Boerum Hill cyclist Sergio Revah is trying to find people who saw him get hit by a sporty 2000 Cadillac coupe traveling east on notoriously dangerous Atlantic Avenue (aka the “avenue of death and destruction”).
Without the witnesses who could help identify the driver, “I will be completely bombarded by medical bills for an accident that someone else caused,” he said.
The 49-year-old cyclist admits he was traveling against traffic on Feb. 7 at 1 pm when the Caddie — which he said was driving too fast on the east-west spine — hit him and slammed into him. When he returned to earth, his hand was broken and his leg required 30 stitches.
Revah admits that he is guilty of riding the wrong way, a violation of bike-safety laws and a reckless habit that nearly skilled a Stoop reporter on the hood of an SUV.
But the collision is also part of a larger epidemic. Three pedestrians have been killed while crossing the avenue within the last year. The mix of traffic has caused 583 accidents from Flatbush Avenue to the East River between January 2005 and November, 2006.
One transportation expert said this latest collision could’ve been prevented by better bike safety on the part of Revah and the city.
“Traveling against traffic was a bad move,” said Aaron Naparstek, the editor of StreetsBlog.org. “But at the same time, there’s no margin of error. In other cities, there would be a protected bike route.”
If you witnessed the accident, write Revah 10013@hotmail.com or call (646) X77-1475.