Blood on Cabrini: Manhattan’s Streets Still Built for the Kill

An 18-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head injury in a crash on West 176th Street near Audubon Avenue. The collision involved an unspecified vehicle striking the bike’s front center. The rider remained conscious but sustained internal injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 AM on West 176th Street in Manhattan. An 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling south was involved in a collision with an unspecified vehicle. The point of impact was the center front end of both the bike and the other vehicle. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious but suffered a head injury classified as severity level 3, with internal complaints. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No safety equipment or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The other vehicle involved had no reported damage or occupants. The data focuses on the impact and injuries sustained by the bicyclist without assigning fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

DOT slowed Third Avenue’s traffic lights from 25 to 15 mph. Drivers fumed. E-bikes surged. Councilmember Julie Menin said she got no warning. Residents felt blindsided. DOT claims safety, but the street churns with tension. No crash deaths since the 2023 redesign.

On February 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation retimed traffic signals on Third Avenue between 60th and 96th Streets, dropping the pace from 25 mph to 15 mph. The DOT called it a 'minor adjustment' to make the street safer for pedestrians and more comfortable for cyclists and drivers. Councilmember Julie Menin (District 5) said, 'We received no communication whatsoever about these very significant changes.' Menin wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, demanding answers and citing a lack of community input. Residents and drivers complained the change slowed cars and let e-bikes speed unchecked. DOT data shows no crash deaths since a 2023 redesign added bike and bus lanes. The move sparked debate over safety, transparency, and the balance between driver convenience and vulnerable road user protection.

• NYC’s Third Avenue traffic light slowdown sparks fury as locals complain of e-bike ‘racetrack’, nypost.com, Published 2025-02-19

On Broadway near West 190th, a parked sedan’s door swung wide. A cyclist, heading south, struck it head-on. His arm split open, blood running to the gutter. Police cite driver distraction. Metal, motion, pain—no warning, no helmet, just impact.

A cyclist suffered a severe arm injury when he collided head-on with a parked sedan’s door on Broadway near West 190th, according to the police report. The crash occurred as the sedan’s right side door was opened directly into the cyclist’s path. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist, a 25-year-old man, was conscious but bleeding heavily from his arm. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The sedan was stationary, and its right rear quarter panel was damaged. The incident underscores the danger posed when drivers or passengers open doors without checking for oncoming cyclists, as detailed in the police narrative: 'No warning. Just metal, motion, and the sound of pain on pavement.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A driver struck an 85-year-old woman at W 192 St and Broadway. She suffered a fractured hip and leg. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed. The victim was left in shock with serious injuries.

According to the police report, an 85-year-old female pedestrian was struck at the intersection of W 192 St and Broadway in Manhattan at 7:25 PM. The vehicle, traveling straight ahead, hit her with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered a fractured hip and upper leg, with injuries described as a distorted dislocation, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No information in the report indicates any fault or contributing behavior by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793250 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 37-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck at a Manhattan intersection. The driver, making a right turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:10 AM near 3809 Broadway in Manhattan. A 37-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when a Toyota SUV, traveling southeast and making a right turn, struck him with the right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage, and no other contributing factors were noted. The report explicitly identifies driver error as the cause, with no fault attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Unlicensed man sped down Audubon. His BMW smashed a parked SUV. A woman inside suffered back bruises. Unsafe speed and ignored signals fueled the crash. Steel met steel. Injury followed.

According to the police report, at 22:50 on Audubon Avenue in Manhattan, an unlicensed male driver in a 2021 BMW SUV struck a parked 2006 Honda SUV. The BMW's right front bumper hit the right side doors of the parked vehicle. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. A 33-year-old woman, seated as the driver in the parked SUV, suffered back contusions. She was conscious, not ejected, and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash resulted from driver errors: unsafe speed and failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 77-year-old woman walking along Harlem River Drive was crushed by a southbound SUV. The driver left her unconscious on the asphalt and did not stop. The city’s traffic violence spares no one, not even the oldest among us.

A 77-year-old woman was struck and severely injured by a southbound SUV on Harlem River Drive, according to the police report. The narrative states the woman was 'walking with traffic' when the vehicle's left front bumper 'crushed her body.' She was left unconscious on the roadway with injuries to her entire body. The driver did not remain at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further explanation for the driver’s actions. The vehicle involved was a 2024 SUV, registered in New York, traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report makes no mention of any victim behavior contributing to the collision. This incident highlights the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians from drivers who fail to remain at the scene after a crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 36-year-old woman suffered shoulder and arm injuries after a collision involving multiple parked sedans on W 187 St in Manhattan. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, which left the pedestrian bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:05 on W 187 St near Broadway in Manhattan. Multiple sedans were involved, all reported as parked prior to the collision. The contributing factor cited was slippery pavement, which likely affected vehicle control. A 36-year-old female pedestrian was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to her shoulder and upper arm. She was conscious at the scene. The report notes no pedestrian fault or contributing factors on her part. Driver errors include failure to maintain control on slippery pavement, leading to the collision with the pedestrian. The vehicles involved showed damage to their center back end, right front bumper, and left front quarter panel, indicating multiple points of impact. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time, emphasizing the systemic danger posed by vehicle movements on slippery surfaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Councilmember De La Rosa and others want permits for residential parking. Congestion pricing pushed more drivers uptown. Lawmakers say outsiders take local spots. Critics warn permits may spur more car ownership. No clear plan for safety or curb use.

On February 8, 2025, Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for a City Council pilot program to restrict street parking to permit holders. The debate follows congestion pricing, which, as the bill summary states, has made free street parking uptown scarce and pushed more drivers into residential neighborhoods. State Senator Robert Jackson sponsors a parallel bill in Albany. De La Rosa and Jackson argue that local residents lose parking to out-of-state drivers. Councilmember Gale Brewer warns that low permit prices could increase car ownership and worsen parking shortages, citing past failures in other cities. Kate Slevin of the Regional Plan Association questions whether a permit system would be enforced, given the city's history of placard abuse. The bill's impact on vulnerable road users remains unaddressed. No safety improvements or curb space repurposing are included.

• With congestion pricing in effect, push for parking permits in NYC gains momentum, gothamist.com, Published 2025-02-08

A 67-year-old man crossing at a marked crosswalk was struck by a sedan making a U-turn. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing serious hip and upper leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious and bruised at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on W 205 St near 10 Ave in Manhattan at 3:23 PM. A sedan traveling south was making a U-turn when it struck a 67-year-old male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg and was conscious with contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, indicating the collision happened during the U-turn maneuver. The driver was licensed and operating a 2003 Volkswagen sedan with two occupants. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during complex vehicle maneuvers in pedestrian zones.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

An unlicensed e-scooter driver struck on the right side by a sedan making a left turn in Manhattan suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash involved unsafe speed and pedestrian confusion, highlighting driver errors and systemic risks.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling north was hit on the right side doors by a westbound sedan making a left turn at 4295 Broadway, Manhattan. The e-scooter driver, who was unlicensed, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites two primary driver errors: unsafe speed by the e-scooter operator and pedestrian/bicyclist confusion contributing to the crash. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Toyota sedan. The point of impact on the sedan was the left front bumper. The collision underscores the dangers posed by unlicensed operation and unsafe speed, compounded by confusion in vulnerable road user behavior, without assigning fault to the injured e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A sedan driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a close passing collision in Manhattan. Both vehicles were parked at impact, with no visible damage. The crash exposed risks from unsafe vehicle proximity on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Manhattan near W 169 St at 14:45. Two sedans, both initially parked, collided with impact points at the center back end and center front end respectively. The injured party was a 38-year-old male driver who sustained contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error in vehicle spacing. Both vehicles showed no damage despite the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This incident underscores dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain safe distances even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A northbound sedan struck the rear of a stopped vehicle on Harlem River Drive. Unsafe speed by the striking driver caused a collision that injured a 39-year-old male driver, who suffered back pain and shock. Both vehicles sustained rear-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Harlem River Drive at 17:32. A sedan traveling northbound at unsafe speed rear-ended another sedan that was stopped in traffic. The striking vehicle attempted to avoid an object in the roadway but failed to reduce speed adequately. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 39-year-old male, was injured with back pain and experienced shock. The report notes the contributing factor as 'Unsafe Speed' by the striking driver. The collision caused damage to the center back ends of both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report. The injured driver was not ejected and was wearing unknown safety equipment. This crash highlights the danger of excessive speed in traffic conditions on Harlem River Drive.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Speed cameras slash reckless driving. At school zones, speeding drops 94 percent. But the program expires soon. DOT Commissioner Rodriguez urges Albany to act. State Sen. Gounardes backs expansion. Cameras save lives. Delay risks more deaths. Lawmakers hold the key.

Bill to reauthorize New York City's speed camera program is pending in Albany. The program, covering 750 school zones, needs state approval before June. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez calls speed cameras 'one of the most effective tools' to stop deadly driving. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who sponsored the last reauthorization, says, 'my bill to expand the speed camera program has saved lives.' The city wants stronger penalties for repeat offenders and action on license plate fraud, which lets millions of violations go unpunished. The report shows cameras cut speeding by 94 percent and reduce injuries and deaths. The program faces political hurdles, but the evidence is clear: speed cameras protect people on foot and bike. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep this life-saving tool.

• DOT to Albany: Don’t Forget to Reauthorize Our Life-Saving Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-24

An 11-year-old boy suffered facial injuries and shock after an SUV struck him at a Manhattan intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:50 on W 158 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. An 11-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the street with the signal when he was struck by a station wagon/SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, causing center front end damage. The pedestrian sustained facial injuries, minor bleeding, and was in shock. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact. This collision highlights driver errors as the primary cause of harm to the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787864 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06