Seven Dead, City Stalls—Demand 20 MPH Now

Gale Brewer backs tougher rules for delivery apps, not blanket e-bike crackdowns. She calls for speed limits, tracking, and safer batteries. Brewer rejects citywide licensing, focusing on big companies. Pedestrians stay at risk while apps dodge responsibility.

On December 15, 2024, Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) took a public stance in an editorial titled, "NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps." Brewer opposes citywide licensing and registration of all e-bikes, a measure supported by Councilman Bob Holden, calling it impractical. Instead, she urges the City Council to target commercial e-bike use by requiring delivery giants like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Amazon to track their contractors’ speed, direction, and sidewalk riding, and report violations to city regulators. Brewer also proposes a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and mandates running lights for visibility. She highlights the danger of unsafe lithium-ion batteries and calls for stricter oversight. Brewer’s approach shifts responsibility from individual riders to the corporations profiting from delivery, aiming to protect the city’s 8 million pedestrians from reckless riding and battery fires.

• NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps, nydailynews.com, Published 2024-12-15

Council grilled the Adams administration over a bill to license e-bikes and scooters. Supporters called it common sense. Critics warned it targets delivery workers. Tension ran high. Most deaths still come from cars, not bikes. The fight is far from over.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to require city-level licensing and registration for e-bikes and e-scooters not covered by state law. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden, claims to address 'the proliferation of these vehicles' and their impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, District 19, insisted, 'This is a safety issue.' Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez countered, 'We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams warned the bill would 'have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants.' A separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer supports licensing only for commercial e-bikes. The hearing exposed deep rifts over enforcement, equity, and the real sources of street danger.

• NYC Council, Adams admin spar over license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-11

Council Member Paladino’s bid to ban e-bikes from city parks failed at Manhattan Community Board 2. Members called the bill vague, redundant, and unenforceable. Even e-bike skeptics dismissed it. The board demanded real solutions, not empty gestures or propaganda.

Bill number not specified. On December 10, 2024, Manhattan Community Board 2’s transportation and parks committees reviewed Council Member Vickie Paladino’s proposal to ban e-bikes from city parks. The committees voted overwhelmingly against it. The matter, described as an effort to 'make it more harmonious and safer for people in parks,' was criticized as 'not fleshed out.' Paladino, a Queens Republican, failed to provide data or address existing rules. Co-sponsor Gale Brewer admitted she signed on under pressure and doubted enforcement. Committee members Shirley Secunda, Susanna Aaron, Janet Liff, and Jeannine Kiely all voiced strong opposition, calling the bill redundant and inadequate. The Central Park Conservancy declined to endorse a ban, urging more protected bike lanes instead. The board found the proposal did nothing for safety and ignored systemic issues.

• ‘Not Fleshed Out’: Paladino’s E-Bike Ban Falls Flat at Manhattan Civic Panel, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-10

A 24-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured after colliding with a sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. The rider suffered abrasions and upper arm injuries, remaining conscious at the scene. The crash occurred during a merging maneuver at night.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male moped driver, helmeted and licensed in New York, was involved in a collision with a sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway around 9 PM. The moped was traveling northeast and merging when the crash occurred, impacting the center back end of the moped. The rider was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and upper arm injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver remained conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors for the crash, but the merging maneuver preceding the collision suggests driver error related to vehicle positioning or failure to yield. No factors related to the victim's actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

City plans to lift helicopter flight limits at Downtown Manhattan Heliport. New contract would allow more tourist flights if half use electric aircraft. Advocates and Council Member Restler slam the move. They demand a ban on non-essential, luxury air travel.

On December 9, 2024, the city released a draft contract proposing to lift the cap on helicopter flights at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Economic Development Corporation, which manages the heliport, seeks to allow more flights if 50 percent use electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), pending FAA approval. The matter summary states: 'The city could lift a years-old cap on helicopter trips at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in order to get companies to pivot to electric aircraft.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods, criticized the plan and called for a ban on non-essential tourism and luxury air taxi flights. Restler previously introduced legislation to ban such trips, but it failed. Advocates Melissa Elstein and Andrew Rosenthal of Stop The Chop also oppose the plan, citing noise, quality of life, and expanded luxury service. The contract includes expanded lounges and segregated passenger flows, which advocates see as a move to boost luxury air travel.

• City Eyes More Tour Flights From Downtown Heliport With Electric Aircraft, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-09

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

A 72-year-old man on a bike was ejected and hit his head on Riverside Drive. Police cite following too closely. The rider wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion after a crash on Riverside Drive at 20:43. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the bicyclist did not maintain enough distance from another vehicle or object. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but helmet use was not a contributing factor. He remained conscious after the crash. No other people were injured, and no vehicle damage was reported. The police note the bicyclist was unlicensed. This crash underscores the risk when safe distance is not kept on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A driver turned left on Broadway, failed to yield, and struck a 23-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered full-body injuries and shock. The crash left her in pain. The car showed no damage.

According to the police report, a vehicle making a left turn on Broadway at West 66th Street in Manhattan failed to yield right-of-way and struck a 23-year-old woman. She was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the sole contributing factor, repeated twice, underscoring driver error. The vehicle showed no visible damage, suggesting a low-speed impact. No other factors, such as pedestrian behavior or safety equipment, were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773076 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 73-year-old woman suffered a head injury after a taxi made a left turn and struck her while she crossed West End Avenue outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian was incoherent and bleeding, highlighting dangers from driver maneuvers in Manhattan streets.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on West End Avenue made a left turn and struck a 73-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The impact occurred at the taxi's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a head injury, was incoherent, and had minor bleeding. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not assign fault to her. The absence of vehicle damage suggests a low-speed collision. This incident underscores the risks posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians crossing mid-block in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

An SUV making a U-turn struck a bicyclist traveling east on Cathedral Parkway. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the collision that caused serious injury.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2020 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, made a U-turn and collided with her bike traveling eastbound on Cathedral Parkway at 8:07 a.m. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers making U-turns and failing to maintain safe passing distances around cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway collided. The impact struck the right rear bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A 62-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, experiencing shock and pain.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway near West 79th Street when they collided. The point of impact was the right rear bumper of a 2006 Mercedes sedan and the left front bumper of a 2022 Infiniti sedan. The 62-year-old male driver of the Mercedes, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the collision but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A Ford SUV turned left on Amsterdam. Its bumper struck a 69-year-old woman crossing with the light. She fell. She died there, in the crosswalk, as traffic moved on. Outside distraction and driver error ended her life.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 96th Street in Manhattan. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' in the crosswalk when a Ford SUV, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered fatal injuries to her lower leg and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The victim’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted, but the crash was precipitated by the driver’s failure to yield and inattention. The system allowed an ordinary turn to become deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 14-year-old boy riding a bike was injured when a northbound SUV struck him with its left front bumper on W 100 St near Amsterdam Ave. The boy suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The driver was distracted by headphones.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 5:00 PM on W 100 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan involving a northbound 2020 SUV and a bicyclist. The SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, impacted the bicyclist with its left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 14-year-old male passenger on the bike, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the SUV driver's use of headphones as a contributing factor, indicating distraction. No driver errors such as failure to yield were explicitly cited, but the distraction from listening to headphones likely impaired the driver's attention. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The bike sustained no damage, and the driver of the bike was unlicensed. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

An SUV making a U-turn struck a 29-year-old woman crossing Broadway at W 63rd Street. The pedestrian, crossing with the signal, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The driver’s failure to yield and inexperience caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 2016 Nissan SUV was making a U-turn on Broadway near W 63rd Street in Manhattan at 9:36 p.m. The vehicle struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Taxi hit a 26-year-old bicyclist on Columbus Avenue. The cyclist was thrown, suffering abrasions to his knee, leg, and foot. Police cite failure to yield. Bike overturned. Cyclist in shock. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southbound collided with a northbound bicyclist near 284 Columbus Avenue in Manhattan at 3:08 PM. The 26-year-old male cyclist was thrown from his bike, which overturned on impact. He suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the taxi driver as the contributing factor. The taxi showed no damage; the bike was overturned. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The crash underscores the danger cyclists face when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769021 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

SUV and sedan collided northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. Both drivers distracted. SUV driver, woman, 56, suffered back injury and whiplash. Impact struck bumpers. Distraction led to pain and metal.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV and sedan collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. The 56-year-old female SUV driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers as the cause. The SUV hit the sedan's rear bumper with its front. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, as listed in the report. No other contributing factors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 72-year-old woman crossing with the signal was hit by a sedan making an improper right turn on West 96th Street. The impact caused head injuries and whiplash. The driver’s failure to yield created a dangerous collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 96th Street made an improper right turn and struck a 72-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and complained of whiplash, with injury severity classified as moderate. The point of impact was the right side doors of the vehicle. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error as the cause. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by improper turning maneuvers in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771069 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06