Long Island Roads Unsafe for Bicyclists, Pedestrians

One major difference I've found since moving back to Long Island is that the congestion here doesn't lend itself to long distance running nor long distance cycling.

And judging by the last few weeks in Newsday, it would seem that this problem has developed into a widespread epidemic with much too many lethal results. For example, I found this story disheartening because it is the route Mrs. Morganobrien.com and I run:

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY CAR IN CRITICAL CONDITION
MATTHEW CHAYES
October 26, 2008
A pedestrian was in critical condition after a Honda hit him yesterday in Oceanside, Nassau police said. Michael Spinelli, 82, sustained severe head trauma about 1:43 p.m. after he was hit by an East Rockaway woman driving north on Lawson Boulevard near Concord Avenue, police said. Spinelli was trying to cross east on Lawson, police said. The driver, Michelle Malvito, 20, was not injured, and was not charged, police said. link

Then there's this "only on Long Island" incident...I mean seriously, batteries?...:

East Meadow man charged with rupturing bicyclist's spleen
BY PATRICK WHITTLE | patrick.whittle@newsday.com
10:05 AM EST, November 9, 2008
Police arrested an East Meadow man early this morning after he allegedly threw a radio at a 16-year-old bicyclist and ruptured the victim's spleen.

The East Meadow resident, 22-year-old Christopher Criswell, was a passenger in a vehicle traveling on East Meadow Drive when he threw a "detached radio from the moving vehicle," police said. The incident, which police have termed an assault, occurred at 6:55 p.m., police said.

The victim, who was not named, was knocked off his bicycle, police said. The victim was transferred to Nassau University Medical Center where he underwent surgery to remove his spleen, police said. link

And then there's the scumbag teen drug abuser that cuts short a productive member of society's life:

Teenage suspect pleads not guilty
Eyewitness News
HUNTINGTON -- A teenager driving an SUV under the influence of drugs slammed into two runners out for an evening jog, killing one of them - a beloved schoolteacher - and seriously injuring her friend, police said Friday.

Shea Rosen, a 19-year-old from the exclusive village of Brookville on Long Island's "Gold Coast," was being held in lieu of $1 million bond after pleading not guilty at his arraignment. Rosen's attorney, former federal prosecutor Joseph Conway, declined to comment on the high bond amount, but said his client's family was unlikely to post it on Friday. link

And those headlines are only from the past couple weeks. So there's the problem, now what's the solution?


- For starters, runners, cyclists and pedestrians can start by wearing reflective belts. Even during the daytime and especially during the winter (even though it starts getting dark around 4:30 nowadays), wearing a reflective belt can help otherwise preoccupied drivers notice you.

- We need to promote bike lanes. Considering the potential for a green revolution over the next four years, there's no reason local politicians don't jump on this bandwagon. At the same time, LIRR stations should all add a bike rack or two--including those with covers to protect from the weather--to promote cycling.

- Morons and entitled Gold Coast trust fund kids could stop driving under the influence/throwing things at pedestrians.

- Drivers need to recognize that there is a need to share the road. Long Islanders have a certain sense of entitlement, in fact we have a number of a-hole drivers on Long Island, but there needs to be an Island-wide push to promoting safer driving.

- And who better than Newsday to promote issues like this? By tying together this recent rash of accidents, Newsday could take a stand and promote the need to address this problem.

People are needlessly dying and entering intensive care, and we must come together for a solution. Whether you're running, cycling or driving, be sure to keep your eyes open out there.