Midtown’s Deadly Toll: How Many More Must Die Before Powers Acts?

City cracks down on e-bikes while handing out safer models. Delivery workers swap illegal bikes for certified ones. Fires drove action. But only a few get help. Confusion and mixed signals rule the streets. Riders remain exposed. Systemic danger lingers.

On June 13, 2025, the Adams administration launched the NYC e-bike trade-in program. No bill number or committee is listed, but the $2-million program stems from a 2023 bill by Council Member Keith Powers. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'The Adams administration is both cracking down on e-bikes and providing safer e-bikes to workers.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'This is not just about protecting delivery workers. It’s about protecting them, their families, their neighbors, and all New Yorkers from deadly fires.' Delivery worker William Medina praised the program, but called for expansion. The program lets workers trade uncertified bikes or illegal mopeds for certified e-bikes, but covers only a fraction of the city’s 80,000 delivery workers. The safety analyst notes: Cracking down may burden vulnerable users, while safer bikes help; mixed signals mean no clear safety gain. The city’s approach leaves vulnerable road users in limbo.

• Friday’s Headlines: E-Bike Trade Show Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-13

Manhattan’s Community Board 6 voted 31-5 for the 34th Street busway. The plan blocks private cars from Third to Ninth. Nearly 30,000 bus riders stand to gain. Transit wins. Cars lose. The city moves closer to safer, faster streets for people.

On June 12, 2025, Manhattan Community Board 6 passed a resolution supporting DOT’s 34th Street busway plan by a 31-5 vote. The matter, as reported by Streetsblog NYC, reads: 'Manhattan Community Board 6 overwhelmingly supported by a vote of 31-5 the DOT's plans to install a busway on 34th Street, passing a resolution that urged the city to prioritize its installation.' Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, who represent the corridor, both support the measure. The resolution urges the city to prioritize the busway, which would ban through traffic by private cars between Third and Ninth avenues. Leadership from Community Boards 4 and 5 also joined the call. DOT plans to implement the busway in summer or fall 2025. According to the safety analyst, the event text does not describe a policy or legislative change relevant to pedestrian or cyclist safety.

• Midtown Manhattan Panel Overwhelmingly Backs 34th St Busway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-12

StreetsPAC picks Brad Lander for mayor. They praise his sweeping plan for safer streets and better transit. The group rejects weak promises. They demand bold action to protect people outside cars. Lander vows real change for New Yorkers.

On June 11, 2025, StreetsPAC, a political action committee for livable streets, endorsed Brad Lander for New York City mayor. The endorsement, reported by Streetsblog NYC and covered by Gersh Kuntzman, followed a review of candidate plans. StreetsPAC called Lander’s proposal 'by far the most comprehensive blueprint ... we've ever seen from a candidate for any office.' Lander promised more protected bike lanes, a citywide Bus Rapid Transit network, and using congestion pricing revenue for busways and bikeways. He pledged six-minute service on subways and buses and action on street homelessness. StreetsPAC’s endorsement signals strong support for policies that prioritize vulnerable road users. Their safety analyst noted: 'A comprehensive plan for safer streets and better public transit typically prioritizes vulnerable road users, supports mode shift, and aligns with best practices for population-level safety improvements.'

• StreetsPAC Ranks Lander #1 for Mayor, Offers Other Picks for Comptroller, Beeps and Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

City leaders move to slow e-bikes but leave car speed limits untouched. Council Member Powers pushes a 15 mph cap for e-bikes. Mayor Adams backs the crackdown. Cars, the real killers, roll on. Advocates call out the city’s misplaced priorities.

On June 10, 2025, Council Member Keith Powers introduced a bill to lower e-bike speed limits to 15 miles per hour, following Mayor Adams’s call for action. The measure, discussed in the Council but not yet assigned a bill number or committee, comes as Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch launches a crackdown on cyclists. Powers said, "I am interested in all measures that might address keeping our street experience here in the city feeling much safer and slowing down any vehicle or device or instrument that could hurt someone." Despite state authority to lower car speed limits, neither the mayor nor the Council act to curb car speeds citywide. Advocates and some officials slam the focus on e-bikes, pointing to data: cars and trucks cause nearly all pedestrian injuries. The safety analyst notes no direct safety impact for vulnerable users, as no specific policy change is enacted. The city’s priorities remain clear—and deadly.

• Now Do Cars: Adams and Council Push For E-Bike Speed Limits Ignores The Biggest Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-10

Council Member Keith Powers pushes a 15 mph e-bike speed cap. Critics warn it targets cyclists, not drivers. Enforcement falls hardest on people of color. Safety experts say the move misses real dangers. Streets stay deadly for the most vulnerable.

On June 6, 2025, Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers announced plans to introduce legislation lowering e-bike speed limits to 15 miles per hour. The bill, not yet numbered or assigned to committee, follows Mayor Adams's push to address what he calls street 'chaos.' Powers said, 'Biking is a crucial tool to tackle the climate crisis... but we also must address the well-documented concerns about safety.' He proposes a $50 penalty for violations. Critics, including Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, call the measure 'half-baked and ill-conceived,' warning it escalates the city's 'misguided war on biking.' Safety analyst notes show the policy may discourage cycling, reducing mode shift from cars and undermining safety in numbers. Enforcement has historically targeted Black and brown cyclists, while drivers—responsible for most deaths—face lighter penalties. The bill risks making streets less safe for those outside cars.

• How Will E-Bike Speed Limits Actually Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-06

Council bill pushes cheaper bike share for students sixteen and up. City’s Department of Transportation must set new rates. More teens could ride. Bill sits in committee. Streets may see more young cyclists. Danger remains. System must protect them.

Int 1287-2025, introduced May 28, 2025, sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older,” would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted rate for eligible students. Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Gale A. Brewer, Shahana K. Hanif, Sandy Nurse, Linda Lee, Keith Powers, Lincoln Restler, Chi A. Ossé, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Althea V. Stevens, and Farah N. Louis. The measure aims to make cycling more accessible for youth, but the city must ensure safe streets as more young riders join traffic. The bill remains under committee review.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

DOT wants a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off. Buses crawl now. Riders lose time. Council Member Powers backs the plan. Activists demand action. Streets jammed with traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safer passage.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation proposed a 14th Street-style busway for 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, reported by Dave Colon for Streetsblog NYC, would ban through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, echoing the successful 14th Street model. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the M34, voiced strong support: 'If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results.' The proposal is not yet a formal bill and has not reached any council committee. Activists and elected officials with experience on 14th Street back the move, citing faster buses and higher ridership. However, the event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no assessment of safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be made.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

DOT plans a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off after one block. Buses crawl now. Council Member Powers backs it. The 14th Street model sped up buses and drew more riders. Activists want strong, lasting action. The city must deliver.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation announced a proposal to create a 14th Street-style busway on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, to be presented to community boards, would restrict through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, forcing cars to turn off at the first opportunity. The matter aims to address congestion and slow bus speeds on the M34, where buses average five to seven miles per hour. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the route daily, said, "If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results." Powers and community leaders support the move, citing the 14th Street busway’s success: a 24 percent speed boost and 30 percent ridership jump. The proposal follows years of planning and comes as congestion pricing looms. Some advocates remain wary, recalling Mayor Adams’s past delays and reduced busway hours. The city faces pressure to make the busway permanent and effective for all vulnerable road users.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

Adams administration opens a pedestrian path on Queensboro Bridge. Federal Secretary Duffy objects. Critics say his stance ignores history and safety. The bridge once belonged to walkers. Now, the city returns space to people, not cars. Tensions flare. Vulnerable users watch.

On May 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the Adams administration's move to open a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. The event, not a council bill but a city action, drew sharp criticism from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who opposed removing a vehicle lane for pedestrians and cyclists. The article states: 'forcing pedestrians and cyclists in both directions to share a single lane on a bridge with nine lanes for car drivers was unsafe.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Julie Won attended the opening. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety to assess.' Still, the move restores space to those on foot and bike, challenging car dominance and federal resistance.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

A pickup struck a 61-year-old woman in the crosswalk on Lexington Avenue. She bled from the head, semiconscious. The truck’s right front bumper hit her. The driver and passengers were not hurt. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A Dodge pickup truck traveling south on Lexington Avenue struck a 61-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection with East 37th Street. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the truck’s right front bumper hit her. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found semiconscious. The driver and several occupants in the truck were not injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are noted in the data. The pedestrian’s use of the signal is documented, but no helmet or signaling issues are listed as factors. The crash highlights the ongoing risk for pedestrians at Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813611, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 67-year-old man pedaled west on W 51st. The door of a parked SUV swung open. His bike crashed. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The SUV stood untouched. The man died on the street, another life ended by steel and carelessness.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man riding a bike westbound on W 51st Street at 5th Avenue collided with the door of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A 67-year-old man on a bike hit the door of a parked SUV. No helmet. His head struck hard. He flew, then fell. Blood spread. The SUV was untouched. He died.' The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, marking them as 'Unspecified.' The SUV was parked, and the cyclist was ejected upon impact, suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash. The focus remains on the lethal interaction between vulnerable road users and parked vehicles in Manhattan’s dense streetscape.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796322, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

New York opens its e-bike trade-in. Four hundred delivery workers can swap dangerous, uncertified bikes for safe, legal models. The program targets deadly battery fires. But 400 is a drop in the bucket. Tens of thousands remain at risk. The danger lingers.

On January 28, 2025, the Department of Transportation launched New York City's e-bike and moped trade-in program, born from a 2023 law introduced by Council Member Keith Powers. The program, praised by Council Member Oswald Feliz, allows 400 delivery workers to exchange uncertified, fire-prone bikes for certified, street-legal models. The law followed a spike in lithium-ion battery fires—277 in 2024, killing six. The $2 million program offers bikes and spare batteries, but only scratches the surface for the city’s estimated 80,000 delivery workers. Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called the effort a step toward safer, cleaner mobility. Applications close February 17. The program’s reach is small, leaving most workers exposed to the same deadly risks.

• Apply Yourself: Tiny Number of Delivery Workers Will Get Safe E-Bikes in City Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-28

A southbound bus slammed into a 39-year-old man near East 51st Street. The right front bumper hit with force. The man, not in the roadway, died at the scene. Steel and speed left no chance. The city’s danger is relentless.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a southbound bus struck him near Fifth Avenue and East 51st Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 21:34. The report states, 'A southbound bus struck a 39-year-old man who was not in the roadway. The right front bumper hit him. He died at the scene. His body bore the full weight of steel and speed.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The bus was traveling straight ahead when its right front bumper made contact with the pedestrian. The victim was not in the roadway at the time of impact. No driver errors are specified in the report, but the lethal outcome underscores the ever-present risk posed by large vehicles in dense urban environments. Victim behavior is not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788709, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Glass burst at E 34th and 1st. A convertible struck a sedan’s rear. A young woman, seatbelted, bled from the face. Police flagged alcohol and traffic control disregard. The city’s night offered no mercy.

A crash at the corner of East 34th Street and 1st Avenue left a 22-year-old woman with severe facial lacerations, according to the police report. The incident involved a convertible traveling north striking the right rear bumper of a westbound sedan. The police report states, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The woman, riding as a front passenger and secured by a lap belt and harness, was injured when the convertible hit the sedan, shattering glass. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver actions: alcohol use and failure to obey traffic controls. The crash, late at night, underscores the ongoing danger posed by reckless driving and systemic failures on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786302, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians and the driver landed in the hospital. Blood on the sidewalk. Police say a medical episode caused the crash. The street stayed open.

Gothamist reported on December 26, 2024, that a taxi driver 'jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd' near Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street on Christmas Day. The crash sent a 9-year-old boy, two women, and the driver to the hospital. NYPD officials stated, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver reportedly suffered a medical episode, though police did not specify details, citing confidentiality laws. Four others refused medical attention at the scene. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians from vehicles leaving the roadway, regardless of intent or cause. No policy changes or enforcement actions were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

Fifth Avenue turned car-free for its 200th birthday. Politicians cheered a $150 million redesign. Fewer lanes. Wider sidewalks. Thousands walked where cars once ruled. Council Member Keith Powers joined the call: make the street safer for people, not traffic.

On December 10, 2024, Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) joined Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to celebrate Fifth Avenue’s 200th anniversary and announce a major redesign. The event, held during the third annual Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Street, made the avenue car-free between 48th and 57th Streets. The $150 million plan, as described by Madelyn Wils, will reduce traffic lanes from five to three and widen sidewalks between Bryant Park and Central Park. Powers and other officials voiced strong support for prioritizing pedestrians, echoing Levine’s call to 'do better here' and make Fifth Avenue a true pedestrian destination. The redesign aims to reclaim space for people, not cars, and signals a shift toward safer, more vibrant streets for all vulnerable road users.

• 5th Avenue at 200: Magnificent Manhattan thoroughfare celebrates past while looking toward the future, amny.com, Published 2024-12-10

Council bill Int 1138-2024 would ban parking and standing within 20 feet of crosswalks. It forces the city to install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections each year. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors include Bottcher, Won, and the Public Advocate.

Int 1138-2024, introduced December 5, 2024, is under review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill is 'Laid Over in Committee.' Its title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.' Council Member Erik D. Bottcher is the primary sponsor, joined by Julie Won, Jumaane Williams, and others. The bill prohibits standing or parking within 20 feet of crosswalks and mandates the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections per year. The law also requires citywide outreach and reporting. This measure aims to keep sightlines clear at crossings, a known danger zone for people on foot and bike. The bill has not yet received a vote.

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

The city slashed Fifth Avenue’s holiday Open Street from three Sundays to one. Cars return. Pedestrians lose ground. Advocates and lawmakers protest. Sales soared last year. Now, the city cites security. Sidewalks may widen, but bike lanes vanish. Buses slow. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 4, 2024, the Adams administration cut the Fifth Avenue holiday Open Street program in Midtown from three Sundays to just one, shrinking the car-free zone to December 8 between 48th and 55th streets. The Fifth Avenue Association blamed security around Trump Tower. The matter summary reads: 'City scales back hugely popular Fifth Ave. Holiday Open Street despite sales boosts.' Council Member Keith Powers called the move 'surprising' and urged a full return next year. Advocates called it 'frustrating and disappointing.' Mayor Adams had previously praised the program, which boosted sales by $3 million in 2023. The Department of Transportation now touts sidewalk expansion, but the new redesign drops a planned bike lane and may slow buses. Pedestrians and cyclists lose space. The city’s retreat keeps vulnerable road users at risk.

• City Scales Back Hugely Popular Fifth Ave. Holiday Open Street Despite Sales Boosts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

A box truck turned left at 2nd Avenue and East 45th. The driver, unlicensed, struck an 83-year-old woman crossing with the light. Her legs were crushed. She lay unconscious on the street. The truck showed no damage. The city’s danger persists.

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 45th Street in Manhattan, a box truck making a left turn struck an 83-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian’s legs were crushed and she was found unconscious at the scene. The report states the driver of the box truck had no license. The truck, registered in New Jersey, bore no visible damage after the collision. The police narrative confirms the woman was crossing with the light, placing the responsibility on the driver’s actions. The data highlights the systemic danger posed by unlicensed drivers operating large vehicles in dense urban intersections. No driver errors beyond the lack of a license are specified in the report, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel meets flesh at East 58th and 2nd. A Honda turns left, a man pedals straight. Metal crushes bone. Blood stains the street. The SUV idles, the bicycle folds, the city rushes on.

A 58-year-old man riding a bicycle was injured at the corner of East 58th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan when a Honda SUV, making a left turn, struck him. According to the police report, the SUV driver failed to yield the right-of-way, directly leading to the collision. The report details that the cyclist was traveling straight while the SUV turned left, resulting in a center front-end impact with the cyclist's lower leg. The cyclist suffered severe bleeding and a broken bone but remained conscious at the scene. The police narrative describes, 'Steel strikes leg. Bone breaks. Blood spills.' The only contributing factor cited is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the SUV driver. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the persistent danger faced by cyclists in intersections where driver errors remain deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769328, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14