State Senator Wants to Require Bike-Safety Training ... For Drivers

In September, 23-year-old Jasmine Herron, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was killed while riding her bicycle when a motorist opened her car door into the bicyclist’s path, knocking her off her bike and into the path of a bus. Since then, Herron’s mother has teamed up with New York State Senator Eric Adams to propose a Jasmine Herron law that would require the state’s mandatory five-hour driver education class to include ways to avoid accidents with bicyclists, skaters, skateboarders and any other mode of non-vehicle transportation.The incident in which the young woman was killed is called “dooring.” There are similar incidents every year in New York in which bicyclists have been knocked off their bikes when traveling close to a parked vehicle that suddenly opens its door into the biker’s path.New York City bicyclists are required to ride in designated bike lanes, if available, and are subject to hefty fines for “reckless operation of a bicycle” if they fail to do so. The cyclist is excused if the bike lane is blocked or there are hazards in the path.Up until now, bicyclists have frequently had to assume the risk of injury or death on New York City streets if they choose to bike instead of drive or walk. Adams’ proposal would start the process of educating motorists of the need to be aware of pedestrians and others who are legally on the roadways and to take measures to look before exiting their autos for oncoming bicyclists, skateboarders or skaters who may not be aware of them.Obviously, more bike lanes are needed, but this is no guarantee against injury, as motorists park alongside bike lanes and cars use the lanes to get around traffic or to prepare to make turns. Bicyclists routinely encounter congested streets, the lack of bike lanes, constant construction, blocked roads, running pedestrians and angry drivers. While bicyclists need to be constantly aware of motorists and to take a preventive approach for their safety, drivers also need to take more responsibility in sharing the road with bicyclists and to not treat them as the enemy.The existence of a bike lane should alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists on city streets and to allow them safe passage. Signs reminding motorists there are bicyclists or others legally on the roadway might also prompt more awareness of their presence. Increased fines or penalties for dooring might also cause drivers to look before they open their car doors on a city street.If you have been injured in a dooring accident or another type of bike accident, you may have a claim for personal injuries and damages to your property.