Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - An e-bike struck a woman crossing with the signal on 7th Avenue at West 49th Street. She suffered abrasions to her leg. The rider disregarded traffic controls and failed to yield. The crash left the street marked by sudden pain and confusion.

A 49-year-old woman was injured when an e-bike rider hit her as she crossed 7th Avenue at West 49th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the e-bike, traveling south, struck her. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The rider, a 27-year-old man, was unlicensed and wore a helmet. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report makes clear the e-bike operator failed to yield and ignored traffic controls, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819130 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A taxi door swung open on West 45th. A 22-year-old cyclist hit it. He fell. His arm scraped and bloodied. The street stayed busy. The system failed to shield him. The driver’s actions left a mark.

A crash unfolded on West 45th Street in Manhattan involving a taxi and a cyclist. According to the police report, a 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured when he struck the left side doors of a parked taxi. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower arm and hand. The taxi was stationary, its driver inside. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are named in the data. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this is noted only after the lack of identified driver errors. The incident highlights the persistent danger faced by cyclists in city traffic, especially near parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818768 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 6 - Council Member Keith Powers pushes a 15 mph e-bike speed cap. Critics warn it targets cyclists, not drivers. Enforcement falls hardest on people of color. Safety experts say the move misses real dangers. Streets stay deadly for the most vulnerable.

On June 6, 2025, Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers announced plans to introduce legislation lowering e-bike speed limits to 15 miles per hour. The bill, not yet numbered or assigned to committee, follows Mayor Adams's push to address what he calls street 'chaos.' Powers said, 'Biking is a crucial tool to tackle the climate crisis... but we also must address the well-documented concerns about safety.' He proposes a $50 penalty for violations. Critics, including Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, call the measure 'half-baked and ill-conceived,' warning it escalates the city's 'misguided war on biking.' Safety analyst notes show the policy may discourage cycling, reducing mode shift from cars and undermining safety in numbers. Enforcement has historically targeted Black and brown cyclists, while drivers—responsible for most deaths—face lighter penalties. The bill risks making streets less safe for those outside cars.

• How Will E-Bike Speed Limits Actually Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-06

Jun 5 - A cyclist struck a 12-year-old girl outside the crosswalk on Fifth Avenue. Both suffered leg injuries. The crash left the street marked by confusion and pain. The city’s dangers pressed in, silent and unyielding.

A crash on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan left a 26-year-old male cyclist and a 12-year-old female pedestrian injured. According to the police report, both were conscious at the scene. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his lower leg and foot. The child pedestrian reported pain and nausea, with injuries to her knee and foot. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor. The crash occurred outside an intersection, with the cyclist traveling south and the pedestrian in the roadway. No vehicle damage was reported. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - A cyclist turned left on Avenue of the Americas. He struck a woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a head injury. The crash happened in Manhattan. Police cite failure to yield and distraction. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 20-year-old cyclist, heading west on West 30th Street, turned left onto Avenue of the Americas and struck a 46-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head contusion and remained conscious at the scene. The cyclist was not injured. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The crash highlights the risks faced by pedestrians, even when following signals, and underscores the consequences when drivers—cyclists included—fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

Jun 2 - 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

Jun 1 - Two sedans crashed at West 57th. Both drivers distracted. One woman bruised her arm. Another occupant hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens echoed. The street bore the mark of inattention. The city kept moving.

Two sedans collided at 224 West 57th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted at the time of the crash. One driver, a 29-year-old woman, suffered a contusion to her arm. Another occupant was also injured. The vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the persistent danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 1 - A taxi and a box truck turned wrong on West 35th. Metal struck metal. A 54-year-old driver took the blow in his shoulder. He felt pain and shock. The street held the weight of oversized steel and error.

A crash on West 35th Street in Manhattan involved a taxi and a box truck. One driver, age 54, suffered a shoulder injury and reported pain and shock. According to the police report, both vehicles were making right turns when the collision happened. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed. The impact hit the taxi’s left front quarter panel and the truck’s left front bumper. No passengers or bystanders were reported injured. The data shows driver error—improper turning—at the center of this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - 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

May 30 - A sedan struck a cyclist at E 55th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 33-year-old woman, suffered leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention. The crash left the bike damaged and the street marked by impact.

A collision between a sedan and a bicycle occurred at E 55th Street in Manhattan. The crash injured a 33-year-old female cyclist, who sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors and the bike's center front end were damaged. No injuries were reported for the sedan's driver or passenger. The cyclist was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The report did not cite helmet use or signaling as factors. The data highlights driver distraction as the primary error leading to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817458 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 30 - 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

May 29 - A cyclist hit a pedestrian on Seventh Avenue. The woman suffered a facial injury. The crash happened in the afternoon. Police cited confusion as a factor. The street saw blood and pain. The city failed to keep them safe.

A crash on Seventh Avenue at West 40th Street in Manhattan left a 31-year-old woman injured. According to the police report, a cyclist traveling south struck the pedestrian, who was not at an intersection. The woman suffered an abrasion to her face. Police listed 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was unlicensed and riding straight ahead at the time of impact. No vehicle damage was reported. The report does not mention any other contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians and cyclists on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 29 - A taxi door swung open. A cyclist struck it. Metal hit flesh. The rider flew, hit the pavement, scraped his arm. Driver inattention cut through the afternoon. The street stayed loud. The cyclist stayed conscious. The system failed again.

A crash unfolded on East 28th Street in Manhattan. A taxi, parked at the curb, opened its door into the path of a cyclist riding east. The cyclist, a 44-year-old man, struck the door and was ejected from his bike, suffering abrasions to his arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the primary contributing factor. The taxi driver and two other occupants were involved but not reported injured. The crash data shows the cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver's error. The impact highlights the danger of inattentive driving and the vulnerability of those on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - An SUV hit a 67-year-old woman crossing West 57th Street at Eighth Avenue. She had the signal. The crash left her in shock, her back injured. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 67-year-old woman was struck by a station wagon or SUV while crossing West 57th Street at Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle, traveling east, hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered a back injury and was left in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian’s actions were lawful; she was in the crosswalk with the signal. The crash highlights the persistent risk to pedestrians when drivers fail to yield, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816631 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - A box truck struck a taxi on West 36th Street. Both drivers hurt. One suffered a back injury. Police blamed driver distraction. Metal crumpled. Sirens wailed. The city’s danger showed its teeth again.

A crash unfolded at West 36th Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. A box truck hit a taxi. According to the police report, both vehicles were heading north. Both drivers were injured. One driver, age 37, suffered a back contusion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal issues are mentioned. The force of the impact damaged the center front of the truck and the rear of the taxi. The police report does not specify further details about the injuries or the sequence of events. The crash highlights the risks faced by all who travel New York’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - A pickup truck struck a cyclist on West 57th Street. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Unsafe lane changing played a role. The crash left the street marked by blood and confusion.

A crash at 165 West 57th Street in Manhattan involved a pickup truck and a bicycle. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was a contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck, registered in New Jersey, was traveling west and going straight ahead, while the cyclist was making a U-turn. The police report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary systemic danger cited is unsafe lane changing. No injuries were reported for the truck occupants. The crash underscores the risks vulnerable road users face when drivers fail to maintain safe lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19