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

Jan 26 - A sedan hit a 31-year-old man crossing Amsterdam Avenue near West 91st. The impact bruised his knee, leg, and foot. He was in shock. The driver kept straight. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a northbound sedan while crossing Amsterdam Avenue near West 91st Street in Manhattan at 12:30 PM. The man was not at an intersection or crosswalk. He suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock at the scene. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage and had only the driver inside. No mention of pedestrian safety equipment or behaviors contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 23 - Senator Hoylman-Sigal pushes a bill to force state cars to obey speed limits. Agencies must plan and install speed control tech. No loopholes. No delay. The city’s streets demand it.

Senate bill S 3042, introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), requires all state agencies to develop and execute a plan to equip their vehicles with active intelligent speed assistance systems. The bill was introduced on January 23, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The matter title reads: 'Requires state agencies to prepare an active intelligent speed assistance system plan for the equipment of all state agency vehicles with active intelligent speed assistance systems.' Hoylman-Sigal leads the charge to rein in reckless state driving. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 3042, Open States, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 22 - A 38-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Amsterdam Ave. The pedestrian suffered severe abdominal and pelvic injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:20 AM on Amsterdam Ave near W 95 St in Manhattan. A 38-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the street with the signal when he was struck by a Chevrolet SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, including fractures and dislocations, and remained conscious after the collision. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash highlights critical driver errors leading to severe pedestrian harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - A taxi slammed into a 92-year-old woman as she stepped from a car on West 95th. Her leg was crushed. The driver, distracted, failed to see her. The street bore witness. She stayed awake through the pain.

A 92-year-old woman was struck by a taxi on West 95th Street in Manhattan while stepping down from a vehicle, according to the police report. The impact crushed her leg, leaving her conscious but severely injured. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver’s failure to pay attention directly led to the collision. The report also notes the pedestrian was 'Getting On/Off Vehicle Other Than School Bus' and lists 'Listening/Using Headphones' as an additional factor, but only after the driver’s distraction. The cab showed no visible damage, and the narrative underscores the pain left on the street. The crash highlights the danger posed when drivers fail to remain alert, especially around vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 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

Jan 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

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 324 demands complete street design for state- and federally-funded projects. Sponsors push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars. Safety for all hangs in the balance.

Assembly Bill A 324 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers—when building or upgrading roads. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and many others. The bill also directs the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note yet, but the measure’s intent is clear: streets should protect the most vulnerable, not just move traffic.

• File A 324, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Dec 31 - A 53-year-old male bicyclist suffered a back contusion after a Manhattan SUV changed lanes unsafely. The SUV struck the cyclist’s left side doors, causing injury but no ejection. The crash occurred on Amsterdam Avenue near West 79th Street.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 17:37 on Amsterdam Avenue near West 79th Street in Manhattan. A 2013 Honda SUV, traveling east, was changing lanes unsafely when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling east. The SUV impacted the cyclist’s left side doors with its right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 53-year-old male, sustained a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the primary contributing factor. The bicyclist was not ejected and no other contributing victim behaviors were noted. The driver of the SUV was licensed in New Jersey. This collision underscores the dangers posed by improper lane changes to vulnerable road users in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 29 - A speeding SUV struck a sedan from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan’s young driver and front passenger suffered neck and head injuries, both in shock. The SUV’s rear bumper was damaged; the sedan was demolished in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:38 on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 2024 Nissan SUV traveling south struck a 2010 BMW sedan from behind. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to control speed. The sedan’s driver, a 17-year-old male with a learner’s permit from Virginia, and a 24-year-old female front passenger were both injured, suffering head and neck injuries respectively, and were reported in shock. Neither occupant used safety equipment. The SUV’s left rear bumper was damaged at the center back end, while the sedan was demolished at the point of impact. The report highlights the driver error of unsafe speed by the SUV operator as the primary cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 23 - A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

Dec 19 - A taxi crashed into two parked SUVs on West 87th Street. The impact hurt a 35-year-old woman riding in one SUV. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left her in shock, with back pain. Stationary cars, moving danger.

According to the police report, a taxi heading west on West 87th Street in Manhattan struck two parked SUVs. The taxi hit the left rear bumper of one SUV and the right rear bumper of another. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. A 35-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat of one SUV suffered back injuries and shock. She was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash damaged the left rear quarter panel and rear bumpers of the parked vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted. The report highlights the risk when distracted drivers collide with stationary vehicles, injuring those inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 19 - Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Dec 15 - Gale Brewer backs tougher rules for delivery apps, not blanket e-bike crackdowns. She calls for speed limits, tracking, and safer batteries. Brewer rejects citywide licensing, focusing on big companies. Pedestrians stay at risk while apps dodge responsibility.

On December 15, 2024, Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) took a public stance in an editorial titled, "NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps." Brewer opposes citywide licensing and registration of all e-bikes, a measure supported by Councilman Bob Holden, calling it impractical. Instead, she urges the City Council to target commercial e-bike use by requiring delivery giants like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Amazon to track their contractors’ speed, direction, and sidewalk riding, and report violations to city regulators. Brewer also proposes a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and mandates running lights for visibility. She highlights the danger of unsafe lithium-ion batteries and calls for stricter oversight. Brewer’s approach shifts responsibility from individual riders to the corporations profiting from delivery, aiming to protect the city’s 8 million pedestrians from reckless riding and battery fires.

• NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps, nydailynews.com, Published 2024-12-15

Dec 11 - Council grilled the Adams administration over a bill to license e-bikes and scooters. Supporters called it common sense. Critics warned it targets delivery workers. Tension ran high. Most deaths still come from cars, not bikes. The fight is far from over.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to require city-level licensing and registration for e-bikes and e-scooters not covered by state law. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden, claims to address 'the proliferation of these vehicles' and their impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, District 19, insisted, 'This is a safety issue.' Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez countered, 'We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams warned the bill would 'have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants.' A separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer supports licensing only for commercial e-bikes. The hearing exposed deep rifts over enforcement, equity, and the real sources of street danger.

• NYC Council, Adams admin spar over license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-11

Dec 10 - Council Member Paladino’s bid to ban e-bikes from city parks failed at Manhattan Community Board 2. Members called the bill vague, redundant, and unenforceable. Even e-bike skeptics dismissed it. The board demanded real solutions, not empty gestures or propaganda.

Bill number not specified. On December 10, 2024, Manhattan Community Board 2’s transportation and parks committees reviewed Council Member Vickie Paladino’s proposal to ban e-bikes from city parks. The committees voted overwhelmingly against it. The matter, described as an effort to 'make it more harmonious and safer for people in parks,' was criticized as 'not fleshed out.' Paladino, a Queens Republican, failed to provide data or address existing rules. Co-sponsor Gale Brewer admitted she signed on under pressure and doubted enforcement. Committee members Shirley Secunda, Susanna Aaron, Janet Liff, and Jeannine Kiely all voiced strong opposition, calling the bill redundant and inadequate. The Central Park Conservancy declined to endorse a ban, urging more protected bike lanes instead. The board found the proposal did nothing for safety and ignored systemic issues.

• ‘Not Fleshed Out’: Paladino’s E-Bike Ban Falls Flat at Manhattan Civic Panel, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-10

Dec 9 - A 24-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured after colliding with a sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. The rider suffered abrasions and upper arm injuries, remaining conscious at the scene. The crash occurred during a merging maneuver at night.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male moped driver, helmeted and licensed in New York, was involved in a collision with a sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway around 9 PM. The moped was traveling northeast and merging when the crash occurred, impacting the center back end of the moped. The rider was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and upper arm injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver remained conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors for the crash, but the merging maneuver preceding the collision suggests driver error related to vehicle positioning or failure to yield. No factors related to the victim's actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 9 - City plans to lift helicopter flight limits at Downtown Manhattan Heliport. New contract would allow more tourist flights if half use electric aircraft. Advocates and Council Member Restler slam the move. They demand a ban on non-essential, luxury air travel.

On December 9, 2024, the city released a draft contract proposing to lift the cap on helicopter flights at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Economic Development Corporation, which manages the heliport, seeks to allow more flights if 50 percent use electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), pending FAA approval. The matter summary states: 'The city could lift a years-old cap on helicopter trips at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in order to get companies to pivot to electric aircraft.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods, criticized the plan and called for a ban on non-essential tourism and luxury air taxi flights. Restler previously introduced legislation to ban such trips, but it failed. Advocates Melissa Elstein and Andrew Rosenthal of Stop The Chop also oppose the plan, citing noise, quality of life, and expanded luxury service. The contract includes expanded lounges and segregated passenger flows, which advocates see as a move to boost luxury air travel.

• City Eyes More Tour Flights From Downtown Heliport With Electric Aircraft, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-09