New York Law Firm Applauds City's Plan to Build Protected Bike Lanes

    NEW YORK, NY, February 17, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In an effort to improve New York City's infrastructure for cyclists, local officials announced plans to build more protected bicycle lanes in the city. John Tucker, director of claims management at Kaplan Lawyers PC, said it is a much-needed effort.

"The push in New York over recent years to build more protected bike lanes has been incredibly effective," Tucker said. "With the city's ever-present transportation woes combined with the renewed popularity of the bike as a viable way to get around the city, investing more toward making our streets safer is a no-brainer."

New York City built over 25 miles of protected bike lanes in 2017, an increase of 38 percent from the year before, which was also a record-year for protected bike lane construction.

Tucker said that the statistics bear out the effectiveness of these lanes.

"The numbers speak for themselves," Tucker said. "These lanes make our roads safer not just for cyclists, but also for motorists and pedestrians."

The DOT said that on roads with protected bike lanes, injuries dropped by 20 percent, crashes involving injuries dropped by 17 percent, and pedestrian injuries are down by 22 percent. Although bike traffic has significantly increased, the number of cyclist injuries has also been reduced, the department said.

In 2018, protected bike lanes going east on 26th Street and west on 29th Street will be the first tackled by the city. Additional bike lanes are also being considered on streets just south of Central Park.

New Yorkers are turning to cycling because it is cheaper and faster than taking taxis, the DOT said. From 2010 to 2015, commuting to work by bike in Manhattan grew by 98 percent.

Tucker said that this trend is a good thing for New York and that the city's response shows that it is in tune with the wants of residents and is concerned for their safety.

"Encouraging this trend is the right thing to do," Tucker said. "It's clear that New Yorkers are finding bikes a practical alternative to other forms of transportation, and it's the city's job to make sure cyclists are as safe as possible."

About Kaplan Lawyers PC
The attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers PC help clients in legal matters ranging from personal injury claims to workers' compensation disputes. They have locations in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County. Visit the Kaplan Lawyers PC website to learn more.

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