Statement: Woman Struck While Cycling on Fifth Avenue is Third Cyclist Killed in Last Seven Days

Statement of Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“Around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a female cyclist was struck and killed by the driver of an MTA bus near the intersection of 5th Avenue and 59th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She is at least the seventh cyclist killed on New York City streets this year and the third in the last week. Of the seven fatal crashes involving cyclists to date in 2020, six have involved a large vehicle like a truck, bus or SUV. 

While this year’s cyclist death toll through today’s date is lower than that of 2019, a year in which 29 cyclists were killed on New York City streets, we are on track to see 15 cyclist fatalities in 2020 if the current rate of deaths were to continue. There is ample reason to be concerned. We’re in the midst of a bike boom, with thousands of would-be transit commuters switching to cycling. 

Now more than ever, we need our mayor to rebalance his city’s streets and put safety before parking and moving car traffic. As New York comes back from the pandemic, we must leave behind the days when safe cycling infrastructure was rolled out in fits and starts and subject to a slow political process. Failure to do so, we fear, will result in another year like 2019, the deadliest year for New York City cyclists since 1999. 

The Department of Transportation has the know-how to fill the gaps in New York City’s network of protected bike lanes, and make our streets safe for all. Transportation Alternatives stands ready to provide our support. We hope Mayor de Blasio will provide the vision, budget and political support to advance these life-saving measures.”