PRESS RELEASES
Friday, December 04, 2009
Assemblywoman Paulin to Speak at Memorial for Cyclist Merrill Cassell and Rally for Safe Passing Legislation
Media Alert: Assemblywoman Paulin to Speak at Memorial for Cyclist Merrill Cassell and Rally for Safe Passing Legislation
When: Sat. Dec. 5, 11 a.m. Where: Route 119 at Aqueduct Rd, Greenburgh (near White Plains border) What: Installation of ghost bike to commemorate death of cyclist Merrill Cassell, who was run over by a county bus on Nov. 9 and kick-off state legislative campaign to enact Safe Passing legislation. Contact: Allison Esposito, Press Secretary, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin Office: (914) 723-1115 Cell: (347) 725-1945 or Allison.Esposito@gmail.com
On what would have been cyclist Merrill Cassell’s 67th birthday, bicycle advocates will gather to commemorate his death, less than a month after he was run over by a Beeline bus while riding on Route 119 in Greenburgh. They will install a “ghost bike” – a stripped-down bicycle painted white that serves as a reminder of the tragedy. Ghost bike memorials, which first appeared in St. Louis. Mo. in 2003, have since been installed on street corners around the world.
Cassell’s death on Nov. 9 has sparked action by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, who has proposed a bill that will require motorists to maintain a safe distance or not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and bicycle on the roadway. This clearance (approximately the width of most handlebars) will give motorists an increased margin of error when passing cyclists in case either the motorist or the cyclist is suddenly required to change course.
“We don’t want people to fear for their lives while bike riding,” said Assemblywoman Paulin, “It’s common sense that we pass bills that encourage cycling, an act that encourages good health and helps the environment.”
Fourteen states have similar laws, including Connecticut. Enacting a three-foot rule will help increase public awareness that cyclists have a right to be on the road as well as educate motorists about safe practices with cyclists on the road. Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins is sponsoring a similar bill in the state Senate.
“Nearly 25% of all highway fatalities in New York State are people walking and bicycling, and New York’s bicycle and pedestrian death rate is almost twice the national average,” said Jennifer Clunie, executive director of the NY Bicycling Coalition, “Pedestrian and bicyclist vulnerability makes them suffer a disproportionate share of the carnage, and are nearly three times as likely as a motorist to be killed.”
In addition to Assemblywoman Paulin and Senator Stewart-Cousins, Cassell’s daughter, Tania and David Wilson, president of the Westchester Cycle Club and the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester-Putnam will be speaking at the event. ###