Blood on the Pavement, Silence in City Hall

Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

A 48-year-old male driver suffered elbow injuries after his SUV struck the rear of another vehicle on Manhattan’s 2nd Avenue. The crash, caused by following too closely, left the driver conscious but with abrasions and lower arm trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:46 on 2nd Avenue near East 33rd Street in Manhattan. A 48-year-old male driver operating a 2022 SUV was injured when his vehicle impacted the center back end of another vehicle traveling southbound. The SUV sustained damage to its center back end, while the struck vehicle had damage to its center front end. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error in maintaining an unsafe distance. The injured driver was not ejected, remained conscious, and sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

A sedan traveling north struck a northbound e-scooter changing lanes on 1st Avenue. The e-scooter driver, a 23-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The sedan showed front-end damage from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 1st Avenue near East 42nd Street in Manhattan at 3:25 PM. The sedan was traveling straight ahead northbound when it collided with the e-scooter, which was changing lanes in the same direction. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the e-scooter's center back end. The e-scooter driver, a 23-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor on the e-scooter driver's part. There is no mention of helmet use or pedestrian signal involvement. The sedan had one occupant and sustained front-end damage. The collision highlights the dangers of lane changes and driver distraction in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 15-year-old front-seat passenger suffered a back contusion in a nighttime crash on FDR Drive. The SUV driver, traveling south, struck with the vehicle’s center front end. Glare impaired visibility, contributing to the collision and injury.

According to the police report, a 2023 SUV traveling south on FDR Drive struck its front passenger, a 15-year-old male, causing a back contusion classified as injury severity 3. The passenger was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness, and was not ejected. The point of impact was the vehicle’s center front end, indicating a collision within the vehicle rather than with an external party. The report cites glare as a contributing factor to the crash, impairing the driver's visibility. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The injury to the passenger highlights the dangers posed by environmental factors like glare affecting driver control and awareness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

A 56-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck him at an intersection near Queens Midtown Tunnel exit. The pedestrian was conscious with contusions, while the vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at an intersection on E 34 St near the Queens Midtown Tunnel exit in Manhattan. The crash occurred at 8:27 AM when a 2023 BMW SUV, driven by a licensed female driver traveling east, was making a left turn. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian on its left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no explicit driver errors such as Failure to Yield were noted. The SUV sustained no damage. This incident highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians working in roadways amid vehicle turning movements.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Two sedans collided on FDR Drive at 7 PM. The crash injured a 56-year-old male passenger, who suffered a head contusion. The impact involved front bumpers as one vehicle changed lanes and the other proceeded straight.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on FDR Drive at 7 PM involving two sedans traveling south. One sedan was changing lanes and struck the right front bumper of the other sedan, which was going straight ahead. The second vehicle was driven by a male driver who was unlicensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the left and right front bumpers of the vehicles. A 56-year-old male passenger in the sedan going straight ahead was injured with a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the driver's unlicensed status and the lane change maneuver as critical factors in the crash. No contributing factors were attributed to the passenger or other road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 3832 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Sponsors push for stricter standards. No direct safety impact analysis for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 3832, now in sponsorship, demands advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill instructs the DMV commissioner to create new rules. Filed January 30, 2025. The matter: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state.' Sponsors are Brad Hoylman-Sigal (primary), Michael Gianaris, and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The measure aims to raise standards but leaves details to future regulations.

• File S 3832, Open States, Published 2025-01-30

New York opens its e-bike trade-in. Four hundred delivery workers can swap dangerous, uncertified bikes for safe, legal models. The program targets deadly battery fires. But 400 is a drop in the bucket. Tens of thousands remain at risk. The danger lingers.

On January 28, 2025, the Department of Transportation launched New York City's e-bike and moped trade-in program, born from a 2023 law introduced by Council Member Keith Powers. The program, praised by Council Member Oswald Feliz, allows 400 delivery workers to exchange uncertified, fire-prone bikes for certified, street-legal models. The law followed a spike in lithium-ion battery fires—277 in 2024, killing six. The $2 million program offers bikes and spare batteries, but only scratches the surface for the city’s estimated 80,000 delivery workers. Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called the effort a step toward safer, cleaner mobility. Applications close February 17. The program’s reach is small, leaving most workers exposed to the same deadly risks.

• Apply Yourself: Tiny Number of Delivery Workers Will Get Safe E-Bikes in City Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-28

Two SUVs crashed at 3 Ave and E 36 St. Impact crushed left doors and right bumper. Driver and front passenger, both men, suffered head and neck whiplash. Both were conscious. Airbags deployed. No pedestrians involved.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 3 Ave and E 36 St in Manhattan at 23:40. A 2025 Honda SUV, heading east and making a left turn, struck a 2022 Ford SUV traveling north. The Honda’s right front bumper hit the Ford’s left side doors. The 28-year-old male driver and 27-year-old male front passenger in the Honda were injured, reporting whiplash to the head and neck. Both were conscious, not ejected, and had airbags deployed with lap belts or harnesses. The police listed contributing factors as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Taxi hit e-bike on 1st Avenue near East 25th. Rider thrown, shoulder shattered. Taxi unscathed. Night, empty street, one man broken, steel untouched.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on 1st Avenue struck a northbound e-bike near East 25th Street in Manhattan just after midnight. The 34-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm and shoulder. The taxi, a Ford carrying two men, showed no damage. Both vehicles were moving straight before the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The bicyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown. No victim actions were cited. The crash left the rider badly hurt, highlighting the danger faced by cyclists in collisions with larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three sedans collided on East 30th Street in Manhattan. A 45-year-old female driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. All vehicles were traveling eastbound. The crash left one occupant injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on East 30th Street near 2nd Avenue in Manhattan at 22:39. Three sedans, all traveling eastbound, were involved in a chain collision. The primary contributing factor was driver inattention or distraction. A 45-year-old female driver, who was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness, sustained head injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The vehicles impacted each other at their center front and back ends, indicating a rear-end collision sequence. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no other contributing factors noted. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787148 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Assembly bill A 1875 orders complete street design for all DOT projects. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. No more car-only roads. Sponsors push for safer, shared streets.

Assembly bill A 1875, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Assembly. The bill requires 'inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects undertaken by DOT or which receive both federal and state funding and are subject to DOT oversight.' Dana Levenberg leads as primary sponsor, joined by MaryJane Shimsky, Chris Burdick, Harvey Epstein, Albert A. Stirpe, Jonathan Jacobson, Keith Brown, and David McDonough. No votes yet. The bill aims to force every new or rebuilt road to serve all users, not just drivers. This is a direct move to end car dominance and give space back to people on foot and bike.

• File A 1875, Open States, Published 2025-01-14

Glass burst at E 34th and 1st. A convertible struck a sedan’s rear. A young woman, seatbelted, bled from the face. Police flagged alcohol and traffic control disregard. The city’s night offered no mercy.

A crash at the corner of East 34th Street and 1st Avenue left a 22-year-old woman with severe facial lacerations, according to the police report. The incident involved a convertible traveling north striking the right rear bumper of a westbound sedan. The police report states, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The woman, riding as a front passenger and secured by a lap belt and harness, was injured when the convertible hit the sedan, shattering glass. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver actions: alcohol use and failure to obey traffic controls. The crash, late at night, underscores the ongoing danger posed by reckless driving and systemic failures on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786302 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck struck a cyclist on East 40th Street. The cyclist suffered arm injuries and abrasions. Police cited unsafe speed by the driver. The truck showed no damage after the crash.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling east on East 40th Street in Manhattan struck a 47-year-old male bicyclist, also heading east. The cyclist suffered upper arm injuries and abrasions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a driver error contributing to the crash. 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was also noted as a factor. The truck hit the cyclist on the right side doors but sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. No helmet use or signal issues were listed as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04