Blood on the Asphalt: NYC Streets Still Killing

Aug 30 - The driver of a taxi hit a parked motorcycle on W 25th. A 72-year-old passenger suffered neck pain and whiplash. Responders noted damage to the taxi’s right front bumper and the motorcycle’s left rear quarter.

According to the police report, a taxi collided with a parked motorcycle near 115 W 25 St in Manhattan. The driver of a taxi hit the motorcycle. A 72-year-old female passenger suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. Police listed both vehicles as parked pre-crash and recorded contributing factors as Unspecified. Driver errors were not identified in the available data. The passenger was noted as wearing a helmet. Damage was reported to the taxi’s right front bumper and to the motorcycle’s left rear quarter. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 28 - Left turn. Steel meets flesh on West 42nd. The car struck the bike. The rider went down and bruised. Failure to yield, police say. Midtown grinds on.

A bicyclist was injured in a crash at 610 W 42 St in Manhattan. According to the police report, a vehicle going straight struck a bicyclist who was making a left turn; the bicyclist suffered bruising and was listed as conscious. The report lists Failure to Yield Right-of-Way as a contributing factor. The second vehicle is recorded as going straight ahead with front-end impact; its type is unspecified. The bicyclist’s helmet use is noted in the data, but driver error comes first here. No passengers or pedestrians were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838604 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 27 - A westbound sedan hit a northbound cyclist at W 41st and 11th. The rider went down hard. Arm torn. Conscious, hurt. Police cite Failure to Yield. The car showed front‑left damage. The bike took the hit on its right side.

A sedan traveling west on W 41 St collided with a northbound bicyclist at 11 Ave. The cyclist, a 32-year-old man, was injured with arm abrasions and remained conscious. According to the police report, the contributing factors were “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.” The car showed damage to the left front bumper; the bicycle was struck on its right side. Records list the driver as licensed. The report attributes Failure to Yield to the motorist; the bicyclist is also listed with that factor in the data, but the driver’s failure comes first. No other causes are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838602 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 26 - Eastbound sedan struck a standing scooter on West 34th. The rider went down. His leg took the hit. Police list distraction and headphones. Manhattan street. Steel meets flesh. Traffic rolls on.

A sedan traveling east on West 34th Street struck a standing scooter. The scooter rider, a 33-year-old man, was injured with a leg contusion. Two occupants in the sedan were listed with unspecified injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction,” with “Listening/Using Headphones” also noted. Data show both vehicles going straight and impact at the left front bumper. The pattern points to inattention by the sedan’s driver as the primary error. Only after that does the report cite headphone use. The crash occurred in Manhattan near 330 W 34 St, collision ID 4838195.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838195 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 23 - Two sedans met hard at W 16 St and 9th Ave. Metal tore. Glass flew. A passenger bled from the face. The BMW driver hurt. The Porsche driver listed uninjured. Police note alcohol and other vehicular factors. Night streets took the hit.

Two sedans collided at W 16 St and 9 Ave in Manhattan. The eastbound Porsche struck the right side of a southbound BMW. A 27-year-old female front passenger suffered severe facial lacerations. The 27-year-old male BMW driver reported pain. The 31-year-old female Porsche driver was listed uninjured. According to the police report “contributing factors” were “Other Vehicular” and “Alcohol Involvement.” Driver errors cited include Alcohol Involvement. The BMW showed right-side damage; the Porsche showed front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The records identify both drivers as licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 22 - The driver of an SUV passed too closely on 7th Avenue and struck a 24-year-old bicyclist. The rider was ejected and suffered a facial contusion. He was conscious at the scene.

The driver of an SUV was southbound on 7th Avenue at West 25th Street when the vehicle's right front bumper struck a southbound bicyclist. The 24-year-old rider was ejected and sustained a facial contusion. According to the police report, the listed factor was "Passing Too Closely." Police recorded that driver error. The report notes the bicyclist was conscious at the scene and lists the rider's safety equipment as "Helmet Only (In-Line Skater/Bicyclist)." No other injuries are recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 18 - A Dodge sedan hit a southbound bus near 165 W 23rd. The crash bent metal and hurt people. A passenger’s arm broke. Another driver reported back pain. Police flagged alcohol. The street bore it all in the morning hush.

A 2019 Dodge sedan struck the rear of a southbound Ford bus near 165 W 23rd Street in Manhattan. One female passenger in the sedan suffered a fracture to her upper arm. A male driver reported back pain. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Alcohol Involvement.” The Dodge driver was listed as unlicensed. These driver errors led the crash. A parked Audi sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured. The bus was going straight ahead when hit at its center back end, and the Dodge showed center front-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 17 - A taxi driver rear-ended a stopped SUV on southbound 11th Avenue. Three people in the taxi suffered neck injuries; two had concussions. Police recorded "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor.

A driver in a taxi struck the rear of a stopped SUV on southbound 11th Avenue at 429 11th Avenue. Three people in the taxi were injured: the taxi driver (neck injury, concussion), a front passenger (concussion), and a right-rear passenger (neck contusion). According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Following Too Closely." The report notes the SUV was stopped in traffic and the taxi was going straight ahead; the taxi’s center front and the SUV’s center back were the points of impact. Police recorded Following Too Closely by the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 8 - Officials and advocates raced the M34 bus in Midtown. Walking beat the bus. The street choked with traffic. Buses crawled. Riders waited. The city failed its most vulnerable. Cars ruled. Transit lost.

"These are folks, when they leave to get crosstown, it takes forever. We’re changing that now." -- Erik D. Bottcher

On August 8, 2025, Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joined transit advocates in Midtown. They raced the M34 bus across 34th Street to expose slow bus speeds. The event asked: 'Is it faster to walk across town or take the bus?' Russo-Lennon and others backed bus improvements, highlighting how cars choke streets and trap riders. The demonstration drew support from Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, and city officials. The safety analyst notes this was a demonstration, not a policy change, so it does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety or system-wide outcomes.

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

Aug 6 - A driver in a sedan going straight hit a 40-year-old man on West 26th near 10th. The driver hit his knee, leg, and foot with the car's center front end. He stayed conscious with an abrasion.

A driver in a sedan traveling straight hit a 40-year-old male pedestrian on West 26th Street near 10th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver hit the man with the car's center front end, injuring his knee, lower leg, and foot; he remained conscious and had an abrasion. The police listed the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No specific driver errors were recorded in the report. Travel direction for the car and the pedestrian's exact location were not noted. Pre-crash movement was listed as 'Going Straight Ahead.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 6 - Council clears Midtown South rezoning. 9,535 new homes. 34th Street busway goes car-free. Streets shift. Cars lose ground. Public space returns to people. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safety.

"This is a bold, balanced and long overdue plan. It builds the housing we need, protects the jobs we depend on, and reclaims the public space for people." -- Erik D. Bottcher

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan. Status: Approved August 6, 2025, by City Council land use committee and zoning subcommittee. Covers 42 blocks, 9,535 new homes over 10 years. Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher led negotiations. Bottcher called it 'bold, balanced and long overdue.' The plan includes a car-free busway on 34th Street and a $325 million pedestrian-focused Broadway rebuild. Safety analysts note: higher-density housing and car-free streets shift space from cars to people, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through street equity and safety in numbers.

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

Aug 6 - City lifts the pause. 34th Street busway returns. Cars lose ground. Buses and trucks get priority. Streets calm. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer passage. Change comes to Midtown’s core.

On August 6, 2025, the Adams administration agreed to revive the 34th Street busway as part of a Midtown South rezoning deal. The matter states: "The Administration commits to establishing a car-free 34th Street Busway." Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher secured the commitment, with Powers saying, "We are recreating the success of 14th Street in Midtown." Public engagement is set for 2025. Safety analysts note busways cut private traffic, calm streets, and open space for safer walking and cycling, shifting travel away from cars and reducing risk for vulnerable road users.

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

Aug 3 - Two cyclists collided on W 26th near 12th Avenue. A 61-year-old man was partially ejected, suffered a neck contusion and was in shock. Police cited improper passing or lane usage; the rider wore a helmet.

A collision between two cyclists on West 26th Street near 12th Avenue left a 61-year-old man injured. According to the police report, both bikes were traveling south when 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' caused the crash. Police recorded 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The injured bicyclist was partially ejected, suffered a neck contusion and was reported in shock. He was listed as wearing a helmet. Both riders were going straight ahead before impact. No other injuries were reported in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 2 - A driver in a box truck struck three parked sedans on W 37th near 9th Avenue. A 67-year-old female rear passenger suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police cited 'Outside Car Distraction' as a contributing factor.

A driver in a box truck struck three parked sedans on W 37th Street near 9th Avenue in Manhattan. A 67-year-old female rear passenger suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. According to the police report, 'Outside Car Distraction' was the contributing factor. Police recorded the box truck's pre-crash action as 'Slowing or Stopping' and the sedans' pre-crash status as 'Parked.' Damage concentrated on the sedans' center front ends and the truck's center back end. The report lists the passenger injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 31 - A left-turning driver hit a 25-year-old crossing with the signal at W 38 St and 9 Ave. She stayed conscious with an arm contusion. Police recorded failure to yield and driver inattention.

A driver making a left turn at W 38 St and 9 Ave in Manhattan hit a 25-year-old woman in the crosswalk at 10:00 p.m. She suffered a contusion to her lower arm and remained conscious. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left front bumper. The crash happened at an intersection while she crossed with the signal. Vehicle damage was recorded as none. The report does not assign fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 31 - West 38th at 11th. A sedan driver hit a man on a motorized scooter. He flew off. Semiconscious. Bleeding from the head. Police recorded 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' by drivers.

A sedan driver hit a motorized scooter near West 38th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan at 1:16 a.m. The sedan was going straight. The scooter was going straight. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the scooter’s center front. The 55-year-old scooter driver was ejected, semiconscious, with a head wound and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was recorded for both drivers. The sedan was a 2024 Volvo registered in New Jersey, and its driver was licensed. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one person injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832364 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 31 - Two vehicles collided on Madison Avenue. One slammed into scaffolding. Eight people hurt. Steel and glass scattered. Early morning chaos. No word yet on why.

ABC7 reported on July 31, 2025, that a car and SUV crashed on Madison Avenue between 84th and 85th streets, sending one vehicle into scaffolding. Eight people were injured, but none critically. The article states, 'There is no word on the cause of the crash. So far, no charges have been filed.' Video from Citizen App showed the aftermath. The crash highlights the risks of vehicle collisions near pedestrian infrastructure. No details on driver actions or city response were given.

• Eight Injured As Cars Hit Scaffolding, ABC7, Published 2025-07-31

Jul 30 - A 16-year-old girl on a bike was struck on West 42nd at 11th Avenue. She was partially ejected and suffered a lower-leg contusion. Police listed an oversized vehicle and merging as factors in the crash.

A 16-year-old female bicyclist was injured on West 42nd Street at 11th Avenue. She was partially ejected and suffered a contusion to her lower leg. According to the police report, the crash lists "Oversized Vehicle" as a contributing factor. The report records the other vehicle's pre-crash action as "Merging" and the bike's pre-crash action as "Going Straight Ahead." The driver of the oversized vehicle merged and struck the cyclist; the bike shows center-front impact and the other vehicle shows right-rear bumper damage. Police did not list additional contributing factors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 29 - The driver of a box truck hit a 32-year-old male cyclist on Hudson Blvd W near W 37th Street. The cyclist suffered a back injury and was in shock. Police recorded 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor.

The driver of a box truck struck a 32-year-old male cyclist on Hudson Blvd W near W 37th Street. The cyclist was injured, suffering a back injury and shock. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. Both the truck and the bicycle were traveling west and were going straight ahead before the crash. Police recorded no damage to either vehicle and no other injuries. The report does not list helmet use or signaling and provides no further medical details.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

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