Seven Dead, City Stalls—Demand 20 MPH Now

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called on state DOT to take a lane from cars on the West Side Highway. He wants a two-way protected bike lane. The Greenway is packed. Delivery workers need space. Local boards and lawmakers back the move.

""A solution to this problem has been proposed by the Hudson River Park Trust Advisory Council and Manhattan Community Boards 1, 2 and 4: to expand the Greenway to include the westernmost lane of Route 9A from West 54th Street to the Battery. This new lane would absorb all southbound bicycle traffic with northbound bicycle traffic using the Greenway space. The current divider between the Greenway and Route 9A would separate opposing bicycle traffic, reducing collisions."" -- Gale A. Brewer

On August 1, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine demanded the state Department of Transportation repurpose a lane on the West Side Highway for a two-way protected bike lane. Levine wrote, 'The Hudson River Greenway is one of the most heavily used bike paths in the country... congestion has worsened significantly.' He sent his letter to state DOT Commissioner Therese Dominguez and city DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Local elected officials and Community Board 1, which voted 41-3 in May 2020 to support the change, also back the plan. State senators, assembly members, and council members signed a letter urging the same. Levine and supporters argue the new lane would ease crowding and give e-bike delivery workers—many of them immigrants—a safe, legal route. The state DOT has resisted, citing car congestion. Advocates say more space for cyclists is overdue.

• SEE IT! Manhattan BP to State: Take a Lane from Drivers on the West Side Highway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-01

A 57-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Manhattan Avenue near West 110th Street. The sedan and bike collided as the bicyclist made a left turn. The bicyclist suffered shoulder abrasions. Driver inattention and improper turning caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male bicyclist was injured while making a left turn on Manhattan Avenue near West 110th Street in Manhattan. The collision involved a sedan traveling north going straight ahead. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm. The report lists driver errors including "Turning Improperly" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. The sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's left front quarter panel were the points of impact. No damage was reported to the sedan. The bicyclist was not ejected and was the only occupant on the bike. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and improper turning maneuvers in this area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549850 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

The city will redraw Third Avenue. Fewer car lanes. More bus lanes. A protected bike path. Wider sidewalks. Advocates and Council Member Gale Brewer pushed for change. DOT’s Ed Pincar says a proposal is coming. NYPD and Sen. Krueger focus on bike enforcement.

On July 27, 2022, city officials announced at a virtual town hall that a long-awaited redesign of Manhattan’s Third Avenue is in the works. The event, hosted by State Senator Liz Krueger, featured DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar, who said, “We are looking very closely… we may be able to present a proposal maybe even later this year.” The redesign aims to transform Third Avenue into a safer boulevard with fewer car lanes, more bus lanes, a separated bike path, and wider sidewalks. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates like Paul Krikler have long demanded these changes. Krueger and the NYPD, however, focused on enforcement against cyclists and e-bike riders, citing constituent concerns. Krueger has previously pushed for harsher penalties for electric-vehicle riders. NYPD data shows more enforcement against cyclists than drivers, even though drivers cause most injuries. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• ACTIVISTS GET ACTION: City Pledges to Redesign Manhattan’s Third Avenue This Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-27

SUV and sedan slammed together on Henry Hudson Parkway. Night air split by metal. A woman in the back seat took the worst of it. Bruises covered her body. Driver’s bad turn sparked the crash.

According to the police report, an SUV and a sedan collided on Henry Hudson Parkway at 11 p.m. The SUV carried two people. A 32-year-old woman, seated in the right rear, suffered bruises over her entire body. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as the driver’s error. The sedan’s left front hit the SUV’s center front. The injured passenger wore a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim actions were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A Tesla sedan made a left turn on West 61 Street in Manhattan. It struck a southbound bicyclist. The cyclist suffered facial abrasions. Obstruction or debris contributed to the crash. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling south on Columbus Avenue attempted a left turn and collided with a southbound bicyclist on West 61 Street. The bicyclist, a 56-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his face and was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Obstruction/Debris' as a contributing factor. The sedan's driver was licensed and made a left turn, which led to the point of impact on the bike's center front end. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights driver error in executing the left turn amid obstructed conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

An e-bike rider struck the right side of a parked sedan on Cathedral Parkway. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries. Police cited driver inattention and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-bike rider traveling east collided with the right side doors of a parked 2013 Ford sedan on Cathedral Parkway in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and sustained a contusion and upper arm injury. The report lists driver inattention and pedestrian/bicyclist confusion as contributing factors. The sedan, occupied by two males, was stationary and showed no damage. The cyclist was conscious after the crash. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and confusion in interactions between cyclists and parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 73-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing West 63 Street with the signal. The driver made a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old female pedestrian was injured on West 63 Street after being struck by a 2022 SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The impact occurred at the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious after the crash. The SUV showed no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling southbound. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547594 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A man on a bike struck a parked Audi on West 73rd. His head hit metal. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The SUV never moved. Night pressed in. Driver inattention marked the crash.

A 50-year-old man riding a bike crashed into a parked Audi SUV on West 73rd Street near West End Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist's head struck metal and he suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious. The SUV was stationary and unoccupied. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the primary driver error. The crash highlights the dangers faced by cyclists on city streets, even when vehicles are parked.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 55-year-old woman was struck by a northbound bike making a right turn on West 97 Street. She suffered head injuries and shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, a male cyclist on a bike traveling north on West 97 Street made a right turn and struck a 55-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was in shock. The report lists the driver's errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The bike had no visible damage. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following the crossing signal at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Two riders met head-on in the dark. Metal clanged. One flew, struck the street, bled out. The other lay unconscious, head split open. No warning. No helmet. Just blood, broken frames, and silence under the streetlamp.

Two bicyclists collided head-on on Amsterdam Avenue near 108th Street. Both riders were ejected. One, age 43, died after striking his head. The other, age 29, suffered severe head injuries and was found unconscious, bleeding. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' contributed to the crash. Both riders were traveling straight, one northbound on an e-bike, the other southbound on a bike. The report notes neither wore a helmet, but only after citing the failure to obey traffic controls. The street ran silent after impact, marked by blood and shattered bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4541988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 40-year-old man on an e-scooter struck debris on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. He suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The scooter showed no damage. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected. Obstruction in the roadway caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling south on Columbus Avenue collided with obstruction or debris on the road. The impact was to the center front end of the scooter, which sustained no damage. The rider suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Obstruction/Debris" as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors were noted. The rider wore no safety equipment. This crash highlights the dangers posed by roadway hazards to vulnerable micromobility users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4541395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned helipads. The bill targets tourist and luxury flights, sparing only essential services. Noise, pollution, and safety risks drive the move. The city’s airspace faces a reckoning.

On June 27, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler and colleagues introduced a bill to ban all non-essential helicopter flights from the Wall Street and East 34th Street city-owned helipads. The legislation, discussed in the City Council, exempts NYPD, news, and hospital helicopters. The bill’s matter title: 'Stop the Chop.' Council Members Amanda Farias, Gale Brewer, Shahana Hanif, Alexa Avilés, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Christopher Marte, and Carlina Rivera joined as sponsors. Hanif stated, 'Our airspace is not for sale to the highest bidder and should only be available to essential needs of our city.' The bill responds to mounting complaints—nearly 60,000 since 2010—over helicopter noise and pollution. The proposal aims to cut thousands of flights, reduce greenhouse gases, and restore peace to city parks and neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Here’s How the Council Will ‘Stop the Chop’ in New York, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-27

A motorcycle driver was ejected and injured in a collision with a pick-up truck on Amsterdam Avenue. The driver suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The truck was starting from parking when the crash occurred. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected and injured in a crash with a pick-up truck on Amsterdam Avenue. The motorcycle was traveling north, going straight ahead, when it collided with the truck, which was starting from parking and traveling northeast. The point of impact was the center front end of the motorcycle and the left rear quarter panel of the truck. The motorcycle driver sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A box truck passed too close to a 53-year-old bicyclist on Riverside Boulevard. The rider was ejected and suffered full-body contusions. The truck showed no damage. The cyclist wore a helmet but was left incoherent and bruised.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north on Riverside Boulevard passed too closely to a bicyclist, causing a collision. The 53-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained contusions over his entire body, resulting in incoherence. The truck was slowing or stopping before the crash and showed no damage. The contributing factor listed is "Passing Too Closely." The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list any other contributing factors. The truck driver was licensed and had no reported errors beyond the close passing. The impact was to the center front end of the bike, while the truck had no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan made a left turn and struck a northbound e-scooter on Riverside Drive. The e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered facial contusions. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn collided with a northbound e-scooter on Riverside Drive. The e-scooter rider, a 46-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained facial contusions. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed. The sedan struck the e-scooter at its center back end with its left front bumper. The e-scooter rider was conscious but injured. No other occupants were involved. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles and speed in interactions with vulnerable riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A distracted driver struck a 22-year-old male bicyclist on Amsterdam Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV was parked at the time of impact. The cyclist was conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured after a collision with a parked SUV on Amsterdam Avenue. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was stationary, and the point of impact was the right rear bumper of the vehicle and the center front end of the bike. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The cyclist was conscious following the crash but suffered moderate injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Council Member Gale Brewer stood near City Hall. She called for tougher bus lane rules. Cars block buses. Riders wait. Advocates want cameras on buses. The city plans more lanes. But without enforcement, buses stay stuck. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

On June 16, 2022, Council Member Gale A. Brewer of District 6 led a press conference urging stronger enforcement of bus lanes. The event, covered by Gothamist, highlighted the city's plan to add 20 more miles of bus lanes, part of Mayor Adams's pledge for 150 miles by 2025. Brewer declared, "Cars can't be in the bus lanes," and pushed for cameras to catch violators. Advocates like Cecilia Ellis and Jolyse Race joined, stressing that bus delays hurt low-income and older New Yorkers most. The press conference did not involve a formal bill or committee action, but spotlighted the urgent need for enforcement to protect bus riders—many of whom are vulnerable road users stranded by blocked lanes.

• City leaders, advocates press for better bus lanes amid expansion, gothamist.com, Published 2022-06-16

A taxi struck a sedan from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Alcohol involvement was noted. Both vehicles traveled north. The taxi showed no damage; the sedan’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a taxi rear-ended a sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles were traveling straight north when the collision occurred. The taxi had no visible damage, while the sedan sustained front-end damage. Alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor. The report does not specify other driver errors but highlights alcohol as a key factor. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 27-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured with back abrasions after a taxi struck him on West 104 Street in Manhattan. The taxi’s right front bumper hit the cyclist as both traveled straight. Unsafe lane changing caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected after a collision with a yellow taxi on West 104 Street, Manhattan. The taxi, traveling north, struck the bicyclist, who was going west, with its right front bumper. The bicyclist suffered back abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as a contributing factor to the crash. The taxi driver was licensed in New York. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No damage was reported to the bicycle. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unsafe lane changes in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 51-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head contusion after an SUV made a U-turn and struck him on Cathedral Parkway. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. The crash involved driver distraction and improper lane usage.

According to the police report, an SUV making a U-turn on Cathedral Parkway collided with an eastbound bicyclist. The 51-year-old male bicyclist sustained a head injury described as a contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver errors including inattention and improper passing or lane usage. The bicyclist was also noted for contributing confusion or error. The SUV's left front quarter panel was damaged, while the bike showed no damage. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane changes and driver distraction in collisions involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13