Midtown Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

A woman crossed Amsterdam Avenue. An ambulance turned left. Metal struck flesh. Bones broke. Blood spilled. She died in the hospital. The driver stayed, but charges followed. The street remains wide, busy, and dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 29, 2025, that Juan Santana, an ambulance driver, was arrested months after fatally striking Miriam Reinharth, 69, in Manhattan. Police said Santana failed to yield as Reinharth crossed Amsterdam Avenue at West 96th Street. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad found Santana turned left into her path. He was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Reinharth died from severe injuries, including a broken leg and pelvis fractures. The article notes, 'The police officer said the accident was not Miriam's fault at all.' The crash occurred on a double-wide, truck route artery, highlighting ongoing risks for pedestrians at busy intersections.

• Ambulance Driver Charged After Fatal Turn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-29

A young man’s leg crushed by a vehicle’s back end on West 50th. Blood on the pavement. Sirens cut through Manhattan’s noise. The street swallowed another pedestrian.

A 21-year-old man walking near 226 West 50th Street in Manhattan was struck and injured by a vehicle. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot after being hit by the center back end of an unspecified vehicle. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The victim was conscious at the scene. No further details on vehicle type or driver actions were provided in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 17-year-old cyclist on Avenue of the Americas. The teen suffered a shoulder injury. Police list all factors as unspecified. The car’s left side doors took the hit.

A 17-year-old bicyclist was injured when a sedan collided with her on Avenue of the Americas near West 51st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred, impacting the sedan’s left side doors. The cyclist suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury and was in shock. Police list all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The sedan’s driver, a 41-year-old man, was not injured. No helmet or signaling issues are mentioned as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi hit a cyclist at West 42nd and Broadway. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite improper lane usage by both drivers. The street saw blood and broken rhythm.

A taxi and a cyclist collided at West 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, was injured in the arm. According to the police report, both the taxi driver and the cyclist were making left turns when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor for both parties. The taxi's right front bumper was damaged. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted SUV driver struck a pedestrian on Broadway. The impact left the victim with abrasions and pain. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The street saw blood and blame fell on the wheel.

A pedestrian was injured when a station wagon/SUV struck him on Broadway at West 57th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian, a 43-year-old man, suffered abrasions and pain to his entire body. The vehicle, a 2021 Chevy SUV registered in New Jersey, was traveling south and hit the pedestrian at the left front quarter panel. Police list no other contributing factors. The report highlights driver inattention as the sole cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A van turned left on 7th Ave and hit a southbound cyclist. The rider, 21, was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention. The van showed no damage. The bike’s front end was smashed.

A van making a left turn on 7th Avenue at West 56th Street struck a 21-year-old male cyclist traveling straight. The cyclist was ejected and suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, remaining conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the primary contributing factor. The van sustained no damage, while the bicycle’s front end was damaged. No helmet use was specified. The crash highlights the danger posed by inattentive driving to vulnerable road users in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV hit a cyclist at West 56th. The rider suffered arm injuries and a concussion. The crash left the cyclist conscious but hurt. Police cited other vehicular factors. Danger lingers at the curb.

A cyclist, age 25, was struck by an SUV at 119 W 56th Street in Manhattan. The rider suffered injuries to the arm and a concussion but remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash involved a station wagon/SUV and a bike, with 'Other Vehicular' listed as a contributing factor. No driver errors were specified beyond this. The cyclist was the only person reported injured. No helmet or signaling issues were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City Council and Mayor slash shed permits, force faster repairs. New laws demand brighter lights, stricter deadlines, and design upgrades. Council Members Powers and Bottcher drive the push. The city aims to reclaim sidewalks from decades of dark, lingering scaffolding.

On April 18, 2025, the City Council passed and Mayor Eric Adams signed a five-bill package to overhaul sidewalk shed and scaffolding rules. The bills—Intro. 393-A, 391-A, 394-A (sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers), and Intro. 660-A, 661-A (sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher)—cut shed permit durations from one year to three months, double required lighting, and impose new penalties for delays. The matter summary states: 'New laws are set to finally tackle the scourge of unsightly sidewalk construction sheds and scaffolding structures around the city.' Powers said, 'This package of legislation puts forward reforms to fundamentally change our approach to scaffolding while ensuring safety is still the top priority.' Bottcher added, 'It’s time we cut back the endless sidewalk sheds that block our light.' The reforms target over 400 miles of lingering scaffolding, aiming to restore light and space to city sidewalks.

• Shed-locked no more: New laws to crackdown on lingering scaffolding, amny.com, Published 2025-04-18

Assembly bill A 7997 lets speed cameras catch drivers hiding or altering plates. It extends camera use in school zones. Lawmakers push to close loopholes that shield reckless drivers from accountability.

Assembly bill A 7997, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Deborah Glick with co-sponsors Jo Anne Simon, John Zaccaro Jr., Linda Rosenthal, and Tony Simone, was introduced on April 16, 2025. It 'permits the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in New York City for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction, concealment, and/or distortion; extends provisions permitting the use of speed cameras in certain school zones.' By targeting plate obstruction, the bill seeks to stop drivers from dodging speed camera enforcement, a move that could help protect pedestrians and cyclists from repeat offenders.

• File A 7997, Open States, Published 2025-04-16

A cyclist hit a woman crossing with the signal at E 42nd and Madison. She suffered a bruised shoulder. The crash left her conscious but hurt. No driver errors were listed. Danger remains at the intersection.

A 27-year-old woman was injured when a cyclist struck her as she crossed E 42nd Street at Madison Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. She sustained a contusion to her upper arm and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or helmet use were noted in the data. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians at busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

SUV reversed on W 52nd. Struck a man crossing with the light. His leg broke. Driver was distracted. Backed unsafely. The street stayed loud. The pain stayed sharp.

A 59-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing W 52nd Street at Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, distracted and backing unsafely, struck him. The man suffered a fractured leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. No other injuries were reported. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction and unsafe backing for people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

A distracted taxi driver struck an 87-year-old woman on West 57th. Metal tore her leg. Blood on the street. She stayed conscious. The city moved on.

An 87-year-old woman was injured on West 57th Street near Sixth Avenue when a distracted taxi driver struck her as she exited a vehicle. According to the police report, 'A taxi, parked, driver distracted. An 87-year-old woman steps from a vehicle. Metal meets flesh. Blood on the pavement. Her leg torn open. She remains conscious.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The woman suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg but remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi stopped on Avenue of the Americas. A passenger suffered a facial abrasion. Police list injury but no cause. The driver and another occupant were not hurt.

A taxi stopped in traffic on Avenue of the Americas at West 43rd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 32-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered a facial abrasion. The driver, age 73, and another occupant were not injured. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The crash left the vehicle undamaged. No further details are provided in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04