The Worst Sound (by Mark Levy)

It was the worst sound I ever heard. Whatever the sound of a large muscular bicyclist who was really booking down the Manhattan slope of the Brooklyn Bridge slamming into a middle aged female tourist is, that was the sound. I warned em!! I told em loud and clear like I always do when I do my Brooklyn Bridge/South Street Stories tour.

‘ATTENTION!!. . . . . ATTENTION!! The Left Side is the Bike Lane!! The Right Side is the Pedestrian Side!!! Stay Out of the Bike Lane!! Stay out of the Bike Lane!! Of course, enraptured by the stunning views of the East River first south to Governor’s Island South Street Seaport and Brooklyn Heights, and then north to the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, they often wander into the Bike Lane.

I didn’t see it, I saw the cyclist and he was moving fast and it happened behind me as I heard him shout, and than that terrible sound and, when I turned, an even worst sight. The tourist lying on the concrete walkway and she was not moving at all.

The cyclist who had slammed into the tourist and vaulted 15 feet past her crumpled body got to her first; I was next and her stunned husband next. Two better citizen bicyclists also stopped at it seemed that all of us were calling 911 at once. Once female bicyclist, possibly a heath professional (heading to Beekman?) took charge as the tourist groggily tried to stand up. A cop on a motor scooter was on the scene next. She was convinced to remain prone and wait for EMS. About 10 minutes later they huffed up the walkway, checked her vital signs and trundled her away in their ambulance. I later found out that she was not seriously injured.

The Lesson? Each and every time you lead a tour on the Brooklyn Bridge, always, always say

‘ATTENTION!!. . . . . ATTENTION!! The Left Side is the Bike Lane!! The Right Side is the Pedestrian Side!!! Stay Out of the Bike Lane!! Stay out of the Bike Lane!!

In your case, as in this case, it may not work, but at least ya give ‘em a fighting chance, not to mention easing your mind if the word “liability” crops up.