After 26 Deaths, Riders Demanded Action from Mayor Eric Adams

In the wake of 26 cyclist deaths from crashes with motorists in NYC so far this year, more than 200 concerned citizens took to the streets yesterday night in a protest hosted by Transportation Alternatives. NYC cyclists met in Union Square North, and rode to City Hall, with lights, signs, and vocal messages for Mayor Eric Adams. All ages, all kinds of bikes, all with one message: NYC needs safe streets immediately.

According to Streesblog, Frédérique Uster-Hug was at the rally, whose husband, Adam, was killed by a truck driver in Brooklyn in May. She spoke about how street safety is, “not just about cyclists, but about all road users, including the drivers who kill us and are also killed in huge numbers, too.” Besides the 26 cyclists killed so far this year, 65 pedestrians and more than 90 motorists have died in crashes.

According to Streetsblog, one day before the rally, Mayor Adams dismissively told a reporter that he’s a great mayor because you can “ride your little bike safely.” Streetsblog’s Dave Colon also asked DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to comment on the state of cyclist safety in NYC.

“Rodriguez declined to comment on the rally itself. ‘We have the best transportation department on the whole globe,’ he said. ‘We run the most complex Transportation Department among all countries.’”

According to PIX11 News, “This year has now become the deadliest year for cyclists in the last decade, according to city data, with 26 people dying while riding bikes. That number is up from 15 just last year.”

At the rally, the names of the dead were laid out on the plaza next to City Hall, along with white helmets and white “ghost” bikes. Protestors called for the mayor to support more protected bike lanes and launch new street projects prioritizing their safety.

They also challenged Adams to 30 days of biking, to get a first-hand experience of what it’s like to rely only on bike transportation and existing infrastructure. We hope Adams accepts the challenge.

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