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From The New York Shitty Inbox: Bicyclist Struck On Kingsland?
Speaking as someone who has seen the traffic around Kingland Avenue and Nassau Avenue I wish I could be surprised by this— but I’m not. Jen writes:
hey Heather-
I figured you were the best person to reach out to to ask this questions to. I live on kingsland between nassau and norman which has become a very heavy truck & bus route. The light at kingsland and norman is on the same timing schedule as the light at kingsland and norman so trucks and cars tend to FLY down our street to make both lights, especialy at night. While i don’t know if installing a… camera would deter this behavior perhaps changing the timing of one of the lights ( so they didnt both turn green at the same time) would make drivers less inclined to speed through the block.
Last night there was an accident in front of our apartment because of this very thing, 2 cyclists were riding and one was hit by a large truck (both cyclists had full lights on their bikes front and back along with flashing lights on their tires. The truck was going too fast and has severely injured the cyclist.
Long story short… perhaps you know the best people to try and get in contact with to try and get a change in the lights made?
Off the top of my head I would recommend you and your neighbors:
- bring this to the attention of our local Community Board. They have a transportation committee and this is the kind of thing they would be very interested in knowing about.
- contact our State Representative Joe Lentol. I know one of his community liaisons, a very nice lady named Amy. She is very interested in pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
- attend the next 94th Precinct Community Council meeting and bring this to the attention of our Deputy Inspector, Dennis Fulton. Speaking as someone who has attended these meetings I can tell you traffic is a common complaint. You will NOT be alone.
If anyone has more advice for Jen or would care to recount their own observations about the traffic in this area (in my opinion it needs policing— BADLY) please tender them in the comments. I would love to hear them! In closing I hope this, the latest person to be struck by truck traffic in our community— makes a speedy and full recovery. My best wishes go out to his (or her) family, friends and loved ones.
Miss Heather
Comments
2 Comments on From The New York Shitty Inbox: Bicyclist Struck On Kingsland?
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SpillConspirator on
Sat, 1st May 2010 11:03 pm
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KarenN on
Mon, 3rd May 2010 10:39 am
Folks should also communicate with the Community Board and OUTRAGE about the truck traffic issues. OUTRAGE is an organization that has been tirelessly working on truck traffic issues, particularly truck traffic occuring in the vicinity of the many waste transfer stations. That’s exactly where Kingsland Ave is located.
You can get involved with OUTRAGE by contacting Betamia Coronel email: bcoronel@stnicksalliance.org
Hi All,
Heather has given you excellent advice, please contact all of the above. I am Karen Nieves the current Transportation Chair for CB#1. Kingsland Avenue Between Norman and Greenpoint is a local truck route but trucks should not be speeding. I do agree it is so dangerous on Kingsland Ave. between Driggs Ave. and Norman, motorists are speeding to make both lights and a signal change can make a difference. As I understand people are traveling more and more by bike and this may be the direct route, I really ask that people use caution and remember it is a local truck route and it can be difficult for trucks to see you. I do know this street is wide enough for a bike lane and was suggested in the past. I will submit a request for DOT come and study the street and recommend safety measures. I welcome more dialogue on these issues and ask that you get involved and participate in the committee meetings. Please visit the Community Board website at http://www.cb1brooklyn.org/index.htm and check the calendar for up coming meetings. The next transportation meeting is on May 13th at the CB#1 office. Outrage representatives will be present at this meeting as well. Also feel free to email me at knieves.tnt@gmail.com. Be safe.
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