Seven Dead, City Stalls—Demand 20 MPH Now

New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

A 23-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her at a Manhattan intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and West 61 Street in Manhattan around 3 PM. The report states the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2019 Audi sedan, traveling northeast and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The driver, a licensed male, failed to yield right-of-way, which is cited as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report explicitly attributes the crash to the driver's failure to yield, with no contributing factors assigned to the pedestrian beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

SUV rear-ends pickup in Manhattan. Driver, 27, suffers back injury and whiplash. Noon crash. Police cite following too closely. Both vehicles headed south. Pickup undamaged. SUV takes the hit.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man driving a Hyundai SUV rear-ended a pickup truck on Columbus Avenue near West 66th Street at noon. The SUV driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both vehicles were traveling straight south when the crash happened. The pickup truck was not damaged. The SUV driver was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741736 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

A sedan hit a 17-year-old bicyclist riding south on Broadway. The teen suffered head abrasions. Police cite driver disregard for traffic control. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east struck a 17-year-old male bicyclist heading south on Broadway just after midnight. The impact hit the bike's left side doors, causing head abrasions to the cyclist, who remained conscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a driver error, pointing to a failure to obey signals or signs. The sedan's left front bumper and quarter panel were damaged. The bicyclist wore no safety equipment, as noted in the report. This crash shows the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A cyclist hit a young woman on Amsterdam Avenue. She fell, her head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The bike rolled on, unscathed. The force landed square, the harm hers alone. The night echoed with sirens and blood.

A 25-year-old woman was struck by a cyclist traveling northeast on Amsterdam Avenue, according to the police report. The collision left her semiconscious in the street, suffering severe bleeding from a head injury. The narrative states, 'She fell, head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The rider kept straight. No damage to the bike. The front wheel hit center. The damage was hers alone.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the cyclist and the pedestrian. The cyclist was going straight ahead at the time of impact, and the point of contact was the center front end of the bike. No damage was reported to the bicycle. The report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The harm was borne entirely by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi making a left turn struck an e-scooter rider traveling straight on West 96 Street. The 26-year-old rider was ejected and suffered facial abrasions. Driver inattention caused the collision, leaving the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling northwest on West 96 Street was making a left turn when it collided with an e-scooter rider going straight north. The point of impact was the taxi's left front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter rider, a 26-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions to his face, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No contributing factors related to the e-scooter rider were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A driverless box truck struck a parked SUV on West 86 Street. Two men inside the truck suffered injuries including knee abrasions and whiplash. The crash unfolded without ejections but left both occupants conscious and hurt.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling eastward on West 86 Street collided with a parked SUV. The primary contributing factor was a 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle,' indicating loss of control by the truck driver. The box truck's left front bumper impacted the center front end of the SUV. Two male occupants in the truck were injured: a 52-year-old man riding outside the vehicle sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, while the 58-year-old driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV was unoccupied at the time. The report cites no victim behavior contributing to the crash, focusing on the runaway truck as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two e-scooters slammed together on Riverside Boulevard. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood pooled on the pavement. He was conscious, wounded, and young. Unsafe speed tore through the afternoon. The city’s danger cut deep.

According to the police report, two e-scooters collided at speed near Riverside Boulevard and West 61st Street in Manhattan. The crash left a 14-year-old boy injured, bleeding from the face but conscious. The report states, 'Two e-scooters collided at speed. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood on the pavement.' The listed contributing factor is 'Unsafe Speed.' No helmet use was recorded for the injured boy. The data shows both vehicles were going straight ahead before impact, and the severity of the injury was high. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the threat posed by unsafe speed on city streets, especially for young and vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council grilled delivery apps on June 21. Seven bills target reckless e-bike riding, battery fires, and low pay. Lawmakers want apps to answer for worker traffic violations and vehicle safety. Pedestrians and cyclists face daily danger. Councilmember Schulman called for accountability.

On June 21, 2024, the NYC Council's Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection held a hearing on seven bills regulating delivery apps. The bills aim to address 'myriad health and safety concerns' from e-bike crashes, battery fires, and low pay. Councilmember Lynn Schulman, District 29, spoke out: 'Right now, delivery workers are essentially incentivized for speed... This often results in driving recklessly, often putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.' Three bills would make apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash responsible for vehicle safety and compliance, require them to provide safety-compliant e-bikes, and ensure mopeds are registered. Other bills target pay transparency and tip protections. Councilmembers Shaun Abreu and Rafael Salamanca also spoke in support. The measures seek to hold companies accountable for dangers faced by vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• Delivery apps in NYC could be held responsible for workers following traffic laws, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-21

A sedan hit a northbound cyclist on West 65th. The rider, 42, was thrown and suffered facial abrasions. Police cited driver distraction. No vehicle damage. The cyclist was conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 65 Street near Central Park West struck a northbound bicyclist at 13:05 in Manhattan. The 42-year-old male cyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his face. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan’s right front quarter panel hit the center front end of the bike. Neither vehicle was damaged. The cyclist was conscious and injured. The driver was licensed in New York. No cyclist actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 62-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision with an SUV on West 72 Street. The SUV driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash, leaving the cyclist incoherent with minor bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 72 Street in Manhattan at 13:43. A 62-year-old male bicyclist traveling west was merging when his bike’s left front quarter panel collided with the right front quarter panel of a westbound SUV. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to merge correctly. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike, sustained head injuries, and was incoherent with minor bleeding. The SUV, a 2009 Honda SUV registered in New Jersey, had no reported damage. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior or safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane usage by motor vehicle drivers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Three SUVs crashed on West 79 Street in Manhattan amid a police pursuit. One driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The collision involved unsafe speed and multiple impacts on right and left sides of vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:15 AM on West 79 Street near Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. Three SUVs, all traveling east, were involved in a collision during a police pursuit. The vehicles sustained damage primarily to their right and left front bumpers and right side doors. One driver, a 24-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. All drivers involved were male; one was licensed in New York, while another was unlicensed. The collision highlights the dangers posed by high-speed police pursuits and driver errors related to speed management.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731417 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06