CrashStat.org: NYC’s First Online Crash Maps

T.A. is proud to announce CrashStat.org, a new one-of-a-kind information resource for assessing the safety of NYC streets. At CrashStat.org you will find maps and tables that show how many pedestrians and bicyclists were killed or injured, over a seven-year period, at every intersection and mid-block location in New York City.

To Err is Human; To Build Forgiving Streets is Divine

CrashStat.org is proof that it is no "accident" when a motor vehicle strikes a bicyclist or pedestrian. Rather, crashes are the predictable outcomes of poorly designed streets that do not adequately protect people from the errors in judgment that people routinely make. 

Through its clear visual representation of several years of crash data, CrashStat.org shows that hundreds of New York City streets could be made more forgiving.  CrashStat.org shows that this is doubly true for big streets (e.g. Tillary Street in Brooklyn) where deaths and injuries are most common.

The best way to build forgiving streets is to slow drivers down to 20 mph or less. At slower speeds drivers can negotiate around street users, and in a worst case scenario even hit each other without serious injury. In London, recently introduced 20 mph zones have decreased fatalities and serious injuries by a whopping 57%.

Imagine more than half of the tragic crashes in your neighborhood simply vanishing. That is what would happen if your neighborhood were to become a 20 mph zone.

The second best way to build forgiving streets is to erect buffers, in both space and time, between fast-moving drivers and much more vulnerable bicyclists and pedestrians. Think wide, buffered bike lanes; corner sidewalk extensions with bollards; and exclusive pedestrian crossing time free from turning drivers.

Pedestrian injuries are the norm, not the exception, on city streets big and small.

Bicyclists tend to be hurt more often on big streets than small streets, even in neighborhoods with lots of bicycling.

The City should take heed of the patterns these maps show and assign bike route and safety provisions a much higher priority on large streets than on smaller ones. In addition to reducing crashes, prioritizing safety on large streets would lead to more bicycling and walking. It would also send an important message that bicycling and walking are too important to be relegated to side streets.

The City Department of Transportation is currently working on six programs that, if systematically expanded, would significantly reduce both bicyclist and pedestrian crashes.

1. Protected Bicycling Lanes

Install physically separated bike lanes and five-foot wide bike lanes separated from traffic by a four to five-foot striped buffer.

2. Colored Bicycling Lanes

At dangerous intersections the DOT should install blue bike lanes through the intersection to make drivers more aware of bikers.

3. Head Start for Bicyclists and Pedestrians

At dangerous intersections, the City DOT should also install advanced waiting areas for bicyclists ("bike boxes") and time traffic lights to give bikers a green light three to four seconds before drivers traveling in the same direction.  

For pedestrians, the DOT should provide at least five seconds of exclusive crossing time at the beginning of the walk phase so that pedestrians can establish themselves and be seen before drivers are allowed to turn. 

4. Expand the Safe Routes to School Program

The City’s school traffic calming program is extremely popular with parents and elected officials. Since the DOT’s program launch in early 2004, an increasing number of elected officials have either promised or expressed interest in giving money to expand the program beyond the current 135 priority schools. The DOT has already expressed interest in expanding the Safe Routes to School program to all elementary schools. The agency should take advantage of the interest of elected officials by soliciting more funding to expand the program.

5. Tame Big Scary Streets

The DOT should continue tracking pedestrian crash rates, prioritize the most problematic streets and intersections and ultimately implement strong pedestrian-oriented safety improvements on all big streets, not just the few that are the most dangerous. It is particularly important that the DOT abide by the safety in numbers principle when making pedestrian improvements. This means that the agency should refrain from punitive measures like pedestrian fences, which discourage walking, and instead implement changes that promote walking and safety, like more time to cross the street and more protected waiting space.

6. Launch a Driver Safety Education Program

The DOT should refocus its pedestrian-targeted traffic safety program to send messages that discourage driving and place the onus on drivers to increase their awareness of people on foot, using the UK’s "Kill your Speed, Not a Child" campaign as a model.

Streets in New York City are getting safer. But there is still much to be done to reduce fatalities and injuries even further, to make NYC streets safe enough so that everyone, young or old, can walk and bike without fear.

Be Famous for Doing What You Love

T.A. is holding an open call for cyclists of all abilities, ages, shapes and sizes to be photographed for the 2005 Bike Month NYC ad campaign. Bike Month NYC is co-presented by Transportation Alternatives and the NYC Department of Transportation to celebrate and encourage bicycling in New York City. The Bike Month NYC ad campaign will be seen by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the subways, on the streets and in local bike shops and community centers.

To be a part of the magic visit the T.A. "photo studio" during open studio hours (see below) at 115 W. 30^th Street, Suite 1202 (between 6^th and 7^th Avenues, located near the 34^th Street 1,9,2,3,B,D,F,V,N,R,Q and W subway stops).

Open studio hours:

Wednesday February 16^th 1-6:30 pm

Thursday February 17^th and Friday February 18^th 8:30 am-2 pm

Special Instructions:

Come as you are! We want to photograph cyclists in the clothes and with the gear they normally cycle with. So whether that means shoes by Shimano... or your Manolos... brand new spandex, formal business attire or your most comfortable blue jeans... show your unique cycling style.

Bring your bike if you can. Bikes must use our building’s freight elevator, which is a few doors down from the main entrance. The freight elevator is closed between 12-1 pm so plan accordingly. Or, we will lend you one of ours for the shoot. All body types, ages, races, and cycling abilities (whether you bike once a year or every day) are welcome!!! 

Email events@transalt.org for more information.

And don't forget! You can register your 2005 Bike Month NYC events online or request a calendar of events at BikeMonthNYC.org. You can find rides and walks all year round at transalt.org/info/ridesandwalks.html.

Are You a full-fledged member of Transportation Alternatives?

If not, now's the time. We need your support to win car-free parks, better bicycling, and citywide traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures. Become a T.A. member today!

transalt.org/join