Midtown Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

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 2025-06-10

City leaders move to slow e-bikes but leave car speed limits untouched. Council Member Powers pushes a 15 mph cap for e-bikes. Mayor Adams backs the crackdown. Cars, the real killers, roll on. Advocates call out the city’s misplaced priorities.

On June 10, 2025, Council Member Keith Powers introduced a bill to lower e-bike speed limits to 15 miles per hour, following Mayor Adams’s call for action. The measure, discussed in the Council but not yet assigned a bill number or committee, comes as Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch launches a crackdown on cyclists. Powers said, "I am interested in all measures that might address keeping our street experience here in the city feeling much safer and slowing down any vehicle or device or instrument that could hurt someone." Despite state authority to lower car speed limits, neither the mayor nor the Council act to curb car speeds citywide. Advocates and some officials slam the focus on e-bikes, pointing to data: cars and trucks cause nearly all pedestrian injuries. The safety analyst notes no direct safety impact for vulnerable users, as no specific policy change is enacted. The city’s priorities remain clear—and deadly.

• Now Do Cars: Adams and Council Push For E-Bike Speed Limits Ignores The Biggest Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-10

A sedan hit a man crossing at W 57th and 8th. The car’s right front bumper struck his leg. He was left bruised and hurt. The driver and passenger were not injured. The police list no clear cause. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A sedan traveling west on West 57th Street at 8th Avenue struck a 48-year-old man as he crossed the intersection. According to the police report, the pedestrian was hit by the vehicle’s right front bumper and suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a 34-year-old woman, and her passenger were not injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The data notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but no specific driver error is cited. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot in Manhattan’s crowded intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist rode west on West 55th. An SUV, parked, became danger. The cyclist struck the right front bumper. She suffered a bruised arm. Police blamed driver inexperience. The street stayed busy. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A 35-year-old woman riding a bike westbound on West 55th Street in Manhattan collided with the right front bumper of a parked SUV. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a contusion to her arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factor in the crash. The SUV was parked at the time, and the cyclist was going straight ahead. No other injuries were specified. The data highlights driver inexperience as a key factor, underscoring the risks faced by cyclists on city streets crowded with large vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

An e-bike struck a woman crossing with the signal on 7th Avenue at West 49th Street. She suffered abrasions to her leg. The rider disregarded traffic controls and failed to yield. The crash left the street marked by sudden pain and confusion.

A 49-year-old woman was injured when an e-bike rider hit her as she crossed 7th Avenue at West 49th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the e-bike, traveling south, struck her. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The rider, a 27-year-old man, was unlicensed and wore a helmet. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report makes clear the e-bike operator failed to yield and ignored traffic controls, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819130 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi door swung open on West 45th. A 22-year-old cyclist hit it. He fell. His arm scraped and bloodied. The street stayed busy. The system failed to shield him. The driver’s actions left a mark.

A crash unfolded on West 45th Street in Manhattan involving a taxi and a cyclist. According to the police report, a 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured when he struck the left side doors of a parked taxi. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower arm and hand. The taxi was stationary, its driver inside. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are named in the data. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this is noted only after the lack of identified driver errors. The incident highlights the persistent danger faced by cyclists in city traffic, especially near parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818768 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A police chase tore through Upper Manhattan. A crash. Flames. Francisco Guzman Parra died trapped in the wreck. Officers drove past, never stopped. Video shows the moment. No help came for minutes. The street bore the cost.

Patch reported on June 7, 2025, that NYPD officers pursued Francisco Guzman Parra from The Bronx to Upper Manhattan. Security video shows the pursued SUV crashing and catching fire at Dyckman Street. Officers arrived seconds later but did not stop, instead driving away as flames grew. Guzman Parra died in the fire. The article quotes Guzman's sister: "No help was offered, and then how long he burned for." Officers were suspended after the incident. A police union spokesperson claimed officers could not see the wreck. The department is reviewing whether officers failed to report the deadly crash. The case raises questions about NYPD pursuit protocols and response obligations.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Fire, Patch, Published 2025-06-07

Council Member Keith Powers pushes a 15 mph e-bike speed cap. Critics warn it targets cyclists, not drivers. Enforcement falls hardest on people of color. Safety experts say the move misses real dangers. Streets stay deadly for the most vulnerable.

On June 6, 2025, Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers announced plans to introduce legislation lowering e-bike speed limits to 15 miles per hour. The bill, not yet numbered or assigned to committee, follows Mayor Adams's push to address what he calls street 'chaos.' Powers said, 'Biking is a crucial tool to tackle the climate crisis... but we also must address the well-documented concerns about safety.' He proposes a $50 penalty for violations. Critics, including Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, call the measure 'half-baked and ill-conceived,' warning it escalates the city's 'misguided war on biking.' Safety analyst notes show the policy may discourage cycling, reducing mode shift from cars and undermining safety in numbers. Enforcement has historically targeted Black and brown cyclists, while drivers—responsible for most deaths—face lighter penalties. The bill risks making streets less safe for those outside cars.

• How Will E-Bike Speed Limits Actually Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-06

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. Police targeted cyclists, not reckless drivers. Riders stopped at every light, exposed the law’s absurdity. One cyclist jailed for lacking ID. Drivers who injure go free. Cyclists demand fair treatment, safety, respect.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of New Yorkers joined a mass ride to protest the NYPD’s intensified enforcement against cyclists. The demonstration, which began at Union Square, challenged new policies issuing criminal summonses for minor cycling offenses. Riders followed traffic laws, highlighting the crackdown’s contradictions. One cyclist, Erin Poland, said the policy 'is not actually protecting cyclists [but] putting them in more danger.' Another, Tara Pham, noted, 'I’ve been hit by vehicles twice... those drivers face no criminal charges.' The article details how police arrested a Citi Bike rider for not moving aside and lacking ID, while drivers who injure vulnerable road users often avoid serious consequences. The piece underscores the disparity in enforcement and questions the effectiveness and fairness of current NYPD tactics.

• Cyclists Protest NYPD Crackdown in Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-02

Two sedans crashed at West 57th. Both drivers distracted. One woman bruised her arm. Another occupant hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens echoed. The street bore the mark of inattention. The city kept moving.

Two sedans collided at 224 West 57th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted at the time of the crash. One driver, a 29-year-old woman, suffered a contusion to her arm. Another occupant was also injured. The vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the persistent danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A sedan struck a cyclist at E 55th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 33-year-old woman, suffered leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention. The crash left the bike damaged and the street marked by impact.

A collision between a sedan and a bicycle occurred at E 55th Street in Manhattan. The crash injured a 33-year-old female cyclist, who sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors and the bike's center front end were damaged. No injuries were reported for the sedan's driver or passenger. The cyclist was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The report did not cite helmet use or signaling as factors. The data highlights driver distraction as the primary error leading to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817458 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A cyclist hit a pedestrian on Seventh Avenue. The woman suffered a facial injury. The crash happened in the afternoon. Police cited confusion as a factor. The street saw blood and pain. The city failed to keep them safe.

A crash on Seventh Avenue at West 40th Street in Manhattan left a 31-year-old woman injured. According to the police report, a cyclist traveling south struck the pedestrian, who was not at an intersection. The woman suffered an abrasion to her face. Police listed 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was unlicensed and riding straight ahead at the time of impact. No vehicle damage was reported. The report does not mention any other contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians and cyclists on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV hit a 67-year-old woman crossing West 57th Street at Eighth Avenue. She had the signal. The crash left her in shock, her back injured. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 67-year-old woman was struck by a station wagon or SUV while crossing West 57th Street at Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle, traveling east, hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered a back injury and was left in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian’s actions were lawful; she was in the crosswalk with the signal. The crash highlights the persistent risk to pedestrians when drivers fail to yield, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816631 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04