New Yorkers who rely on the L train to get into Manhattan from Brooklyn may need to find alternative means of transportation. The L train crossing under the East River is scheduled to be closed for 15 months while it undergoes planned repairs.
According to news sources, the city is encouraging people to turn to bicycles as their means of transportation. Currently, an estimated 7,600 people already use bicycles to cross from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the Williamsburg Bridge. The New York City Department of Transportation said that the number of bicyclists who travel over the Williamsburg Bridge is expected to triple during the L train closure period.
The city indicates that it will try to encourage more people to use bicycles by expanding bicycle lanes and the CitiBike service. There are roughly 300,000 L-train riders, and the MTA indicates that approximately 80 percent are expected to use other subway routes to access the city.
The expected surge in bicycle use has led authorities and businesses to call for training in bicycling safety. Bicycles are a great alternative means of transportation, but cyclists run much higher risks of injuries and deaths when they are struck by a car. Motorists should be aware that there may soon be more bicyclists on the road and drive cautiously. When bicyclists are struck by other motor vehicles, they might want to consult with experienced personal injury lawyers to learn more about the recovery rights that they might have. Bicyclists who are injured in accidents that are caused by the negligent actions of motorists may be able to recover damages by filing personal injury lawsuits against the drivers in order to obtain compensation for their medical bills and other losses.
Source: Spectrum News 1, “City preparing for cycling surge during L train shutdown“, Jose Martinez, Dec. 20, 2017