Eight Dead, Still Waiting: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

Two SUVs crashed on East Houston. Aggressive driving fueled the impact. Three people injured. Metal twisted. Pain and shock followed. The street bore the scars.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at 484 East Houston Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage contributed to the crash. Three occupants were injured: a 35-year-old male driver, a 39-year-old male driver, and a 34-year-old female passenger. Injuries included back and arm trauma, pain, and shock. The police report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the primary contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The force of impact left both vehicles damaged and several people hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan door swung open. A cyclist struck it. The crash gashed his arm. Three car occupants unhurt. The street stayed loud. Metal and flesh met on E 13th.

A cyclist riding west on E 13th Street in Manhattan collided with the left side doors of a parked sedan. According to the police report, the crash injured the 35-year-old cyclist, who suffered abrasions to his arm. Three people in the sedan were not hurt. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The sedan was parked at the time, and the cyclist was heading straight. No driver errors are specified in the data. The crash left the cyclist injured and the car's left doors damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

SUV turned left on E 13th. Cyclist hit. Leg injured. Police list no cause. Streets stay hard. Riders bleed.

A station wagon SUV making a left turn on E 13th Street collided with a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 39-year-old man, suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, the crash involved the SUV's left front quarter panel and the cyclist's bike. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a cause. The impact left the cyclist hurt and the SUV damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A bronze Toyota struck a parked black Ford in Manhattan. The driver, a young woman, was cuffed by a security investigator. Tension flared. The arrest was later voided. No injuries reported. The incident drew scrutiny and sparked internal review.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a young woman driving a bronze Toyota collided with a parked black Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. Video shows the vehicles touching in a V shape. Investigator Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, confronted the woman, demanding identification and handcuffing her after she failed to produce ID. Yu ordered, 'Get out of the car and show some ID,' and later, 'Get in the car! You're not going anywhere!' The woman was placed in the back seat of Yu’s vehicle. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office stated, 'OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time.' The incident highlights the risks of parked vehicles and the escalation that can follow minor collisions, especially when law enforcement is involved.

• Security Detail Cuffs Woman After Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-06-20

Two sedans crashed on FDR Drive. One young driver suffered neck injury. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe lane changes. Metal, glass, pain. The city keeps moving.

Two sedans collided on Franklin D Roosevelt Drive near East Houston Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, one 22-year-old driver suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Five other occupants, including drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the danger of driver error behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Shops still soup up e-bikes. City leaders talk of a 15 MPH cap. State law stands in the way. Critics slam the plan as toothless or unfair. Enforcement remains unclear. Riders and pedestrians face the same old risks.

West Side Spirit reported on June 19, 2025, that New York City is considering a 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes, but implementation faces legal and bureaucratic delays. Mayor Eric Adams said, "there’s going to be a whole rule making process to make sure that we comply and follow the laws." Critics argue the plan singles out e-bikes while ignoring faster, heavier vehicles. Ben Furans of Transportation Alternatives called it "half-baked and ill-conceived," noting that "bikes and cars sharing the same road would be subject to different speed limits and consequences." Janet Schroeder of the E-Bike Safety Alliance doubts the rule will matter without real enforcement. The NYPD already issues thousands of criminal summonses to cyclists for minor violations, raising questions about fair and effective policy. No new enforcement methods or crash data were cited.

• City Floats 15 MPH E-Bike Limit, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-19

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

A woman tried to climb from the tracks. The L train struck her. She died at the scene. The platform offered no barrier. Safety reforms came too late. The train ran again after three hours. Her name is not yet known.

West Side Spirit reported on June 17, 2025, that a 24-year-old woman was killed by an L train at Union Square station. According to the article, 'witnesses said the woman stepped onto the tracks shortly before the collision, but then attempted to climb back onto the platform.' She could not escape in time. Police found no suspected criminality. The incident occurred months after a state initiative promised new platform barriers at over 100 stations, but these had not yet been installed at Union Square. The tragedy highlights the ongoing risk to subway riders in stations without protective infrastructure. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed by L Train at Union Square, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-17

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Buses crawl. Riders wait. The city weighs a busway on 34th Street. Some cheer for faster trips and safer crossings. Others fear cars will flood side streets. The board backs the plan. The street waits for change.

West Side Spirit reported on June 15, 2025, that the NYC Department of Transportation’s plan to convert 34th Street into a busway drew mixed reactions at a Community Board 6 meeting. The board voted 31-5 in favor. Supporters called current bus speeds 'painfully slow' and urged the city to 'prioritize pedestrians and transit users.' Critics worried about diverted car traffic clogging residential streets, with one resident calling for a 'traffic study' and 'action plan.' The DOT says the busway could boost bus speeds by 15 percent. The proposal would force cars to exit 34th Street quickly or face tickets, echoing rules on 14th Street. The debate highlights the tension between transit improvements and neighborhood traffic concerns.

• 34th Street Busway Sparks Debate, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-15

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

A man crossing East 14th was hit by a cyclist. Blood pooled on the pavement. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Shock set in. The bike rolled on, undamaged. The street stayed busy. The city did not stop.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a cyclist traveling east struck him while he crossed East 14th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was in shock after the crash. The incident occurred at night, away from an intersection or marked crosswalk. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data. The bicycle sustained no damage. The crash highlights the ongoing dangers faced by pedestrians on New York City streets, even when no motor vehicles are involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31