matter how hard you ride your brakes, it is safer.

As for the expediency thing: it really irks me when I hear pedestrians complain about cyclists not obeying traffic rules. When was the last time you stood on a curb and waited for a light to change? Here's what 99 percent of NYC pedestrians do: you step off the curb into traffic, move into the lane at least as far as the parked car and usually a little bit farther to stick your nose out and check and see if there's any traffic coming, and as soon as there is a free patch, you jaywalk. It's the New York way. Cyclists running red lights is really no different.

I'm not saying that a bike lane should be put going the wrong way on 23rd street. But having a bike route that takes into account the fact that the cemetery is an unavoidable obstacle that means that any southbound cyclist is going to have to go down the hill and then get on either pothole and construction-ridden 5th ave (not helped by the fact that the 5th ave "bike lane" dies abruptly in the upper teens), or 4th or 3rd Ave -- this is a traffic reality, not just a pedestrian's problem.

Ok. Getting off soapbox.

Cyclists break traffic rules for one of two reasons: it is either more expedient or safer.

While I agree that many cyclists have these reasons, just as most are responsible riders, some are just inconsiderate <insert>. Those are, of course, the people who get all the attention. It's similar to the debates I often have about motorcycles. I'm a bit more sympathetic, probably because when on a motorcycle I was freaked out by cars tailgating and I noticed how motorcycles are ignored. It's all about point-of-view.

As a driver and pedestrian (probably in equal amounts), I get annoyed at everyone (probably in equal amounts). I know there have been times that I have come too close to peds while making a left turn, and I know I've been guilty of scurrying across the street against the light. I do one less and the other not-at-all now that I have an infant with me.

It all becomes moot when a car goes through its green and a cyclist runs a red. Reasons of expediency and safety both get tossed.

Subject: Re: Bad accident--bikes going against traffic on 23rd St.

lostingreenwoodhts wrote: OK, finally happened!

This past Saturday night (09.08.07) right after dark fire trucks and EMS galore...why? Young couple from 6th Ave riding down 23rd St. on a bike, he peddling, she on the handlebars...fast as heck and against traffic. He slams on the front breaks, both go ass-over-teacups and it looks REAL BAD. Her leg was definitely broken in several places and not sure of her boyfriend. Very bad news.

This is bad for:

A. bikers going the wrong way on one of the steepest hills in Bklyn
B. folks on the block who now have to look both ways on a one way street
C. bad for motorists going the RIGHT WAY up the hill having to swerve to avoid bikers

Any thoughts? Why to cyclists (not all, I understand) not have to obey traffic laws? :evil:

Thoughts? Agreement? Disagreement?

It's against the law to ride the wrong way on a one way street. Of course, I have done it...I am not sure about riding on handlebars. I would guess that this would be against the law also.

Saw a guy without a helmet get a ticket for running a red light and for not having a headlight on his bike at Union Square.