Lower the Speed, Save a Life—Or Bury Another Neighbor

Jul 12 - New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

Jul 2 - State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jul 2 - Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jun 30 - A sedan hit a 17-year-old bicyclist riding south on Broadway. The teen suffered head abrasions. Police cite driver disregard for traffic control. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east struck a 17-year-old male bicyclist heading south on Broadway just after midnight. The impact hit the bike's left side doors, causing head abrasions to the cyclist, who remained conscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a driver error, pointing to a failure to obey signals or signs. The sedan's left front bumper and quarter panel were damaged. The bicyclist wore no safety equipment, as noted in the report. This crash shows the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A cyclist hit a young woman on Amsterdam Avenue. She fell, her head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The bike rolled on, unscathed. The force landed square, the harm hers alone. The night echoed with sirens and blood.

A 25-year-old woman was struck by a cyclist traveling northeast on Amsterdam Avenue, according to the police report. The collision left her semiconscious in the street, suffering severe bleeding from a head injury. The narrative states, 'She fell, head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The rider kept straight. No damage to the bike. The front wheel hit center. The damage was hers alone.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the cyclist and the pedestrian. The cyclist was going straight ahead at the time of impact, and the point of contact was the center front end of the bike. No damage was reported to the bicycle. The report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The harm was borne entirely by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - A taxi making a left turn struck an e-scooter rider traveling straight on West 96 Street. The 26-year-old rider was ejected and suffered facial abrasions. Driver inattention caused the collision, leaving the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling northwest on West 96 Street was making a left turn when it collided with an e-scooter rider going straight north. The point of impact was the taxi's left front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter rider, a 26-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions to his face, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No contributing factors related to the e-scooter rider were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 26 - A driverless box truck struck a parked SUV on West 86 Street. Two men inside the truck suffered injuries including knee abrasions and whiplash. The crash unfolded without ejections but left both occupants conscious and hurt.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling eastward on West 86 Street collided with a parked SUV. The primary contributing factor was a 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle,' indicating loss of control by the truck driver. The box truck's left front bumper impacted the center front end of the SUV. Two male occupants in the truck were injured: a 52-year-old man riding outside the vehicle sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, while the 58-year-old driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV was unoccupied at the time. The report cites no victim behavior contributing to the crash, focusing on the runaway truck as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Three SUVs crashed on West 79 Street in Manhattan amid a police pursuit. One driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The collision involved unsafe speed and multiple impacts on right and left sides of vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:15 AM on West 79 Street near Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. Three SUVs, all traveling east, were involved in a collision during a police pursuit. The vehicles sustained damage primarily to their right and left front bumpers and right side doors. One driver, a 24-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. All drivers involved were male; one was licensed in New York, while another was unlicensed. The collision highlights the dangers posed by high-speed police pursuits and driver errors related to speed management.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731417 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A 37-year-old cyclist struck defective pavement on Broadway. He suffered a head injury and concussion. The crash left him semiconscious. No other vehicles involved. The street itself caused the harm.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Broadway in Manhattan was injured after hitting defective pavement. The report lists "Pavement Defective" as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered a head injury and concussion, and was semiconscious at the scene. No other vehicles were involved. The bike showed no damage. The cyclist was not ejected. The report does not list any victim actions as contributing factors. This crash underscores the danger posed by hazardous street conditions, which directly led to the cyclist's serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Two sedans traveling eastbound collided on West 96th Street in Manhattan. The impact involved the left front bumper of one vehicle and the left rear bumper of the other. A 55-year-old male driver was injured and rendered unconscious.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling eastbound on West 96th Street near West End Avenue when they collided. The point of impact was the left front bumper of a 2021 Lincoln sedan and the left rear bumper of a 2021 Ford sedan. The driver of the Lincoln, a 55-year-old male occupant, was injured and found unconscious at the scene. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed, with no specific contributing factors such as failure to yield or other driver errors noted in the report. The collision caused damage to the left front and rear bumpers of the respective vehicles. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault or note victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 4 - A motorcycle rider suffered severe leg injuries when an SUV executing a U-turn struck the bike’s right side doors. The crash unfolded on West 96th Street, Manhattan, exposing dangers from driver distraction and risky maneuvers in busy traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:10 on West 96th Street in Manhattan. A 61-year-old male motorcycle driver, wearing a helmet, was traveling westbound when a 2024 Ford SUV, also heading west, made a U-turn. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the motorcycle’s right side doors. The motorcycle driver sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain proper attention during the U-turn maneuver. No contributing factors related to the motorcycle driver were noted. The collision underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving and hazardous vehicle maneuvers in dense urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - State Senate passed a bill to double fines for illegal moped dealers. Dealers must register mopeds or face $2,000 penalties. Lawmakers shift blame from riders to vendors. Delivery workers back the move. The bill now heads to the Assembly.

Senate Bill, sponsored by Sen. Liz Kruger (D-Manhattan), passed on June 3, 2024. It doubles fines for unauthorized moped dealers from $1,000 to $2,000 and requires registration at the point of sale. The bill is expected to pass the Assembly, where Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas co-sponsors. The matter summary states: 'Fines against unauthorized moped dealers would be doubled.' Kruger said, 'My bill makes sure we know who is selling mopeds.' González-Rojas added, 'The bill will help alleviate some of the challenges we see around mopeds.' Advocates like Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project support enforcement at the point of sale, noting many dealers are unlicensed. The bill targets vendors, not riders, aiming to protect vulnerable delivery workers and pedestrians.

• ‘The Moped Crisis’: Bill Doubling Fines For Unauthorized Dealers Passes Senate, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 27 - Taxi making left turn struck woman crossing with signal. She suffered upper arm injuries and shock. Driver failed to yield. Impact at intersection. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on West 78 Street made a left turn and struck a 30-year-old woman crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her shoulder and upper arm and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report cites the taxi driver's failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors. The impact was to the vehicle’s left front bumper, but no damage was reported. The pedestrian’s lawful crossing is noted, but not as a contributing factor. Driver errors in yielding and turning led to injury for a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A 33-year-old woman driving a 2017 Acura sedan suffered elbow and lower arm injuries in a collision on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, the crash involved a left front quarter panel impact. The driver was restrained and in shock.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Henry Hudson Parkway involving a 2017 Acura sedan traveling north. The driver, a 33-year-old woman, was injured with elbow and lower arm trauma and experienced shock. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the sedan, with vehicle damage noted on the right front quarter panel. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver-related error or vehicle interaction issues. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A 61-year-old man crossing West 79 Street with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:28 on West 79 Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. A 61-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when he was hit by a 2007 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the collision. The report identifies driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' These factors directly contributed to the crash. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling westbound at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19