Aug 19 - Locals and leaders want the parking lot under the FDR Drive gone. They demand public space, not car storage. The city brought cars back after flood wall work. Residents call it a missed chance. They want a waterfront for people.

On August 19, 2024, Manhattan’s Community Board 6 and Council Member Keith Powers pushed to convert the parking lot under the FDR Drive, between E. 18th and E. 23rd streets, into public space. The lot, closed for years during flood wall construction, reopened for parking despite calls for change. The matter summary reads: 'An underused parking lot below the FDR Drive should finally turn into a community space instead of car storage, according to residents and politicians.' Sandy McKee, CB6 chair, said, 'If we took away the cars, it would be a visible connection through to the waterfront.' Powers backed the move, stressing the need for public access. The board sent a resolution to the Economic Development Corporation. The city claims it still needs the space for construction and right-of-way management. No formal bill number or committee is listed. The push echoes similar highway conversions in Toronto and Brooklyn.

• Parking Lot Under the FDR Should Become Public Space: Locals, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-19

Aug 17 - A 62-year-old woman suffered head contusions after a bike traveling south struck her while she crossed a marked crosswalk without a signal. The cyclist hit the pedestrian's left front side, causing injuries but no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a bicycle traveling south on 2nd Avenue struck a 62-year-old female pedestrian crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The impact occurred at the bike's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained head injuries classified as contusions and bruises, with an injury severity level of 3, and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not identify any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. The bike sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was crossing in a marked crosswalk. No helmet use or other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash happened at 16:40 in Manhattan's 10016 zip code.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - A taxi struck a bicyclist merging lanes southbound near 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited the taxi driver for disregarding traffic control and unsafe lane changing as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:40 near 272 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. A taxi traveling southbound collided with a bicyclist who was merging lanes in the same direction. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the taxi driver’s failure to obey traffic control signals and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the bike and the left front bumper of the taxi. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2015 Toyota vehicle. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as disregarding traffic controls and unsafe lane changes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749555 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 13 - A 37-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured after an SUV made a left turn on East 58th Street in Manhattan. The impact hit the bike’s front center and the SUV’s left side doors. Driver distraction was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, at 9:53 AM on East 58th Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan, a 2018 Nissan SUV driven by a licensed female driver was making a left turn when it struck a southbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV’s left side doors and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained head injuries and abrasions. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were specified. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747926 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 13 - DOT cuts Bedford Slip’s car-free hours. The plaza, once open all week, will now close to cars only on weekends. Locals and advocates wanted more. Businesses pushed back. Most neighbors don’t own cars. The fight for safe space continues.

On August 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would end 24/7 pedestrianization of Bedford Slip in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The decision, not a council bill but a DOT action, follows a six-week trial during the G train shutdown. DOT will allow car-free hours only on weekends from late September through year’s end. The matter summary: 'DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez supported a permanent plaza. Katie Denny Horowitz of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance vowed to keep pushing for full-time closure. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the agency is working with residents on a long-term vision. Most local households rely on transit, biking, or walking. The decision leaves vulnerable road users with less protection during the week.

• DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-13

Aug 10 - North Brooklyn residents and lawmakers demand DOT keep Bedford Slip car-free. The plaza, born of subway repairs, became a haven for pedestrians. Over 3,100 back it. Officials urge permanence. Opponents’ safety fears never came true. The fight for public space continues.

On August 10, 2024, North Brooklynites rallied to keep the temporary pedestrian plaza at Bedford Slip, a half-block offshoot of Bedford Avenue north of Nassau Avenue, car-free. The Department of Transportation (DOT) had closed the street to traffic during G train repairs, but plans to reopen it to vehicles. The matter, described as a push to 'continue this vital public space project as a permanent fixture,' drew support from Rep. Nydia Velázquez and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who sent letters urging DOT to make the plaza permanent. Local organizations, businesses, and over 3,100 petitioners back the effort, citing increased community use and safety. Previous concerns about traffic and safety did not materialize. The plaza is part of a broader movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

• ‘Save the Slip’: North Brooklynites Urge DOT to Keep Temporary Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-10

Aug 8 - A 75-year-old pedestrian was struck by an SUV making a left turn on 2 Avenue. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian at an intersection while she crossed with the signal. She suffered leg injuries and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 2 Avenue near East 30 Street in Manhattan at 9:47 AM. A 2015 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a left turn when it struck a 75-year-old female pedestrian crossing the intersection with the signal. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, yet the SUV showed no damage. The pedestrian was not at fault; the collision was caused by the driver's failure to yield to a crossing pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - SUV slammed into a cyclist’s front wheel on East 45th. The rider flew off, hit his head, and scraped skin. Police blame driver distraction and bad lane use. The street turned violent in seconds.

According to the police report, an SUV struck a 36-year-old male bicyclist on East 45th Street in Manhattan at 8:00 AM. Both vehicles were heading west. The SUV’s right rear quarter panel collided with the bike’s front end. The cyclist was partially ejected, suffering head injuries and abrasions. The report lists 'Passenger Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, pointing to driver error. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this was not cited as a cause. The SUV carried two people and was traveling straight ahead at impact. Damage was noted to the SUV’s right rear and the bike’s front.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746550 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 7 - A 65-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on East 34 Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:23 on East 34 Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan. A 65-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was injured when a 2016 Ford SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck her. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield and distraction in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 7 - A 25-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a right turn on East 36 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred, causing abrasions and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:03 AM on East 36 Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. A 2015 Kia SUV, driven by a licensed female driver traveling south and making a right turn, struck a 25-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing the intersection with the signal. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions, and was reported to be in shock. The police report cites the primary contributing factor as the driver's failure to yield the right-of-way. Alcohol involvement was also noted as a contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report focuses on the driver's error in yielding, with no indication of fault or error on the pedestrian's part.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A sedan traveling east collided with a southbound bicyclist on East 40 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. Police cite driver inattention as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 17:19 on East 40 Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan, a 2018 Toyota sedan traveling east struck a 29-year-old male bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. There are no listed contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746007 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - A sedan collided with an e-bike on East 31st Street in Manhattan. The 39-year-old bicyclist suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited the sedan driver for disregarding traffic control, causing the crash and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:46 on East 31st Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan. A 2017 Ford sedan traveling south struck a westbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old man, sustained head abrasions and was conscious after the collision. The report identifies "Traffic Control Disregarded" as the primary contributing factor, implicating the sedan driver in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. The sedan's left front bumper impacted the e-bike, causing injury to the cyclist. The bicyclist was not ejected and wore no safety equipment, but no victim behavior was cited as contributing. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash. This incident highlights driver error in ignoring traffic controls, resulting in serious harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - A southbound SUV struck a bicyclist traveling the same direction on 2 Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The SUV’s right front bumper impacted the bike’s rider, causing injury without visible bike damage.

According to the police report, at 13:29 on 2 Avenue near East 39 Street, a GMC SUV traveling south struck a bicyclist also heading south. The SUV’s right front bumper made contact with the cyclist, causing right front quarter panel damage to the vehicle. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected. The bike showed no damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The collision occurred while both vehicles were going straight ahead. The report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist or note any victim behavior contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744646 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A 27-year-old man suffered severe leg injuries while crossing East 50 Street at an intersection. The pedestrian was struck despite crossing with the signal. The crash left him conscious but with fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 50 Street and 2 Avenue in Manhattan at 9:50 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was struck, resulting in fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash. The report does not specify the vehicle type or driver details, nor does it list any contributing factors such as driver errors or pedestrian fault. The absence of noted driver errors in the report leaves the circumstances of the collision unclear, but the pedestrian was legally crossing with the signal at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A bicyclist suffered elbow abrasions after an SUV struck him head-on on East 18th Street. The crash, caused by the SUV driver's failure to yield right-of-way, left the cyclist injured but conscious, highlighting dangerous driver errors in Manhattan.

According to the police report, at 11:06 AM on East 18th Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan, a 25-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2021 Honda SUV struck him at the center front end. The SUV was traveling eastbound, and the bicyclist was heading southbound. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not yield to the bicyclist. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike. The bicyclist was unhelmeted, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. This collision underscores the critical impact of driver errors, specifically failure to yield, in causing injuries to vulnerable road users in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 28 - A 63-year-old male driver suffered abrasions and arm injuries after a single-vehicle crash on Park Avenue. The sedan struck an object with its left front bumper. Police cited driver inattention and outside distraction as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old male driver operating a 2019 sedan on Park Avenue in Manhattan was injured in a crash at 4:10 a.m. The vehicle, traveling north and going straight ahead, impacted with its left front bumper, causing center front-end damage. The driver sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, remaining conscious throughout. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was licensed in New Jersey. This incident underscores the dangers of driver distraction, which directly led to the collision and the driver's injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A dump truck slammed into a cyclist on East 57th. The rider took full-body injuries. Police cite driver distraction and blocked views. Heavy steel met flesh. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

According to the police report, a dump truck traveling west on East 57th Street near 2 Avenue struck a southbound bicyclist at 5:42 AM. The cyclist, a 56-year-old man, suffered abrasions and trauma to his entire body but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The truck's right front bumper hit the bike's left front quarter panel. The cyclist wore a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the threat posed by large trucks and distracted driving to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743285 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - A taxi and a sedan collided on FDR Drive at midnight. The sedan driver was merging when impact struck the taxi’s right front bumper. A 59-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on FDR Drive around midnight involving a 2022 Honda sedan and a 2015 Toyota taxi, both traveling north. The sedan driver was merging when the collision occurred, striking the taxi’s right front bumper with the sedan’s left front quarter panel. The report cites 'Tinted Windows' as a contributing factor, potentially impairing the sedan driver's visibility. The taxi carried four occupants, and the sedan had one driver. A 59-year-old female passenger in the sedan, seated in the right rear, was injured with back trauma and whiplash. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The police report does not indicate any fault or contributing behavior from the passenger. The collision’s impact damaged the left side doors of the sedan and the right front quarter panel of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - Metal screamed on FDR Drive. Two SUVs tangled in a reckless lane change. A woman’s neck crushed, a man’s head bloodied. Both belted, both silent in shock. The night closed in, the highway’s danger laid bare.

Two sport utility vehicles collided southbound on FDR Drive during a lane change, according to the police report. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. Metal tore as the vehicles met; a 42-year-old woman driving one SUV suffered severe neck crush injuries, while a 48-year-old male passenger sustained head trauma. Both were wearing lap belts and were described as silent and in shock after the crash. The impact left both vehicles damaged, with the Audi SUV struck on the right front quarter panel. The police report makes no mention of any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver error—specifically, unsafe lane changing—on New York City’s high-speed arteries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19