Fatal Bicycle Accident on Cross Bay Boulevard

QUEENS, NY- Newyork.cbslocal.com writes that a cyclist was struck and killed on Cross Bay Boulevard. The victim was found on the roadway in the late afternoon and was unresponsive. The 65-year-old was hit by an SUV while he was traveling north close to Fourth Road.

One of the residents in the area said they heard the crash. The first people to arrive on the scene attempted CPR but were unable to resuscitate the victim.

While there are bike lanes heading in both directions, the crash took place on a stretch of roadway that is under construction. Locals say traffic can move fairly fast in the area and that with the bike lane gone, there is no designated place for bikes.

Prior to this crash, many in the area were saying that the roads were not safe and that a traffic light should be installed to ensure that drivers slow down. While the speed limit is 30 miles per hour, people in the area report that most drivers are traveling much faster without repercussions. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation. There are no charges pending against the driver at this time.

So far, in 2019, 25 cyclists have been killed in New York City, indicating a steep rise over a total of 10 killed in 2018.

New York City has made efforts to reduce the number of traffic-related fatalities. The efforts have had some success, but the rise in cycling deaths has indicated that the mayor’s Vision Zero initiative is not going far enough to reach its goal of no traffic-related fatalities in New York City by the year 2024.