1 Safety should be the #1 priority Improving Bicycling Safety in New York City LIN, Ming LaGCC

Ming2 Why are Walking and Bicycling less important then Driving?

Ming3 Automobiles Answer: Because bicyclists are an easily forgotten minority in an age when most people equate transportation with automobiles.

Ming4 Perception vs. Reality

Ming5 The New York City traffic laws : “Driving bikes on sidewalks is prohibited unless sign allows or wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter and rider under 14 years of age.” See Administrative Code (passed in 2002).

Ming6 Why is Bicycling in NY City Important?

Ming7 Health & Fitness

Ming8 Quality of Life

Ming9 Environment & Energy

Ming10 Economy

Ming11 Why don’t more people partake of the benefits of biking? People feel Unsafe People fear Road Rage People fear getting Tickets

Ming12 The road is very dangerous

Ming US Cyclists Die Every Year In the US, there are 85 million bicycle riders. 800 bicyclists die every year, and about 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Motor vehicles are involved in per cent of bicyclist deaths and 12 per cent of injuries on the roads. Sixty percent of bicycle deaths in 2000 occurred on major roads, and 32 percent occurred on local roads.

Ming14 The Human Bowling Alley For example, Queens Boulevard is a neighborhood street, not a highway, but more than 300 pedestrians have been killed and 5000 seriously injured in the past 30 years on the highway- like street called “the human bowling alley”. (T.A. Magazine, “Queens Boulevard is a neighborhood street, not a highway”)

Ming15 Crash Types and Causes by Cars Human Error by Motorist: 20% Bicyclists / Pedestrian Error: 30% Alcohol: Factor in 1/3 of Fatalities Speed: Significant Factor Roadway Design: Data is Limited Youth and Seniors are at Risk Source: Brustman / NYBC 1999

Ming16 General Problems General Problems Neglect by Planners, Engineers and Educators Road Rage Mass Car Ownership Congestion Heels and Wheels Conflict

Ming17 Road Rage

Ming18 No deaths in Bicycle / Pedestrian crashs

Ming19 Few Use Sidewalks on cold winter nights

Ming20 Heels and Wheels Harmony

Ming21 Proposal for reforming the 2002 bicycle laws: Operating a bicycle on the sidewalk is permitted: When the sidewalk is not used by people; When the sidewalk is crossed by a private road or driveway; When traveling on a one-way road; When overtaking and passing vehicles in the road; When necessity or emergency mandates the use of sidewalks.

Ming22 How to Help: Please contact your city representative and city council-person asking for their support for the reforms. You can offer this slide show to them to demonstrate proper bicycle operation and how reforming the law will improve safety.

Ming23 Voice is Power

Ming24 Contact Information: Mr. John Liu Chairperson of the Council's Transportation Committee District Office Address: th Avenue, (Suite 388), Flushing, New York, District Office Phone No.: (718) Fax Phone No.: (718)