Five dead in AD 73. The streets keep taking.

Oct 15 - A sedan plowed into a 16-year-old boy on his bike at East 84th and Fifth. Blood pooled on the street. The boy’s abdomen torn, his body in shock. The driver, distracted, did not see him. The driver did not stop.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bike was struck and severely injured by a sedan at East 84th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 1:31 p.m. The report states, 'A sedan struck a 16-year-old boy on a bike. No helmet. Abdomen torn. Blood pooled on the street. He lay in shock. The driver didn’t see him. Didn’t stop.' Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The boy suffered severe lacerations to his abdomen and pelvis and was in shock at the scene. The police report does note the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed only after the driver’s inattention. The sedan’s left front quarter panel was damaged. The driver’s failure to see and yield to the cyclist is the central cause, as documented by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764046 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 12 - New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

Jul 11 - A Jeep rolled south on 2nd Avenue. A man on a bike hit the pavement, his leg torn, blood pooling. No helmet. The Jeep showed no damage. The cyclist’s pain marked the corner, another body broken by traffic’s force.

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 48th Street in Manhattan, a collision between a Jeep SUV and a cyclist left a 31-year-old man with severe lacerations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, according to the police report. The narrative states, 'A Jeep kept south. A man on a bike fell hard. Blood pooled near his torn leg. His foot split open. No helmet. No damage to the Jeep. Just pain on the pavement.' The report lists the cyclist as injured, suffering 'severe lacerations,' and notes that the SUV sustained no damage. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The police report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The only detail about the cyclist’s behavior is the absence of a helmet, which is mentioned in the narrative but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets amid heavy vehicle traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 3 - A taxi turned on East 44th and 3rd. An e-scooter struck its side. The rider, 26, crashed headfirst, blood pooling on the street. Deep cuts marked his head. He stayed conscious. The city’s rush did not pause.

According to the police report, a taxi turned at the corner of East 44th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. An e-scooter, traveling west, collided with the taxi’s right side. The 26-year-old e-scooter rider was thrown headfirst, suffering severe lacerations to his head. The report states the rider remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors in the collision, with the e-scooter’s impact focused on the taxi’s right rear quarter panel. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the ongoing danger vulnerable road users face from improper vehicle maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 20 - A motorcycle crashed into a taxi’s side on East 57th. The rider flew, arm torn, helmeted head striking pavement. Blood pooled on the street. The bike’s front end crumpled. The city’s traffic violence left another body broken.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the side of a taxi as the cab was 'entering parked position' near 226 East 57th Street in Manhattan. The narrative states, 'A motorcycle slammed into a taxi’s side as it pulled to park. The rider flew, arm torn open, helmeted head hitting pavement. The bike’s front end crumpled. Blood pooled where he landed.' The 32-year-old motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and arm injuries. The police report lists the rider as wearing a helmet. Both vehicles were traveling east; the motorcycle was 'passing' while the taxi was maneuvering to park. The report does not specify any explicit driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'unspecified.' The impact location—center front of the motorcycle and right side doors of the taxi—underscores the danger of vehicle maneuvers across traffic lanes. No actions by the injured rider are cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 10 - A KIA SUV struck a 27-year-old cyclist at 1st Avenue and East 55th. The rider flew headfirst, blood pooling on the pavement. He was conscious, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction and improper lane use. The cyclist wore no helmet.

A 27-year-old man riding a bike was struck by a KIA SUV at the corner of 1st Avenue and East 55th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist was ejected, landed headfirst, and suffered severe bleeding. Police describe the victim as conscious at the scene, with blood pooling on the pavement. According to the police report, the SUV driver was distracted and failed to maintain proper lane usage. 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' are listed as contributing factors. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving and improper lane use on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 2 - An 80-year-old man crossing Park Avenue with the light was struck head-on by a northbound Citi Bike. Blood pooled on the pavement. The rider did not yield. The man lay semiconscious, bleeding from the head. The bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old pedestrian was crossing Park Avenue at the intersection, moving with the signal, when he was struck head-on by a northbound Citi Bike e-bike at 10:50 a.m. The report states the pedestrian was left semiconscious and bleeding from the head, with severe injuries. The Citi Bike rider failed to yield the right-of-way and disregarded traffic control, as cited in both the narrative and the contributing factors. The report notes the bike bore no damage after the collision. The pedestrian’s action—crossing with the signal—is listed in the report, but only after the rider’s failure to yield and disregard for traffic controls. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers or riders ignore basic right-of-way rules on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 26 - A taxi’s left front bumper crushed near Park Avenue. A 52-year-old woman in the rear seat bled from a head wound. The lap belt restrained her, but shattered glass caused injury. She remained conscious amid the blood-slicked seat.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on East 47th Street near Park Avenue sustained damage to its left front bumper. The collision caused the front left quarter panel to crumple. A 52-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear suffered head injuries, bleeding heavily inside the vehicle. The report states, 'The lap belt held her. The glass did not. She stayed conscious. The seat was slick with her blood.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited; contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' The incident highlights the systemic danger of rear seat injuries even when occupants are restrained. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 17 - A 51-year-old man sped south on 1st Avenue, distracted and helmetless. He struck something head-on. His scooter stood unscathed. His head did not. Blood pooled. He remained conscious, alone, and bleeding on the pavement.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male riding a Segway e-scooter was traveling south on 1st Avenue at East 58th Street in Manhattan. The report states he was 'distracted' and moving at an 'unsafe speed' when he struck an object head-on. The scooter itself showed no damage, but the rider suffered a severe head injury and was bleeding heavily. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. No other vehicles or persons were involved, and the man remained conscious at the scene. The incident underscores the dangers posed by inattention and excessive speed on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - A woman crossed East 90th at 3rd. An e-scooter slammed her in the crosswalk. The front end crushed her shoulder. She stayed down, conscious. The rider vanished. The street roared on. She lay hurt, alone.

A 32-year-old woman was struck by a northbound e-scooter while crossing at the corner of East 90th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A woman in the crosswalk, her shoulder crushed beneath the front of a northbound e-scooter. She stayed down, conscious. The rider fled.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her shoulder and upper arm. The e-scooter rider left the scene without stopping. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No specific driver errors were documented in the data. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the rider unaccounted for.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 14 - Upper West Side’s board voted 8-1 to demand crackdowns on unregistered mopeds. The resolution urges city and state to punish illegal dealers, enforce laws, and back Albany’s registration bill. Lawmakers say loopholes fuel chaos. Immigrants often misled. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 14, 2023, Community Board 7’s transportation committee passed a resolution, 8-1, demanding action against unregistered mopeds. The board called on the Department of Motor Vehicles to impose civil penalties on unregistered dealers and urged city and state officials to enforce laws against selling non-street-legal mopeds. The resolution also asks the city to consider a buy-back program for gas-powered mopeds. The matter, titled 'Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds,' supports Albany legislation requiring sellers to register mopeds with the DMV before sale. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores sponsor the bill. Bores said, 'We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets.' The board’s move aims to close loopholes, protect vulnerable road users, and address the chaos caused by unregistered mopeds.

• Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

Dec 1 - A box truck turned right at East 52nd and Park. The bumper hit a 28-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell, struck her head, and lay unconscious in the crosswalk. The truck showed no damage. The street held the mark.

A 28-year-old woman was hit by a box truck at the corner of East 52nd Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the truck turned right and struck the pedestrian as she crossed with the signal. The impact from the right front bumper caused head injuries and left her unconscious in the crosswalk. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The truck sustained no damage. The woman suffered crush injuries to the head. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 28 - A man on a bike hit the doors of a parked sedan. He flew, landed face-first. Blood pooled on East 48th Street. No helmet. Severe cuts marked his face. He stayed conscious. The pain did not leave him. The street stayed quiet.

A 38-year-old man riding a bike struck the right-side doors of a parked sedan on East 48th Street near Third Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A man on a bike struck the doors of a parked sedan. He flew. Landed face-first. Blood pooled on the quiet street. No helmet. Severe cuts. He was conscious.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his face and was ejected from his bike. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the police narrative. The sedan was parked at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 25 - A Honda sedan turned left on East 60th Street. Its bumper hit a 39-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The driver followed too close and failed to yield.

A 39-year-old woman was struck by a Honda sedan while crossing East 60th Street with the signal. According to the police report, the sedan turned left and its right front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing her to fall and suffer a bleeding head injury. The woman remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed. The impact left blood on the asphalt. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 23 - Albany lawmakers move to force moped registration before sale. The bill aims to block illegal, unregistered mopeds from city streets. Dealers, not riders, would handle paperwork. Advocates say this targets bad actors and protects pedestrians from rogue machines.

On October 23, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill in Albany to require moped dealers to register vehicles with the DMV before buyers leave the shop. The bill, supported by Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Upper East Side), seeks to close a loophole that lets illegal mopeds flood city streets. The matter summary states: 'New legislation in Albany seeks to eliminate the use of illegal mopeds by requiring sellers to register them with the DMV before buyers can take them out of the shop.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This common-sense bill would simply ensure that the registration happens at the point of sale, before someone rides out of the shop.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project backs the move, stressing manufacturer responsibility. Attorney Daniel Flanzig says the law could clear streets of unregistered, dangerous vehicles. The bill is not yet law, but enforcement actions against illegal mopeds are already underway.

• State Lawmaker Seeks to Close Moped-Registration Loophole, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

Sep 28 - A taxi door swung open on Park Avenue. A young cyclist slammed into steel. His arm crushed. Blood pooled on the midnight street. He lay conscious, hurt, under the city’s harsh lights. Driver inattention left him broken in Manhattan.

A cyclist, age 23, was injured when a taxi door opened into his path on Park Avenue near East 34th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A taxi door flung open. A young cyclist hit steel. His arm crushed.' The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but the primary cause cited is driver inattention. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers or passengers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 21 - A Triumph motorcycle crashed hard on 1st Avenue. Two men, ages 23 and 32, thrown partway off. No helmets. Head wounds. Blood on the street. Both conscious, both bleeding. Driver was distracted. The city’s danger showed itself again.

Two men riding a Triumph motorcycle on 1st Avenue at East 56th Street in Manhattan were injured in a violent crash. According to the police report, the motorcycle 'slammed head-on.' Both the 32-year-old driver and 23-year-old passenger were partially ejected, suffered head injuries, and were found conscious but bleeding heavily. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' The listed contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Neither rider wore a helmet, as noted after the driver error. The crash left blood pooled on the asphalt. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 18 - A Ford pickup turned left at East 58th and 2nd. The driver looked away. The truck hit a 67-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Blood pooled on the crosswalk. She was conscious, her head bleeding. Driver inattention and inexperience marked the scene.

A Ford pickup truck, driven by a man, turned left at the corner of East 58th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The truck struck a 67-year-old woman who was crossing the street with the signal. According to the police report, 'A Ford pickup turned left. A 67-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck head-on. Blood pooled on the crosswalk. Her head was bleeding. She was conscious. The driver had looked away.' The police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The woman suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention, especially during turns at busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 11 - A taxi turned left at East 43rd and 5th. The front end hit a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood pooled in the crosswalk. He stayed conscious, head split open. The city kept moving. Driver inattention marked the moment.

A 71-year-old man was crossing at the corner of East 43rd Street and 5th Avenue when a taxi, making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. According to the police report, 'A taxi turned left. A 71-year-old man crossed without a signal. The front end struck his head. He stayed conscious. Blood pooled in the crosswalk.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to the head but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian were cited in the data. The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by those on foot in Manhattan’s busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 23 - Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

"We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets." -- Alex Bores

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23