Blood on the Asphalt: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face deadly risk. Lawmakers demand action. Streets must protect the vulnerable.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The measure calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program' using cameras to enforce bike lane rules. Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the resolution. The text states: 'enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The council demands Albany act. Cyclists die while drivers block lanes. The bill aims to hold motorists accountable and protect those most at risk.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face death and injury. Lawmakers want action. Streets remain dangerous. The fight for safety continues.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The resolution calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program...to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the measure. The bill would let New York City use cameras to fine drivers who invade bike lanes. Cyclists are killed and injured when cars block their space. The council demands Albany act to protect vulnerable road users.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face death and injury. Lawmakers want action. Streets remain dangerous. The fight for safety continues.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The resolution calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program...to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the measure. The bill would let New York City use cameras to fine drivers who invade bike lanes. Cyclists are killed and injured when cars block their space. The council demands Albany act to protect vulnerable road users.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

E-bike use surges. Streets stay deadly. Calls for licensing miss the mark. Advocates demand protected lanes, clear intersections, and employer accountability. Restrictive rules push riders to riskier modes. Real safety comes from design, not blame.

This opinion, published September 26, 2024, argues against e-bike licensing and for street redesign. The article, titled 'Opinion: Worried About E-Bike Safety? Make the Roads Safer First,' highlights the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians due to poor infrastructure. It supports Council Member Lincoln Restler’s bill to enforce bike and bus lane obstruction rules and backs state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s proposal for employer-based delivery worker licensing. The piece states: 'Such proposals are heavy-handed and will deter and discourage e-bike ridership without effectively ensuring their safe operations on the street.' The author urges protected bike lanes, daylighted intersections, and moving Citi Bike docks off sidewalks. The message is clear: systemic fixes, not punitive measures, protect vulnerable road users.

• Opinion: Worried About E-Bike Safety? Make the Roads Safer First, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-26

A northbound bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered head injuries after an SUV making a right turn struck him at 11th Avenue. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the cyclist with abrasions and serious trauma to the head.

According to the police report, at 16:40 in Manhattan near 711 11th Avenue, a 56-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was struck by a southbound SUV making a right turn. The impact occurred at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained head injuries classified as severity level 3, including abrasions. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor on the part of the SUV driver. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and operating a 2024 Porsche SUV. No damage was reported on the SUV, indicating the bicyclist bore the brunt of the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759614 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A Tesla sedan struck a 43-year-old male bicyclist on West 17th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash was caused by driver inattention and distraction, leaving the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 2023 Tesla sedan was stopped in traffic on West 17th Street in Manhattan when it struck a bicyclist traveling westbound. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the left side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, cited twice. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The sedan driver held a valid New York license, while the bicyclist had a permit. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable cyclists in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Streetsblog calls out the Times for ignoring car culture’s deadly toll. Anti-bike voices rage as double-parked cars and reckless drivers menace Long Island City. A cyclist is struck in Brooklyn. Universal daylighting advances. The city’s streets remain dangerous for the vulnerable.

On September 23, 2024, Streetsblog NYC published a media commentary titled 'Monday’s Headlines: ‘It’s the Car Culture, Stupid’ Edition.' The piece criticizes The New York Times for failing to address the harm car culture inflicts on public health and urban safety, quoting, 'The Times is so blind to car culture that it can't even blame the automobile for sedentary lifestyles.' The article highlights ongoing dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, including a cyclist struck by a driver in Brooklyn and persistent double-parking in Long Island City. It notes an Upper Manhattan community board’s vote for universal daylighting, a proven safety measure. No council members are directly named, but the commentary centers the systemic risks cars pose to vulnerable road users and the media’s failure to confront these dangers.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘It’s the Car Culture, Stupid’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-23

Manhattan crawls. UN General Assembly brings gridlock. Streets close. Traffic drops below 4 mph. DOT urges mass transit. Cyclists get a temporary lane. Permanent fix in the works. Emergency response slows. Hoylman-Sigal sounds alarm. No relief in sight.

On September 23, 2024, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and the New York City Department of Transportation announced the slowest Manhattan traffic of the year as the United Nations General Assembly convenes. The DOT warns, 'motorists should expect the slowest traffic of the year in Midtown,' with average speeds dipping below 4 mph and key streets closed. Hoylman-Sigal, co-author of a new traffic report, highlights that Midtown speeds are the slowest since records began—20% slower than a decade ago. The report notes emergency response times have suffered. DOT continues a temporary bike lane for cyclists and micro-mobility users, with plans for a permanent design. Hoylman-Sigal supports congestion pricing and safer streets, but Governor Hochul has paused the plan. The city expects more gridlock days through December. Vulnerable road users face narrowed space and slower emergency help as cars choke Midtown.

• Brace for the slowest Manhattan traffic of the year. The UN is in town., gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-23

A sedan struck a bicyclist from behind on West 58th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered a back injury but remained conscious. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled eastbound, with the sedan following too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash happened on West 58th Street in Manhattan at 3:20 PM. A sedan traveling eastbound rear-ended a bicyclist also moving eastbound. The bicyclist, a 51-year-old man, was injured in the back and remained conscious after the impact. The report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the sedan driver, indicating a failure to maintain a safe distance behind the cyclist. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was struck at the center back end. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing a helmet, but no contributing factors related to the victim were noted. Vehicle damage was reported on the bike but not on the sedan. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers who do not maintain proper following distance behind vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A Tesla sedan and an e-scooter collided head-on at West 34th Street in Manhattan. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old man, was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries. The crash involved disregard for traffic control and rider confusion.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on West 34th Street, Manhattan, involving a Tesla sedan traveling east and an e-scooter traveling south. Both vehicles impacted center front ends. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained a shoulder and upper arm injury classified as severity 3, along with contusions. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The driver errors include failure to obey traffic signals or controls, which led to the collision. The e-scooter driver’s helmet use is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. This crash highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and the confusion that can arise for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757755 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A northbound bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with an eastbound sedan at West 36 Street and 9 Avenue in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered upper arm injuries and bruising. Police cited vehicular factors as contributing causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 11:00 AM on West 36 Street near 9 Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling east and a bicycle traveling north collided, with impact on the sedan's center front end and the bicycle's left front bumper. The 31-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained upper arm injuries and contusions. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' factors as the primary contributing causes, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown, and no pedestrian or bicyclist errors were cited as contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. This collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan making a left turn hit a northbound bicyclist on West 35 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:36 PM on West 35 Street near 10 Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling north. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper and the bike's center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the crash. The bicyclist's role or behavior was noted as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but no safety equipment status was confirmed. The sedan driver was licensed, while the bicyclist was unlicensed. Vehicle damage was limited to the sedan's left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan traveling south struck a bicyclist heading east on West 38th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the collision’s cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:25 on West 38th Street near 9 Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling straight south collided with a bicyclist moving east. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan’s front center end made contact with the cyclist, who was not wearing any safety equipment. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the impact. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike’s left front bumper, while the sedan showed no damage. The police report highlights the driver’s failure to maintain attention as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An SUV traveling west on West 51 Street passed too closely to an e-scooter, striking the rider’s left side. The 29-year-old female e-scooter driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:45 on West 51 Street in Manhattan. An SUV and an e-scooter, both traveling westbound, collided when the SUV passed too closely to the e-scooter. The point of impact was the left side doors of the e-scooter and the right side doors of the SUV. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old female, was injured with a fracture and dislocation to her knee and lower leg. She was conscious and not ejected from her vehicle. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's error. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The e-scooter driver was not cited for any contributing factors, and no helmet or crossing signal use was noted as relevant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 68-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries in a crash with an SUV on 10 Avenue. The collision involved improper lane usage by the motorcycle driver, resulting in severe trauma and unconsciousness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 10 Avenue in Manhattan at 14:57. A 68-year-old male motorcyclist, wearing a helmet, was ejected from his motorcycle and sustained head injuries, leaving him unconscious. The motorcycle, traveling north, collided with a northwestern-bound SUV. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor, attributed to the motorcycle driver. The SUV driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The motorcycle's pre-crash action was 'Avoiding Object in Roadway,' and the point of impact was the center front end of the motorcycle and the left front bumper of the SUV. The motorcycle sustained damage to the left front quarter panel. This crash highlights the dangers of improper lane usage and passing maneuvers in Manhattan traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Box truck struck a man on West 48 Street. He suffered chest wounds and bled. He lay semiconscious as sirens wailed. No driver errors listed. The street stayed hard and cold.

According to the police report, a 2019 HINO box truck traveling north on West 48 Street in Manhattan struck a male pedestrian. The man suffered chest injuries and minor bleeding. He was semiconscious at the scene. The point of impact was the right side doors of the truck. The report lists no driver errors or specific contributing factors. The pedestrian's contributing factors are marked as unspecified. The truck showed no damage. The driver held a valid New York license. The crash left a pedestrian hurt, with no clear cause named in the official record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A taxi making a left turn collided with a northbound bicyclist on 8 Avenue in Manhattan. The bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention and bicyclist confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 8 Avenue was struck by a taxi also heading north but making a left turn. The point of impact was the taxi's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor, alongside pedestrian/bicyclist error or confusion. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2023 vehicle. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the complexities of left turns in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756420 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A motorcycle collided with a parked sedan on West 28 Street in Manhattan. The motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered upper leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 28 Street near 10 Avenue in Manhattan at 14:30. A motorcycle traveling north struck the left side doors of a parked sedan. The motorcycle driver, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The sedan was parked at the time of impact, and the motorcycle's front center end was damaged. The motorcycle driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not indicate any victim fault or contributing behaviors. The collision highlights driver errors related to lane usage and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 67-year-old e-scooter driver suffered a head contusion after a collision with a bike on West 26 Street in Manhattan. The crash involved improper lane usage by the e-scooter driver, resulting in center front end impact and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:15 on West 26 Street in Manhattan involving an e-scooter and a bike, both traveling eastbound. The e-scooter driver, a 67-year-old male, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor attributed to the e-scooter driver. The collision impacted the center front end of the e-scooter, causing injury but no ejection. The bike sustained no damage. The report highlights driver error in lane usage as the primary cause, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753739 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05