Midtown Bleeds While City Waits: Demand 20 MPH Now

Sep 28 - Northbound taxi driver on Avenue of the Americas injured a 40‑year‑old man not at an intersection. He was getting on or off a vehicle. Leg bruise. Police listed no contributing factor.

A taxi driver traveling north on Avenue of the Americas near West 21st Street injured a 40-year-old pedestrian. The man was not at an intersection. He was getting on or off a vehicle when the crash happened. He remained conscious and suffered a bruise to his lower leg. According to the police report, the taxi was going straight and contact was recorded at the right rear quarter panel, with no vehicle damage noted. The report lists contributing factors as "Unspecified" for both the driver and the pedestrian, and no specific driver error was recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4845506 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

• German Woman Killed in Horrific Hit-and-Run Near Bryant Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-09-26

• German tourist, 50, killed after reversing minivan pins her against truck in Midtown Manhattan, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-24

Sep 18 - On Fifth Avenue at West 23rd, a Cadillac SUV driver hit a 23-year-old man crossing with the signal. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield. The man suffered a leg bruise.

At Fifth Avenue and West 23rd Street in Manhattan, a driver in a 2024 Cadillac SUV hit a 23-year-old man who was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered a leg contusion. "According to the police report, driver inattention/distraction and failure to yield right-of-way were recorded." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The vehicle showed a right-front quarter-panel impact and damage to the right-side doors. The crash was logged by the 13th Precinct.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4843440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Sep 9 - A van driver turned left on W 25 St at Avenue of the Americas and hit a 61-year-old woman. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. She suffered a head injury and concussion. Impact was to the van's left front bumper.

At 10:57 a.m. in Manhattan, a van driver turning left on W 25 St at Avenue of the Americas hit a 61-year-old woman. She sustained a head injury and a concussion. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The report also notes the driver was 'Making Left Turn' and the point of impact was 'Left Front Bumper.' The pedestrian is listed as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection.' The crash involved one van traveling west with one occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4841122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Sep 4 - Two cyclists crashed at Avenue of the Americas and West 16th Street in Manhattan. An 83-year-old man suffered a shoulder injury. Police recorded contributing factors as unspecified.

Two cyclists collided at Avenue of the Americas and West 16th Street in Manhattan. An 83-year-old male bicyclist was injured, with a shoulder and upper-arm fracture/dislocation recorded. According to the police report, two bicycles were involved, and one cyclist was traveling north and going straight. Police recorded contributing factors as "Unspecified" for both cyclists, with no specific driver error listed. The crash was logged in the 13th Precinct, ZIP 10011.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4845497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 30 - A BMW driver made an improper left turn on Madison Avenue and struck another vehicle. He suffered head trauma and a concussion. Police recorded Turning Improperly.

A northbound 2022 BMW sedan, driven by a man, made a left turn on Madison Avenue and struck another vehicle with its center front end. The driver, an occupant, suffered a head injury and a concussion and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Turning Improperly." Driver errors listed include Turning Improperly in the persons data. The BMW sustained left front bumper damage. Police listed a second involved vehicle as Unspecified with no occupants or injury details recorded. Records show the driver was using a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838933 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 22 - A southbound cyclist hit an 85-year-old man crossing with the signal at E 23 St and Broadway. He suffered a head contusion and remained conscious. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction.

A southbound cyclist struck an 85-year-old pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at E 23 St and Broadway. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and remained conscious. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Listed driver errors include Driver Inattention/Distraction. The bike was going straight and the point of impact was the bike's center front end. Police recorded no vehicle damage. The report notes the pedestrian was at the intersection and crossing with the signal. No other contributing factors for the pedestrian are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 19 - A sedan driver hit a 21-year-old man at Avenue of the Americas and W 34th in Manhattan. He suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and complained of pain. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield.

According to the police report, the crash listed "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. A sedan registered in New Jersey was traveling east on West 34th Street and struck a 21-year-old man at the intersection with Avenue of the Americas. The man suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and complained of pain and nausea; police recorded his emotional status as shock. The point of impact was the center front end. The vehicle showed no reported damage. Police noted the driver was going straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836365 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 16 - On E 19th at Broadway, a westbound taxi blew a signal and hit a southbound cyclist. She was ejected and hurt. Passengers in the cab reported injuries. The street failed her. The driver ignored the law.

A taxi traveling west on E 19 St struck a southbound cyclist at Broadway. The cyclist, a 45-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered chest injuries. Several taxi passengers reported injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factors were “Traffic Control Disregarded” and “View Obstructed/Limited.” Driver errors led the crash: Traffic Control Disregarded is listed for the driver and others. View Obstructed/Limited appears as a secondary factor. The report lists the bicyclist with “None” for safety equipment, which is noted only after the driver’s failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 11 - A westbound cyclist made a left turn on W 31st at Seventh Avenue and struck a 52-year-old woman at the intersection. She suffered a head injury, complained of whiplash, and remained conscious. Police recorded unsafe lane changing and driver inattention.

A cyclist traveling west on West 31st made a left turn at Seventh Avenue and struck a 52-year-old woman who was at the intersection. The woman suffered a head injury, complained of whiplash, and stayed conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were "Unsafe Lane Changing" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The bike's center front end was the point of impact. The report lists the cyclist's pre-crash action as Making Left Turn and notes no vehicle damage. Police recorded Unsafe Lane Changing and Driver Inattention/Distraction as driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 9 - A 38-year-old man driving a standing motorized vehicle was ejected on W 33rd Street at Avenue of the Americas. He suffered a fractured, dislocated upper arm and shock. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

According to the police report, the driver of a standing motorized vehicle was ejected and injured on West 33rd Street at Avenue of the Americas. The injured person was a 38-year-old man. He suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm and was listed in shock. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor. The vehicle was recorded as going straight ahead, traveling west, with one occupant. The report notes ejection and the nature of the arm injury. No other contributing factors were recorded in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-03

Aug 8 - Officials raced the M34 on Aug. 7. Walkers beat the bus by seven minutes. The M34 averages 5.5 mph for 28,000 daily riders. Sponsors push a car-free 34th Street busway and pedestrianized Broadway to speed service and cut congestion.

Bill/file number: none listed. Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committees: NYC Council subcommittees on Zoning and Franchises, and Land Use approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan one day earlier. Key dates: race on Aug. 7, 2025; article published Aug. 8, 2025. Matter titled "Victory on 34th Street: Transit groups, Manhattan pols, leave bus in the dust in bustling Midtown" centers a proposed car-free 34th Street busway. Zohran Mamdani joined the Aug. 7 stunt and said, "These are the slowest buses in the United States of America." CM Erik Bottcher and CM Keith Powers backed the plan. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor Eric Adams also voiced support. Transportation Alternatives' Ben Furnas praised the busway. No formal safety impact note was provided.

• Victory on 34th Street: Transit groups, Manhattan pols, leave bus in the dust in bustling Midtown, amny.com, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 8 - A rush-hour race on Aug 8, 2025 showed walkers beat the M34. City leaders pushed a 34th Street busway to cut cars, speed buses and free crosstown trips. Prioritizing buses and pedestrians should reduce traffic violence and boost equity.

Bill number: none. Status: demonstration and momentum for the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan after subcommittees approved it the day before. Committee: NYC Council subcommittees. Key dates: Aug 7, 2025 (subcommittee approval), Aug 8, 2025 (bus-versus-walk race). Matter quoted: "The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan... includes a busway limiting cars on a major segment of 34th Street." Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon joined the demonstration. Zohran Mamdani raced and called buses the slowest in the nation. Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers publicly backed the busway; Mayor Eric Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez also voiced support. Limiting car access and prioritizing buses and pedestrians is likely to reduce traffic violence, improve equity, and help vulnerable road users.

• Victory on 34th Street: Transit groups, Manhattan pols leave bus in the dust in bustling Midtown, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 8 - Mayor approved a car-free busway on 34th Street after walkers beat the crosstown bus in a 1.2‑mile race. The move targets faster, more reliable service for nearly 30,000 daily riders and to clear jams caused by congestion and illegal parking.

Bill number: none listed. Status: approval announced; stage: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: not listed. Key date: 2025-08-08, the day the crosstown race and public approval were reported. The matter is the "construction of a car-free busway on 34th Street between Third and Ninth avenues." Mayor Adams abandoned opposition and approved construction. Council member Zohran Mamdani celebrated, calling the buses "the slowest buses in the United States of America." Comptroller Brad Lander, Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher, and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backed the plan. Advocates say the busway will speed service for almost 30,000 daily riders. No formal safety impact analysis was provided.

• Team Pedestrian Trounces Team Bus in Annual 'Crosstown Bus Challenge', streetsblog.org, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 7 - A stolen car tore through Canal and Bowery. Two lives ended. One sat on a bench. One rode a bike. The city now promises changes. Steel and speed met flesh. The street stays dangerous.

NY1 reported on August 7, 2025, that after a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery, the city will upgrade the intersection. On July 19, a stolen car, allegedly driven over 100 mph, killed Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Kwok was sitting on a bench. Cruickshank rode his bike on the sidewalk. The article quotes authorities: 'A stolen vehicle, allegedly driven at more than 100 miles per hour...crashed into them.' The crash highlights risks from reckless driving and exposes gaps in street design. The Department of Transportation now plans safety improvements.

• Deadly Crash Spurs Chinatown Upgrades, NY1, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - Officials revived a 34th Street busway as part of the Midtown South rezoning. The corridor (3rd–9th Ave) would prioritize buses, boost speeds up to 15%, and curb private traffic. Council subcommittees approved the plan; full council approval still required.

"We’re tackling New York’s housing crisis head-on by unlocking over 9,500 new homes in one of the most transit-rich, high-opportunity areas of the city, helping to bring down rents not just in Midtown, but citywide." -- Erik D. Bottcher

File number: none listed. Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committees: NYC Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX) on Aug. 6, 2025. Matter quoted: "34th Street busway gets another go as part of larger Midtown rezoning plan." Council Member Erik Bottcher, representing the area, backed the rezoning and the busway. Council Member Keith Powers urged full council approval. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the busway will continue. DOT said it did not suspend the project. The proposal would create a busway from 3rd to 9th Avenues, serve about 24 routes and aim to speed buses by up to 15%. No safety impact assessment was provided in the record.

• 34th Street busway gets another go as part of larger Midtown rezoning plan, amny.com, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - Land Use committee cleared the Midtown South Mixed-Use rezoning on Aug 6. The plan unlocks over 9,500 homes, creates a car-free 34th Street busway and pedestrianized Broadway, and directs funds to the Garment District and street upgrades.

"Were tackling New Yorks housing crisis head-on by unlocking over 9,500 new homes in one of the most transit-rich, high-opportunity areas of the city  helping to bring down rents not just in Midtown, but citywide," -- Erik D. Bottcher

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan. File number: none provided. Status: Approved by the City Council Committee on Land Use on 2025-08-06; advances to a full Council vote. Committee: City Council Committee on Land Use. The matter, quoted in the record, calls to "redesignate 42 blocks between West 23rd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Eighth Avenues for housing development." Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers backed the plan; Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams issued supportive statements. The plan includes a car-free 34th Street busway, a fully pedestrianized Broadway, $122M for Garment District support and $340M for streets and transit. No safety impact assessment or safety note was provided in the record.

• Midtown South rezoning proposal passes council land-use committee alongside community investment, amny.com, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - City unpauses the 34th Street busway. Cars lose through access. Buses get priority. Streets open up for walking and cycling. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer space tied to Midtown South rezoning.

Action: policy commitment to restore the 34th Street busway. Date: August 6, 2025. File number: none listed. Status: the Adams administration agreed to revive the busway as part of the Midtown South rezoning deal. Committee: a key Council committee was poised to vote on the rezoning when the promise was revealed. The matter states: "The Administration commits to establishing a car-free 34th Street Busway." Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher secured the commitment; Powers shared the language and praised the move. Public engagement is slated for 2025. Safety analysts say restoring the busway will cut car traffic, lower crash risk, and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists through mode shift and street reallocation.

• It’s Back! 34th Street Busway Revived In Midtown Rezoning Deal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - Committees cleared the Midtown South rezoning. 9,535 homes allowed across 42 blocks. City won a car-free 34th Street busway and a $325M Broadway rebuild. Streets shift from cars to people. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer space.

""This is a bold, balanced and long overdue plan,"" -- Erik D. Bottcher

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (file number not listed). Status: Approved by the City Council Land Use Committee and Zoning Subcommittee on August 6, 2025. The matter, titled "42-block Midtown South housing plan clears hurdle as Council trims some units," permits about 9,535 homes across 42 blocks. Council Members Keith Powers and Erik D. Bottcher led negotiations; Bottcher called it "bold, balanced and long overdue." Committees trimmed some bulk and protected mid-block manufacturing in the Garment District. The plan secures a car-free busway on 34th Street and a $325 million pedestrian-oriented Broadway rebuild. These measures prioritize vulnerable road users and reclaim public space, likely increasing safety and encouraging mode shift toward walking and cycling.

• 42-block Midtown South housing plan clears hurdle as Council trims some units, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06