Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Cyclist Killed Near Rockaway Beach, Second Bike Fatality This Week

A motorist hit and killed 70-year-old cyclist Andrzei Wiesniuk near Rockaway Beach last night, according to a report in the Daily News. The driver, Jonathan Rincon, was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

Wiesniuk was riding north on Cross Bay Parkway near Beach Channel Drive, the News reported, when he turned to try and cross into the southbound bike lane.

Wiesniuk is the fourth cyclist killed in a traffic crash in the past month and the second this week. In addition to the unidentified cyclist killed by a truck driver in East Williamsburg on Monday, Marilyn Dershowitz was killed by a mail truck as she tried to reach the Hudson River Greenway, and Ray Deter was killed on Canal Street by a Jaguar driver in possession of marijuana. In none of those three crashes did law enforcement bring any serious charges against the motorists.

Even before news of Wiesniuk's death had been reported, traffic safety advocates had noted the harrowing number of cyclists killed in such a short time. “These tragic deaths might have been prevented if these streets had safe space for everyone,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Streets with bike lanes see 40 percent fewer crashes ending in death or serious injury."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025

Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway

The highly-anticipated 34th Street busway may not happen under Mayor Adams after all, sources said.

July 3, 2025

Manhattan DA Says Alleged Central Park Hit-and-Run Cyclist Didn’t Flee, Drops Charges

Prosecutors said the 30-year-old cyclist "remained on the scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics to arrive to treat the injured person."

Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park

Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" encourages Americans to drive to sites in the most transit-rich and car-choked parts of the country.

July 3, 2025
See all posts