From the NY Post:A bicyclist speeding through Central Park in full racing gear with a pack of other cyclists slammed into a 73-year-old grandmother yesterday near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, witnesses said.
“It happened so fast” said Gloria Roth, a lifelong friend of victim Ruth Shack. “Before I knew, she was down on the floor screaming.”
Shack, a public school teacher from Rockland County, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with broken ribs, two damaged neck vertebrae and facial cuts.
The victim was crossing East 84th Street with Roth and another pal. She had made it 20 yards from the crosswalk at around 10:30 a.m. when she was struck.
An avid ice skater and tennis player, she had driven from Rockland County to see her friends and visit the park.
Another cyclist, an off-duty EMT, helped Shack into an ambulance while the rider that struck her took off.
Shack declined to file a report, police said.
Rumor has it the biker was either drunk, an asshole or both.
36 comments:
If you thought that cars were the real danger on the city streets, think again. What's with all the stupid people riding their bikes on the sidewalk? Shouldn't they be ticketed??
Naw, its her fault.
Remember the tower people have nice sidewalks, a shiny power grid, trees, and bike lanes.
Oh yea, and your taxes.
You have crime, litter, closed hospitals, no schools rooms, toxic tuff for the kids to play on and an absentee landlord next door who expect you to introduce his tenants to local standards of noise, dirt, and behavior.
Oh yea, and your elected officals who act like they can see right through you.
Ugh, many cyclists are just tools! I was driving down Times Square with the light in my favor yesterday when 2 cyclists (in full uniform, hmmm maybe same douche?) sped though the intersection demanding that the cars stop to let them through and then nearly mowed down the pedestrians that were crossing with the light in their favor. Of course I yelled out "douchetard" What kind of fuckery is this?
Shouldn't they be ticketed??
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Sure they should. But who is going to go after them?
Here's an idea. Maybe this woman crossed in front of the oncoming speeding pack of bikes without looking adequately, or completely disregarded them. It happens. Funny that the article doesn't mention that she had the right of way. Just because many bikers are assholes does not make them automatically in the wrong. Pedestrians make plenty of asshole moves themselves.
1) Pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks, which she was at.
2) Bikers do not stop in the park to allow pedestrians to cross. They think when the park is closed to cars, they have free reign.
I agree with you on this one Crappy.
I cycle in the parks myself AND in designated BIKE PATHS. There are highly visible arrows painted on the ground to usher pedestrian / biker / skater traffic back and forth safely.
It is of utmost importance that people strictly adhere to these very park simple rules - BUT unfortunately I see that too many do not. The speed cyclists I believe are the biggest offenders. First of all - most of they time they travel in PACKS. Rather than passing others single file - they take over the ENTIRE path thereby forcing others who are NOT speed cycling, or approaching pedestrians to jump, pedal or skate into the adjacent bushes, lawn or dirt. No apologies either for running you off the road. Rather they will turn around at the end of the road AND DO IT AGAIN. They are PUNKS. Too friggin' chicken to speed along with the traffic on the expressway, they prefer paths that are frequented by toddlers and the elderly and/or small dogs on a leash.
To note - they are easily identified even when they are not moving since they are always dressed in the most ELABORATE of cycling gear /apparel. They THINK they are competing in the Tour de FRANCE and that YOU therefore are in THEIR way.
Second and last - I believe that there should be age restrictions on Speedos - I DON'T CARE HOW COMFORTABLE THEY ARE or how good of shape you THINK you are in - they are an ASSAULT to one's senses on MOST people -
Thank you Babs. I saw one of those jokers the other day in a red-white-and-blue American flag spandex getup that said BROOKLYN on it. I was like, "I can't believe you left the house dressed like that..."
LOL!
I confronted one of them awhile back - about speeding through the park - NOT what they were wearing of course :)
This was in a park where there are no "cycling only" paths rather there is one multi-use path where squirrels often mosey across.
The cyclist's response to my questioning his unnecessary and and downright dangerous speed? . . . "there are NO signs saying I can't" . . . hello anyone home?
Like I've already said in many of my previous posts....bikes get registered and must display license plates!
I offer this hit and run incident as proof that I'm right!
1) Pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks, which she was at.
Crappy, I was considering the possibility that she was crossing against a light. If there was no light then you are absolutely correct. However, the right of way should not override common sense. You should look when crossing, and if a speeding vehicle is coming you don't step in front of it, whether you have the right of way or not. It is foolish to take the right of way as an entitlement to safety; IT IS NOT! That is why every year numerous pedestrians are killed even though they had the right of way. Legally they are in the right, but that does not in anyway help with the physical damage that results from an accident.
I see it all the time, people crossing and simply not bothering to observe their surroundings. People standing in crosswalks (in the street) texting or chatting, oblivious to the 18 wheeler turning so closely to them. Some even walk in front of vehicles expecting them to stop without even looking to see if the driver sees them. If people want to rely on the right of way and disregard common sense and caution, terrible and unnecessary accidents will continue to happen.
Sorry but the guy was "speeding" in "racing gear"; it's quite probable that granny couldn't even see him coming.
"A bicyclist speeding through Central Park in full racing gear with a pack of other cyclists "
"The victim was crossing East 84th Street with Roth and another pal. She had made it 20 yards from the crosswalk at around 10:30 a.m. when she was struck."
She had made it 20 yards from the crosswalk
What does this mean exactly? Sounds like she wasn't in the crosswalk at all. E. 84 st is not 60 feet across to my knowledge
Take a look at that crosswalk on google maps and get back to me.
"Like I've already said in many of my previous posts....bikes get registered and must display license plates!"
you are talking obviously about MOTORCYCLES OR MOTORBIKES!!!
The article is about someone getting hit by a BICYCLE!
I checked it before I posted. If she was crossing E 84 st as the article states, it's not 60 feet across.
The park traverse (85 st traverse according to the map)is 2 lanes, and E 84th st on the other side of 5th ave is two traffic lanes (one of them is the right shoulder) and cars parked on the left shoulder. A standard traffic lane is 12 feet. 20 yards would make that street 5 lanes wide, which it is not.
Crappy, what's your take on the wording in the article "She had made it 20 yards FROM the crosswalk "? Note that the article never states that the pedestrian was IN the crosswalk, or that she had the right of way. I'm sure the post would be certain to mention this if that was the case.
As far as the bike "speeding" how fast do you think the bike was really going? faster than most automobile traffic on that street? Possible, but not likely. Speeding in this case seems like more of a descriptive word chosen by the Post (a true rag) to make the story sound more dramatic.
It's Manhattan, there's "speeding" bikes, cars, etc. all around, you have to use caution in these streets.
Babs, I think you misunderstood him, I believe he is saying that bikes (bicycles) SHOULD be registered and have license plates. At least that's what I thought he meant, although it was not well articulated.
I just read elsewhere that the biker never even had the decency to even speak to this poor woman - nevermind help her.
What a piece of crap he (or she) is.
Another biker - I assume from the same pack - helped her.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Thank you Anonymous - I did misunderstand the other poster.
There's a way to read literally and a way to read what the damn thing means.
from the crosswalk = from the curb cut
As for distance, there is probably a typo in there somewhere. Does it freaking matter? She was mowed down and the asshole rode off. You don't have to assign fault to agree that was a dickhead move.
And what's with all those mini-motorbikes in the bike lane on 34th Avenue? Of course no license plate & no helmet.
What do the cops do for their 8 hours of "work"?
Crappy, I think it is likely that she was walking ON East Dr In the park. So she had just crossed 84th St meaning she had passed it by 20 yards while walking on East Dr. This would explain the flock of bikers speeding along.
Yes it was a dick move for him to speed off, however it is possible it was the woman's fault, in which case I can see why he wouldn't feel obligated to stick around to get sued by her.
I'm surprised that you reference her as "granny" and use the term "mowed down" just because the Post does. We both know the NY rags are full of shit and love to sensationalize their stories. Don't buy in to their lingo, I expect better from you.
I hope the woman makes a full recovery and is OK.
"in which case I can see why he wouldn't feel obligated to stick around to get sued by her. "
IF he was not at fault i.e. following the rules of traffic - he would not have been vulnerable to a lawsuit.
Anon-2, if you have that attitude as a bicyclist who hits a pedestrian, I wonder if you have the same attitude when a car hits a bicyclist such as yourself.
Obviously this is intolerable behavior, and I hope Ms. Shack recovers well.
What I'm confused about is how this rider was able to rejoin his "pack" (loaded language) without any of them reporting him to authorities or holding up the ride right there. There's no code of silence among riders nor a monolithic mentality.
My suspicion is that this rider was solo and that he appeared to be part of a group to casual observers. Riders tend to cluster because they do stop for lights and crossing pedestrians (not always, and our standard should be always). Also, some rider draft on others, slipping into the vortex of a group.
I've ridden in Central Park many times. On a few occasions Park Rangers stopped all riders to distribute a flyer with bicycle rules. Moderate speed was one of them. I entirely disagree with the many people posting ill-informed arguments that bicycles are impractical commuter vehicles or don't belong on NYC roads, but I do believe that high-speed riding should be restricted to the velodrome. When one is focused on generating speed, one isn't giving proper attention to the million other unpredictable factors in urban riding. That's simply unwise.
Cars are far more dangerous in terms of mass and acceleration creating greater force but because on streets bikes are forced to hug margins where pedestrians lead off curbs, often without looking. Also,
bikes are nearly silent -- electric cars are being equipped with noisemakers for safety's sake. In short, fellow bikers, ease up.
I do ask readers to respect that bikers are as diverse as the city. One joke a few of us safety marshalls had after the 2009 and 2010 Tour de Queens rides was that we should ban Lycra. In other words, we felt that those people suiting up for a race acted as if they were indeed in one. But even that humorous jab ignores the vast majority of responsible and caring riders who wear bike gear (not "racing gear") because it breathes, dries quickly, prevents scrapes, and won't get caught in chains.
As for drinking and biking, the mention here was superfluous and nothing more than a dig. That said, however, it's about as stupid and selfish thing as one can do on two wheels. Of course the danger is mostly to oneself, but the grieving is done by others. It also could force automobile drivers to swerve and endanger others. I think bicycle licensing is impractical and wrongheaded for a host of reasons, but have no objection to bicycle sobriety laws.
Erik Baard
Part 1:
Obviously this is intolerable behavior, and I hope Ms. Shack recovers well.
What I'm confused about is how this rider was able to rejoin his "pack" (loaded language) without any of them reporting him to authorities or holding up the ride right there. There's no code of silence among riders nor a monolithic mentality.
My suspicion is that this rider was solo and that he appeared to be part of a group to casual observers. Riders tend to cluster because they do stop for lights and crossing pedestrians (not always, and our standard should be always). Also, some rider draft on others, slipping into the vortex of a group.
I've ridden in Central Park many times. On a few occasions Park Rangers stopped all riders to distribute a flyer with bicycle rules. Moderate speed was one of them. I entirely disagree with the many people posting ill-informed arguments that bicycles are impractical commuter vehicles or don't belong on NYC roads, but I do believe that high-speed riding should be restricted to the velodrome. When one is focused on generating speed, one isn't giving proper attention to the million other unpredictable factors in urban riding. That's simply unwise.
Part 2
Cars are far more dangerous in terms of mass and acceleration creating greater force but because on streets bikes are forced to hug margins where pedestrians lead off curbs, often without looking. Also,
bikes are nearly silent -- electric cars are being equipped with noisemakers for safety's sake. In short, fellow bikers, ease up.
I do ask readers to respect that bikers are as diverse as the city. One joke a few of us safety marshalls had after the 2009 and 2010 Tour de Queens rides was that we should ban Lycra. In other words, we felt that those people suiting up for a race acted as if they were indeed in one. But even that humorous jab ignores the vast majority of responsible and caring riders who wear bike gear (not "racing gear") because it breathes, dries quickly, prevents scrapes, and won't get caught in chains.
As for drinking and biking, the mention here was superfluous and nothing more than a dig. That said, however, it's about as stupid and selfish thing as one can do on two wheels. Of course the danger is mostly to oneself, but the grieving is done by others. It also could force automobile drivers to swerve and endanger others. I think bicycle licensing is impractical and wrongheaded for a host of reasons, but have no objection to bicycle sobriety laws.
Erik Baard
You really need to realize theres a large group of bike commuters who hate the reckless nonsense from the fixed gear messenger kids and the Lycra yuppie crowd. Also many bike commuters are annoyed too with the delivery guys going the wrong way with no lights.
The restaurants will be responsible for that delivery guy.
Central Park has been notorious for these wanna be Tour De France guys on Saturdays and other days of the week.
These idiots should be pulled over by police.
Do more reporting on pedestrians being hit and almost hit by cars. trucks, SUV's, and livery cars in Queens and Manhattan since this happens daily to people looking and no not the oblivious idiots staring at there cell phones.
In the last two days in a few different neighborhoods in Queens(Woodside and Astoria) Ive almost been hit by cars running red lights so thankfully I look knowing that the full array of drivers in NY dont care for the lights.
Ive had to tell people walking on a green to watch for a car making a turn into them with the odd driver seeming not to care because he doesnt know the person continuing to speed up to the girl walking on a green light.
Truly odd driving just as this dumb cyclist in Central Park.
And what's with all those mini-motorbikes in the bike lane on 34th Avenue? Of course no license plate & no helmet.
What do the cops do for their 8 hours of "work"?
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Some of you people baffle me. If the cops are out writing double parked cars or speeders, they should be out looking for a rapist. If they are looking for a rapist, they should be looking for the guys that stole a bunch of car mirrors. If they are doing that, they should be writing bicyclists and mini bikes. And then God help the cops when your son/nephew, whatever, gets tagged by the cops for being one of those violators. You will be on here blasting the cops for writing the poor innocent kid "for no reason". Look at the size of the NYPD Patrol Guide and tell me how the pathetically low number of cops in our local precincts could possibly fufill all the daily responsibilities heaped upon them.
Maybe all the Lance Armstrong wanna-bes who want to ride bikes do so out in the suburbs???
The most popular park in the world is not the best place to live out your Tour de France fantasies.
The cops should do this. The cops should do that.
I've seen these motorized bikes without licenses 4-5 times now. The cops don't?
What exactly do the cops do?
The most popular park in the world is not the best place to live out your Tour de France fantasies.
Actually, if you've ever ridden there you would know that it's a great place to "live out your Tour de France fantasies." Most of the course that bikers ride - if they are serious and make a full loop of the park - is not heavily trafficked by pedestrians. The north end in particular is super training and a fun ride, with its tortuous, inclined topography.
People should be careful and courteous, bikers and pedestrians alike. And especially motorists.
Is it a DESIGNATED bike path?
no response - is that a "no" therefore?
You should be riding your bike along BIKE PATHS ONLY!
IF something happens - as in this case - I would imagine you are leaving yourself open to a lawsuit to do otherwise . . .
@Babs:
Just a quick clarification. On weekends and designated weekday hours, Central Park's main thoroughfares are closed to cars. During those hours, joggers tend to use the designated bike lanes and bikers fill the rest of the roadways. Strolling pedestrians are usually, but not always, on the sidewalks. The roads are closed for this purpose, so no liability is assumed by the rider for being outside the designated bike lane.
My own view on urban bicycling speeds is this: a bicycle should go not much faster than a sprint. A commonly cited average sprinting speed is 17 miles per hour, for young and active people. To my mind, that means we evolved to recover decently from falls and such at 17 miles per hour.
Of course we can't naturally maintain a sprinting speed for great distances. With a bicycle, however, we can. So I consider an enduring 17mph outing (and often more like 12-15mph) to be my "bicycle advantage." Seeking to go at the maximum potential speed (which, downhill is nearly limitless) incurs needless risk.
Many bicycle injuries are caused by street conditions. I have wiped out on black plastic trash and on oil/soap slicks.
Another hazard I've so far avoided is having to slam on breaks to avoid a collision. That can send a rider hurtling over handlebars, causing great injuries. This is why many bicyclists swerve to avoid collisions rather than braking, giving the appearance of recklessly weaving. In Central Park on a weekend, and during some weekday riding hours, this danger is omnipresent because pedestrians often stroll out into the roadway without looking, or grow inpatient and step out thinking, "Well, you're going to have to hit your brakes, dammit!"
So to bikers, I strongly advise that you slow down to stay within your body's tolerances. With mechanical enhancement, you are vastly exceeding in performance your collision capacity.
To pedestrians, I ask that you cross in an orderly fashion and not lead off curbs. In Central Park, one nice trick is to cross on hills. All bicycle traffic (and this is really respected) goes counterclockwise, so you can count on gravity slowing down even the biggest hotshots. Naturally it is courteous to not break a rider's momentum in the uphill struggle, but combining a thoughtful crossing between clusters with slower uphill riding speeds seems wise.
Erik Baard
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