Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Apr 24 - A 45-year-old woman riding east on Vesey Street was ejected from her bike. She suffered facial bruises and shock. Police cite distraction and ignored traffic control as causes. Systemic danger persists.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured while riding east on Vesey Street at 10:54 AM. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The cyclist, who was the only person involved, suffered facial contusions and shock. The vehicle involved was a bike, which sustained no damage. Police explicitly identify driver errors, including inattention and failure to obey traffic controls, as direct causes of the crash and injuries. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no victim actions contributed to the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721205 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - A 45-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan on Broadway in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. Both vehicles were traveling south with no reported damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:30 on Broadway near Park Place in Manhattan. A sedan and a bicycle, both traveling south, collided with the point of impact on the bicycle being the center back end and on the sedan the right front bumper. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with a minor burn and shock. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The police report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist or note any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 17 - Landmarks officials cleared a new e-bike hub for delivery workers outside City Hall. The vote was 8-1. The hub replaces an empty newsstand. It offers charging, rest, and repairs. Community Board 1 objected. The project moves forward after delays and pushback.

On April 17, 2024, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved a delivery worker e-bike hub outside City Hall by a vote of 8-1. The matter, described as a 'federally funded delivery worker charging station and rest stop,' required LPC review due to its location in a historic district. The project is backed by federal funds secured by Sen. Chuck Schumer. Commissioner Jeanne Lutfy said, 'People need to make a living, they need to make a safe living, and they need to be able to recharge batteries, they need to be able to rest.' Vice Chair Frederick Bland voiced support for the hub's function and design. Commissioner Mark Ginsberg suggested minor design changes. Manhattan Community Board 1 opposed the plan, citing sidewalk encroachment and lack of restrooms. The Parks Department will contract the Workers Justice Project to staff the hub. The project faced delays but is now set to open in late fall. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Landmarks Officials OK Delivery Worker Hub Outside City Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-17

Apr 16 - SUV driver turned left, struck cyclist on Centre Street. Cyclist suffered leg abrasions. Driver inattention listed as cause. No damage to SUV. Manhattan streets remain perilous for riders.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2020 Chevrolet SUV, making a left turn on Centre Street near Chambers Street in Manhattan, struck him with its left front bumper. The crash happened at 14:20. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. No contributing factors were listed for the cyclist. The SUV sustained no damage. This crash shows the danger distracted drivers pose to cyclists on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - A bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an improper lane maneuver on Church Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered lower leg injuries and partial ejection. The sedan showed no damage, highlighting the impact's severity on the vulnerable rider.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 13:04 on Church Street in Manhattan involving a 2023 Tesla sedan and a bicyclist. The sedan was initially parked and then improperly used a lane or passed, which is cited as the contributing factor. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, showed no damage despite striking the bicyclist at the right rear quarter panel. The report highlights the driver's failure to maintain proper lane usage as the critical error leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - SUV struck a 45-year-old woman crossing Worth Street. She suffered bruises to her knee, leg, and foot. Impact came from the right front bumper. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old female pedestrian was hit by a westbound Toyota SUV while crossing Worth Street at an intersection. The SUV struck her with its right front bumper. She sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors from the driver. The vehicle showed no damage. The only contributing factor noted is the pedestrian crossing against the signal. No helmet or signal issues are mentioned. The report documents the injury and impact, underscoring the ongoing risk to pedestrians in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - Manhattan’s bike network is broken. Eleven miles of missing lanes leave cyclists exposed. Most deaths happen outside protected lanes. The city promised more, but progress stalls. Riders want safety, not scattered paint. The call: connect the gaps, save lives.

This opinion piece, published April 15, 2024, urges the city to address gaps in Manhattan’s protected bike lane network. The article highlights that only 3 percent of streets have protected lanes, and 94 percent of cyclist deaths occur outside them. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is required to build 50 miles of protected lanes per year but has missed targets. The author writes, 'quality matters over quantity,' arguing that well-integrated lanes save more lives than disconnected stretches. The piece maps 11.7 miles of missing protected lanes below 60th Street, calling for a one-time investment to connect the Central Business District. The author urges DOT to prioritize quality infrastructure, not just numbers. No council members are named; this is a public call to action.

• Opinion: Connect the Dots of Manhattan’s Missing Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-15

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 9 - E-bike and e-scooter collided head-on on West Street. The e-bike rider, unlicensed, suffered head abrasions and was semiconscious. Obstructed views listed as cause. No vehicle damage. Systemic danger clear.

According to the police report, an e-bike and an e-scooter collided head-on on West Street at 12:57. The 48-year-old e-bike rider was injured, suffering head abrasions and was found semiconscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, showing limited visibility played a key role. The e-bike rider was unlicensed. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead and neither showed damage. No safety equipment was used by the e-bike rider. The crash highlights the danger of obstructed views and unlicensed operation in mixed-traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 9 - The FARES Act would slash commuter rail fares for low-income New Yorkers. Riders trapped by high prices could reach Manhattan or Brooklyn in half the time. The bill targets the city’s transit deserts, unlocking faster, fairer travel for working-class families.

The FARES Act, now in the State Senate’s one-house budget, aims to expand Fair Fares to the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North within New York City. The bill would create a weekly CityTicket and extend discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. The matter summary reads: 'Expand Half-Priced Fares to Unlock Commuter Rail for Working Class New Yorkers.' Samuel Santaella, an eastern Queens resident, voices strong support: 'Expanding Fair Fares to include the LIRR would revolutionize my options.' The proposal is backed by Riders Alliance and other advocates. No formal council vote has occurred. The act would cut trip times for outerborough residents and make fast, safe rail travel affordable for thousands.

• OPINION: Expand Half-Priced Fares to Unlock Commuter Rail for Working Class New Yorkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-09

Apr 3 - Two sedans traveling south on West Street collided, striking each other with front and rear impacts. Both drivers and a front passenger suffered neck and back injuries, experiencing shock and pain. The crash caused moderate injuries but no ejections.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling southbound on West Street near Liberty Street when they collided. One vehicle impacted the other’s left front bumper while the second vehicle sustained damage to its center back end. The driver of the rear sedan and the front passenger in that vehicle were both injured, suffering neck and back injuries respectively. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The driver was licensed in New York and was also injured. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to the collision. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights risks of rear-end collisions in Manhattan traffic, with injuries concentrated among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716622 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - NHTSA’s new data shows a grim record: 1,105 cyclists and 7,522 pedestrians killed in 2022. Deaths outside cars now make up 36 percent of all road fatalities. Regulators tout small gains, but the bloodshed for vulnerable users deepens. Hit-and-runs surge. Systemic failure persists.

On April 2, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released final 2022 and preliminary 2023 traffic fatality numbers. The agency’s summary highlights a modest dip in overall deaths, but the details are stark: 'drivers had killed more cyclists (1,105) than they had in any single year in the entire history of the reporting system—and pedestrian deaths (7,522) were the highest since 1981.' Vulnerable road users now account for 36 percent of all fatalities, up from 20 percent in 1996. Hit-and-run deaths and serious injuries for pedestrians and cyclists both rose 11 percent. Tami Friedrich of the Truck Safety Coalition demanded urgent federal action, stating, 'No one else needs to die because of bureaucratic inaction.' Advocates and Vision Zero supporters call for systemic reforms—speed limiters, automatic braking, safer trucks, and better infrastructure. Until agencies act, the carnage continues, masked by official optimism.

• Latest Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatality Stats Are Deadly Déja-Vu, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-02

Apr 1 - A 41-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a sedan struck her at a Manhattan intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal. The impact damaged the vehicle’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Worth Street and Broadway in Manhattan at 18:08. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 Honda sedan traveling west struck her with its left front bumper. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was going straight ahead but failed to maintain attention, as the report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper. The report highlights the driver’s distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian’s behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716386 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - Two women suffered whiplash injuries when a distracted SUV driver rear-ended a sedan on Canal Street. The crash caused neck and back trauma to rear-seat passengers. Both vehicles were traveling westbound when impact occurred at the right rear bumper.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 8:05 AM on Canal Street in Manhattan. A 2016 Toyota SUV traveling westbound struck the right rear bumper of a 2023 Nissan sedan also heading west. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. Two female rear-seat passengers, ages 51 and 52, were injured with whiplash affecting their neck and back. Both occupants were conscious and not ejected from the vehicles. The SUV had three occupants, and the sedan had two. Damage was noted on the right rear bumper of the SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan. The report explicitly attributes the crash to driver errors without mentioning any victim fault or behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - A bridge collapse draws national action. Car crashes kill thousands, but get shrugs. The system blames individuals, not failures in design. The toll is steady, silent, and ignored. Urgency is missing. Vulnerable lives pay the price.

This March 28, 2024, Streetsblog commentary highlights the stark difference in national response between the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse and routine car crashes. The article asks, 'What if we treated our national epidemic of car crashes with that same degree of urgency—not to mention that same holistic approach to saving lives?' No council bill number or committee applies; this is a media analysis, not legislation. The piece criticizes how officials and media leap into action for rare infrastructure disasters, but ignore the daily, deadly toll of car violence. It notes that highway expansion is prioritized over repair, and that systemic failures—not individual mistakes—drive the crisis. The commentary urges a shift to a Safe System Approach, demanding the same scrutiny and coordinated action for traffic violence as for headline-grabbing catastrophes. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while the system looks away.

• Why We Care About Some Transportation Tragedies More Than Others, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-28

Mar 27 - A sedan passed too close and hit a motorscooter turning left on Canal Street. The scooter driver was ejected, bruised, and hurt in the hip and leg. Police cite passing too closely and failure to yield.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male motorscooter driver was making a left turn on Canal Street at Greenwich Street when a 2014 Fiat sedan traveling east struck the scooter's center front end. The sedan's left front bumper was the point of impact. The motorscooter driver was ejected and suffered hip and upper leg injuries, including contusions and bruises. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The scooter driver wore a helmet and was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors were noted. The incident shows the danger when drivers pass too close to turning riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 26 - Four Brooklyn neighborhoods see no new protected bike lanes. City promised 75 miles by 2022. Cyclist injuries and deaths stay high. Council Members Joseph and Ossé demand action. City Hall and DOT blamed for delay. Equity and safety ignored. Riders remain exposed.

""This failure is yet another glaring example of the administration falling far behind on its commitments to develop bicycle infrastructure in our city,"" -- Charles Fall

On March 26, 2024, the City Council scrutinized DOT’s failure to deliver protected bike lanes in Borough Park, Midwood, Flatbush, and Bedford-Stuyvesant—Vision Zero ‘Bike Priority Areas’ since 2017. The city pledged 75 miles of new or improved bike routes by 2022. As of now, none have been built. Council Member Rita Joseph, representing Flatbush and Midwood, introduced legislation to speed up construction, stating, “My community has been asking for it. The Commissioner has made a commitment. He needs to step up and do it now.” Council Member Chi Ossé condemned the administration’s inaction, calling it “yet another glaring example” of broken promises. Advocates and residents cite safety and equity concerns, noting these districts suffer more cyclist injuries and deaths but get fewer protected lanes. The Council is now considering oversight to enforce legal benchmarks and ensure fair distribution of bike infrastructure.

• SAFETY LAST: DOT Added No New Protected Bike Lanes in Four ‘Priority Districts’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-26

Mar 26 - The city’s commercial waste zone plan crawls forward. Only one Queens zone launches this fall. Nineteen more wait in limbo. Oversight is absent. Haulers with deadly records win contracts. Advocates demand speed, transparency, and real safety for streets choked by trucks.

Council Bill for commercial waste zone reform, passed in 2019, remains stalled. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will launch only one zone in central Queens after September 3, 2024. The oversight task force has not met in two years. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who authored the law as a Council member, called DSNY’s rollout a 'missed opportunity' for clarity and accountability. Justin Wood of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest warned, 'The system cannot achieve transformational change if it is treated as a limited pilot program.' The city’s goal to cut truck miles falls short of original promises. Action Carting, whose driver killed a cyclist in 2017, secured contracts for 14 zones. Advocates say the lack of outreach, oversight, and clear safety benchmarks leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Commercial Waste Zone Rollout Too Slow and Unclear: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-26

Mar 23 - Two vehicles crashed on Broadway at 10:45 p.m. The SUV suffered left-side damage, the sedan front-end damage. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old man, was injured with neck whiplash. Police cited driver inexperience and unsafe speed as factors.

According to the police report, at 10:45 p.m., a 2019 Jeep SUV traveling south on Broadway collided with a 2015 Lexus sedan traveling west. The SUV sustained damage to its left side doors, while the sedan's center front end was damaged. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and was classified with injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites driver inexperience and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision impact and resulting injuries highlight the dangers posed by driver errors on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712194 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19