In Glens Falls, this week was marked by two distinct vehicular accidents involving e-bikes, leading to two riders sustaining injuries. The initial incident unfolded on Tuesday around 2 p.m., in the vicinity of Bay Street and Sanford Street. An e-bike and a small motor vehicle inadvertently placed themselves on a collision course. After the unfortunate accident, the bike rider was found seriously injured and received immediate treatment at the site by the Glens Falls Fire Department.
To ensure proper medical aid for the injured e-bike rider, they were transferred promptly to Glens Falls Hospital. Further examination and treatment ensued at the health facility. As the degree of injuries necessitated more advanced care, the patient was subsequently moved to Albany Medical Center. Initial assessments of the injuries were grave, but police sources reported that the rider was in a stable condition, as per a public statement from the Glens Falls Police Department.
Upon conducting a thorough investigation of the incident, the Glens Falls Police Department shared some key findings. They established that the e-bike was maneuvering northwards in the driving lane on Bay Street while the small motor vehicle was steered westward on Sanford Street. These details were confirmed in the department’s press release which reported on the collision analysis.
The report revealed that the e-bike rider overlooked the red signal on Bay Street and proceeded through the intersection. As the small sport utility vehicle was crossing the intersection on a green signal from Sanford Street, it was cut off by the e-bike. This disregard of traffic rules led to the unfortunate collision. The e-bike rider was held culpable for the accident and received a traffic citation for breaching the red traffic signal rule.
Later in the week on Thursday, another collision transpired between an e-bike and a sport utility vehicle. This second encounter happened by Bay Street and Grand Street, only moments prior to 7 p.m. Once again, the e-bike rider ended up with injuries that required immediate medical assistance at the scene from Glens Falls Police Department.
The second e-bike rider was transported to Glens Falls Hospital immediately after the initial treatment at the crash site. Following additional medical intervention at the hospital, they were eventually discharged. Understanding the accident became a priority for Glens Falls Police Department, triggering another round of investigation into this second incident.
Preliminary findings from the investigation pointed to a narrative similar to the first incident. The e-bike rider, going in the northward direction on Bay Street ended up colliding with the sport utility vehicle, which was traveling westbound on Grand Street. The details of this unfortunate crash were shared by the Glens Falls Police Department in a press release on Friday.
According to the released statement, the e-bike operator overlooked the red traffic signal at Bay Street once again. The rider continued through the intersection, directly into the path of the sport utility vehicle heading westbound from Grand Street on a green signal. This led to an eventual crash between the two vehicles, with the e-bike colliding into the side of the sport utility vehicle.
In New York, the law permits individuals to ride e-bikes, also known as bicycles with electric assist, on several streets and highways. Local areas, however, have been considering whether to allow e-bikes on specific bike paths. Over the years, this topic has generated significant debate among both residents and authorities.
Throughout 2022 and 2023, public discourse around the use of e-bikes on local bike paths gradually intensified in many regions. With an increase in e-bikes incidents, these discussions have become more crucial to ensure the safety of all road users.