Cyclist Struck In Williamsburg Is 10th To Die This Year

I read these stories whenever they are posted when I am browsing through Gothamist. While I feel it is a tragedy when someone has died as a result of a vehicle hitting a bicyclist, I've had some near hits on my bike either by (purposely) speeding cars nearly side swiping on me, or making a quick illegal non-stop U-turn (in which case I would actually be the one hitting the car, due to the driver's carelessness)  and I consider myself a pretty cautious bicyclist. Here I may be proving just the point of some readers that motorists are dangerous, which can be true. But so are bicyclists, especially ones I've seen who speed through intersections w/o looking, squeeze through a narrow space between two moving vehicles, or run red lights--let's be honest here. I'm not saying this Nic individual deserved it or others for that matter, but I have a feeling that some of them didn't bother checking moving vehicles (or pedestrians) or obey traffic laws on their end and for a lot of bicyclists feel the need to prove their bicycling prowess against those that get in their way. NYC is a dangerous city when it comes to traffic--decades of habits--but for bicyclists anyway if they can control it, why not be more cautious for your own sake? ("Nic was following a racing bike." "It is unclear if he was wearing a helmet."--Not sure how that is still unclear, but maybe someone just does not want to say.)

nick was an amazing person with a beautiful heart and mind. shame on you people to make this about bikes. it's not about that anymore. it's about a tragic loss of a truly wonderful individual. nick wasn't reckless, he was a careful and thoughtful person who took everyone and everything into consideration. his family and friends will miss him dearly.

10 so far this year? This is horrible and no one needs to place the blame on individuals when it sounds like we have an endemic problem.

Well lets recap the last 3.  Guy blows a red light and is hit by a car.  Investigated, driver not at fault.  Nearsighted women falls off her bike after a loud noise.  Driver is investigated and exonerated.  Guy blows a red light, probably due to the chain falling off his bike, and is run over by a cement truck.  Driver is investigated and exonerated.  Whatever the "endemic problem" it just refuses to be due to bad drivers, no matter how much Gothamist wants it to be that way, time and time again the evidence fails to support the "blame the driver" generalization.  You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.  Have you got any conflicting, factual, information on those last 3 deaths, or just a bad taste in your mouth?

What's endemic is an issue that goes beyond drivers and bicyclists. It's dangerous for anyone to ride a bike next to a car - there's no protection. One reason why pedestrians have sidewalks is because they don't have the protection or travel at the same speed as cars. Bikes need more private bike lanes. That'd be one thing I'd like to have happen. Nobody's blaming the car driver here.

you make perfect and rational sense here. sadly swampyankee will never look beyond his own views and see anything you say. it happens with people who never set foot out of america. sadly.

Really Marc?  Lived large parts of my life overseas.  And not only when I was in the service.  Hell of an assumption on your part.  I was born in Brooklyn, but have not always lived there.  Don't live there now.  And you will never consider my point of view.  Although every day......every single day.... I go to work in downtown Brooklyn and have to dodge cyclists running red lights.  This is true, You know this is true.  You see it yourself.  Every day cyclists run red lights.  Every day Marc  tell me you never see it?

This is truly sad.

sorry this has to happen. Why post unnecessary comments about someone dying..... My friend was killed 2 weeks ago on his bicycle on delancy. It was no ones fault either. A malfunction of the bike. Tragedy!!!!! I just hope drivers and bicyclists become more aware of what is around them and no more lives be lost. Sorry for another loss of young person.....

That's a sad tragedy man... Though I think you should realize before you feed the trolls on either side of the issue of bicycle safety, that the biggest trolls here are mostly the people posting the articles who yank everyone's chain by slanting a narrative to create these arguments.  They don't really care about your loss just the page hits from inciting flame wars over it.

terrible way to go. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends...

"While local pols have demanded safety improvements for hazardous road conditions, such as the intersection of Essex and Delancey on the Lower East Side, they have been to improve safety for pedestrians, not cyclists."

Or like... stop running red and stop lights and end up beeing mushed like cockroaches. It's pretty simple.

Exactly! Stop running red lights and stop signs, cyclists!  This person would still be alive if he had simply observed the light and STOPPED!

Statistically, it is safer for a bicyclist to run a red light into an empty intersection than to wait.  That's been scientifically proven by analyzing accidents in the UK.  However, we don't know what happened in this case because there are conflicting accounts.  It seems improbable that a cyclist would run a red light and then turn into the path of an oncoming SUV, which is what the stories add up to so far.  Of course when one of the participants in a crash is dead all kinds of stories can be made up.

Yes, all kind of stories could pop up.  One such story came from an eye witness who said he ran the light.  Statistically, at an empty intersection, I doubt it is safer to run the light.  Maybe it is but that is kind of like "if a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it" discussion.  This was not an empty intersection.....far from it.....it rarely is.  I suspect the guy just didn't see the SUV.  It happens to cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.  Sometimes you just don't see everything.  That's what it is not safe to go through a red light.  You can spin this up all you like but the simple fact remains if he does not run the light, he does not get hit.  It's a tragically that this young man is dead.  But there are others reading this blog who might be getting the message that it's OK to run lights, your post kind of indicates that.  That's irresponsible.  It's up to everybody to obey the law and exert peer pressure on those that don't.  I'm a pedestrian and mass transit rider and like the rest of you I run into a lot of tourist in the city.  If they are crossing against the light or doing something stupid or dangerous I try and point it out in a nice way.  Not a week goes by I don't tell someone not to be flashing that expensive DSLR of some of our more interesting subway lines

If it's statistically safer to run a red light when the intersection is empty, then it would be irresponsible of me to not say so.  It is not up to everyone to obey the law -- laws can be stupid or evil.  Most traffic laws are made only with private cars in mind (because that is how bureaucrats, police and politicians get around) and, maybe, secondarily thinking of pedestrians.  Bicycles were ignored until very recently and little has been done to think about how they move and make rules accordingly.  You've got to use your head, not rely on the authorities, who are, by and large, indifferent.

In this case, however, according to what I've read, the intersection was not empty.  The accident took place at 8:25 pm, when it must have been dark, so if the SUV and the bicycle were headed in opposite directions, and the SUV had its headlights on, then it's hard to imagine that the cyclist didn't see it.  But as I say the facts are unclear., thanks to our goofy media.

I do often feel this way. Example:

Say you're cycling down one of the avenues and there is a ton of traffic. Once all of it is stopped it seems much safer to make your way through the lights controlling the less-traveled side streets than make your way through four lanes of traffic moving at 40 miles an hour. 

There's also the matter of getting hit from behind when stopped at a light, which is why lane splitting is legal for motorcyclists.

I don't usually run red lights but I will not hesitate to do so when I feel it is safer. Too bad I have to watch for police as well. Thanks for protecting me NYPD, hahaha.

what, are you the traffic light ambassador? red lights are not the only factor in cylcing accidents, particularly fatal ones. peolpe die riding bikes for a variety of different reasons. yes, running a red light puts you at risk, and i do wish cyclists were more thoughtful around intersections.

but do not be so ignorant as to assume a blanket statement will explain why accidents happen, and don't be such a dick. coming into this thread making the statements you are making is unkind and malicious. people are mourning the death of a young person whose life was cut short, but there is not enough information provided in this article for you to make any kind of judgment towards anyone involved in the accident.

furthermore, if you do feel strongly about safer riding habits amongst city cyclists, try removing your head from your ass. when you troll threads on gothamist and say inflammatory things for the express purpose of upsetting and provoking people, your message gets lost. for example, i'm fairly certain everyone in this thread who read your comments didn't think "oh, wow, i should be more mindful around red lights, look at all the fatalities that may be occuring in relation to running a traffic stop!" they think "wow, what a fucking douchebag, someone needs to learn to spell!"

just so you know.

His remarks are sickening, hurtful, and filled with hatred and hostility. I wish Gothamist would ban him, but he probably has 3 other accounts under different names. 

It literally makes me sick to my stomach that someone would make such hateful comments on stories about people dying--particularly when their grieving friends and family are commenting as well. He must have some serious mental and emotional problems.

He has probably like a dozen, twenty, no one really knows, but they include YouMadBro, thespinguru, ed esposito, jessearmrstrng (formerly Jesse), Lee Franklin, TabithaJ, Moe Howard, Miguel C, Dolemite, and maaaaybe SwampYankee and 2hard4u2c.

fraid not.  There is more than one person here who is not of the "cyclist is always right" crowd.  I am me.  Gothamist is welcome to check IP's on anyone they expect has different accounts.  Breaks you heart that everybody doesn't love cyclist doesn't it?

You're right, I don't think you are him anymore, that's why I said maybe. TabithaJ on the other hand definitely is, that's abundantly clear considering he's made other fake accounts using the same profile pic that he got from google and says the same exact things he's said on his twitter and had a fake four square account that did nothing but trash the gyms Ed has trashed on his other accounts and only left good reviews for Ed's classes.

Maybe tactownyo is the on that set all those screenames up because he seems to know the entire list. What other kind of loser posts at 3am?

Ed, you already know that I'm not one of your accounts. And in another thread people already proved that this TabithaJ persona is you. It's really obvious. And I posted that "12 hours ago" which would not be 3am.

Thankyou! Well said. This asshole doesn't have anything to offer in these threads other than to be a dick. I'm guessing it's a 13 year old who likes to hurt animals.

Nick was a very sensitive, kind person and terribly smart. He was also very polite and considerate. He was never arrogant or cocky, always humble, and I'm sure what happened was simply a nervous mistake on his part-- one that killed him. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. I can't stop tearing up knowing I won't see him again. And I feel for his family who must be in such pain right now.

Whether or not he was at fault doesn't in any way impact the sad death of a person who was clearly loved. Sorry for your loss Kaela.

I wounder why every shooter and every one who broke the road rules and died is a terribly smart, sensitive and never arrogant or cocky.

It's like it's only saints that die while running lights. What a coincidence.

@sshole ^^^^^^^^^^

Awww.

so tough all alone in your sad little apartment huh?

YouMadBro......looks like you are about to get banned.  Only pro-cyclist are allowed insensitive comments on Gothamist.  Earlier this week it was suggested that I "burn to death in a fire".  That comment did not get flagged nor the person banned

sometimes i read gothamist only to see people like you comment so i can be reminded of how lovely my life is. thank you, sincerely, for making me realize what wonderful people me and and my friends are. good luck in your sadness.

You're disgusting. Someone like Nic who was a loving, kind person dies...meanwhile a scumbag like you gets to live another day.

that is the rub huh? a beautiful person gone forever and this sad sack of shit will be around making everyone around him miserable for years to come.

Deaths may have increased 2 fold in ten years, but ridership has increased nearly 4 fold in that same time period.

Also, if anyone wants to add this to article, he worked at Art in General and was working as a curatorial fellow/intern at the Dia Foundation at the time of his death.

I worked with Nick at Art in General and am truly saddened to hear this news. He was a good friend and a really sweet, thoughtful individual. I hope that ALL people, drivers and cyclers, will be more careful as a result of this terrible news in addition to the loss of 9 other people.

I don't think anybody cares where he was interning at?

Do you enjoy being a prick

Do you?

you are a sad pathetic little man and you know it.

Don't be an asshole glx.
Nic was one of my best friends and this is heartbreaking news.
He was a brilliant guy, and this is just a miserable end to a remarkable human being.
We read about these deaths too often, never expecting someone you love so much being the subject. It's too much to comprehend. I appreciate Gothamist posting on this. I only hope--in vain--that people can be sensitive. But it's easy to shit talk and blame people from behind avatars online. It's a tragedy to those who know him...if you're not sympathetic, go read another article! Don't get your kicks at someone else's expense.

Wasn't that brilliant if he ran red lights. If you don't want people to comment on it, don't post stories on internet. 

Free speech, deal with it buddy.

And I'm sure---absolutely SURE---that you yourself have never done anything less than perfect, right YouMadBro?

Yo, Cpt. Obvious!

"free speech" doesn't mean your obligated to debase yourself by reveling in shit. Grow the hell up. You sound like your terribly, terribly picked on offline. 

(Hopefully feeding the troll will just get him booted)

I'm sorry for your loss.  Please don't use your grief to put words into my mouth.

Very sorry for your loss.

It really is dangerous for cyclist in the city, I was riding towards the Williamsburg Bridge heading towards Brooklyn last night, As I was riding along traffic and got to the bike path a black BMW hit a female rider who was right behind me pretty hard. The driver called her stupid and did not even bother to get out to help and just drove off. the girl was not to hurt but she could have been killed if the driver was going faster.

wow... she should've gotten his license at the very least (not that the NYPD would've necessarily done anything)...

523 gun-related murders in NYC and 10 people are killed on bicycles and it's all you can talk about?  Bicyclist indeed!

So you missed the articles on the murders that happened earlier this week?

^what they said^

you should start a bicycling news website called "Bicyclist" if you want to keep rehashing these stories over and over again.

you should stop posting your garbage on here and skip the bicycle posts. please. just do us all a favour.

I don't find bicycle coverage annoying. What I DO find annoying (and very, very sad) is that each cycling article balloons into the same 200+ comment dialogue of people disagreeing with each other and and being completely dogmatic and unwavering in their positions.

yeah, you are sadly so right. #heartbreaking

Yup, got to agree.  Perhaps Gothamist will take the high road and not allow comments on cycling death stories, but until they do the "cyclist is never wrong and the police are covering up these murders crowd" will not remain unchallenged.  Thankfully this has nothing to do with page views :-)

maybe you should go to some other countries where cars have figured out how to function on the same roads with cyclists so people will stop being killed and maimed because randomly.

You should read another blog

Sorry to hear that.  Are fixed gear bikes safe to ride in the city?

Nic didn't ride a fixed gear.

Who rides a fixed gear bike in traffic and lives to tell about it? Fixies are for beach cruising and not traffic.

No, also running red lights is not legal.

No. And they are not street legal

Many fixed gear cyclists do ride with a front brake, which does make them "street legal" - tho I don't know if this poor fella who was run over had one.

neither are those electric bikes those reckless deliverymen use... but you don't see a crackdown on those either (and they are arguably much more dangerous, since deliverymen often go the wrong way down street and ride on the sidewalks, much more than regular cyclists)

electric bikes are legal if they are restricted to under 20 mph and have pedals

I didn't know that. thanks.

Yeah, I've seen these scooters being used by various sushi places and the guys always drive opposite traffic and pass lights all the time. It's only a matter of time until one of these guys gets flattened by a vehicle. Remember folks these small bikes can stop on a dime if they are going a reasonable speed but cars cannot.

thousands of middle aged mom's ride those in China safely. It's not the vehicle, it's the operator.

I'm sure they do... but they are illegal here, and are more dangerous due to the way they are operated.

Not illegal for much longer. The bill making them legal has passed the state assembly and is much of the way through the state senate. I think it's currently before the codes committee, although at the glacial pace Albany moves, it may be a couple of years yet before it heads for the governor's pen. It's about time NY joined the 21st century.

You're not getting it.  People who have a problem with those bikes as opposed to their fixed speed, do so because they are used by immigrants, working for a living, and therefore it has no bearing on their lives, like their precious fixie culture does.

jesus. of course you said this. "fixie" peoples lives don't matter in your reversed fucked up one group of people matter more than others not just someone was killed, again, by a car way of thinking.

WTF are you even getting on about? Oh shut up mush mouth.
I already understand this is a horrible tragedy, whenever this happens, but I don't have to say it on every article about one of these awful incidents; just to make sure that you, in your mush mouthed brain, personally will know how awful I think incidents like this are.

I agree with you 100%
they are a nuisance

but damn my food arrives hot, hot, hot!