Just last week, a 16-year-old cyclist, Juraed Umedjon, was killed by a truck driver on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. This marks the 15th cyclist death this year and the 12th child to lose their life on New York City’s roads in 2024. The intersection of Ditmas and Coney Island avenues, where the crash occurred, is notorious for its dangers. Despite being a Vision Zero priority zone since 2015, the area has seen little in terms of safety improvements. The promises made by Mayor Adams to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists have yet to materialize, leaving dangerous roadways like Coney Island Avenue largely unchanged.
The failure to build adequate protected bike lanes is not just a matter of missed targets; it is a matter of life and death. The recent death of Juraed Umedjon, along with the injuries to his fellow riders, underscores the urgent need for action. Transportation Alternatives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safer streets, has highlighted that more children have been killed so far in 2024 than in nine of the last ten years. This is a clear indication that the city’s current approach is insufficient.
In addition to the tragedy on Ditmas Avenue, the broader statistics are equally concerning. According to the NYPD, 158 people have been killed on the city’s roadways through August 18th, an 8 percent increase compared to the average under Vision Zero. The rise in cyclist deaths, coupled with the city’s slow progress in building protected bike lanes, paints a grim picture for the safety of New York City’s cyclists.
As bicycle accident lawyers in New York City, we see the devastating impact of these preventable accidents firsthand. The city’s failure to deliver on its promises has left cyclists exposed to unnecessary risks. Protected bike lanes, which provide a physical barrier between cyclists and car traffic, are a proven method to reduce injuries and fatalities. Yet, the city’s efforts to build these lanes have lagged far behind the goals set by both the administration and city law.
Multiple bicycle accident cases handled by our firm illustrate the long-standing issues with the city’s bike infrastructure
Pilar Ortiz suffered serious leg injuries after being struck by a MTA Bus while riding her bicycle. Ortiz had to undergo 20- surgeries to save her legs. She was represented by two of our attorneys: Ben Rubinowitz and Peter Saghir. Rubinowitz and Saghir successfully fought the NYC transit agency who was blaming the victim for the accident. The case went to trial. Rubinowitz and Saghir were able to prove to the jury that MTA investigators were lying. Ortiz won the case after a 6 year battle receiving a multi-million verdict by a New York County jury.
In another case in which a bicyclist was struck by a New York City Transit bus our firm once again obtained multi-million dollar verdict. Ben Rubinowitz represented the CEO of Con Edison who came to us requesting representation for an injury he suffered while riding his bike. He suffered severe hip and leg injuries.
The city’s continued inaction and the resulting fatalities demand accountability. Legal action is a critical tool in pushing for the changes that are so desperately needed. By holding those responsible for these tragedies accountable, whether through civil lawsuits or advocacy for policy changes, we can push for safer streets and prevent future losses.
The time for promises has passed. What New York City’s cyclists need now is action—real, tangible improvements that will protect lives and make the city’s streets safe for everyone. The lives of cyclists, especially young ones like Juraed, should not be the price we pay for delayed infrastructure projects and unfulfilled promises.
Picture source: GoFundme