The danger of riding a bicycle in Jersey City was underscored again tonight as a cyclist was sent to the hospital after being struck by an SUV on Grand Street.
The crash, which took place at approximately 5 p.m., left a badly damaged Citibike lying on the pavement in front of a Mercedes SUV with a shattered windshield.
It appeared that the Mercedes was traveling in the eastbound left turning lane approaching Jersey Avenue when it made contact with the cyclist.
The collision occurred only feet away from a green protected bike lane.
A police officer who was present called the car and bicycle a “crime scene.”
Traffic on Grand Street was closed off for over an hour to allow for the investigation.
Later, a police radio report indicated that the injuries to the rider were “non-life-threatening.”
As Jersey City streets have become busier, residents and bike advocates like Bike JC and Safe Streets JC have pressed the city to take steps to “calm” traffic and build more protected bike lanes.
Councilwoman-at-large Amy DeGise made national news in July when she fled after striking a cyclist who had ridden through a red light on Martin Luther King Drive.
In August a cyclist suffered life-threatening injuries when he was hit from behind on John F. Kennedy Boulevard near Terhune Avenue.
In a Facebook post yesterday, however, Safe Streets JC posted “While there is a lot further to go, Jersey City has made substantial progress on safe streets infrastructure.”