Bicycles have become an increasingly prominent mode of transportation in New York. The city itself has taken steps to encourage people to shun automobiles and take to their bikes. Unfortunately, that carries with it certain risks.
When there is a collision between a bicyclist and an automobile, the lack of protection accorded to bicyclists can lead to catastrophic injuries and death. Keeping track of trends is imperative and the NYC Department of Transportation is vigilant about it.
A law implemented in 2011 mandates NYCDOT to track bicycle accidents. In 2021, their data changed to include e-scooters and e-bikes. They are categorized as motorized and do not reflect bicycle crash statistics. The compiled numbers are separated by borough. For 2023, Brooklyn had the most bicyclist injuries and fatalities.
Given the dangers riders face, it is vital to be aware of the trends and to take steps to mitigate their risk. Of course, avoiding accidents is sometimes impossible. When there is a collision, riders can face exorbitant medical bills, lost time on the job, lifelong injuries, pain, suffering, and questions about the future. Knowing the options to hold drivers accountable is a key step toward making as full a recovery as possible.
Brooklyn had over 400 more bicyclist injuries than Manhattan
For 2023, there were 1,882 bicyclist injuries. This is compared to the next highest borough – Manhattan – which had 1,479. Nine people lost their lives in Brooklyn. The next highest fatality number was in Queens where five people died.
Brooklyn overall was the most dangerous borough to be on the road with 17,597 traffic injuries. Queens was the next highest with 15,476. The city had 4,829 bicyclist injuries in total and 22 deaths. Total traffic injuries came to just under 52,950.
This information is consistent with analysis from earlier in 2024 saying that the city’s bicyclist fatality numbers are the worst they have been since 1999. Much of the spike is linked to e-bike riders, but this is indicative of the scope of the problem. And it is getting worse.
From 2022 to 2023, there were 50 more serious injuries. This needs to be put into the proper context, however. More people are riding bicycles than they did in the past. A major concern is the lack of infrastructure that is friendly to bicyclists. The city is taking steps to rectify that problem with more bike lanes, better enforcement and open streets where vehicles are not sharing the road. Drivers not seeing riders or simply not paying attention is a known problem.
Bicyclists who were injured need to know how to address the future
It is certainly a positive that more people are choosing to get around by bicycle. This benefits them physically, saves money and is good for the environment. That does not eliminate the potential for a collision and the severe injuries they might suffer.
From head injuries to spinal cord damage to broken bones and even lost limbs, the medical expenses and long-term prognosis can be life changing. The chances of a fatality are high when there is an automobile-bicycle accident. In many instances, the driver flees the scene.
When deciding how to proceed, it is vital for the injured person and their family to know what can be done to make a full recovery. There is no substitute for help from those who have experience in big city accidents and combine that will small town service. In Brooklyn and across the city, it is wise to take immediate action after there has been a bicycle accident.