November 22, 1997
Killers on Wheels? City's Cyclists Are More Likelyto Be Victims
To the Editor:
Re "On Sidewalk, Fatal Collision With Bicyclist" (news article,Nov. 20): This tragedy will further contribute to the understandable unpopularityof bicyclists in New York, as shown by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's declaringthat "bicycles are a very big quality-of-life problem."
Responsible cyclists are more often victims than perpetrators, with16 cyclist fatalities this year. The few existing bike lanes are so oftenused as turning lanes, standing lanes and drop-off lanes for taxis thatI find them more dangerous than car lanes.
I applaud the efforts of Transportation Alternatives to promote courteousriding in the group's "Give Respect, Get Respect" campaign.
More police summonses issued to reckless cyclists (and to the businessowners employing them) would also help.
But better enforcement of traffic laws and more efforts by drivers andpedestrians to respect cyclists on the streets could encourage them tostay off sidewalks.
RICHARD ROBBINS
New York, Nov. 20, 1997
Ban Sidewalk Skaters
To the Editor:
The death of a pedestrian who was hit by a bicycle has led to renewedcalls for stricter laws against reckless cyclists (news article, Nov. 20).
Any bill should also ban in-line skating on sidewalks. I have treateda number of pedestrians for significant injuries from collisions with skaters.
EDGAR D. ALTCHEK , M.D.
New York, Nov. 20, 1997
Mandate Safety Features [Ban fixed gear bikes]
To the Editor:
As a longtime recreational and competitive cyclist, I hate to hear storieslike "On Sidewalk, Fatal Collision With Bicyclist" (news article,Nov. 20). Bicycles are a great mode of transportation, but any time theyare used recklessly, something tragic can happen.
I've been amazed at how many cyclists use bicycles without brakes andwith fixed gears that make it virtually impossible to stop pedaling. NewYork City should consider banning these bicycles and regulating safetyfeatures. Cyclists should also undergo training just like the driver ofa commercial motor vehicle.
JOHN -ANDREW MURPHY
South Bend, Ind., Nov. 19, 1997
Drivers Flout Laws
To the Editor:
The death of a pedestrian struck by a bicyclist who was riding on thesidewalk (news article, Nov. 20) is tragic, yet Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani'scomment that "bicycles are a very big quality-of-life problem"misses the mark. As you note, fatalities due to pedestrian-bicycle collisionsare uncommon. A greater risk to pedestrians is the disobeying of trafficlaws by drivers.
Every day in New York, at almost every intersection, drivers break thelaw by going through red lights or failing to yield to pedestrians in thecrosswalk while making a turn. Yet there is no attempt by the police tostop these lawbreakers. There is also no attempt to control traffic atgridlocked intersections like those near the entrances to the Lincoln andHolland tunnels. Pedestrians must pass through traffic mayhem when tryingto cross at these intersections.
ANDREW WOLFRAM
Brooklyn, Nov. 20, 1997
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