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

State lawmakers push Sammy’s Law after a deadly year. The bill gives New York City power to set its own speed limits. Advocates cite 257 lives lost to reckless drivers. Lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The fight continues in Albany.

Sammy’s Law, a state bill, would let New York City control its own speed limits. The measure stalled last year when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie blocked a vote, despite support from Governor Hochul, the state Senate, Mayor Adams, and the City Council. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, who sponsors the bill, rallied outside Heastie’s office, saying, 'Last year, 257 people were killed on New York City streets by reckless and speeding drivers. Each of these deaths was preventable.' Amy Cohen, whose son Sammy was killed in 2013, called for urgent action: 'We can’t wait any longer. People like Sammy, and so many others are dying on our streets.' Advocates point to a 36-percent drop in pedestrian deaths after the city lowered speed limits in 2014. The bill would not set new limits automatically, but would give the city the power to act.

• New Year, New Opportunity to Pass ‘Sammy’s Law’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-18

A taxi traveling south struck a sedan making a left turn on West 97 Street in Manhattan. The sedan’s driver, a 62-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on West 97 Street collided with a sedan making a left turn. The sedan’s 62-year-old male driver was injured, suffering back trauma and shock. The taxi’s left front quarter panel and the sedan’s center front end were damaged. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. The taxi was also occupied by a single licensed male driver. The crash occurred in Manhattan’s 10025 zip code near Broadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council Member Gale Brewer pushes a bill to allow some street vendors on wide bridge paths. The measure rejects a total ban. It sets strict limits: only on spans at least 16 feet wide, with 20 feet between sellers. Enforcement remains a challenge.

On December 15, 2023, Council Member Gale Brewer introduced a bill in the New York City Council to regulate street vending on bridges. The bill, debated in committee, would permit vendors only on bridge walkways at least 16 feet wide and require 20 feet between each seller. Bridge approaches would remain off-limits. Brewer stated, 'I believe strongly that a full ban on vendors is not necessary,' and argued for clear, enforceable rules. The Department of Transportation had proposed a total ban on vending across all city-owned bridges, citing overcrowding. Brewer’s bill seeks a middle ground, allowing limited vending while addressing safety and crowding. Vendor advocates welcomed relief from a total ban but warned the spacing rule would be hard to enforce. The bill’s fate remains undecided.

• New Bill Would Allow Some Street Vendors on Bridges Amid Push for Total Ban, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-15

Upper West Side’s board voted 8-1 to demand crackdowns on unregistered mopeds. The resolution urges city and state to punish illegal dealers, enforce laws, and back Albany’s registration bill. Lawmakers say loopholes fuel chaos. Immigrants often misled. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 14, 2023, Community Board 7’s transportation committee passed a resolution, 8-1, demanding action against unregistered mopeds. The board called on the Department of Motor Vehicles to impose civil penalties on unregistered dealers and urged city and state officials to enforce laws against selling non-street-legal mopeds. The resolution also asks the city to consider a buy-back program for gas-powered mopeds. The matter, titled 'Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds,' supports Albany legislation requiring sellers to register mopeds with the DMV before sale. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores sponsor the bill. Bores said, 'We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets.' The board’s move aims to close loopholes, protect vulnerable road users, and address the chaos caused by unregistered mopeds.

• Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

E-bike hit a 70-year-old woman crossing West 89th. She suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cite traffic control disregarded and unsafe speed by the e-bike operator. The woman remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old female pedestrian was struck by an eastbound e-bike on West 89th Street in Manhattan. The woman was crossing outside a crosswalk when the crash happened. The report lists the e-bike operator's errors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Unsafe Speed." The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion but stayed conscious. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The e-bike struck her at the center front end while going straight. This crash shows the danger when e-bike operators ignore traffic controls and speed near vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped traveling west on West 83 Street hit a 32-year-old male pedestrian outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver’s unsafe speed and aggressive driving caused the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling west on West 83 Street struck a 32-year-old male pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the driver’s contributing factors as unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and suffered serious lower limb injuries. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan stopped in traffic was rear-ended by a taxi on West 86 Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver, a 40-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The taxi driver fell asleep and followed too closely. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on West 86 Street rear-ended a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The sedan's driver, a 40-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report lists the taxi driver's errors as falling asleep and following too closely. Both vehicles showed no damage despite the collision. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The sedan was stationary when struck from behind. No other persons were injured or ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682795 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 46-year-old man riding a motorcycle south on West 77 Street was ejected after colliding with a bus. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcycle showed no damage. The bus had no occupants.

According to the police report, a motorcycle driver was injured after a collision with a bus on West 77 Street. The 46-year-old male driver was ejected from his motorcycle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcycle was traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred, impacting the left front quarter panel of the bus. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any specific driver errors. The bus had no occupants and showed no damage. The motorcyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Gale Brewer rejects Holden’s e-bike registration push. She calls it ineffective and burdensome. Brewer backs bills for safer batteries and worker training. Thirty-one groups join her. Critics warn registration means more stops, fewer bikes, and more danger for riders.

On November 13, 2023, Council Member Gale Brewer (D-Upper West Side) publicly opposed Council Member Bob Holden’s proposed e-bike registration bill. The bill, not yet passed, would require every e-bike in New York City to be registered with the Department of Transportation. Brewer stated, “I do not believe a blanket e-bike registration rule will make streets safer, nor is NYC DOT equipped to establish, manage or enforce it.” She instead sponsors Intro. 1168, mandating safe lithium-ion batteries for delivery workers, and Intro. 1163, requiring worker training and identification. Thirty-one organizations endorsed Brewer’s approach, calling Holden’s bill “ineffective, dangerous, expensive, short-sighted, and bureaucratically complicated.” Council Members Rita Joseph and Sandy Nurse also withdrew support. Opponents argue the registration bill could suppress e-bike use, increase police stops in communities of color, and worsen traffic violence. Holden dismissed these concerns, insisting his bill is vital for safety.

• Key Upper West Side Pol Gale Brewer Comes Out Against E-Bike Registration Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-13

A bike struck an 8-year-old boy crossing Riverside Drive with the signal. The child suffered a head injury. Police cite failure to yield and inattention by the cyclist. Impact was at the bike’s front center.

According to the police report, a bike traveling east on Riverside Drive struck an 8-year-old pedestrian who was crossing with the signal near West 85 Street. The child suffered a head abrasion. The report lists the cyclist’s failure to yield right-of-way and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the bike’s center front end. There is no mention of helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash resulted from the driver’s errors; the pedestrian was not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi struck a bicyclist from behind on West 79 Street. The cyclist suffered chest bruises but remained conscious. The crash damaged the left side of both vehicles. Police cited the taxi driver for following too closely and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on West 79 Street collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old man, sustained chest contusions but was conscious at the scene. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of both vehicles. The taxi driver was cited for following too closely and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing a helmet. The crash caused damage to the left side doors of the taxi and the left front quarter panel of the bike. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

SUV backed unsafely. Sedan driver hit. Shoulder and arm injured. Whiplash. Parkway traffic. Metal and pain. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, an SUV on Henry Hudson Parkway backed unsafely into a sedan. The sedan driver, a 49-year-old man, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained at the time of the crash. The SUV had been stopped in traffic before reversing. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor. No other errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 43-year-old man was hit by a sedan while working in the roadway on West 86 Street. The driver, distracted and facing glare, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle’s front center. The man suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 86 Street struck a pedestrian working in the roadway at an intersection. The pedestrian, a 43-year-old man, sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report lists the driver’s inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with glare affecting visibility. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or pedestrian error were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan struck a bicyclist on West 81 Street near Amsterdam Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries. The driver was distracted. The bike and car both traveled northwest. The cyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan parked on West 81 Street was involved in a collision with a bicyclist traveling northwest. The bicyclist was ejected from the bike and sustained injuries to the shoulder and upper arm, with abrasions reported. The driver of the sedan was identified as inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet. The sedan was damaged on its left side doors, and the bike showed damage to its center front end. The driver of the sedan was licensed, while the bicyclist was unlicensed. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Albany lawmakers move to force moped registration before sale. The bill aims to block illegal, unregistered mopeds from city streets. Dealers, not riders, would handle paperwork. Advocates say this targets bad actors and protects pedestrians from rogue machines.

On October 23, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill in Albany to require moped dealers to register vehicles with the DMV before buyers leave the shop. The bill, supported by Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Upper East Side), seeks to close a loophole that lets illegal mopeds flood city streets. The matter summary states: 'New legislation in Albany seeks to eliminate the use of illegal mopeds by requiring sellers to register them with the DMV before buyers can take them out of the shop.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This common-sense bill would simply ensure that the registration happens at the point of sale, before someone rides out of the shop.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project backs the move, stressing manufacturer responsibility. Attorney Daniel Flanzig says the law could clear streets of unregistered, dangerous vehicles. The bill is not yet law, but enforcement actions against illegal mopeds are already underway.

• State Lawmaker Seeks to Close Moped-Registration Loophole, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

An SUV making a U-turn struck a moped rider traveling west on West 86 Street. The moped driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as causes.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male moped driver was injured when a 2021 SUV made a U-turn on West 86 Street and collided with the moped. The moped rider was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and improper passing or lane usage as contributing factors. The SUV struck the moped on its left side doors, while the moped was hit at its center front end. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672758 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A distracted driver merged on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 50-year-old motorcyclist was ejected. He hit the ground hard. He suffered leg injuries and abrasions. The crash left the bike smashed at the front.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway collided with another vehicle merging in the same direction. The 50-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The motorcycle was damaged at the center front end, while the other vehicle was struck on the right front quarter panel. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan struck a station wagon on West End Avenue. Both drivers and a front passenger suffered head contusions. Airbags deployed. No ejections. Damage limited to the sedan’s front end. Injuries were moderate but serious enough to note.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male driver and a 47-year-old male front passenger were injured in a collision involving a sedan and a station wagon on West End Avenue. Both occupants sustained head contusions and were conscious at the scene. The sedan showed front-end damage, while the station wagon had no visible damage. Airbags deployed and lap belts were used. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injuries were classified as moderate, with no ejections reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669878 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council Member Holden’s e-bike license bill piles red tape on riders but leaves pedestrians exposed. The proposal skips real fixes—wider sidewalks, protected lanes, safer work rules. It targets e-bikes, not the cars and street chaos that truly endanger walkers.

Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill, co-sponsored by a Council majority, to require licenses for all e-bikes. The bill, discussed in October 2023, has not specified a streamlined process for licensing. The matter’s summary states: 'Holden's bill does nothing to rectify the fundamental issues of inadequate space and dangerous workplace practices.' Holden and his colleagues push regulation, but critics say the bill ignores the real threats: narrow sidewalks, blocked crosswalks, and unsafe delivery work. The proposal would burden riders and discourage micromobility, while failing to address illegal mopeds or car dominance. State Senator Brad Hoylman’s employer-provided ID plan is cited as a better alternative. The opinion calls for protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and fair enforcement, not more bureaucracy. Holden’s bill, critics argue, misses the mark for pedestrian safety.

• Opinion: Holden’s E-Bike License Proposal Misses the Mark on Pedestrian Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

A pick-up truck struck a 55-year-old male bicyclist on Amsterdam Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered facial injuries with minor bleeding. The crash happened at night. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way by the driver as a factor.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male bicyclist was injured after being hit by a 2023 Ford pick-up truck traveling west on Amsterdam Avenue. The bicyclist, traveling north, was ejected and sustained facial injuries with minor bleeding. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor attributed to the truck driver. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck's point of impact was the left front quarter panel, while the bike was struck at its center front end. The driver of the truck was licensed and going straight ahead before the collision. The crash left the bicyclist semiconscious and injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669050 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07