Everyone should speak out against new legislation in Washington that eliminates funding to protect bicyclists.

The League of American Bicyclists, a great organization in Washington, D.C., that advocates for bicyclists and walkers, is warning this week about a piece of legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that eliminates dedicated funding for bicyclists and walkers and, going even further, removes bicycling from the federal transportation program.

If approved, this legislation will GUT laws and programs protecting cyclists and reverse decades of progress. This is VERY BAD for bicylists!

The legislation, introduced by Congressman John Mica, R-Fla., is called the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, and you can read more about it here on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website.

The League, on its blog, said the bill reverses 20 years of progress by:

• Destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional.
• Repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school.
• Allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles.
• Eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs.
• Eliminating language that ensures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”

The League adds the following comment: “It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system — a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.”

Now is the time to get involved! On Thursday, two other House members will introduce amendments to restore dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School.

All Americans have a stake in this legislation. We all want safe paths, bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks and bikeways. Contact your local House member and urge that legislator to support the amendments!

Please act now!

Here are the top 10 reasons to oppose the legislation.

You can go here to find your local representative and send them an urgent message. I urge everyone in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers to speak up today!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Michael Secrest was nearly killed after setting another world indoor cycling record.

Even a world record-setting cyclist isn’t immune from careless drivers … even when his bike is lit up by not one, not two, but three FLASHING lights!

This really brings home the fact that cyclists, even those who are VERY experienced and VERY well-equipped with safety equipment, are vulnerable to careless drivers. That’s why I spend so much time trying to teach motorists to be alert for cyclists and to give cyclists plenty of space when passing.

A little bit of caution and courtesy goes a long way.

MICHAEL SECREST BREAKS 100-MILE
TRACK RECORD – FINALLY!

As the saying goes, “If you fall off the horse, get back on it.” Or perhaps, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

In legendary ultra cyclist Michael Secrest’s case, he had to get back on his 1996 GT track bike on nine different occasions, over the span of several years, before he finally broke the 100-mile indoor track cycling record. He did this at age 58! Bravo, Michael! Here’s a write-up about this incredible, multiple world record-breaking achievement from RoadBikeRider.com:

On his ninth attempt, 58-year-old Michael Secrest set a new indoor 100-mile world record on Oct. 15, 2011. Secrest covered the 100 miles (161 km) on the Home Depot Center Velodrome track in 3 hours, 46 minutes, 16 seconds – at 26.52 mph (42.68 kph).

After a clean drug test following the ride, Secrest’s record was officially certified by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA). His mark bested the previous record of 3:47:26 set in 1994 by Rod Evans.

As if Secrest’s time weren’t remarkable enough, he wrote us to share a couple of other amazing facts about this astounding record:

• It was set on a standard bike. But not just any bike. “I used the same frame that I used to set the outdoor 24-hour world record in LA, back in 1996,” he said. “Imagine that. In this day of high-tech advancements on even a greater turnover than annually, I set a WR on a 15-year-old frame! I guess this can make the case that it’s not the bike, it’s the engine!” He is the oldest athlete ever to set an overall (all ages) world record.
• He is the only athlete in history to set world records in four consecutive decades. “The fact of which I am most proud is that all were achieved without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. ([I was] drug tested after every WR). I hope that maybe some of your readers may find inspiration through this fact or because of my age as not being a barrier to either continue or start riding a bike!”

Well, fellow roadies, if you can’t find inspiration in a 58-year-old, drug-free cyclist setting an overall world record on a 15-year-old frame – you might not have a pulse!

Two more notes about Michael: He’s also the author of “The Guy on the Bike,” an autobiographical eBook that reveals details of his unmatched cycling successes and turns them into inspirational life lessons for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. He’s certainly got a new chapter to add to his book.

Finally, while he’s the rarest of cyclists in terms of his ability, he’s all too normal in terms of his facing danger every time he rides on the road. He concluded his message with a cautionary tale for all roadies:

“I forgot to mention that just four days after setting the 100-mile indoor WR, I was hit by a car making a left turn into me while I was riding through an intersection. It was early evening and I had two rear flashers and my front strobe fully functioning. The accident left me with a fractured collarbone and two fractured posterior ribs. I’m very lucky, as it could easily have been fatal. I expect a full recovery.”

To learn more about Michael, go here.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Bicycle commuting can be a HUGE money-saver!

So you’re sick of spending all your money on gas, car maintenance and parking?  And you wish you had a chance to burn a few more calories?  Perfect solution:  commute by bike to work!

Kiplinger has a calculator to show how much you could save each day by riding your bike to work.

As a test, I said my daily commute is 20 miles round trip. I said I don’t have any parking or toll expenses. They said I can save $8 a day– that’s a whopping $2,000 a year!   And the commuting calculator even tells you how they  calculated the amount they show.

Try it — you might be surprised what you find.

But before you decide to put a new bicycle for commuting to work on your Christmas wish list, remember this:

• Fall is here and winter is coming (sadly). Unpredictable weather. Wet leaves followed by snowy roads in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers are a huge hazards for bicyclists. And we are seeing less daylight, so our safe riding hours are shrinking. Yes, you can get a light for your bike, but you will still be mostly invisible to drivers and you won’t be able to see the road hazards like potholes with just a bike light.
• Do you wear your work clothes, maybe a suit, on a bike commute, or carry your work clothes and change in the bathroom? It’s not a deal breaker, but consider that a complication each day. And if you arrive to work sweaty, can you take a shower?
• Do you have somewhere safe to store the bicycle at work? (And don’t say your office!)
• Know your commute path well. Are bicycles allowed on all the streets and roads? Will you feel safe riding with traffic if there are no shoulders or the shoulders are filled with glass and other debris? Know your road conditions very well. Again, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
• Your best bet is to become a part-time bike commuter. Once you do your homework (yes, I said it again), pick a few sunny and warm days and try it. Don’t put your car up on blocks just yet! Realize that in the Twin Tiers, bicycle commuting will likely always be part time, thanks in part to our two seasons — road construction and winter!

As Kiplinger points out in another story, there are many benefits to bicycling to work. Among them: it’s a good workout, you’ll save money, it’s better for the economy and it cuts down on the parking hassle.

If you like the bike commute, Kiplinger suggests you buy:

• Lights for early-morning or nighttime riding. Get a white LED front light to attach to your handlebars so you’ll stay visible when approaching intersections, and buy a red, blinking light to attach to your seat post or clip onto your back so approaching drivers will see you from behind.
• A rack or panniers, either of which can attach to the back of your bike, to carry files, a change of clothes or other personal items. A small messenger bag or backpack might suffice but can strain your back. Most mountain bikes or hybrids easily accommodate a rack or panniers.
• Shoes with clips, which will give you more control and power during a rush-hour ride.
• A fender to keep water from splashing onto you from your rear tire.
• A cycling computer to track your speed and trip length.

Just remember: Do the math. Pick a go0d day and ride to work (once you do your homework and planning).

If you like it, and want to work bike commuting into your schedule, then by all means let Santa know what you want. Just be sure Santa knows you want to be SAFE!

If you are a bike commuter, please share your tips or favorite stories in our comments section!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Police are investigating why a driver left the scene of an accident with a bicyclist.

A VERY SAD UPDATE: The bicyclist struck early Sunday morning in a hit-and-run accident in Schuyler County has died, the county sheriff’s department said Friday.

Michael P. Zelzell, 35, of Beaver Dams, was riding his bike north on state Route 414 north of Watkins Glen at about 6:30 Sunday morning when police said a vehicle turning off the highway collided with him.

The driver, Melissa E. Smith, 36, of Watkins Glen, fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident and Driving Without a License.

Police said Friday that the investigation continues and more charges are pending, according to the Star-Gazette.

Delzell died at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was first hospitalized at Schuyler Hospital with head injuries, then transferred to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre before being transferred to Strong Memorial, police said.

It will be interesting to see how the police investigation plays out. Sometimes there are contrived [that's a nice word for "BS"] explanations for why a driver leaves the scene of a collision, but many times I have seen cases where the hit-and-run driver had been drinking and bolts from the scene of the accident to avoid a potential drunk driving charge.

I sure don’t know whether that’s what occurred here, but I suspect that police are actively investigating the driver’s explanation for leaving the scene, and her whereabouts in the hours before and after the bike collision.

Regardless of why the driver left the scene, the cyclist’s family may have the basis for a wrongful death claim if the collision occurred because of the negligent driving by the motorist.

Once again, a thorough investigation by an experienced bicycle accident lawyer would be necessary to determine if there is a solid basis to bring a claim against the driver.

Our thoughts and prayers go out today to Mr. Delzell’s family.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

New York Times Senior Writer John Markoff.

I had a great chat recently with New York Times Senior Writer John Markoff about my experience representing cyclists injured while riding GPS-equipped bikes. On three separate occasions in the last two years, I have been able to use GPS data to enhance cases for injured cyclists.

In Markoff’s article, “Bike Crash Wiped Details; GPS Data Filled Them In,” he writes about a July cycling accident he had in California that left him with serious injuries but few memories of what happened.

He’s recovered, and thanks to his “black box” on his handlebars — a Garmin cyclometer — he was able to piece together a likely scenario of what caused him to crash. He could see that his speed decreased from 30 mph to 10 mph and then zero just seconds before the crash. Using GPS data and Google Maps, he was able to pinpoint the scene of the crash.

He returned to the scene and found a long, thin, deep pothole that likely knocked him from his bicycle.  I call these types of potholes “tire grabbers” because of the very nasty way in which they can literally grab your front wheel causing it to immediately stop and causing you to fly over the handlebars in a very dangerous way.

My comments appear midway through the story:

Lawyers who specialize in bicycle accidents say GPS data can be used by both sides.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said James B. Reed of the Ziff Law Firm in Elmira, N.Y., who often represents cyclists involved in collisions with cars. He noted that GPS technology was altering the way both car and bicycle accident claims are settled.

“It’s important for people who are representing the injured people or the insurance companies to know how to obtain and analyze the data,” he said. “Frankly, it’s probably going to be a booming new industry for experts.”

GPS data provides a precise, objective measure of the cyclist’s speed at the exact time of impact, which is often very helpful in defusing the common “the bicyclist was going like a bat-out-of-hell” defense.

It sure is fun to have a motorist swear under oath that the cyclist was going “at least 30 mph” and then pull out the GPS data that proves the cyclist was only going 14 mph!

Although I hope and pray none of you in Elmira, Corning, Ithaca or across the Twin Tiers ever needs GPS data for this purpose … but if you ever have the misfortune to be in a bicycle accident … please be sure to preserve the GPS data and be sure to speak with an experienced bicycle accident attorney immediately.  Failure to properly preserve the GPS data or other important physical evidence could easily kill an otherwise good bike accident case.

Thanks for reading, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Bicyclists should know that lawyers play an important role in protecting them in case of an accident.

I am an avid cyclist and bike accident lawyer, and I recently discovered an important blog entry posted by a bicycle accident lawyer in South Carolina.

It’s a “must-read” for ALL cyclists in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers!

South Carolina bike accident lawyer, Peter Wilborn of Bikelaw Blog posted “7 Things You Should Know About A Cycling Lawyer” by Fred Sexton. I cannot thank Mr. Sexton enough for making these very good points about why cycling lawyers are so important for ALL cyclists.

Most of us who handle these cases devote countless volunteer hours supporting bicycle advocacy issues in our community. I long for the day when it will be safe for cyclists to simply ride their bikes. But until that day comes, you can be sure that bicycling lawyers will continue to fight the good fight.

Here is the complete post:

As a cyclist, you are part of a greater community of people who have a similar set of interests and values. You should know that as a member of that community, you have rights and resources that are meant to help and protect you while you are riding. In the case of an accident, here are some things you should know about cycling and the law, and the attorneys who relentlessly work to protect cyclists.

1. First and foremost, cycling attorneys are advocates for ALL cyclists. That means: commuters, racers, beginners, and advanced riders. If you ride a bicycle for any reason, for pleasure, for transportation, for sport, you should know these attorneys are looking out for your best interests.

2. Cycling lawyers will always recommend getting more UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance). Every cyclist should increase his or her UM/UIM coverage so if an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you on your bike you are covered. (Talk to your cycling attorney about the laws that apply in each state!)  Note: in NY, this coverage is often referred to as SUM (Supplementary Uninsured Motorist coverage).  Same coverage, just a different name.

3. Cycling lawyers are here to protect you on the road. By going after the texting teenagers or the speeding sports car driver who hits you, you are sending a message to other drivers and also insurance companies. You are saying we aren’t going to take it anymore! Drivers and cyclists need to be mindful, drive carefully, and share the road. We both pay for it with tax dollars and we both need to obey the rules established on the road.

4. Lawyers that specialize in representing cyclists are probably cyclists too — and probably really nice! They understand the joys of cycling and the dangers as well. If you ride a lot, it is probably not a bad idea to get to know one. You may even be lucky and find one to ride with!

5. Did you know you may have rights against a homeowner whose dog bites you or knocks you off your bike? I’m not suggesting you ride around with kibbles and bits in your jersey. (Certainly avoid attracting attention of our four-legged friends when cycling if possible.) But I’ve heard of a number of people getting bitten or crashing to avoid getting bitten. Then, all too often, they get bitten without any recourse to the dog’s homeowner. You do have rights!

6. You should know that N.C. is one of only four states that follows the principle of contributory negligence. Meaning, if you are even just 1 percent at fault in an accident, (yeah, I know) then the driver’s insurance will try to avoid responsibility for your damages. But even if you think this could be your situation, if you are in N.C. (or any state) and get hit by a motorist, talk with a cycling attorney to see what your options might be.

Please note: The sixth point is NOT correct for bike accident cases in NY and PA, where our law is actually more favorable than the N.C. law he is talking about. In NY and PA, we have what is called pure comparative negligence (rather than the contributory negligence they have in NC). 

Under pure comparative negligence, a defendant motorist is required to pay in direct proportion to the extent they are found to be at fault. For instance, if the motorist is found to be 100 percent at fault, he pays 100 percent of the verdict. If he is 50 percent at fault, he pays 50 percent of the verdict. If he is found to be 10 percent at fault, he pays 10 percent of the verdict.

7. Writing down license plate numbers for drive-by swooshes can be helpful in identifying aggressive drivers. (Always carry at least a marker with you while cycling.) As a community of cyclists, we are able to better police the streets if someone does plow you over when you are on your bike. If this driver has been reported before for erratic driving around cyclists, it makes the case much easier for you and your cyclist attorney. (There is a guy that rides aroundCharlottewith a video camera mounted on his bike at all times for this reason. Someone is in jail because of his video evidence. Without it, the defendant most likely would have gotten away.) If you are interested in installing a bike camera I recommend you look at getting a cycling camera mount to use with your existing video camera (like a flip) or get a whole new cycling camera system. 

Cycling attorneys can be an enormous benefit to you as a rider and you should be aware that you have that resource at your disposal should you need it. Not only are these great lawyers required when an accident happens, they continue to advocate for cyclists and their rights when it comes to the road.

Please remember to ride safely!

Thanks for reading, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Always preserve your data if you have a bicycle accident on a bike with a GPS-enabled computer.

I have to admit that as a lawyer in Upstate New York, I never expected that I would get a call from a New York Times reporter.

Sure, I have been interviewed many times by local papers and even a few times by national legal papers but I never imagined I would get called by the New York Times. Wow!

Today, I had a great chat with John Markoff, a New York Times Senior Writer, who is writing an article about using GPS data to reconstruct bicycle accidents. John found a post I had done about using the GPS data from a client in one of my bike accident cases to defuse a false insurance company claim that my client was “going like a bat out of hell … at least 30 miles per hour.”

In that case, I was able to produce the GPS data from my client’s Garmin cycling computer, which confirmed my client was only going 18 mph when he was mowed down by the negligent driver. This objective proof helped put the lie to the other driver’s claim and permitted me to obtain a substantial settlement with the driver’s insurance carrier.

Without the GPS data, I would have been left with the old “he said, she said” argument. With the GPS data, I had cold, hard, objective proof of the exact speed my client was riding his bike. That proof can make all the difference in the world when handling bike accident lawsuits.

John and I had a great chat about his own bike accident and how he was able to use his GPS data to recreate exactly how he crashed. John was riding solo when he crashed and had no recall of what caused him to crash because he was knocked unconscious and was taken from the scene by paramedics. He was able to analyze his GPS data to determine exactly where he crashed and was able to identify a pothole he believes caused his crash.

So aside from my own thrill in being interviewed by THE Times, the real takeaway from this discussion is a reminder that if you ever have the misfortune to be involved in a bike accident on a bike that is equipped with a GPS-enabled computer, make sure to safely maintain the GPS data for analysis by your bicycle accident lawyer.

To learn more about the Garmin GPS, click here.

Thanks for reading, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

]]> http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/new-york-times-writer-calls-ny-bike-accident-lawyer/feed/ 0 http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/n-y-bike-accident-lawyer-discusses-washington-d-c-case-with-important-lessons-for-all-bicyclists/ http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/n-y-bike-accident-lawyer-discusses-washington-d-c-case-with-important-lessons-for-all-bicyclists/#comments Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:47:57 +0000 Jim Reed http://www.zifflaw.com/NYBikeAccidentBlog/?p=957

All bicycle riders should read a blog post written by a Washington, D.C., police officer who was struck by a car while riding off-duty.

Elmira long-distance cyclist Bill Fischer brought my attention to a great post by a Washington, D.C., cyclist (and Police Officer!) who vividly describes her personal experience with being intentionally bumped by a car and then dealing with the frustrations of pursuing the criminal prosecution of the dangerous driver.

The post is very interesting reading and instructive to all cyclists, so I strongly urge my readers to read the post before reading any further.

Once you have read the post, consider my comments below:

YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY BOTH THE CAR AND THE DRIVER

I loved this quote:  “It’s great that you memorized the license plate number - but we don’t arrest cars, we arrest drivers.”

Cyclists often forget that not only is it important that they try to get the license plate and other identifying information regarding the car (i.e., color, make, model), but they also need to try to get a description of the driver– male or female, race, hair color, etc.

YOU NEED TO BE WILLING TO ASSIST THE POLICE

Another good quote:  “I would need to go there to see if I could positively identify the vehicle and driver.”

JUST BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T IN A BIKE LANE DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE AT FAULT

And a final quote:  “No, there was no ‘bike lane’ – not that it mattered at al ….”    Many people, including cyclists and even the police, mistakenly assume that somehow they are at fault if they get injured while riding in any area that is not a designated bike lane.  Although I have written several posts about this before, let me be absolutely clear:

IN N.Y., CYCLISTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RIDE IN BIKE LANES.  CYCLISTS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS TO USE THE ROADS AS CARS.

‘Nuff said.  Ride safely.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

An Elmira bike dealer says he's repaired many bikes damaged in recent collisions with vehicles.

A local bike dealer told the Star-Gazette Thursday that a recent rash of car-bike accidents is an “epidemic.”

On the day after three bicyclists were struck by cars in the Elmira area, the assistant manager at Kingsbury’s Cyclery on West Water Street in Elmira said he’s seeing many damaged bikes.

“Lately we’ve seen a large number of bikes that have come in needing to be checked after collisions” with vehicles, Sloane Sims told the Star-Gazette.

Sims suggests that cyclists wear helmets and try to be visible, and urges drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of space.

One of the bicyclists struck by a car Wednesday in the Elmira area remained in critical condition Thursday at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira.

Police said Paul Gavette, 72, of Elmira, is being treated for severe head injuries, according to WETM-TV.

Chemung County sheriff’s deputies told the Star-Gazette that Jaclyn Bouille, 19, of Elmira, was driving south on Clemens Center Parkwayat about 2 p.m. Wednesday when her vehicle struck Gavette near the parkway intersection with Cedar Street in Southport.

The police investigation continued Thursday, deputies said.

As a bike accident lawyer who has represented many bicyclists involved in intersection collisions, I am always fearful of what the police investigation may conclude where one party — usually the uninjured motorist — is the first to tell the police their version of what happened, while the other party — like here, the injured cyclist — is hospitalized with horrible injuries and is therefore unable to talk to the police. Under these circumstances, it is a well-known phenomena of human psychology that the investigator can unwittingly get sucked into accepting the first version of how the collision occurred. Because of this, it is very common in bike accident cases that the police conclusion is that the cyclist was at fault when in fact more detailed investigation and accident reconstruction reveals that the initial police investigation was incorrect and that in fact the motorist was at fault.

I just hope Mr. Gavette quickly recovers from his injuries and that the police withold judgment on who was at fault until they can speak with him.

Police said Thursday a 46-year-old man was not injured when he was struck by a car at about4 p.m. Wednesday at Pennsylvania Avenue and West Miller Street in Elmira.

A mother and her 1½-year-old son struck by a motorist at about 7 p.m. Wednesday were only treated for bumps and bruises at Arnot Ogden Medical Center and released. The mother and son were struck as the mother rode a bike (with the son in a child’s seat) on West Church Street in West Elmira.

The driver, Ronald Vosburg, 37, who was backing out of his driveway, was cited Thursday for unsafe backing.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Motorists need to be very cautious around bicyclists this summer.

I have handled bicycle accident cases in the Elmira, Corning an dIthaca area for more than 25 years but I can’t remember another time when I read of three serious bike injury crashes in one day in one city.

This is a great wakeup call and important reminder to all bicyclists and motorists that this is the peak bicycling and motorcycling season and riders have to be particularly attentive to the presence of bicycles on the local roads.

Today the Elmira Star-Gazette posted an article discussing the three Elmira area bike accidents Wednesday. According to the Star-Gazette:

• A 72-year-old man was struck shortly after2 p.m. at Clemens Center Parkway and Cedar Street in Southport.
• At about4 p.m., a 46-year-old man was struck at Pennsylvania Avenue and West Miller Street.
• At about7 p.m., a 35-year-old woman and her 1 1/2-year-old son were injured when a vehicle backing out of a driveway on West Church Street in West Elmira struck the mother’s bike. The child was strapped into a child’s seat on the front of the bike.

What I found interesting about these bike-car crashes is that contrary to what most people think about those most likely to be hit by a car while riding a bike — namely younger kids and teenagers — all three of these collisions involved adult victims: 72 years old, 46 years old and 35 years old (with a small child).

This supports exactly what I have been saying for a long time: many more adults are riding bikes.

These collisions also provide important lessons to both motorists and bike and motorcycle riders:

Motorists — ALWAYS be on the lookout for bikes, motorcycles and pedestrians. Whether backing out or driving in residential neighborhoods, city streets or country roads, always be vigilant for bikes, motorcycles and pedestrians because, unfortunately, it is very easy to not see a smaller bicycle or motorcycle if you are only on the lookout for bigger cars and trucks.

Bicyclists and motorcyclists — ALWAYS assume you are invisible to cars and trucks because, sad to say, most motorists simply fail to see you. Pedestrians need to be just as alert.

Better safe than sorry.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com