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

Sep 2 - An unlicensed e-bike driver sped north on Columbus Avenue. He lost control and crashed, hitting the center front end. The rider was ejected and suffered fractures to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious but seriously injured.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-bike driver was injured in a crash on Columbus Avenue near West 81st Street. The driver was traveling straight ahead at an unsafe speed and was distracted, contributing to the collision. The report notes the driver was unlicensed and was ejected from the vehicle upon impact. He sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike, which also suffered damage. The driver was conscious after the crash but suffered serious injuries. Unsafe speed and driver inattention were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659377 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - A sedan struck a moped on Riverside Drive at night. The moped driver was ejected, both front-seat occupants of the sedan suffered head injuries. Driver distraction and failure to yield right-of-way caused the crash. Abrasions marked the injuries.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east collided with a northbound moped on Riverside Drive. The sedan's driver and front passenger were injured; the driver was ejected and neither wore full safety equipment. The passenger wore a lap belt. Both suffered head injuries and abrasions. The crash resulted from driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The moped struck the sedan's right side doors with its center front end. The sedan was registered in Florida, and the driver was licensed. The report lists driver distraction as a key factor and notes failure to yield by the sedan driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - A USPS mail truck collided with a sedan at West 96 Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. Three men inside the sedan were injured, suffering upper arm, knee, and neck injuries. All occupants were restrained and none were ejected.

According to the police report, a USPS mail truck traveling north struck a sedan heading east on West 96 Street. The point of impact was the mail truck's left front quarter panel and the sedan's right front bumper. Three male occupants in the sedan were injured: a 25-year-old passenger with shoulder and upper arm injuries, a 47-year-old driver with knee and lower leg injuries, and a 62-year-old driver with neck injuries. All were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for the passenger and one driver, while the other driver’s contributing factors are unspecified. No pedestrian involvement or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657454 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 23 - Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

Aug 22 - A Ford SUV struck a Honda sedan from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The SUV overturned. Two men inside the sedan were injured, including a trapped driver and a front passenger with neck abrasions. Driver distraction and unsafe speed caused the crash.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway rear-ended a Honda sedan that was merging. The impact caused the SUV to overturn. The sedan carried three occupants; the 59-year-old male driver was trapped and sustained contusions to his knee and lower leg. The 17-year-old male front passenger suffered neck abrasions. Both were conscious and injured. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The sedan driver was unlicensed. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 14 - A 23-year-old unlicensed moped driver was ejected during a crash on Central Park West. The driver suffered knee and lower leg fractures. The collision involved a vehicle making a U-turn. Driver inattention and inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male moped driver was injured and ejected from his vehicle on Central Park West near West 81st Street. The moped collided front-to-front with another vehicle that was making a U-turn. The moped driver sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver inattention/distraction and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed and was not using any safety equipment. The other vehicle involved showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers of driver errors in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A 49-year-old man on an e-scooter was ejected and suffered head injuries after an SUV struck him on West End Avenue. The driver was semiconscious and injured. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured and ejected in a collision with a 2015 Nissan SUV on West End Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV was traveling south, going straight ahead, and struck the e-scooter driver, who was traveling west. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end. The injured man suffered head injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The e-scooter driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle. No damage was reported to the e-scooter.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A bus and flatbed truck collided on Amsterdam Avenue. The bus’s left front bumper struck the truck’s right rear bumper. A 73-year-old female bus passenger suffered bruises and arm injuries. Driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2021 New Flyer bus and a 2015 Ford flatbed truck, both traveling north on Amsterdam Avenue, collided when the bus’s left front bumper hit the truck’s right rear bumper. The bus carried 10 occupants, including a 73-year-old female passenger who sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Outside Car Distraction" as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction played a role. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - Two sedans crashed on West 96 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers suffered bruises and contusions. Impact hit left side doors and front bumper. Driver distraction and tinted windows contributed. Both men conscious and injured, no ejections reported.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on West 96 Street near Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. Both drivers, aged 32 and 34, were injured with contusions and bruises to the elbow, lower arm, hand, and back. The collision involved impact to the left side doors of one vehicle and the front bumper of the other. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Tinted Windows' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicle. The crash caused moderate injuries but both drivers remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Two sedans crashed head-on on Riverside Drive. Both drivers were going straight. A 58-year-old female driver suffered chest injuries but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. Driver distraction was a factor in the collision.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on on Riverside Drive. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The 58-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The collision caused front-end damage to both vehicles. There were no ejections or other injuries reported. The drivers held valid licenses from New York and New Jersey. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650956 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Jul 31 - Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

Jul 28 - A 40-year-old man on a bike was hit on Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The SUV made a left turn and collided with the bicyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered bruises and an elbow injury. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 2019 SUV traveling south on Riverside Drive made a left turn and struck a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with contusions and an elbow-lower-arm-hand injury but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights driver error in failing to maintain attention during a left turn, resulting in a collision with a vulnerable road user traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - A moped traveling east struck a parked SUV on West 82 Street in Manhattan. The moped driver was ejected and suffered a head injury with minor bleeding. The driver was unconscious at the scene. Unsafe speed was a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east on West 82 Street collided with a parked Ford SUV. The moped driver, a 37-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a head injury with minor bleeding. He was unconscious at the scene. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact. No other occupants were involved. The moped's front center end struck the left front bumper of the SUV. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash occurred in Manhattan's 6th council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646936 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - Taxi drivers rallied at MTA headquarters. They demanded exemption from new congestion tolls. Council Member Gale Brewer backed their call. Drivers said another fee would crush them. The protest spotlighted the fight over who pays for safer, less crowded streets.

On July 18, 2023, taxi drivers with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance protested outside MTA headquarters. The demonstration targeted the Manhattan congestion pricing plan, which aims to raise $15 billion for the MTA and cut traffic. Drivers argued they already pay hefty surcharges and cannot survive another fee. Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) supported the cabbies, both in a letter to MTA chairman Janno Lieber and at the rally. Brewer said, 'I support the concept, but my main topic was not to charge yellow cabs, period. Not even once.' The protest called for a full exemption for yellow and green cab drivers. The MTA has proposed tolls from $9 to $23, but drivers say even a once-a-day charge would threaten their survival. The event underscored the tension between funding transit and protecting workers who keep the city moving.

• Taxi drivers protest ahead of MTA congestion pricing meeting, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-07-18

Jul 14 - Cops seized mopeds from Brooklyn delivery workers. Police claim safety, but data show cars and trucks cause most harm. App companies profit. Immigrant workers pay. Advocates say crackdowns punish the vulnerable, not the reckless. The city misses the real threat.

On July 14, 2023, NYPD officers from Brooklyn’s 78th Precinct seized illegal mopeds from delivery workers outside fast-food chains. The enforcement action follows years of crackdowns dating back to Mayor Bloomberg, ramped up under Mayor de Blasio. Police say the seizures make streets safer, but city crash data show cars and trucks—not e-bikes or mopeds—cause most pedestrian injuries. Delivery worker Roziev Akmal warned, 'Livelihoods will be ruined because of the seizure.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called it 'another example where you see deliveristas being economically impacted.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Council Member Gale Brewer cited constituent complaints, but advocates and legal experts argue enforcement targets workers, not the root causes. The crackdown leaves low-paid, mostly immigrant workers exposed to fines, lost income, and road danger, while app companies escape responsibility.

• Latest Cop Crackdown on Deliveristas Misses the Point: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-14

Jul 14 - Cops seized mopeds from Brooklyn delivery workers. Police claim safety, but data show cars and trucks cause most harm. App companies profit. Immigrant workers pay. Advocates say crackdowns punish the vulnerable, not the reckless. The city misses the real threat.

On July 14, 2023, NYPD officers from Brooklyn’s 78th Precinct seized illegal mopeds from delivery workers outside fast-food chains. The enforcement action follows years of crackdowns dating back to Mayor Bloomberg, ramped up under Mayor de Blasio. Police say the seizures make streets safer, but city crash data show cars and trucks—not e-bikes or mopeds—cause most pedestrian injuries. Delivery worker Roziev Akmal warned, 'Livelihoods will be ruined because of the seizure.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called it 'another example where you see deliveristas being economically impacted.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Council Member Gale Brewer cited constituent complaints, but advocates and legal experts argue enforcement targets workers, not the root causes. The crackdown leaves low-paid, mostly immigrant workers exposed to fines, lost income, and road danger, while app companies escape responsibility.

• Latest Cop Crackdown on Deliveristas Misses the Point: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-14

Jul 11 - Tempers flared on W. 103rd Street. Council Member Gale Brewer called in a mediator. Residents clashed over keeping the Open Street. Pedestrians and children gained space. Drivers lost parking. DOT pressed on. Community split. Safety, inclusion, and slow traffic hung in the balance.

On July 11, 2023, Council Member Gale Brewer intervened in a fierce dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street, Upper West Side. The matter, described as a 'heated debate,' forced Brewer to bring in mediator Ayanna Behin for a community meeting. Community Board 7 had already voted 38-1 to support DOT’s plan for permanent safety upgrades—planters, neckdowns, and traffic calming. The project, according to supporters, is 'inclusive, safe,' and will make 'intersections a lot safer.' Opponents cited lost parking and process concerns. Brewer acknowledged the deep divides: generational, class, and car-ownership. DOT will proceed, weighing community feedback. The fight spotlights the city’s struggle to prioritize vulnerable road users over cars.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-11

Jul 11 - Councilmember Lincoln Restler stepped in as tempers flared over the fate of W. 103rd Street’s Open Street. Residents clashed over safety, parking, and public space. Despite mediation, the street’s future remains uncertain. DOT plans safety upgrades, but divisions run deep.

On July 11, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) intervened in a heated Upper West Side dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street. The matter, titled 'Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator,' saw Restler mentioned as a mediator in a conflict marked by sharp divides. Community Board 7 had previously voted 38-1 to make the Open Street permanent, with DOT planning safety improvements like planters and neckdowns. The meeting, facilitated by Ayanna Behin, exposed generational and class rifts. Supporters cited safety and inclusion for pedestrians and youth. Opponents focused on lost parking and process. Despite the mediation, the Department of Transportation intends to move forward, adjusting plans based on feedback. Vulnerable road users remain at the center of the debate, as the city weighs public space against car dominance.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-11

Jul 1 - A pick-up truck turning left struck a bicyclist going north on Central Park West. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver showed inattention and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling north on Central Park West in Manhattan. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including inattention, distraction, and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was also noted for unsafe speed and improper lane usage. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious but was injured. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The truck's left front bumper and the bike's center front end were the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642435 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19