Many in the New York Bicycle Coalition may remember riding with Pearson and Pete into Albany on Route 20 or attending the presentation and reception sponsored by NYBC at the Upstate Artists Guild. Both these scenes made it into the final cut of the film, as did a scene from the 2008 Legislative Bike Breakfast and ride around Albany. The Long Bike Back is now fully edited, but we need some help with the cost of the final technical processes (color correction and sound mixing) so that we can release the film this summer. So we’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign: http://igg.me/at/lbb Please consider contributing (there are perks, like a DVD, soundtrack, photo book, and more) and sharing the link with your friends and followers.

The post Featured Film: The Long Bike Back appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

The past decade has seen dramatic growth in biking, with the total number of trips more than doubling from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009, according to the National Household Travel Survey.

But where has bike commuting grown the most? In Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) that have made smart, strategic investments to make biking better.

From 2000 to 2011, the bicycle commuting rate has risen 80% in the largest Bicycle Friendly Communities — far above the average growth of 47% nationwide and more than double the rate of 32% in the cities not designated as bicycle-friendly.

In some Bicycle Friendly Communities, bicycle commuting rates have skyrocketed by more than 400% since 1990, including cities as diverse as Portland, Ore., and Lexington, Ky. Meanwhile, cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Denver have more than doubled their bike commuter share since 2000.

Click here to download the infographic as a PDF.

Take it from League President, Andy Clarke: “I see the dramatic increase in ridership on my own daily bike commute, and it’s definitely more pronounced in those communities — like Arlington County and the District of Columbia — that are proactively improving conditions for bicycling and following the Bicycle Friendly Community blueprint.”

Looking for bike commute data for your area?

• Click here to download 2010 bicycle commuting data for all 375 cities included in the American Community Survey

• Click here to download bicycle commute data from 1990 to 2011 for the 70 largest U.S. cities, including percentage of bicycle commuters and percent change

• Click here for 2011 state commute rates, including bicycle commuting by gender

Learn more about Bike to Work Day, find events in your area and statistics about bicycle commuting at www.bikeleague.org/bikemonth. Is your community a BFC? Find out here — and get involved in the program to make biking better in your area!

Carolyn Szczepanski
Communications Director

Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League’s blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women’s Bicycling Summit and launched the League’s newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.

 

The post Infographics: Where is Bike Commuting Growing the Fastest? appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

Before we try to answer that seemingly simple question, let me provide a brief introduction.

It has been exactly one month since I came on board as NYBC’s new Executive Director.  One very busy month that seemed to fly by.  There’s plenty to keep you busy at the helm of a statewide bicycle organization.  Already I’ve traveled to many parts of the state…joining transportation and health officials at a summit in Rochester; meeting with local Complete Streets advocates in Plattsburgh; “visiting” mountain biking trails in Saratoga Springs; and interacting with thousands of bicyclists at Bike Expo NY in NYC (which included an electric bike ride in Chinatown – exciting stuff for this North Country native).

While all of this sounds glamorous and not much like “work” – rest assured I’ve also been glued to my keyboard and cell phone for more hours than is probably healthy becoming acquainted the responsibility of managing an awesome organization like NYBC.  There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes work that keeps our small staff and dedicated board members and volunteers very busy, I won’t bore you with the details.  But I will make this promise:  the central focus of everything we do will always be on providing a coherent, credible voice for the interests of ALL bicyclists in New York State.

www.kerrybicyclefestival.org

Which brings me back to the question – what is a bicyclist?  Honestly I never asked myself that question before.  But then I had this exchange with a very nice woman at a recent event:

NYBC:  Are you a bicyclist?
Very Nice Woman:  No, I just ride my bike to work every day.
NYBC:  Well then I think you’re a bicyclist!
Very Nice Woman:  Well I don’t wear lycra and ride really fast, and I don’t race or anything like that.
NYBC:  [Head Exploding]

Later in the day I had another shorter conversation with a man who told me “I’m not a bicyclist, I just ride bikes with my kids sometimes.”  Head explodes again.

This was a light-bulb moment the likes of which I’ve never experienced.  Here is a person who bikes to work every day – getting exercise, saving money, reducing congestion – who thinks she is not a bicyclist.  Here is another person who likes to bicycle with his children – introducing them to a healthy, lifelong activity – who thinks he is not a bicyclist.

I mulled over this experience during my long drive home across the state.  Why do these people not identify themselves as “bicyclists”?  What can NYBC do to change that?

On the drive I passed several groups of people road biking, some of them on bikes that cost more than my car.  But I also passed an older woman with a customized bike and trailer, hauling giant bags of bottles and cans to a redemption center.  I passed a man on a long-distance tour, his bike stacked with loaded paniers.  I passed a group of kids racing each other across a field in a town park and jumping over dirt mounds.  I stopped for a sandwich and passed someone’s cruiser bike parked outside of the deli.  When I finally made it home, I climbed on a mountain bike and rode onto the network of trails behind my house.

All of these people are bicyclists.  I’ll take it a step further and suggest that the moment one swings their leg over a bicycle and starts pedaling – whether for recreation, transportation, fitness, or fun – they become a bicyclist.

NYBC’s mission is to provide a voice for bicyclists in New York State.  We represent the interests of ALL bicyclists, whether you use a bicycle for daily transportation, ride on- or off-road, ride for recreation or take part in bike races, and we will continue to work every day to make New York a more bicycle-friendly state for YOU.

We’d love to hear your perspective on this question – what is a bicyclist?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

- Josh Wilson

The post What is a bicyclist? appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

A coalition called “Connect the Putnam Trail” – led by Bike the Bronx, Bronx TA Committee, Bike New York, and local activists – has created an online petition to urge the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to follow through with their plan to extend and pave the Putnam Trail.  According to the coalition, the Putnam Trail will be a greenway that will run from Van Cortlandt Park’s northern border to West 230 Street (a block from Broadway). It will accommodate cyclists, walkers, runners, skaters and those wheelchair bound. This trail once renovated will connect the Bronx greenway system to the South County Trail in Westchester. It will also connect to Manhattan’s Hudson River Greenway via the East Coast Greenway on-street bike route.  – Rich Conroy, Bike New York

Supporters can sign the petition here
Visit “Connect the Putnam Trail” on Facebook here

Rich Conroy at Bronx Community Board #8.  Photo by Neile Weissman

NYBC advocate Neile Weissman made the following remarks to local media and before the Bronx Community Board #8 Committee on Parks & Recreation.

I lead 50 bike rides per year for New York and Westchester cycle clubs.  Many along the North/South County Trailways which connects Brewster, NY to Westchester’s southern border with the Bronx — and putatively, down the Putnam Trail to its historic terminus in Van Cortlandt Park.

But, given the Trail’s frequent state of disrepair, particularly following rain, I route around the Park, onto Webster or Broadway for the final leg.  Both high traffic alternatives to otherwise car-free rides. 

From a commuter perspective, the fully paved, multi-use Trailway links millions of residents in Putnam, Westchester and Bronx counties — and via subway to the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.  It is the single most important piece of bicycle infrastructure in the tri-state area and it is therefore unconscionable that the final mile be completed in anything other than consistent manner.

On the contention that the replacement Trail be finished in crushed rock, I have ridden innumerable crushed rock paths in NY, NJ and CT.  Some are excellent, owing to diligent maintenance.  Others are quite hazardous.   And the Parks Department has flat out declared they will be unable to maintain a crushed rock surface.

All users who access the Trailway-Park have rights to a COMPLETE facility: serviceable to wheelchairs-cyclists as well as runners-hiker; durable in the face of extreme weather events; indifferent to benign neglect.    Thank you.  – Neile Weissman

The post NYBC Supports Efforts to “Connect the Putnam Trail” appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

Submitted by Paul Winkeller, NYBC Board President

This is the second time in, oh, ten years that I have encountered a turtle on New Scotland Road South, which runs between 443 and 85 in Albany County, yet another lovely upstate county in which to ride a road bike (actually mountain bikes, too).

This time, though, I was flagged down by a frantic women in a car who yelled PLEASE PLEASE THERE IS A TURTLE ON THE ROAD CAN YOU GET IT OFF THE ROAD PLEASE!!!!! And off she zoomed.

I must have encountered this particular turtle’s grandfather or grandmother that first time – and that one snapped at my bike shoe. So this time I used my front wheel to slide the little girl (or fella) off the road.

Hey, at least the woman wasn’t calling me names or questioning my presence on HER road!

We are making progress. And yes, the tortoise (bikers) always beats the hare (cars).

Right?

Please tell us about your strange on or off road bicycle / animal encounters!

The post Sharing The Road…With Turtles? appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

In the 1970’s New York’s automobile No-Fault Law was enacted to ensure that insurance companies would pay for legitimate crash related medical expenses, lost earnings and incidental costs, regardless of who was at fault in a crash. The intent behind the law was to speed up compensation without the necessity of long drawn out litigation over fault and the amounts owed and to curb and control claims related to automobile crash expenses.   New York’s No-Fault Insurance Law offers benefits (quick payments for expenses) and restrictions (on lawsuits for pain and suffering).  New York is one of the 12 states that have a No-Fault coverage. If you are injured in a crash in New York, the No-Fault coverage you receive comes from the vehicle you drove, rode in, were hit by, or came into contact with.

No-Fault is separate and distinct claim from a bodily injury claim. Many people get this confused. If injured in a crash, a cyclist, pedestrian, driver or passenger may have the right to sue for their injury as well as their pain and suffering. This is what we call a bodily injury or BI claim. When you are a cyclist, pedestrian or passenger, it will be this same insurance company that provides and pays your No-Fault claim that will also be defending and paying a judgment or settlement for your BI claim. Although payment is made by the same insurance company, these  are completely separate claims. Each has their own laws and rules and is usually handled by different adjusters and departments at the insurance company. The two claims also have different standards of proof, available compensation, and coverage.

No-Fault in New York was designed to ensure that regardless of fault; an insurance company will pay cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and passengers up to $50,000.00 for the legitimate economic losses. This includes ambulance and hospital expenses, doctor bills, prescription drugs and diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and MRI’s as well as therapeutic services such as physical therapy. It also includes your lost wages. It does not include compensation for pain and suffering. Any additional claims can be pursued (if you qualify) by a separate lawsuit against the driver(s) and vehicle owner, or any other party who is responsible for causing the crash and your injury.

Who gets No-Fault?

New York No-Fault Law applies to any cyclist, pedestrian, passengers, or driver injured by a motor vehicle in New York. The conditions that must be met to qualify for No-Fault coverage:

• The accident occurred in New York.
• The injured party was the driver or passenger of the insured vehicle or a cyclist or pedestrian struck by or in contact with the motor vehicle.
• The vehicle must be a car, truck, bus, taxi (not a motorcycle) or other vehicle covered by New York No-Fault law.
• The vehicle is registered in New York.
• The vehicle has an insurance policy sold in New York or issued by a company licensed to do business in the State of New York.

Who doesn’t get No –Fault?

• Motorcyclists
• Vespa or Scooter Riders ( depending on the engine size of  the scooter)
• Someone injured as a result of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
• And under other certain circumstances, out –of- state policies, etc…

How to file for No-Fault?

There are important steps to follow in order to make a no-fault claim. Although the intent of the legislation was to ease the process, this is simply not the case. Under the false premises that they are combating insurance fraud, the insurance companies have turned this process into an adversarial proceeding taking advantage of any mistake a claimant may make to deny you coverage.  Whether failing to miss a filing date, a medical appointment, or by an incorrect entry on a form, a carrier can deny you your medical benefits and lost wages. Even when everything is done properly, you still may face a denial after one of THEIR doctors says you don’t need treatment.  In order to protect your coverage and your benefits these are the steps needed to properly file a claim.

The No-Fault Application (form NF-2):  The no-fault application is normally provided form the insurance carrier of the car that struck you, you came into contact with, that you were driving or in which you were a passenger. If you were a cyclists or a pedestrian AND own your own car, you should request or send the application to your insurance company as well. You may have benefits under your policy such as excess PIP (additional no-fault coverage above $50,000). The application can be requested by phone but it is recommended to also request it by mail, certified return receipt requested.

Time Constraints- You have thirty (30) days from the date of the crash to file the application.  Don’t put it off thinking that your injuries may get better or that your health insurance will cover injuries you suffered in the crash. Simply filing the application does not obligate you to commence a claim. Second, most health insurance do not cover a personal injury resulting from a car crash. Filing the form simply protects your rights.

Additionally, make sure that you send the form to the correct insurance company.  Even if you believe the crash was not the fault of the driver, the No-Fault Application still gets sent to the insurance carrier for the car that you were struck by or was a passenger in, or was driving.

There are occasions where you may not be able to ascertain the insurance company of the car that struck you, especially if a driver of a car is particularly uncooperative and will not provide the information. Always call the police. The police will obtain the information for you and place it on the Police Report. The police report will have a three digit code that will indentify the insurance carrier.

If you still cannot find the insurance company, the new regulations do allow you to provide written proof of a “clear or reasonable” reason for missing the 30 deadline. But, the insurance companies are largely responsible for determining what is “clear or reasonable” so don’t count on this provision to save you from the late filing.

MVAIC -   If you cannot determine the insurance company on time, you should, at a minimum, send a notice right away to the New York State Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). MVAIC is a state run agency which steps into the shoes of the insurance company where there is no insurance. If you find out the identity of the insurance company after you file with MVAIC, you can withdraw your claim. Hopefully you will not need it. MVAIC is a state agency and is full of bureaucratic paperwork and is difficult to navigate even for a seasoned attorney.

Lost Wages- Under No-Fault you can claim lost earnings and out of pocket expenses.  Lost earnings require your employer sends proof of your wages on a form provided by the insurance company called a No-Fault Wage Verification Report. You may need to be on top of your boss or H.R. department to get this filled out. Under No-Fault you are entitled to receive 80% of your crash related lost earnings up to $2000 a month. You will also require a note from your doctor that you are disabled from performing your normal job duties. Your doctor must specify the length of your disability and that it is related to the crash.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses- Save all your receipts for taxis and transportation costs, pharmacy bills and other crash related expenses.  No-fault will reimburse you for travel expenses to and from your doctors or medical treatment. They will also reimburse you for medications, brace and bandages as well as up to $25 dollars a day for other related incidentals for one year post accident.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR CLAIM  IS FILED

After your claim is filed you should be provided with a no-fault claim number. This number, together with the name of the insurance company, the adjuster assigned, and contact information should be provided to your doctor and other health care providers for all treatment, both past and future. If you left the hospital without providing insurance information, call the hospital billing department right away and give them the information. You may have also been provided with a no-fault facility form to mail to the hospital. Fill this out with the no-fault information and your patient number and mail in right away. In the next several weeks you may receive a bill for the ambulance, x-rays, labs, or other treatment related to the crash.  The no-fault information should be provided to these facilities as well. Once you provide the information you have fulfilled your obligation and it is incumbent upon the service providers to timely submit the claims and respond the insurance companies demand for additional information.

Don’t expect No-Fault to last forever. The insurance company wants you off their coverage as soon as possible. In order to do so, they are allowed to have you examined by a physician or medical specialists to determine in his or her opinion whether you need additional treatment or your treatment and no-fault benefits should be terminated. This doctor hired by the insurance company will also decide whether you are still disabled or can return to work. If you fail to appear for an exam, they can use this as grounds to terminate your benefits.

You may also be required to appear for an E.U.O. (examination under oath).  This is a hearing ordered by the company where an attorney hired by the insurance company will ask you questions about the crash and your treatment. If you fail to appear they can use this as grounds to terminate your benefits.

WHAT IF YOUR CLAIM  IS DENIED?

If your claim is denied and you have private health insurance, you can submit the bills to your private carrier and also direct your doctors to bill them as well. Obtain a copy of the denial as most insurance companies want proof that you have been denied by No-Fault before they assume the bills.

If you do not have any insurance and cannot afford to continue treatment, speak to your doctor concerning your continued treatment on a lien basis. These additional medical lien expenses would become part of the damages being claimed in your underlying case against the defendant.

The No-Fault carrier’s denial includes instructions on how to fight or arbitrate the denial. DO NOT ARBITRATE THE NO-FAULT DENIAL OR ALLOW YOUR DOCTOR TO DO IT FOR YOU UNTIL YOUR LAWSUIT IS RESOLVED.  An adverse finding at the arbitration can destroy your claims in the underlying lawsuit for damages.

WHY CONTACT A LAWYER?

            No-Fault, although original designed to be non-adversarial has turned out to be just the opposite. The rules change regularly and the failure to comply with one element may destroy your rights to collect these benefits. Most lawyers (at least the ones you want to retain) do not charge for handling the no-fault aspect of the case while handling the underlying personal injury litigation. The right attorney also is familiar with all of the No-Fault regulations, knows all the individual nuances of the insurance companies and can easily navigate their attempts to deny your benefits.

—————————————————————————————————————–

These are some simple guidelines provided by Daniel Flanzig Esq. of NewYorkBikeLawyers.com (Flanzig and Flanzig, LLP) and Jim Reed, Esq. of Zifflaw.com. We are New York Attorneys focusing in the rights and protection of cyclists across New York. Nothing on this page should be construed as legal advice nor does the use of this page or column create and attorney client relationship.  The advice on this page offers a general overview of the laws in New York. Remember, every incident or claim is specific and the guidelines may not be applicable to your particular case. As always, we suggest contacting an attorney with any legal claim or issue before taking action on your own behalf.

Daniel Flanzig

The post Understanding No Fault Laws in New York appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

New York Bicycling Coalition applauds this long-awaited first step towards implementing the Complete Streets Act across the state.  For many years NYBC championed the passage of this statewide law – persuading legislators to support the bill, negotiating with those concerned about the bill and mobilizing advocates across the state to speak up for the rights of bicyclists to safe and comfortable access to our roadways.

The new website highlights the many benefits of Complete Streets and provides detailed information on planning, funding, and design guidelines required for the implementation of complete streets in New York State.  Notably, the site links to several municipalities across the state – such as Bethlehem, Malone and New Rochelle – that have adopted their own local complete streets resolutions. These local policies often go above and beyond state-level requirements, and demonstrate the growing recognition throughout New York State that, wherever possible, roadways must strive to serve all users.

The creation of this website is an important step in conveying the importance and potential of this recent legislation, and will serve as a much-needed starting point for use in understanding the benefits of complete streets, as well as where the niche that Complete Streets occupy within the planning process.

The New York Bicycling Coalition is committed to supporting widespread and robust implementation of local and statewide Complete Streets policies.  NYBC recommends that local officials, advocates, and other concerned citizens utilize this website as a resource in their efforts to encourage the implementation of the State’s complete streets legislation in their own communities.

Making Complete Streets a reality in New York requires the participation of everyone who uses and relies upon the transportation system.  NYBC encourages everyone with an interest in bicycling and walking to provide DOT with your ideas for “Completing the Streets” in your community.  Check out our Bicycle Advocate’s Toolkit, which provides tools and resources for promoting Complete Streets in your community.   Then take action by sending your comments to DOT at completestreets@dot.ny.gov.

NYBC will continue doing our part by working with decision makers to ensure that the Complete Streets law is effective and advocating for equitable funding for Complete Streets with our partners in the New Yorkers for Active Transportation coalition.  Together we can work to increase opportunities for safe and convenient bicycling and walking in New York’s cities, towns and villages.

The post New York State Department of Transportation Launches Complete Streets Website appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

DOT says an engineering study is underway for a protected bike lane on the Pulaski Bridge, and the agency will make recommendations by the end of the year. Photo: *Bitch Cakes*/Flickr

Since December, we have analyzed traffic data and we are confident that one Brooklyn-bound lane can be removed from the Pulaski Bridge without an adverse effect on traffic flow… However, there are some engineering questions remaining about how to properly design and install such a bicycle path on the bridge. To resolve these questions, we are initiating an engineering study with a structural engineering consultant.

The most likely engineering concerns are related to the bridge’s wide joint gaps, which could ensnare narrow bike tires, and how to maintain an adequate physical barrier between bicycles and motor vehicles on the drawbridge section of the span. DOT expects to wrap up the study and recommendations later this year, according to Sadik-Khan’s letter.

While this update puts the study schedule behind the March deadline that Lentol had cited at the beginning of the year, it’s a good sign of progress.

In the meantime, advocates continue to build support for the bike lane. The Transportation Alternatives Queens volunteer committee, which has a petition supporting the lane with 300 signatures, will be gathering more signatures on the Queens side of the bridge path on Saturday, May 11, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The bridge path would complement a separate proposal to bring bike lanes to 11th Street in Long Island City, connecting north to Queens Plaza and the Queensboro Bridge. ”DOT and CB 2 have already agreed to this,” TA volunteer Steve Scofield told Streetsblog via e-mail. “We’re expecting their exact proposal and an implementation date in a matter of weeks.”

The post Pulaski Bridge Bike Lane OK’d by DOT Traffic Study; Engineering Review Next appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

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The post National Bike to School Day Grows, Thousands Celebrate Active, Fun Ride to School appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.

Dave from NYS DOT happily collecting bikes for Troy Bike Rescue. Thirty-eight and counting!

It is fitting that on Earth Day 2013, a representative from NYBC, along with Nadine Lemmon from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Fran Gotscik from Parks and Trails New York, were invited to a ceremony honoring Green Leadership in Transportation and Environmental Sustainability (GreenLITES) award recipients at the NYS DOT offices on Wolf Road in Albany. A variety of NYS DOT projects (some of which included critical bike and pedestrian components) were given recognition for their innovation and extraordinary efforts to incorporate a high level of environmental sustainability.

NYBC was fortunate to meet and chat with NYS DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald, and we thanked her for inviting NYBC, TSTC, and PTNY, the leadership of the New Yorkers for Active Transportation (NY4AT) campaign, with whom she has met in the recent past.

Commissioner McDonald was volunteering her time collecting bikes for Troy Bike Rescue after the event. Wouldn’t it be great if we could figure out a way to quantify the environmental benefits of recycling those 38 bikes and counting – how much energy they save, pollution they reduce, streets they help unclog, skills imparted by the mostly low-income children and teenagers who learn by doing….

Do YOU have any ideas about how to that? Now THAT would be a compelling project. Please send us your thoughts!

The post NYBC and Its Allies Attend Fifth Annual NYS DOT GreenLites Award Earth Day Ceremony appeared first on New York Bicycling Coalition.