Australian Bicyclist Killed by Garbage Truck in Central Park

The “trip of a lifetime” turned tragic for a 23-year old Australian woman. The recent college graduate was struck and killed in a truck accident while bicycling near Central Park.

The complicated accident is still under investigation, but preliminary results show that:

· The victim was cycling in the Central Park West bike lane and was not wearing a helmet.

· An Uber driver abruptly pulled out in front of her. The stationary taxi appeared to have been in the bicycle lane to pick up or drop off passengers.

· To avoid hitting the car, the bicyclist swerved into the car lane where she was hit and run over by the garbage truck.

The garbage truck driver has been charged with driving while impaired by alcohol and operating a commercial vehicle while intoxicated. As of now, there are no charges against the car driver.

Bicycle Fatalities in New York City Remain Too High

The number of bicyclists killed in New York City has remained fairly constant over the past few years. There were 23 deaths in 2017 and 18 in 2016.

New York City’s Vision Zero initiative claims a 45% decline in pedestrian fatalities since 2014. Program components include criminal charges for traffic violators, speed limit reductions, increased enforcement and use of speed cameras, quicker repairing of broken traffic signals and increased enforcement of taxi drivers, among others.

Vision Zero also plans to create or enhance 75 lane miles for bicycles by 2022, not only to meet demand but also to address improved cyclist safety.

But expansion cannot be achieved while risking safety. The Central Park accident demonstrates the need for driver education and sanctions for violating bicycle lane restrictions throughout the city.

Let Us Know If You Have Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident

If you or a family member has been harmed by a car accident, truck accident, construction accident, slip and fall or any other type of personal injury, please contact StolzenbergCortelli, LLC Attorneys at Law immediately. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorneys Howard Stolzenberg and Terrence James Cortelli, personal injury attorneys in White Plains, Nyack and New York City, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (914) 361 – 4888 or contact us via the website.