City Will Finally Collect Crash Data on Cyclists, Pedestrians

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The City Council unanimously voted 51-0 today to pass a package of bills that will change the way the city handles cyclist and pedestrian traffic information. As you're probably aware, the changes come in the midst of a raging debate about the rules (and safety) of the roads. But although there's a growing perception in some circles that cyclists are nothing but a threat to pedestrians and all that is sacred and holy, there's little hard data to give us a clear picture of accidents between cyclists and pedestrians. And the city's stats on traffic accidents are vague overall. That's about to change.

The first bill, "Saving Lives Through Better Information," will require the NYPD to publish monthly statistics on traffic crashes and summonses in the hope that this information will provide a clearer picture of the most dangerous intersections and biggest culprits. With this data, the city hopes to target the biggest problem areas and then change the way traffic flows so that it's safer. “With better information, communities can collaborate with government agencies to fix problems like rampant speeding, red-light running and other traffic problems,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives.

The second bill, "TrafficStat," will begin a citywide collection of the amount and type of accidents that happen between cyclists and pedestrians—something that, until now, the city hasn't compiled. Speaker Christine Quinn stated that the bill "will go a long way in helping keeping our pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safe throughout our city."

And a third bill requires the DOT to give a detailed explanation whenever it "rejects a request for a traffic control device such as stop sign or traffic signal submitted by a Council Member or Community Board," so calls to 311 requesting stop signs, bike parking, and traffic lights will no longer fall on deaf ears. Of course, it will take some time before the city will be able to do anything with this data, leaving one question up in the air—will it curb the growing backlash against cyclists? Or will the data give the anti-cyclist crowd that much more to shout about?

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By Krista Ciminera in News on February 16, 2011 4:50 PM

Comments [rss]

daniel

What about cars, trucks, and buses breaking nearly every traffic law in the city from speeding to running redlights?
What about pedestrians jay walking?
It's not only bikers that break the law, why do we only focus on bikes.

A simple camera setup in midtown will demonstrate the degree that everyone in NYC breaks traffic laws, from pedestrians to buses.

As a pedestrian and bicyclists in this city, I am much more afraid of cars speeding and blowing through red lights than a bicyclist.

secretstash

clearly all groups violate numerous rules of the road. however, my perception that, on a pro rata basis, bicyclists take more liberties with the rules. Further, their liberties with the rules, especially biking on sidewalks and failing to obey basic rules of the road (ie stop lights) are probably the worst group considering the underestimated harm that bicycles can do to pedestrians.

Further, I dont think the danger is hipsters on bianchis--I think it's delivery guys rushing for an extra $2.00 or kids who dont know that a bike can do damage.

cmdrogogov

I'm still waiting for an affordable, cheap helmet-mount camera, preferably one that I can bluetooth and stream to a web server via my phone.

That way, even though the video feed will be of low quality, a police officer stealing or destroying the device won't cover up any evidence.

Either way, I digress. It's worrying that they didn't ALREADY collect and publish these statistics...

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

sounds good. I'm going to call 311 when a pedestrian almost ran into me on my bicycle.

pd2009

Notice how the NYPD will use it's summons report to confirm their own bias...if they only ticket cyclists, then certainly that stat will rise. It'll be the same self reinforcing loop. However, if they ticket every first infraction upon an intersection in Central Park, they'll likely never get to the cyclists during their shift.

clipper321

It seems bicycle safety and consideration of others is congruent to cleanliness of riders and inverse to tightness of jeans.

mistermarkdavis

I donn't think the anti bike crowd is too concerned with data. if they disagree with it they think it's lies.

RoughAcres

I am concerned that all accidents are reported... I witnessed a bike delivery person being hit by a car, waited until the police arrived (took them 15 minutes, and we were 4 blocks from the 33rd Precinct... and was angered that, because he wasn't hurt (his bike was mangled, tho), they did NOT report the accident.

So actions like that will definitely skew the stats.... but at least, this is a start.

Trustafarian

yeah - if the data doesn't support their ideas that aggressive hipsters on bianchis are running down little old ladies everyday - they'll just say the data is biased.