Urgent Call for Action: Protecting Cyclists on Queens Streets
As personal injury lawyers serving the Queens community, we are deeply saddened and concerned by the recent tragedy that occurred on August 5, 2024. A cyclist was struck and killed by a truck driver at the intersection of 34th Street and 43rd Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens. This unfortunate event marks the 148th traffic fatality in New York City this year, with 42 of these deaths occurring in Queens alone. These statistics highlight the ongoing dangers that cyclists face on our streets.
The cyclist was riding in a protected bike lane, a crucial link between the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Boulevard. However, the protection ended at the intersection, leaving the cyclist vulnerable. This incident underscores the inadequacy of current infrastructure, which often relies on temporary measures rather than permanent, concrete solutions that could offer true protection.
Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, expressed the collective grief and frustration poignantly: “We are heartbroken and outraged to learn that a truck driver struck and killed a person biking in Sunnyside today. All New Yorkers have a right to get where they’re going safely, and our city’s leaders failed to protect this bike rider today.”