Blood on the Crosswalks: How Many More Must Die Before They Act?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council pushes a bill to cut bike share costs for New Yorkers over 65. The measure aims to open city cycling to more seniors. The committee now weighs its next move.

Bill Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' would require the Department of Transportation to mandate lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, Gutiérrez, and Restler. The bill was re-referred to committee June 4. The move aims to make cycling more accessible for older New Yorkers.

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

Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

A judge stopped federal threats to choke city funds over congestion pricing. The $9 toll stands. Streets stay crowded. The fight moves to court. Safety projects hang in the balance. The city waits. The deadline looms.

Patch reported on May 27, 2025, that District Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding federal funding as leverage against New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order 'bars the DOT from engaging in any retaliatory measures' and prevents cancellation of the toll, which charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Federal officials had threatened to withhold funds for road and street safety projects if the city continued the program. The order lasts until June 9, keeping the toll in place and leaving critical infrastructure funding uncertain. The article highlights the standoff between federal authorities and city leaders, with safety and mobility projects at risk.

• Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-05-27

A woman riding home on her e-bike was attacked late at night. She suffered grave brain injuries. The assailant stole her bike, fled, and dumped it in the river. The path had no lights, no cameras. She was left defenseless.

Gothamist reported on May 24, 2025, that Diana Agudela, a 44-year-old e-bike commuter, was brutally beaten on Randall's Island on May 16. The suspect, Miguel Jiraud, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges. Prosecutors said Jiraud, on parole and wearing a GPS anklet, attacked Agudela after 11:30 p.m., stole her e-bike, and discarded it in the East River. Agudela is not expected to survive, having undergone multiple brain surgeries. The article quotes Agudela’s daughter: “We need more protection, we need more lights.” The path where the attack occurred lacked lighting and surveillance. The incident highlights gaps in infrastructure and safety for vulnerable road users.

• E-Bike Commuter Beaten On Randall's Island, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-24

City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.

amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.

• City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20

An SUV hit a cyclist and a pedestrian at Houston and Avenue C. Both men suffered bruises. The cyclist was ejected. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Streets ran red with pain.

A crash on East Houston Street at Avenue C in Manhattan left a 28-year-old cyclist and a 27-year-old pedestrian injured. According to the police report, the SUV was going straight while the cyclist made a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. Both the cyclist and pedestrian suffered contusions. The cyclist was ejected and hit his head. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A GMC SUV struck a 46-year-old man at Clinton and Delancey. The pedestrian suffered a chest contusion. The crash left him conscious but bruised. Impact came from the SUV’s front end.

A GMC SUV traveling west struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection of Clinton Street and Delancey Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the chest and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The vehicle’s center front end made contact. No driver errors were specified in the data. The pedestrian was at the intersection when hit and suffered a contusion. No further details on vehicle type or driver actions were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Masts snapped. Sailors fell. Two died, over twenty hurt. The Cuauhtemoc struck Brooklyn Bridge during a salute. Crew clung to rigging. Rescue boats swarmed. The crash was sudden, brutal. The toll was heavy. The cause remains under investigation.

According to the New York Post (May 19, 2025), the Mexican navy training ship Cuauhtemoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge while crew performed a 'manning the yards' salute. Dozens stood on the masts when the vessel struck the bridge at 8:24 p.m., killing two sailors and injuring more than 20. NTSB investigator Michael Young stated, 'At 8:24 and 45 seconds, the vessel's mast struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge.' The ship had just left Pier 17 with tugboat assistance. Multiple distress calls were made before impact. The NTSB is investigating the sequence and cause, with a preliminary report expected in 30 days. The incident highlights risks when tall vessels navigate under city bridges, raising questions about clearance protocols and harbor traffic management.

• Tall Ship Crew Killed In Bridge Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-05-19

Steel and wood cracked. Masts snapped. Sailors clung to rigging, high above the East River. Two died. Seventeen hurt. The ship drifted, out of control, after a mechanical failure. Chaos on deck. Heavy traffic above. The bridge stood. Lives did not.

According to the New York Post (May 18, 2025), a Mexican navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge after an apparent mechanical failure. The vessel, Cuauhtémoc, was leaving New York with 277 aboard when its three 147-foot masts hit the bridge and broke. Video captured the moment: 'The sound when the masts hit the bridge sounded like the loud snapping of a big twig,' said witness Nick Corso. Two sailors died and 17 were injured, most critically those on the masts. Emergency crews responded quickly. Mayor Eric Adams stated, 'We are praying for everyone on board and their families.' The bridge was inspected and reopened. The incident highlights the dangers of mechanical failure and the vulnerability of those working above deck amid city infrastructure.

• Tall Ship Slams Brooklyn Bridge, Two Dead, New York Post, Published 2025-05-18

Taxi hit a parked SUV on Stanton Street. One driver suffered back injury. Police list all factors as unspecified. Night, metal, pain, and shock. System failed to protect.

A taxi collided with a parked SUV at 161 Stanton Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 42-year-old male driver suffered a back injury and was in shock. The SUV was parked; the taxi was passing. Police list all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing risk to road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist riding south on Chrystie Street struck a vehicle and suffered arm injuries. The crash left the rider bruised and partially ejected. No driver errors were listed in the report.

A 43-year-old male cyclist was injured on Chrystie Street at East Houston Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist was traveling south when he collided with a vehicle going east. The cyclist was partially ejected and sustained a contusion to his arm. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded. No information was provided about helmet use or signaling. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.

• Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

A sedan struck an e-scooter on Columbia Street. The scooter rider took the hit in the abdomen. Police cite driver inattention. Three car occupants unhurt. The street stays dangerous.

A sedan making a left turn collided with an e-scooter on Columbia Street at Stanton. The 50-year-old e-scooter rider suffered an abdominal injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Three people in the sedan, including the driver and two passengers, were not injured. The e-scooter rider was the only person hurt in the crash. The report lists no errors for the scooter rider. The crash highlights the risk for vulnerable road users when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04