Fatal Western New York Bicycle Accident Prompts Safety Concerns

April 12, 2013

A 67-year-old man was killed in a Bicycle Accident this past weekend. In the wake of the tragedy, many western New York citizens have voiced their concerns about the safety of cycling in the region.

The fatal collision occurred Saturday evening in the town of Wheatfield, New York. The victim was riding his bike along a road near his home when a 17-year-old girl struck him with her vehicle. Another cyclist told Eyewitness 7 News that he had been involved in wrecks with distracted or inattentive motorists a total of three times.

These accidents seem to show that both motorists and cyclists need to be better educated on what it means to share the road. Bicyclists should ride on the road with the flow of traffic, not on sidewalks. State law requires that motorists give bicycle riders a minimum of three-feet of space when passing. It’s also important for cyclists and motorists to pay attention to all traffic signals on the streets.

When riding at night, bicyclists should have flashing lights and a headlight functioning. A rider can also be more visible to motorists by wearing light-colored or reflective clothing.

The Personal Injury Attorneys with William Mattar Law Offices hope these safety tips will help to prevent collisions between a motor vehicles and bicycles from occurring.