Midtown Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

A box truck struck a taxi on West 36th Street. Both drivers hurt. One suffered a back injury. Police blamed driver distraction. Metal crumpled. Sirens wailed. The city’s danger showed its teeth again.

A crash unfolded at West 36th Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. A box truck hit a taxi. According to the police report, both vehicles were heading north. Both drivers were injured. One driver, age 37, suffered a back contusion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal issues are mentioned. The force of the impact damaged the center front of the truck and the rear of the taxi. The police report does not specify further details about the injuries or the sequence of events. The crash highlights the risks faced by all who travel New York’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup truck struck a cyclist on West 57th Street. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Unsafe lane changing played a role. The crash left the street marked by blood and confusion.

A crash at 165 West 57th Street in Manhattan involved a pickup truck and a bicycle. The cyclist, a 55-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was a contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck, registered in New Jersey, was traveling west and going straight ahead, while the cyclist was making a U-turn. The police report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary systemic danger cited is unsafe lane changing. No injuries were reported for the truck occupants. The crash underscores the risks vulnerable road users face when drivers fail to maintain safe lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two SUVs crashed on West 36th Street near Seventh Avenue. One driver suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night. The street bore the mark of impact. Another routine failure in Manhattan traffic.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at West 36th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved a southbound Volkswagen SUV and a northbound Ford SUV that was backing up. One driver, a 36-year-old man, sustained a head injury and reported whiplash. The other driver and two additional occupants were listed with unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors were cited in the data. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors. The crash left both vehicles damaged at their center ends, underscoring the force of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit an e-scooter at unsafe speed on 8th Avenue near West 35th Street. The e-scooter driver suffered a bruised arm. Both vehicles moved north. Traffic control was ignored. The street stayed open. The city stayed dangerous.

A crash on 8th Avenue at West 35th Street in Manhattan left a 28-year-old e-scooter driver injured. According to the police report, both the sedan and the e-scooter were traveling north when the sedan struck the e-scooter. The e-scooter driver suffered a contusion to the arm. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both drivers. No other injuries were reported. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, while the e-scooter was hit at the center front end. The crash highlights the risks vulnerable road users face when drivers ignore speed limits and traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist struck a 72-year-old woman crossing with the signal on E 53rd. She suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inexperience as the cause.

A 64-year-old man riding a bike west on E 53rd Street struck a 72-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a contusion to her lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet. No other vehicles were involved. The crash highlights the danger when inexperienced operators mix with pedestrians, even when signals are obeyed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV hit motorcycle at W 50th and Avenue of the Americas. Woman on motorcycle injured. Crash left her with a bruised hip. Police list causes as unspecified. Impact was hard and sudden.

A station wagon SUV and a motorcycle collided at W 50th Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The crash injured a 64-year-old woman riding the motorcycle. She suffered a contusion to her hip and upper leg. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when the SUV struck the motorcycle's center back end. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The woman was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No driver errors were identified by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

DOT wants a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off. Buses crawl now. Riders lose time. Council Member Powers backs the plan. Activists demand action. Streets jammed with traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safer passage.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation proposed a 14th Street-style busway for 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, reported by Dave Colon for Streetsblog NYC, would ban through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, echoing the successful 14th Street model. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the M34, voiced strong support: 'If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results.' The proposal is not yet a formal bill and has not reached any council committee. Activists and elected officials with experience on 14th Street back the move, citing faster buses and higher ridership. However, the event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no assessment of safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be made.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

DOT plans a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off after one block. Buses crawl now. Council Member Powers backs it. The 14th Street model sped up buses and drew more riders. Activists want strong, lasting action. The city must deliver.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation announced a proposal to create a 14th Street-style busway on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, to be presented to community boards, would restrict through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, forcing cars to turn off at the first opportunity. The matter aims to address congestion and slow bus speeds on the M34, where buses average five to seven miles per hour. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the route daily, said, "If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results." Powers and community leaders support the move, citing the 14th Street busway’s success: a 24 percent speed boost and 30 percent ridership jump. The proposal follows years of planning and comes as congestion pricing looms. Some advocates remain wary, recalling Mayor Adams’s past delays and reduced busway hours. The city faces pressure to make the busway permanent and effective for all vulnerable road users.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

Adams administration opens a pedestrian path on Queensboro Bridge. Federal Secretary Duffy objects. Critics say his stance ignores history and safety. The bridge once belonged to walkers. Now, the city returns space to people, not cars. Tensions flare. Vulnerable users watch.

On May 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the Adams administration's move to open a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. The event, not a council bill but a city action, drew sharp criticism from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who opposed removing a vehicle lane for pedestrians and cyclists. The article states: 'forcing pedestrians and cyclists in both directions to share a single lane on a bridge with nine lanes for car drivers was unsafe.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Julie Won attended the opening. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety to assess.' Still, the move restores space to those on foot and bike, challenging car dominance and federal resistance.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

SUV turned left on W 57th. Cyclist struck, arm bruised. Bike hit SUV’s rear. Police cite confusion. Streets stay hard. Riders bleed.

A station wagon SUV making a left turn on W 57th Street collided with a westbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 46-year-old man, suffered a bruised arm. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV’s right rear bumper and the bike’s front end were damaged. The cyclist wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the SUV driver or occupants. The crash highlights the danger when turning vehicles and cyclists cross paths on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

E-scooter struck a young woman crossing West 40th. She suffered a head abrasion. Police cite improper lane usage. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 20-year-old woman was injured when an e-scooter hit her as she crossed West 40th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head abrasion. The e-scooter driver, a 32-year-old man, was not injured. Police listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The crash happened away from an intersection, with the pedestrian crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04