Young bicyclist killed in Clinton Hill

On Saturday night, Sept. 11, around 8 p.m., 24-year-old Jasmine Herron was riding her bicycle on Atlantic Avenue near Washington Avenue in Clinton Hill. Then, in one split second, young Jasmine was no longer a part of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, or this world. She was killed, brutally, in the Clinton Hill street. According to WPIX-TV, an eyewitness said, ""Her head was under the tire and the bus crushed her legs.... It was devastating. No one should have to die like that."

According to the report, a driver, Krystal Frances, "opened her car door, and Herron slammed into it. She was then propelled into the path of a MTA bus, which ran over her."

My condolences go out to Jasmine's family. May Jasmine find peace and happiness far greater than any available here on this earth.

According to an article by Attorney Edward R. Young, "in 2008, there were 5,646 New York City motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles." That's about 15 accidents a day.

Yet, New York City has a "Bicycle Master Plan" to promote cycling in NYC. The plan began in 1997 and is scheduled out until 2015. It promotes cycling "as a means of improving air quality, reducing energy costs, reducing congestion on existing roadways, and helping to provide for lower overall transportation costs."

If we promote cycling without promoting safety, the figure of 15 accidents a day will increase.

A group called "Transportation Alternatives" works on all things bicycle and they have a Brooklyn committee you might want to check out.

If we increase cycling, we must have a Master Safety Plan to reduce accidents and the loss of future Jasmines.

Sources:

Michelle J. Robinson, "Bicyclist Struck And Killed By City Bus," WPIX-TV
Edward R. Young, "Personal Injury Statistics in Bronx and Brooklyn, " Lawyers.com
NYC Department of City Planning, "The New York City Bicycle Master Plan, 1997," NYC.gov
Transportation Alternatives, "Brooklyn Volunteer Committee"