East Midtown Bleeds While Leaders Stall

May 21 - City will rip up Fifth Avenue. Sidewalks will double. Lanes for cars will shrink. Trees, benches, and light will fill the space. Pedestrians, long squeezed, will finally get room to breathe. The city bets big on feet, not fenders.

amNY reported on May 21, 2025, that New York City will begin a $400 million redesign of Fifth Avenue in 2028, stretching from Bryant Park to Central Park. Mayor Eric Adams said, 'Fifth Avenue is a bustling boulevard... with more people walking down the street every hour than fill Madison Square Garden during a sold-out Knicks game.' The plan nearly doubles sidewalk widths and expands pedestrian zones, cutting space for vehicles. The redesign adds tree buffers, benches, and stormwater upgrades. Pedestrians make up 70% of avenue traffic but have less than half the space. The overhaul shifts priority from cars to people, aiming to reduce systemic danger and reclaim the street for those on foot.

• Fifth Avenue Set For Pedestrian Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-21

May 19 - SUV hit a woman crossing E 53rd at 2nd Ave. She had the signal. Her leg was hurt. Driver failed to yield. Police cite distraction. System failed to protect the walker.

A station wagon/SUV struck a female pedestrian as she crossed E 53rd Street at 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver made a left turn and hit her, causing a knee and lower leg injury. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver and another occupant were not injured. The crash highlights the danger faced by people walking, even when following the rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 19 - 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

May 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

May 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

May 14 - A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.

• Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

May 13 - Police now hand out criminal summonses to cyclists for traffic violations. Fines become court dates. Advocates warn of escalation. Lawmakers push for e-bike registration after a fatal crash. Streets grow tense. Riders and pedestrians caught in the crossfire.

West Side Spirit reported on May 13, 2025, that NYPD has begun issuing criminal summonses, not just traffic tickets, to cyclists and e-bike riders for violations like running red lights or riding on sidewalks. The change means accused riders must appear in criminal court, not just pay a fine. The move follows the death of Priscilla Loke, struck by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates like Transportation Alternatives call the new policy 'a dangerous escalation.' The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance urges lawmakers to require license plates for e-bikes and scooters. The article notes, 'Under the new policy, a person issued a criminal summons must turn up in person in criminal court.' The shift highlights growing tension over enforcement and the push for stricter regulation after high-profile crashes.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses To Cyclists, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-05-13

May 11 - E-scooter slammed center front. Driver, 59, thrown off, hit head, left unconscious. Police cite pedestrian confusion. Manhattan street, early morning. Blood on the pavement.

A 59-year-old man driving a Segway e-scooter on E 53rd Street in Manhattan was ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The e-scooter struck with its center front end, ejecting the driver and leaving him unconscious with internal and head injuries. No other injuries were reported. The police report lists no driver errors beyond the cited confusion.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 9 - Council Member Keith Powers and Dr. Calvin Sun slammed federal Penn Station plans. They called for city and state control. Both backed congestion pricing and safer, more accessible transit. Skepticism ran high. Vulnerable road users got a rare mention. No trust in Washington.

On May 9, 2025, at a Manhattan Borough President candidate forum, outgoing Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) and Dr. Calvin Sun voiced strong doubts about the federal government’s Penn Station renovation plans. Powers said, 'I am not looking to co-operate with Donald Trump on really anything,' stressing the need for city and state leadership and a plan that delivers for housing, public space, and transit. Dr. Sun echoed distrust, warning the federal government could deprive the city of needed resources. Both candidates supported congestion pricing, with Sun favoring a dynamic model and exemptions for low-income New Yorkers. They called for improved public transit accessibility and more pedestrianization. Powers demanded tougher fare evasion enforcement, while Sun sought nonviolent consequences and better subway quality. The forum highlighted the candidates’ focus on local control and safer, more equitable streets.

• Manhattan BP candidates skeptical of federal plans for Penn Station, ‘not looking to work with Trump’, amny.com, Published 2025-05-09

May 8 - Albany lawmakers passed a $254-billion budget. Republicans railed against congestion pricing. Democrats stood firm. The vote split along party lines. The budget funds the MTA and transit expansion. Vulnerable road users saw no direct mention. The system rolls on.

"The amount that you're paying for congestion pricing is actually a relatively small increase in the total cost... And the good news on the research is theater has not come down since congestion pricing has started. Restaurants have not come down. There are more people on the streets." -- Liz Krueger

On May 8, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed Gov. Hochul’s $254-billion budget after heated debate. The bill, debated in the Senate Finance and Transportation Committees, included $6 billion for MTA capital improvements and supported congestion pricing. Sen. Dean Murray (R-Suffolk) and Sen. Bill Weber (R-Rockland) opposed the measure, citing toll burdens and limited transit options. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) and Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) defended the plan, highlighting increased MTA revenue and minimal impact on local businesses. The matter summary reads: 'State legislators from the suburbs, particularly Republican lawmakers, voiced strong opposition to congestion pricing during the passage of Gov. Hochul's $254-billion budget in Albany.' The budget passed 40-22, mostly along party lines. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Budget Passes in Albany, But First, GOP Whines About Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-08

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 3 - A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - 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

Apr 28 - SUV struck cyclist turning left on E 59th. Driver inattention listed. Cyclist suffered leg injury. Streets unforgiving. Impact leaves bruises and questions.

A station wagon SUV hit a cyclist making a left turn on E 59th Street at 1st Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 40-year-old woman, was injured in the knee and lower leg, suffering a contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' were listed as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary errors were on the part of the SUV driver. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the risk faced by cyclists when drivers are distracted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 18 - A sedan turned left and hit a cyclist riding south on 2nd Ave. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed open. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn on 2nd Ave at E 56th St struck a southbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 39-year-old man, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers do not yield. No injuries were reported for the sedan's driver or other occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810124 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 18 - 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

Apr 14 - A 23-year-old woman crossed Park Avenue with the signal. A vehicle hit her. Her leg broke. Pain surged. She stayed awake. The street did not yield.

A 23-year-old woman was hit while crossing Park Avenue at East 50th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, she crossed with the signal when a vehicle struck her, injuring her leg and causing internal pain. The report states she remained conscious. No driver errors were listed in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use as a contributing factor. The crash left a pedestrian hurt at a marked intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 12 - 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