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NYPD begins tracking bicycle accidents


April 6, 2012

By Rocco Parascandola

Read More: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...sEnabled=false

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The move took effect Thursday and is designed to help track the growing number of bike crashes, and tangles involving cyclists versus pedestrians. About 500 pedestrians wind up hospitalized each year after accidents with cyclists, a recent study showed. At the same time, the city continues plans to install 1,800 bike lane miles by 2030. “It’s not like shootings or robberies, but people are getting hurt,” a source said.

- The top cop wants them documented and analyzed for trends, a source said. Whereas the NYPD used to fill out a short information cards for bike-involved accidents, the new rules dictate that cops complete a full accident report. “This reporting process will allow the department to track bicycle accidents like typical car accidents,’’ said Inspector Kim Royster, an NYPD spokeswoman. City Councilman Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn) called it “a small step in the right direction.”

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