Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Central Park?
Central Park Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps
Central Park: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 6, 2025
Blood on the Park Roads
Central Park is not safe. Not for the old, not for the young. Not for the cyclist, not for the walker. In the last twelve months, one person died and three were seriously injured here. Fifty-one more were hurt. The numbers do not tell you about the sound of bone on asphalt, or the blood that stains the crosswalk. But they are the record of a city that looks away.
Just weeks ago, a man on a bike died on the 97th Street Transverse. He was 43. The crash report lists him as ejected, dead at the scene. No further detail. No comfort for his family. No change for the next rider. NYC Open Data
A child was hit at Central Park West and 85th. The report says “failure to yield right-of-way” and “unsafe speed.” She survived, but with severe lacerations to the head. She was crossing with the signal. The driver was on a bike. The city moves on.
The Voices in the Silence
The dead do not speak. The living do. After a cyclist was struck in Washington Heights, a resident said, “No one stops at these stop signs. We see people go through these red lights all the time.” Another added, “I really want there to be speed humps because it’s just terrifying.”
The horror is not just in the crash. It is in the waiting. It is in the knowledge that nothing will change until someone makes it change.
What Leaders Have Done—and What They Haven’t
Local leaders have taken some steps. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal voted yes on the Stop Super Speeders Act, a bill that would force repeat dangerous drivers to install speed limiters. Open States Assembly Member Micah Lasher voted to extend school speed zones. These are steps. But the blood still runs. The city has the power to lower the speed limit to 20 mph. It has not done so.
Every day of delay is another day of risk.
Call to Action: Make Them Hear You
Call your council member. Call the mayor. Tell them to use the power they have. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people who walk and ride. Do not wait for another name to be added to the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Where does Central Park sit politically?
▸ What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in Central Park?
▸ Are these crashes just 'accidents' or are they preventable?
▸ What can local politicians do to make Central Park safer?
▸ What is CrashCount?
▸ How many people have been killed or seriously injured in Central Park recently?
▸ What recent steps have local leaders taken?
Citations
▸ Citations
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06
- Cyclist Struck In Washington Heights Hit-And-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04
- File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11
- Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-03
Other Representatives
District 69
245 W. 104th St., New York, NY 10025
Room 534, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 6
563 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024
212-873-0282
250 Broadway, Suite 1744, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6975
District 47
322 8th Ave. Suite 1700, New York, NY 10001
Room 310, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Help Fix the Problem.
This address sits in
Traffic Safety Timeline for Central Park
DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal▸A driver sped at 109 mph. Concrete barriers now ring the crash site. DOT will shrink lanes and cut speed limits. Change comes slow. Pedestrians and cyclists paid the price.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports DOT will install concrete barriers and narrow lanes at Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street exit after a driver killed a cyclist and pedestrian at 109 mph. DOT plans to lower the speed limit from 35 to 20 mph, pending public comment. The article notes, 'the bridge currently functions like a Mario Kart-style speed boost.' DOT will also 'fast-track community engagement on a full redesign.' The crash highlights the danger of wide lanes and high speeds at a busy pedestrian crossing. Policy changes lagged until tragedy forced action.
-
DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-08-08
Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash▸Two women face indictment after a deadly Chinatown crash. The toll is real. The system failed to protect. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.
CBS New York reported on August 7, 2025, that two women were indicted following a deadly crash in Chinatown, Manhattan. The article states, 'Two women charged in connection with a deadly crash in Chinatown have now been indicted.' Details on the crash itself are limited, but the indictment signals potential driver error or negligence. The case highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in dense city neighborhoods and underscores the need for stronger traffic safety measures.
-
Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-08-07
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-31
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-30
Improper Passing Injures Cyclist on Central Park West▸Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A driver sped at 109 mph. Concrete barriers now ring the crash site. DOT will shrink lanes and cut speed limits. Change comes slow. Pedestrians and cyclists paid the price.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports DOT will install concrete barriers and narrow lanes at Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street exit after a driver killed a cyclist and pedestrian at 109 mph. DOT plans to lower the speed limit from 35 to 20 mph, pending public comment. The article notes, 'the bridge currently functions like a Mario Kart-style speed boost.' DOT will also 'fast-track community engagement on a full redesign.' The crash highlights the danger of wide lanes and high speeds at a busy pedestrian crossing. Policy changes lagged until tragedy forced action.
- DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08
Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash▸Two women face indictment after a deadly Chinatown crash. The toll is real. The system failed to protect. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.
CBS New York reported on August 7, 2025, that two women were indicted following a deadly crash in Chinatown, Manhattan. The article states, 'Two women charged in connection with a deadly crash in Chinatown have now been indicted.' Details on the crash itself are limited, but the indictment signals potential driver error or negligence. The case highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in dense city neighborhoods and underscores the need for stronger traffic safety measures.
-
Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-08-07
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-31
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-30
Improper Passing Injures Cyclist on Central Park West▸Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
Two women face indictment after a deadly Chinatown crash. The toll is real. The system failed to protect. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.
CBS New York reported on August 7, 2025, that two women were indicted following a deadly crash in Chinatown, Manhattan. The article states, 'Two women charged in connection with a deadly crash in Chinatown have now been indicted.' Details on the crash itself are limited, but the indictment signals potential driver error or negligence. The case highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in dense city neighborhoods and underscores the need for stronger traffic safety measures.
- Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-07
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-31
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-30
Improper Passing Injures Cyclist on Central Park West▸Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.
- Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-31
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene▸A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-30
Improper Passing Injures Cyclist on Central Park West▸Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.
- Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30
Improper Passing Injures Cyclist on Central Park West▸Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
Two cyclists collided on Central Park West. One man, 58, suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper lane use. The crash left bruises and confusion in the night.
Two men riding north on Central Park West crashed late at night. The 58-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both riders were listed as wearing helmets. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The collision highlights the risks cyclists face, even on city streets meant for them.
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street▸City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
-
City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street,
New York Magazine - Curbed,
Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.
New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.
- City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be▸A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
-
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.
- Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27
SUV Turns, Strikes E-Bike in Central Park▸SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
SUV cut across 79th Street Transverse. E-bike rider hit, leg bloodied. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the crash. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger showed its teeth.
An SUV making a right turn on 79th Street Transverse at Central Park West struck a northbound e-bike. The 32-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No helmet was listed as a factor. The system failed to protect the cyclist. The street became a wound.
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown▸A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
-
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.
- Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-22
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two▸A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
-
Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.
According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.
- Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-21
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter▸A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
-
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter,
New York Post,
Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.
According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.
- Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter, New York Post, Published 2025-07-20
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge▸A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.
Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.
- Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19
Sedan Hits Cyclist on Central Park West▸A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
A sedan struck a cyclist on Central Park West. The cyclist took a blow to the head. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed cold.
A sedan collided with a cyclist on Central Park West near West 102nd Street in Manhattan. The 29-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and was reported conscious, with a contusion. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper took damage. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or other occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and pass too close to vulnerable road users.
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes▸New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
-
Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes,
West Side Spirit,
Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
New 'Wrong Way' signs line Amsterdam Ave. Bike summonses rise. City eyes more enforcement. E-bikes, scooters, and mopeds spark debate. Policy shifts, but danger lingers for those outside cars.
West Side Spirit (2025-07-18) reports new 'Wrong Way' signs on Amsterdam Ave.'s protected bike lanes. The Department of Transportation says these signs have existed since 2016, but their recent visibility coincides with the city's expanded Quality of Life initiative. The NYPD's program targets complaints, including those about 'dangerous bike riders.' The article notes, 'the NYPD has been facing blowback from bike advocates over its push to start issuing criminal summonses in April to bikers.' Meanwhile, the city plans to deploy unarmed 'Peace Officers' to ticket illegal mopeds and e-bike violators. Policy debates continue over e-bike registration and access, with enforcement and infrastructure gaps persisting.
- Wrong Way Signs Mark Bike Lanes, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes▸Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
-
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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.'
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Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-03
Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.
- Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-14
Brewer Backs Safety Boosting E Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
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Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
- Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-08
Hoylman-Sigal Advocates Safety-Boosting E-Bike Regulation and Infrastructure▸Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
-
Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.
On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'
- Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-08
Brewer Opposes Criminal Penalties Supports Safety‑Boosting Delivery Worker Bill▸Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
-
Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.
""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer
Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.
- Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-07
Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park▸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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
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
Brewer Supports Safety Boosting Central Park Car Removal▸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
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