​Central Park pedestrian in critical condition after being hit by bike

NEW YORK -- A woman remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday, a day after she was hit by a bicyclist in Central Park.

The NYPD said the collision happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday near 62nd Street on West Drive.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the bicyclist, New York City resident Jason Marshall, 31, was riding in the park's bike lane and swerved to avoid other pedestrians when he struck the victim.

Jill Tarlov, 59, of Fairfield, Connecticut, suffered severe head injuries and was being treated at NewYork Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Marshall suffered minor injuries to his shoulder and hand and was treated at a hospital. Police did not expect to file charges.

CBS Radio station 1010 WINS said Tarlov is a former employee and married to executive Mike Wittman.

"We are shocked and saddened by the horrible and senseless tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jill, Mike and their family," Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations, said in a statement Friday.

Pedestrians were shocked by the accident, but not surprised, saying speeding is common among cyclists in the park.

"These bicyclists spend thousands of dollars on expensive outfits and bikes and they're kind of bullies," New Yorker Mary Durkee told 1010 WINS. "They don't stop for pedestrians, they act like it's pedestrians job to look out for them but it's really their job to look out for pedestrians."

"I think a lot of cyclists are kind of out of control, but pedestrians are also a major, major problem, especially the tourists who are looking around, they're not paying any attention, they're looking at the sights," said Pam Margolin of the Upper West Side.

Cyclists are supposed to slow down at crosswalks and yield to pedestrians, according to the Parks Department website. The speed limit for cyclists is 25 miles per hour in Central Park.

The NYPD said it regularly tickets bike riders in the park, who by law are considered vehicle operators required to obey all traffic regulations.

"As a biker, although it's a nuisance, I do respect the law and I know it's safer for pedestrians," said Amy Arpadi of the Upper West Side.

"As the most vulnerable users of our streets, pedestrians must be safe from reckless cycling, just as they need to be protected from reckless driving," stated Paul Steely White, Executive Director of the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. "This is particularly true in our parks. As we await the conclusion of the investigation, our thoughts are with Jill Tarlov and her family during this difficult time."