Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

Jul 3 - Duffy urges Americans to drive to Central Park. His campaign invites more cars into crowded streets. More traffic means more risk for people walking and biking. NYC’s safety takes a hit.

On July 3, 2025, Yoshi Omi-Jarrett responded to federal Secretary Sean Duffy’s 'Great American Road Trip' campaign. The campaign, covered by Streetsblog NYC, pushes Americans to drive to landmarks like Central Park. Council Member Gale Brewer slammed the idea, saying, 'No! And no cars are allowed in Central Park!' Critics note Duffy’s plan ignores New York’s transit strengths and threatens vulnerable road users. Safety analysts warn: 'Encouraging more driving in transit-rich, congested areas increases vehicle traffic, which raises risks for pedestrians and cyclists and undermines mode shift toward safer, more equitable transportation.'

• Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 18 - E-bike struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal. Rider ejected, killed. Pedestrian suffered arm injury. Unlicensed driver. No damage to bike. Death and pain on East Dr.

An e-bike traveling north on East Dr hit a pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The e-bike rider, a 43-year-old man, was ejected and killed, suffering a head injury. The pedestrian, a 41-year-old man, was injured in the arm and reported pain. According to the police report, the e-bike driver was unlicensed. Both contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' The rider was not wearing safety equipment, as noted after driver errors. No damage was reported to the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821445 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - Waymo will test robotaxis on New York streets. Human drivers will control the cars. State law blocks full autonomy. Officials stress safety. Waymo pushes for legal change. The city weighs risk. Streets wait for the next move.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Waymo will soon test its driverless taxi technology in New York City. The vehicles will not operate autonomously; human drivers will remain behind the wheel, as state law forbids fully driverless cars. Waymo is lobbying for a law change to allow autonomous operation, but the effort has stalled in the State Assembly. Mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari said, "Public safety is our first priority, which is why we have strong guardrails and requirements in place on any sort of autonomous vehicles." The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing Waymo’s permit application, the first under the new Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration or Testing Permit Program. The article highlights the tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with policy decisions pending and no driverless operation allowed yet.

• Waymo Robotaxis Begin NYC Street Tests, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 14 - A cyclist struck a woman crossing with the signal on Central Park West. She suffered severe head lacerations. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed.

A cyclist traveling north on Central Park West struck a female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at West 85th Street. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her head and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The cyclist's actions directly led to the injury. No vehicle damage was reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal use as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - Council bill demands bike and scooter share firms post road rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No charge for time spent reading. City aims for clarity, not confusion.

Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," compels operators to show safety rules on apps and at stations. Users must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The bill bars operators from charging for this time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Ariola, and Morano. The law aims to make safety rules visible and unavoidable for every rider.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules on apps and stations. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible rules for all. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled “A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation,” demands that operators of shared bikes and scooters display city and state traffic rules on apps and at stations. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. Sponsors include Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary), Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Ariola, and Morano. The bill bars operators from charging users for time spent reviewing safety rules. The measure aims to make the rules clear and visible to all users.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules at docks and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible reminders. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," demands operators post rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The law bars operators from charging for the review time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Gutiérrez, Ariola, and Morano. The measure aims for clear, accessible safety information but does not address street design or enforcement.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 2 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

May 31 - Two SUVs collided on West 77th. Metal slammed metal. One driver, a man, died. Three others, including another driver and two passengers, were hurt. Police cited driver inattention. The street stayed quiet after the crash. The danger was clear.

A deadly crash unfolded at 152 West 77th Street in Manhattan. Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided. According to the police report, four people were involved. One driver, a 79-year-old man, was killed. Three others, including a 62-year-old woman driver and two passengers aged 62 and 79, suffered unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were parked before the crash, and both sustained damage to the right side doors. The police report makes no mention of helmet use or turn signals as factors. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose focus, as documented by the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

May 30 - An e-bike struck Renee Baruch on the Upper West Side. She woke in pain, face broken, spine injured. NYPD cracks down with criminal summonses. Cyclists protest. City Council stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Justice, tangled in policy.

NY1 reported on May 30, 2025, that the NYPD is issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic infractions, citing a lack of City Council action on new regulations. Commissioner Tisch told the Council, "Pass e-bike regulations." Cyclists object to criminal charges for minor violations, arguing for civil penalties instead. The article highlights the case of Renee Baruch, hospitalized after an e-bike crash left her with facial fractures and a spinal injury. The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division targets reckless e-bike use, but without updated laws, criminal summonses remain their only tool. The policy gap leaves vulnerable road users exposed and enforcement inconsistent.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses For E-Bikes, NY1, Published 2025-05-30

May 28 - A pickup truck struck a cyclist on West 57th Street. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Unsafe lane changing played a role. The crash left the street marked by blood and confusion.

A crash at 165 West 57th Street in Manhattan involved a pickup truck and a bicycle. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was a contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck, registered in New Jersey, was traveling west and going straight ahead, while the cyclist was making a U-turn. The police report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary systemic danger cited is unsafe lane changing. No injuries were reported for the truck occupants. The crash underscores the risks vulnerable road users face when drivers fail to maintain safe lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for seniors. More elders could ride. Streets may see more slow, unprotected cyclists. Danger from cars remains. Bill sits in committee. No safety fixes for traffic threats.

Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. 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 seniors,' requires the Department of Transportation to set lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The measure aims to boost senior cycling but does not address street safety or car violence. The bill was re-referred to committee on June 4, 2025.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes bill for cheaper bike share for New Yorkers over 65. More seniors could ride. The city’s streets may see older cyclists in the mix. The committee now holds the bill.

Bill Int 1288-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 28, 2025, and re-referred June 4, it mandates a discounted bike share rate for seniors 65 and older. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors.” Council Member Farah N. Louis leads, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, and Menin. The Department of Transportation would require bike share operators to offer this rate. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council bill pushes for discounted bike share rates for New Yorkers 65 and up. The move aims to open city streets to older riders. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. No safety review yet.

Int 1288-2025 was introduced on May 28, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for seniors, defined as those 65 or older. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors.' Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, and Gutiérrez. The bill was re-referred to committee on June 4, 2025. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28