Blood on the Asphalt: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Two cars collided on West 38th. Metal struck metal. A young driver and a rear passenger suffered bruises and whiplash. Both felt shock. Police blamed following too closely. The street fell silent as injuries mounted.

Two sedans crashed on West 38th Street at 11th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the collision happened when one vehicle followed too closely, striking the other from behind. A 22-year-old male driver suffered a facial contusion. A 35-year-old female rear passenger sustained whiplash. Both reported shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. No other errors or helmet or signal issues are noted. The impact damaged the center back end of one car and the front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger of close pursuit on crowded city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. Police targeted cyclists, not reckless drivers. Riders stopped at every light, exposed the law’s absurdity. One cyclist jailed for lacking ID. Drivers who injure go free. Cyclists demand fair treatment, safety, respect.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of New Yorkers joined a mass ride to protest the NYPD’s intensified enforcement against cyclists. The demonstration, which began at Union Square, challenged new policies issuing criminal summonses for minor cycling offenses. Riders followed traffic laws, highlighting the crackdown’s contradictions. One cyclist, Erin Poland, said the policy 'is not actually protecting cyclists [but] putting them in more danger.' Another, Tara Pham, noted, 'I’ve been hit by vehicles twice... those drivers face no criminal charges.' The article details how police arrested a Citi Bike rider for not moving aside and lacking ID, while drivers who injure vulnerable road users often avoid serious consequences. The piece underscores the disparity in enforcement and questions the effectiveness and fairness of current NYPD tactics.

• Cyclists Protest NYPD Crackdown in Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-02

Seventeen council members back Ryder’s Law to ban horse-drawn carriages. The bill stalls. Horses bolt, people get hurt. Speaker Adrienne Adams blocks a hearing. The city’s inaction leaves pedestrians, cyclists, and horses at risk. No change for street safety.

On June 2, 2025, City & State NY published an opinion urging action on Ryder’s Law, the stalled NYC Council bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. The article states, "Forcing horses to pound the pavement with heavy carriages in Midtown, where they compete with motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, is inhumane." Seventeen council members, led by Robert Holden (bill sponsor) and Erik Bottcher (district includes stables), support the ban. Speaker Adrienne Adams has blocked a hearing and vote. The piece highlights recent incidents where bolting horses injured at least four people, including a pedicab driver. Despite the vivid danger, the safety analyst notes: "The event text does not describe any policy or legislative change affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so there is no direct impact on their safety." The bill remains stalled in committee, with no relief for vulnerable road users.

• Opinion: Stop our political blindness on inhumane horse-drawn carriages, City & State NY, Published 2025-06-02

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

An e-bike struck Renee Baruch on the Upper West Side. She woke in pain, face broken, spine injured. NYPD cracks down with criminal summonses. Cyclists protest. City Council stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Justice, tangled in policy.

NY1 reported on May 30, 2025, that the NYPD is issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic infractions, citing a lack of City Council action on new regulations. Commissioner Tisch told the Council, "Pass e-bike regulations." Cyclists object to criminal charges for minor violations, arguing for civil penalties instead. The article highlights the case of Renee Baruch, hospitalized after an e-bike crash left her with facial fractures and a spinal injury. The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division targets reckless e-bike use, but without updated laws, criminal summonses remain their only tool. The policy gap leaves vulnerable road users exposed and enforcement inconsistent.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses For E-Bikes, NY1, Published 2025-05-30

A taxi struck a man crossing at West 42nd and 12th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. The driver was unlicensed. Passengers in the taxi were unharmed. The street stayed busy. The city moved on.

A taxi making a left turn at West 42nd Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan struck a 48-year-old man who was crossing at the intersection. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and was listed as conscious, with a contusion. The driver of the taxi was unlicensed at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported among the taxi's passengers. The police report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash. The only traffic violation documented is the driver's unlicensed status. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816946 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist hit a woman crossing with the signal on 10th Avenue at West 41st Street. She suffered a bruised shoulder and was semiconscious. Police cited improper passing or lane usage. The bike showed no damage. The street stayed busy. Danger lingered.

A crash occurred at the intersection of 10th Avenue and West 41st Street in Manhattan. A 54-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck by a cyclist. According to the police report, she suffered a contusion to her upper arm and was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor. The cyclist’s bike had no reported damage. No other injuries were specified. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash highlights the risks pedestrians face even when following traffic signals, especially when drivers or cyclists fail to use lanes properly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816954 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-05-27

A judge stopped federal threats to choke city funds over congestion pricing. The $9 toll stands. Streets stay crowded. The fight moves to court. Safety projects hang in the balance. The city waits. The deadline looms.

Patch reported on May 27, 2025, that District Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding federal funding as leverage against New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order 'bars the DOT from engaging in any retaliatory measures' and prevents cancellation of the toll, which charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Federal officials had threatened to withhold funds for road and street safety projects if the city continued the program. The order lasts until June 9, keeping the toll in place and leaving critical infrastructure funding uncertain. The article highlights the standoff between federal authorities and city leaders, with safety and mobility projects at risk.

• Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27

A woman riding home on her e-bike was attacked late at night. She suffered grave brain injuries. The assailant stole her bike, fled, and dumped it in the river. The path had no lights, no cameras. She was left defenseless.

Gothamist reported on May 24, 2025, that Diana Agudela, a 44-year-old e-bike commuter, was brutally beaten on Randall's Island on May 16. The suspect, Miguel Jiraud, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges. Prosecutors said Jiraud, on parole and wearing a GPS anklet, attacked Agudela after 11:30 p.m., stole her e-bike, and discarded it in the East River. Agudela is not expected to survive, having undergone multiple brain surgeries. The article quotes Agudela’s daughter: “We need more protection, we need more lights.” The path where the attack occurred lacked lighting and surveillance. The incident highlights gaps in infrastructure and safety for vulnerable road users.

• E-Bike Commuter Beaten On Randall's Island, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-24

A truck slammed into two sedans stopped in traffic on West 30th Street. One driver suffered a head injury. The crash left metal twisted and nerves frayed. Following too closely turned a line of cars into a scene of pain.

A crash unfolded on West 30th Street at 12th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a garbage truck traveling north struck two sedans that were stopped in traffic. One driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a head injury and was in shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The truck's right front bumper hit the rear bumpers of both sedans. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors. The data shows the truck driver failed to maintain safe distance, leading to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus hit a woman in the crosswalk on West 34th Street. She was walking with the signal. The impact left her bruised and bleeding from the face. Police cited driver inattention. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 55-year-old woman was struck by a bus while crossing West 34th Street at Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the crash occurred. She suffered facial injuries, specifically a contusion, and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors were noted. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The collision highlights the risks pedestrians face, even when following traffic signals, in areas with heavy vehicle traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two bikes crashed head-on. One rider, age 59, suffered leg abrasions. Police cite traffic control ignored. Both wore helmets. The street saw blood and confusion.

Two bicyclists collided head-on at 220 W 26th Street in Manhattan. One cyclist, a 59-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her leg. The other, age 35, was not reported injured. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' factors and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' Both riders were wearing helmets, as noted in the report. The collision left one cyclist partially ejected and hurt. The data points to ignored traffic control as a key factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.

amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.

• City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20

A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.

• Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

A cyclist struck a man crossing 11th Avenue. The rider hit headfirst, left unconscious, bones broken. The pedestrian was hurt. The crash left the bike undamaged. Both lives changed in a moment.

A cyclist traveling south on 11th Avenue collided with a male pedestrian who was crossing in a marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a head injury and lost consciousness, with fractures and dislocation. The pedestrian was also injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted after the lack of specified driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi hit a cyclist at West 23rd and Ninth. The cyclist was thrown, injured in the head, left in shock. The crash left the cab’s front end damaged. Police cite confusion as a factor.

A taxi and a cyclist collided at West 23rd Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. The 31-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury, leaving him in shock. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. The taxi’s right front bumper struck the cyclist, damaging the cab’s center front end. No other injuries were specified. The report does not list any driver errors or mention helmet use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812190 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

SUV door flung open. Cyclist hit hard. Head injury, helmet on. Unsafe speed listed. Manhattan street, night. Metal met flesh. Another rider down.

A cyclist, age 23, suffered a head injury after colliding with the left side doors of a parked SUV on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was cited as a contributing factor. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and sustained a contusion. The SUV, registered in New Jersey, was parked at the time. The impact left the cyclist injured and the SUV damaged. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811774 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04