42 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • DECEMBER 19, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Keeping Older New Yorkers
Safe on Sidewalks
With an increasing number of
people on New York City sidewalks
and streets, all New Yorkers must
keep in mind the importance of
pedestrian safety for frail or slowpaced
older adults.
Older New Yorkers walk more
than older adults in any other city in
the United States, despite crowded
streets. For someone with balance or
mobility issues, an accidental bump
from a rushing passerby could cause
a life-threatening fall.
Falls are the leading cause of
fatal and nonfatal injuries among
older Americans. What’s more,
experiencing a fall as an older adult
is both physically and emotionally
painful. To avoid this, older
pedestrians are cautious. They walk
in the crosswalk and use crossing
signals, but if struck by a vehicle, they
are more likely to be injured.
The Department of Transportation’s
(DOT) Safe Streets program is an
initiative focused on the safety of
older pedestrians. In 2018, older
adults ages 65 and older accounted
for 13% of the City’s total population,
but 50% of pedestrian traffic fatalities.
Accidents from motor vehicles are
the largest concern. As we work to
reduce these traffic fatalities, we must
not forget the importance of cyclists
observing the rules of the road to
keep vulnerable pedestrians safe.
Nearly eight hundred thousand
New Yorkers ride a bicycle regularly,
and this number is increasing. Bikes
are a healthy and environmentally
friendly solution to the city’s
crowded transportation system, but
without safety considerations and
enforcements, they can be dangerous.
Not yielding to a pedestrian
might save a few seconds on a bike
commute, but it could also cause a
severe injury. Cyclists must utilize
the City’s designated bike paths or
lanes and leave the sidewalks open
to pedestrians. New York City has
1,240 lane miles of bike routes. In the
last five years, the City has expanded
on-street bike lanes by more than
330 miles, with 66.1 miles installed
in 2018.
The City is doing its part to keep
pedestrians safe. Alongside DOT,
the New York Police Department
(NYPD) makes sure cyclists abide
by the rules of the road. This year,
the NYPD has issued 37,916 moving
violations to cyclists, compared to
34,257 in 2018, an 11% increase.
I am confident that there is
enough room for cyclists and
pedestrians alike. As we strive to
be a truly age-inclusive City that
accommodates dwellers of all ages
and with disabilities, I encourage
all New Yorkers to look out for their
neighbors on the sidewalk.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
is Commissioner of the New York
City Department for the Aging.
Prior to joining the de Blasio
administration, she served in
executive leadership roles with
AARP, EmblemHealth and
other organizations. She also
served as New York’s first Latina
Secretary of State.
Turning 65 and ready for Medicare,
or eligible for Medicare and Medicaid? ��Yes
Call AgeWell New York
Learn about your Medicare and Medicaid coverage plan options.
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
$0 or Low Cost Plan Premiums
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