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On Friday night some two dozen cyclists gathered in Queens for what has become a sadly familiar ritual in NYC: The installation of an all-white ghost bike commemorating the traffic death of a cyclist. The notoriously dangerous Queen Boulevard has claimed the lives of two cyclists in the past 19 months; the most recent victim, 38-year-old James Langergaard, was killed by a car as he crossed the boulevard at 69th Street on the evening of August 14th. (In February 2008, Asif Rahman, 22, was killed when he was hit by a truck at an intersection in Elmhurst.)
Langergaard, who volunteered for Transportation Alternatives, was in a rush and ran a red light, according to his brother. A friend tells the Daily News, "It's an injustice that there's no forgiveness on our streets," and another says he continues to commute by bike because "it's what James would have wanted."
Although the cause of this accident appears to be the tragic result of cyclist negligence, bike advocates still emphasize the need for a bike lane on Queens Boulevard. T.A. spokesman Wiley Norvell says, "The road is 14 lanes wide at certain points... the spine of central and western Queens. Eight to 10 feet for bikes isn't asking too much." The DOT is considering various improvements, but there's no indication that Queens Boulevard bike lanes are planned.
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Cyclists can go fvck themselves. Take the subway, the world doesn't revolve around you.
You're a jerk.
people from queens can go fuck themselves. that's the real problem here.
fuck you... you are a fucking problem, you fucking dick
Lotta rage there, huh buddy?
It's supersad that a cyclist who works for Transportation Alternatives was killed running a red light, on a few levels.
Sadly ironic.
Time to ban bikes.
I just had this conversation the other day. That Queens Blvd should be turned into some sort of parkway/highway. With overpasses built every 2 blocks or so. Because it goes all the way through Queens and would be a great way to travel quickly. Having the overpasses would ensure safe passage for pedestrians. And bike lanes could be made available alongside it.
I totally agree with this suggestion 100%. Also, they need a way to safely merge into traffic. I've seen too many times where people make left turn into the express lanes into on-coming traffic. I had it happen to me once where some guy, appear to be in a hurry, turned into the express lane and started coming straight at me. Scary moment.
It's risky to ride a bike in the city. Bad streets, too many pedestrians, buses/taxis/cars. I like riding a bike as much as the next person, but it's DANGEROUS, even with bike lanes. You want fresh air and exercise, go for a walk or a jog.
Cyclists are often just as selfish and dangerous as the drivers they complain about. The only difference is that they are going 15+ mph with little or no protection, between cars, through red lights, on sidewalks, etc. I'm never happy to see a cyclist injured or killed, but it's an inherently dangerous activity in NYC, and those who engage in it assume the risk of an unhappy outcome.
Most of us don't bike for "fresh air and exercise." It's a form of transportation, and one that deserves every bit as much recognition in public planning as driving, walking or using public transportation.
Yeah, this guys death is getting taken too far. I respect the ghost bike and the ride, but he died because he ran a red light, not because cars kill lots of people every year.
ides, a cyclist ran a red light and got himself killed, how is that justification for banning bikes? dumbass.
I'm just getting with the nanny state program. Anything that can be potentially dangerous to anyone needs to be banned. Your sarcasm detector needs a repair.
oh, so you were making a funny? good for you.
Let's nip this in the bud.
Some people think cyclists are a pain in the ass that have no respect for pedestrians and traffic laws.
Some people think drivers are too irresponsible when it comes to the safety of cyclists.
Some people think there are ways all parties can share this congested shithole of a city.
Some people think all sides of the argument should shut the fuck up because they're sick of seeing the same arguments recycled over and over and over and over and over and over
Nice try, Ides.
"It's an injustice that there's no forgiveness on our streets" -- that sentence borders on satire. Did this guy just leave the warmth of his mother's womb? OF COURSE no one gives a shit. You've got to ride like you know that.
I commute by bike every day. Every risk I take, I know what kind of gamble it is. Homeboy's number came up -- the world goes on.
I don't believe he ran a red light!
Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog believe that cyclists don't run red lights, only automobiles. And they should know.
Can we install a ghost pedestrian in memoriam of folks harmed by bikers ripping through red lights and crosswalks in crowded areas?
Hey, what's fair is fair - go for it.
Would they have to be killed in order to get one? That's 11 of them from 1996 to 2005. If you installed ghost mannequins for people killed by cars driven by drunks, people running red lights and not yielding right of way, thered be sidewalks so full of ghosts you wouldn't be able to get through.
Yikes!
well said.... however, the ignorance is sure to rage on.
In my opinion, I always felt that being a good/experienced DRIVER in this city FIRST, really helps in becoming a good cyclist in this city. You have to learn how to think like drivers and what to be aware of at all times when dealing w/ traffic.
The same way that a biker who drives will always be sure to check their rearview before opening the door when they are parked. (hopefully)
Honestly, I think the major advantage of biking is running lights when cars are stuck there. But not just running them blindly and going along w/ the walk sign.
Not that this part would matter, but James was a big fan of the gothamist, and laughed while reading your comments everyday...
James was an avid bicyclist, and he was always angered when he saw cyclists ride on sidewalks, or the wrong way down streets, or when they would cut off people or cars. He would be vocal about this too; James did not want dangerous riders giving cyclists a bad name. He had much respect for pedestrians when riding.
Witnesses say James stopped at the red light, looked both ways and then proceeded. This is something I still do to this day when I cross the street on foot. (How many of us wait at every corner for the green light?) There is no way to know if James was in a hurry or not...he was only one block from his new apartment.
James was struck in the express lane. Was the driver speeding? The speed limit there is only 30 mph and I believe he was killed instantly...Only the accident investigation will say for sure.
Yes, his number did come up, and yes the world will go on, but not for him...and only barely for those close to him. We have all made mistakes and had close calls, but just because a mistake was made doesn't mean it is not a dangerous intersection (you have to see it to really understand), or that the driver was not also at fault, or that it isn't a tragedy.
James, you are missed.
We're all big fans of the Gothamist.
Queens Boulevard is notorious as a death race 2000 scene. I can't help but wonder if it wasn't designed by diabolical civil engineers to thin out the human herd...?