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

A Ford sedan, moving too fast, struck a 22-year-old man on Avenue of the Americas. His body broke between parked SUVs. He died in the street, under cold city lights. Unsafe speed left no room for mercy. The city kept moving.

A 22-year-old man was killed when a Ford sedan, traveling at unsafe speed, struck him on Avenue of the Americas near West 39th Street. According to the police report, the sedan hit the pedestrian as he crossed the road, pinning his body between parked SUVs. The crash left him dead at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The data shows the sedan was going straight ahead when it struck the man. No errors or contributing factors are listed for the victim beyond his location and action. The deadly impact and speed of the vehicle defined the outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690315, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on a bike hit the doors of a parked sedan. He flew, landed face-first. Blood pooled on East 48th Street. No helmet. Severe cuts marked his face. He stayed conscious. The pain did not leave him. The street stayed quiet.

A 38-year-old man riding a bike struck the right-side doors of a parked sedan on East 48th Street near Third Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A man on a bike struck the doors of a parked sedan. He flew. Landed face-first. Blood pooled on the quiet street. No helmet. Severe cuts. He was conscious.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his face and was ejected from his bike. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the police narrative. The sedan was parked at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684731, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

City Council bans uncertified e-bike batteries. Landlords fear fires, block storage. Riders lose access. Powers vows to clear dangerous gear. Advocates demand safe parking, charging. E-bikes remain vital for workers and families. Enforcement rises. Sales drop. Streets stay tense.

On November 27, 2023, the NYC Council, with Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) speaking out, took legislative action on e-bike battery safety and storage. The Council passed laws banning uncertified lithium-ion batteries and launched a trade-in program for unsafe batteries. The matter, titled 'NYC e-bike owners wonder where to store them as landlords fear battery fires,' highlights the tension: 'We're going to get into the business of getting the dangerous equipment off the street and set up a fund to do that,' Powers said. Advocacy groups, including Danny Harris, called for expanded safe bike parking and charging, stressing that e-bikes are a lifeline for many New Yorkers. The crackdown has led to stricter landlord policies, increased enforcement, and declining bike shop sales. The Council aims to improve safety without cutting off access for vulnerable road users who depend on e-bikes.

• NYC e-bike owners wonder where to store them as landlords fear battery fires, gothamist.com, Published 2023-11-27

Manhattan’s Community Board 6 slammed Council Member Holden’s e-bike registration bill. The panel voted 8-1 against it. They called it punitive and harmful. Critics say it burdens cyclists and delivery workers, while failing to address illegal mopeds or improve street safety.

Council bill drafted by Bob Holden, backed by 32 co-sponsors, would require registration and license plates for all e-bikes, e-scooters, and other legal motorized vehicles. On November 8, 2023, the transportation committee of Manhattan’s Community Board 6 voted 8-1 to oppose the measure, calling it 'harmful and unnecessarily punitive.' The matter’s summary: 'require license and registration for all types of e-bikes.' Council Members Keith Powers and Julie Menin support the bill; Carlina Rivera has not signed on. The committee’s resolution states the proposal would negatively impact all cyclists, especially delivery workers, and fails to address illegal mopeds or require point-of-sale registration. Critics argue the bill is regressive, ineffective, and would not improve safety for vulnerable road users.

• Manhattan Panel Pans City Council E-Bike Registration Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-08

A Honda sedan turned left on East 60th Street. Its bumper hit a 39-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The driver followed too close and failed to yield.

A 39-year-old woman was struck by a Honda sedan while crossing East 60th Street with the signal. According to the police report, the sedan turned left and its right front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing her to fall and suffer a bleeding head injury. The woman remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed. The impact left blood on the asphalt. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673716, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs veered on West 42nd. Metal scraped metal. A pedicab driver flew, struck the pavement headfirst. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious, broken beneath city lights. His breath shallow. His face streaked red. The street swallowed another body.

A crash on West 42nd Street involved two SUVs and a pedicab. The collision sent the 35-year-old male pedicab driver flying from his seat. He struck his head on the pavement, suffered severe bleeding, and lay semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' caused the crash. Both SUVs and the pedicab were traveling west. The report details that metal scraped metal before the pedicab driver was ejected and injured. No helmet or signal use was cited as a contributing factor. The crash left the pedicab driver with a head injury and severe bleeding, highlighting the danger faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670961, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi door swung open on Park Avenue. A young cyclist slammed into steel. His arm crushed. Blood pooled on the midnight street. He lay conscious, hurt, under the city’s harsh lights. Driver inattention left him broken in Manhattan.

A cyclist, age 23, was injured when a taxi door opened into his path on Park Avenue near East 34th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A taxi door flung open. A young cyclist hit steel. His arm crushed.' The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but the primary cause cited is driver inattention. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers or passengers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666719, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Triumph motorcycle crashed hard on 1st Avenue. Two men, ages 23 and 32, thrown partway off. No helmets. Head wounds. Blood on the street. Both conscious, both bleeding. Driver was distracted. The city’s danger showed itself again.

Two men riding a Triumph motorcycle on 1st Avenue at East 56th Street in Manhattan were injured in a violent crash. According to the police report, the motorcycle 'slammed head-on.' Both the 32-year-old driver and 23-year-old passenger were partially ejected, suffered head injuries, and were found conscious but bleeding heavily. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' The listed contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Neither rider wore a helmet, as noted after the driver error. The crash left blood pooled on the asphalt. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664019, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup turned left at East 58th and 2nd. The driver looked away. The truck hit a 67-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Blood pooled on the crosswalk. She was conscious, her head bleeding. Driver inattention and inexperience marked the scene.

A Ford pickup truck, driven by a man, turned left at the corner of East 58th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The truck struck a 67-year-old woman who was crossing the street with the signal. According to the police report, 'A Ford pickup turned left. A 67-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck head-on. Blood pooled on the crosswalk. Her head was bleeding. She was conscious. The driver had looked away.' The police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The woman suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention, especially during turns at busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663625, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man rode his e-bike north on 1st Avenue. He struck something head-on. He flew from the bike. His abdomen crushed. He died on the street. Distraction and alcohol played their part. The city stayed silent. The street claimed another life.

A 46-year-old man riding an e-bike northbound on 1st Avenue near East 47th Street was killed in a crash just before dawn. According to the police report, the rider struck something head-on, was ejected from the bike, and suffered fatal abdominal injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. The man was alone at the time of the crash. No helmet was used, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash left the street cold and empty, another life lost to distraction and danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667965, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

City inspectors hit retailers this weekend. They target illegal lithium-ion batteries and mopeds. The law aims to curb deadly fires and street chaos. Delivery workers face new hurdles. Enforcement falls to DCWP, NYPD, and FDNY. Gaps in moped regulation remain.

On September 16, 2023, Local Law 39 takes effect in New York City. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will start enforcing the ban on uncertified lithium-ion battery sales. Inspectors will also check for illegal mopeds, issuing summonses and referring cases to NYPD and FDNY. DCWP spokesperson Michael Lanza said, 'While inspecting retailers for compliance with LL39, we will also check for illegal motorized scooters [mopeds], issue summonses and refer issues to NYPD and FDNY as appropriate.' Two days earlier, the City Council passed Council Member Keith Powers's bill for a citywide battery buyback program, letting delivery workers swap faulty batteries for certified ones. Powers acknowledged the ongoing problem of illegal mopeds, stating, 'We recognize that problem. We've been talking to the deputy mayor's office about further measures ahead.' The new law targets fire risk and unregulated vehicles, but loopholes in moped sales and enforcement persist.

• Enforcement of Illegal Batteries — and, Apparently, Mopeds — Starts on Saturday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-15

City Council passed a battery buy-back bill. Delivery workers can swap unsafe batteries for certified ones. New rules target deadly lithium-ion fires. Lawmakers demand delivery companies step up. Fourteen dead, over 100 hurt this year. Enforcement on uncertified sales begins soon.

On September 14, 2023, the New York City Council passed a package of bills to fight lithium-ion battery fires. The main bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, creates a city-funded buy-back program for delivery workers to exchange faulty batteries and devices for safe, certified ones. The matter summary states the program aims to address the high cost of certified batteries, which can be prohibitive for low-paid workers. Council Members Oswald Feliz and Gale Brewer sponsored additional bills: Feliz's requires safe bikes and batteries for deliveries, while Brewer's mandates delivery apps provide safety training and equipment. Brewer also called for the Department of Transportation to update its safety course. Powers said, "We will provide them the opportunity to surrender that unsafe equipment and receive a safe replacement." The Council's action follows 180 battery fire incidents, 14 deaths, and over 100 injuries this year. Lawmakers push for delivery companies to take responsibility for worker safety and equipment standards. Enforcement against uncertified battery sales will begin soon.

• Council Passes Battery ‘Buy-Back’ Program and Other Bills to Curb Lithium-Ion Fires, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-14

A taxi turned left at East 43rd and 5th. The front end hit a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood pooled in the crosswalk. He stayed conscious, head split open. The city kept moving. Driver inattention marked the moment.

A 71-year-old man was crossing at the corner of East 43rd Street and 5th Avenue when a taxi, making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. According to the police report, 'A taxi turned left. A 71-year-old man crossed without a signal. The front end struck his head. He stayed conscious. Blood pooled in the crosswalk.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to the head but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian were cited in the data. The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by those on foot in Manhattan’s busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662254, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Honda sedan left Avenue of the Americas at 2 a.m. The car struck two men not in the roadway. One man’s limbs crushed. Another’s arm torn open. Blood pooled on the street. The front end of the car caved from the force.

Two pedestrians were seriously injured when a 2013 Honda sedan veered off Avenue of the Americas near West 36th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the sedan left the roadway at 2 a.m., crushing the limbs of a 61-year-old man and inflicting deep lacerations on a 28-year-old man’s arm. Both victims were not in the roadway at the time of impact. The police report describes the scene: 'Blood on the pavement. The front end caved where bodies broke.' No driver errors were specified in the data. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656694, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A car hit a 66-year-old man crossing East 59th Street at Fifth Avenue. He walked with the light. He fell hard. Blood ran from his face. He stayed conscious. Sirens broke the silence. The street held the aftermath.

A 66-year-old pedestrian was struck by a car at the corner of East 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the man was 'crossing with the light' when the crash occurred. He suffered severe bleeding to the face but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'A car struck him. He hit the pavement. Blood ran from his face.' No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the police data. The vehicle type and driver details remain unspecified. The incident left the man injured at the intersection, with emergency responders arriving soon after.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654652, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council pushed for 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill demanded action—100 new devices each year. It called for a hard look at results. But the session ended. The bill died. Streets wait. Pedestrians keep crossing in the dark.

Int 1151-2023, introduced August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to require the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The bill also ordered a study comparing these devices to unlit signs, probing their power to deter traffic violations and mapping out logistical hurdles. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and over thirty others. The bill was filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided. The city’s crosswalks remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

• File Int 1151-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

A sedan hit a cyclist from behind on Lexington Avenue. The man flew from his bike. His leg was crushed. He lay conscious on the pavement. The car kept going straight. The street did not bend. The crash left the cyclist broken.

A sedan struck a 27-year-old cyclist from behind at Lexington Avenue and East 60th Street in Manhattan. The impact threw the cyclist from his bike, crushing his leg. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck a cyclist from behind. The man, 27, was thrown. His leg crushed. He lay conscious on the hot pavement.' The crash data lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was ejected and suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot. The sedan continued straight after the collision. No helmet or signaling issues were cited in the report. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists sharing city streets with cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644674, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi rolled west on West 41st. A young woman stepped off a vehicle. The driver, distracted, did not see her. The cab crushed her leg. She stayed conscious. The street fell silent. Metal and flesh met in the dark.

A 26-year-old woman was injured on West 41st Street near Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a taxi moved west as the woman stepped off another vehicle. The driver did not see her. The taxi ran over her leg, causing crush injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The woman remained conscious after the crash. She was not at an intersection when struck. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644830, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi hit a man crossing West 42nd. His head split open. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver was distracted. The man stayed conscious, bleeding under city lights. The crash left him with severe wounds and the street stained.

A 34-year-old man was struck by a taxi at the corner of West 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, “The driver was distracted.” The listed contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The taxi was traveling east when it hit the man at the intersection. No other contributing factors are noted. The crash left the pedestrian injured and bleeding on the street, underscoring the danger posed by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644818, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Four dead in Chinatown. Unsafe e-bike batteries sparked the blaze. Council Member Powers leads a bill to swap out dangerous batteries. Mayor Adams hesitates, citing costs. Delivery workers face risk. The Council demands action. Lives hang in the balance.

Intro 949, a City Council bill, seeks to buy back unsafe e-bike batteries and provide safe replacements at low or no cost. The bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, has support from 33 Council members. It follows a deadly Chinatown fire on June 21, 2023, that killed four people. The bill is in committee, with Powers urging Mayor Adams and the FDNY to support it, stating, 'There is a clear consensus that a battery swap program will save lives.' Mayor Adams questioned the program's cost and called for federal, state, and Council funding. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh backed the need for safe batteries for delivery workers. The Council's push comes as battery fires rise, endangering workers and residents. The bill has broad coalition support, but City Hall has not fully committed.

• After Deadly Fire, Mayor Waffles on E-Bike Battery Buy Back Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-22