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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 6 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two lives ended in seconds. A cyclist thrown, a woman ripped from her bench. Metal twisted. Bodies broken. The driver sped, then fled. The street holds the scars.

According to NY Daily News (2025-08-06), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu driven at 100 mph struck and killed May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank in Chinatown. Kwok sat on a bench; Cruickshank rode his bike. The article reports, "The driver hit Cruickshank first, throwing him off his bicycle and across the intersection. Kwok was then thrown from the bench." Prosecutors allege the driver and passenger tried to flee after the crash. Authorities found alcohol and firearms in the car. The case highlights the lethal risk of high-speed driving and the vulnerability of people outside vehicles.

• Speeding Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 4 - A driver struck a cyclist in Washington Heights. The cyclist survived. Neighbors say the intersection breeds danger. The driver fled. NYPD searches. Streets remain unsafe.

CBS New York reported on August 4, 2025, that a driver hit a cyclist in Washington Heights and left the scene. The article notes, "local residents say the intersection has been a problem for some time." The NYPD is searching for the driver. The incident highlights ongoing risks at this location and points to persistent systemic hazards for cyclists and pedestrians. No mention of charges or arrests. The crash underscores the need for stronger street design and enforcement.

• Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04

Jul 29 - 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

Jul 27 - A 19-year-old cyclist crashed on West Street at Horatio. He broke his neck. No motor vehicles were involved, police said. He was riding north when he went down.

A 19-year-old male bicyclist was hurt on West Street near Horatio Street in Manhattan. He was riding north and crashed while going straight. He suffered a fractured and dislocated neck. According to the police report, no motor vehicles were involved. The report lists “Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion” as the contributing factor. Police recorded that factor for the bicyclist. Police logged the crash at 5:40 p.m. in the 6th Precinct. The crash occurred in ZIP 10014. The case was recorded under collision ID 4832428.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 27 - 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

Jul 23 - Dozens rallied at City Hall. They demanded Ryder's Law. Council Member Holden led. NYCLASS joined. The call was sharp: end horse carriages. The industry faces fierce opposition. The council stalls. The danger remains.

"It was the city of New York that contributed to Ryder's death. We're all responsible for what happened. We all were horrified that day on Ninth Avenue when Ryder collapsed in front of horrified onlookers in the heart of my district in Hell's Kitchen, and it gave renewed energy to the movement to end the tourist horse carriage trade in NYC. But here we are, all this time later, the bill still hasn't passed. The bill still doesn't have a hearing." -- Erik D. Bottcher

On July 23, 2025, Council Member Robert Holden and animal advocates rallied at City Hall, demanding passage of Ryder's Law to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Holden, has not yet reached a council vote or hearing. The rally followed a 'not guilty' verdict in a high-profile horse abuse case. The matter, described as a push 'to end the horse carriage industry in NYC,' drew support from NYCLASS and others. Holden blasted city oversight as 'inexcusable.' Despite the outcry, a safety analyst notes: ending horse carriages will not significantly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists, since carriages are a small part of street traffic and their removal does not fix systemic road dangers.

• Horse carriages: Animal advocates rally at City Hall to end industry after ‘not guilty’ verdict in horse abuse case, AMNY, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 22 - Two crashes. Two lives lost. Cyclist and pedestrian struck down at Canal and Bowery. City left the corridor wild. No fixes. Danger lingers. Blood stains the street. The city stalls. People pay.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-22) reports two deadly crashes at Canal Street and Bowery on consecutive days. A driver jumped a curb, killing May Kwon and cyclist Kevin Cruickshank. Another driver hit a food truck, injuring two. Advocates and officials blame the city for failing to act, quoting Ben Furnas: "City Hall knows that Canal Street is one of the most dangerous in our city, but they've stalled any improvements." Despite years of studies, no major safety upgrades have been made. The article highlights a lack of protected bike paths and safe pedestrian space, exposing systemic neglect.

• Canal Street Deaths Expose City Inaction, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore off the Manhattan Bridge, slammed into a plaza, and killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, and lives shattered in seconds. The driver ran. Police caught her.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-21) reports a stolen Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, crashing into Bowery plaza at Canal Street. The car struck and killed May Kwok, seated on a bench, and Kevin Scott Cruickshank, a cyclist. The driver and passenger fled but were caught. The article quotes Kwok's brother: "This is not a car accident. They committed a crime." The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed driving and stolen vehicles in dense city spaces. Memorials now mark the plaza where the impact ended two lives.

• Stolen Car Kills Two on Bowery Plaza, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 17 - A food cart broke loose from a van packed with propane and fuel. It slammed into a parked car with a woman and child inside. Both went to the hospital. Police found 76 propane tanks. The driver faces charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-17), police arrested a 31-year-old van driver after a food cart he was towing broke loose and struck a parked Kia Serrano with a woman and child inside. The article reports, "Firefighters forced entry into the van, removing 76 20-pound propane cylinders and 15 five-gallon fuel containers." The driver was charged with reckless endangerment. The incident highlights the dangers of unsecured loads and hazardous material transport on city streets. Both victims were hospitalized in stable condition. The driver attempted to withhold access to the van, further complicating the response.

• Loose Food Cart Strikes Parked Car in Manhattan, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 15 - A sedan struck a standing scooter on Christopher Street. A 13-year-old was ejected and bled from the arm. Police cite driver inexperience and other vehicular factors. Shock followed. Metal met flesh. The street stayed silent.

A crash on Christopher Street in Manhattan involved a sedan and a standing scooter. According to the police report, a 13-year-old male operating the scooter was ejected and suffered minor bleeding to his arm, experiencing shock. The sedan, driven by a licensed adult, struck the scooter's right front quarter panel. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The teen had no safety equipment. No other injuries were specified. The crash underscores the risks faced by young, unprotected road users when driver errors occur.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 8 - 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

Jul 3 - Mayor Adams halts 34th Street busway. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and bus riders lose. Car dominance remains. Safety and equity stalled.

""I joined @keithpowersnyc @marklevinenyc @sengonzalezny @bradhoylman @tonywsimone @alexbores in supporting the proposed 34th Street Busway—a transformative project that will improve bus speeds, reduce crashes, and make it easier for New Yorkers to get where they need to go,"" -- Erik D. Bottcher

On July 3, 2025, the Adams administration paused the 34th Street busway project, as reported by Streetsblog NYC. The matter, described as a 'highly-anticipated 34th Street busway,' had support from Council Members Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and others. Bottcher called it 'transformative,' promising fewer crashes and faster buses. Powers slammed the last-minute reversal. Safety analysts warn: canceling the busway preserves car dominance, discourages transit, and keeps streets unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. The project’s future is uncertain. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

• Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

Jul 3 - A cyclist and e-unicycle rider collided in Central Park. The cyclist stayed for paramedics. Police dropped charges. The crash left one man in critical condition. Enforcement against cyclists rises. Streets remain tense.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-03) reports that Manhattan prosecutors dropped charges against Carolyn Backus, a cyclist accused of fleeing after colliding with an electric unicycle rider in Central Park. The DA's office stated, "She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics to arrive." The NYPD initially charged Backus, but the law applies only to motor vehicles. The crash left the unicycle rider critically injured. The article highlights increased NYPD enforcement against cyclists and e-bike riders, raising questions about policy focus and the treatment of non-motorized road users.

• Charges Dropped In Central Park Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

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

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

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