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

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

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 2025-08-04

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

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

A 73-year-old woman suffered a head injury after a taxi made a left turn and struck her while she crossed West End Avenue outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian was incoherent and bleeding, highlighting dangers from driver maneuvers in Manhattan streets.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on West End Avenue made a left turn and struck a 73-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The impact occurred at the taxi's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a head injury, was incoherent, and had minor bleeding. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not assign fault to her. The absence of vehicle damage suggests a low-speed collision. This incident underscores the risks posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians crossing mid-block in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway collided. The impact struck the right rear bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A 62-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, experiencing shock and pain.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway near West 79th Street when they collided. The point of impact was the right rear bumper of a 2006 Mercedes sedan and the left front bumper of a 2022 Infiniti sedan. The 62-year-old male driver of the Mercedes, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the collision but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A Ford SUV turned left on Amsterdam. Its bumper struck a 69-year-old woman crossing with the light. She fell. She died there, in the crosswalk, as traffic moved on. Outside distraction and driver error ended her life.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 96th Street in Manhattan. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' in the crosswalk when a Ford SUV, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered fatal injuries to her lower leg and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The victim’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted, but the crash was precipitated by the driver’s failure to yield and inattention. The system allowed an ordinary turn to become deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and sedan collided northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. Both drivers distracted. SUV driver, woman, 56, suffered back injury and whiplash. Impact struck bumpers. Distraction led to pain and metal.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV and sedan collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. The 56-year-old female SUV driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers as the cause. The SUV hit the sedan's rear bumper with its front. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, as listed in the report. No other contributing factors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 72-year-old woman crossing with the signal was hit by a sedan making an improper right turn on West 96th Street. The impact caused head injuries and whiplash. The driver’s failure to yield created a dangerous collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 96th Street made an improper right turn and struck a 72-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and complained of whiplash, with injury severity classified as moderate. The point of impact was the right side doors of the vehicle. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error as the cause. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by improper turning maneuvers in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771069 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 33-year-old male motorcyclist suffered upper arm abrasions in a crash on West 96 Street. The rider was wearing a helmet but was injured due to driver inexperience and distraction. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male motorcyclist was injured at 12:50 on West 96 Street. The rider was the sole occupant of a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveling westbound, going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. Injuries included abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The report explicitly highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the rider's behavior beyond these factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 79-year-old woman driving a sedan on Broadway suffered back injuries after a collision. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the crash. The vehicle struck with its right front bumper, damaging the center front end.

At 11:56 AM on Broadway near West 77 Street in Manhattan, a 79-year-old female driver operating a 2023 Ford sedan was injured in a crash. According to the police report, the driver was the sole occupant and was wearing a lap belt. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors to the collision. The vehicle was traveling southbound, going straight ahead, when the impact occurred at the right front bumper, resulting in damage to the center front end. The driver sustained back injuries and was semiconscious but not ejected from the vehicle. No other parties were involved or injured. The data highlights driver error as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or external factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan’s left turn carved a path across West 96th. A motorcycle slammed its bumper. The rider, helmetless, soared and crashed down. His shoulder shattered. Blood pooled. He stared skyward, awake, pain radiating through the morning air.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a left turn at the corner of West 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue when a motorcycle traveling straight struck the car’s left front bumper. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The impact ejected the 25-year-old motorcycle rider, who was not wearing a helmet, from his bike. He landed hard in the street, sustaining severe crush injuries to his shoulder and upper arm. The report describes the rider as conscious and bleeding at the scene. The collision underscores the danger posed when drivers turn improperly, cutting across the path of oncoming traffic. The police report notes the absence of a helmet only after citing driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765459 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 83-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on West 96th Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a head injury and contusion. The pedestrian remained conscious despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:43 on West 96th Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. A 2024 Jeep SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck an 83-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and contusion but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage despite the center front end point of impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. This collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 53-year-old female bicyclist was violently ejected and suffered a neck fracture in Manhattan. The crash occurred near West 76 Street. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the collision, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female bicyclist was injured and ejected from her bike at Eastbound near West 76 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered a neck fracture, dislocation, and distortion, classified as injury severity level 3. The report attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' indicating the driver failed to maintain focus. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of the bike, traveling straight ahead when the impact occurred on the left side doors. No damage was reported to the involved vehicles, and no other contributing factors were specified. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turned right and struck a 23-year-old cyclist on Riverside Drive. The rider, helmeted, was partially ejected and injured. Driver’s unsafe lane use and improper passing fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a Ford sedan making a right turn on Riverside Drive in Manhattan hit a 23-year-old male bicyclist who was riding straight. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors: improper passing and unsafe lane usage. The cyclist’s own confusion is noted but does not lessen the impact of the driver’s mistakes. The sedan’s center front end struck the cyclist, showing a direct hit. The driver was licensed. The crash highlights the danger of unsafe maneuvers by drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763409 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City Council arms FDNY with power to shut repeat e-bike battery offenders. New laws target shops selling illegal lithium-ion batteries. Enforcement ramps up. Fires drop, but uncertified batteries still threaten. Online sales remain unchecked. City pushes inspections, but incentives lag.

On September 21, 2024, the City Council enacted Local Law 49 and Local Law 50, empowering officials to padlock businesses that repeatedly violate lithium-ion battery safety rules. The Committee on Consumer Affairs advanced the bills, with Council Member Gale Brewer introducing both. The laws allow FDNY to close retailers who breach Local Law 39 three times in three years. The official matter summary states: 'The city can now forcibly close repeat offender shops that sell illegal lithium-ion batteries and micromobility devices.' Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vera Mayuga called the issue urgent. Baruch Herzfeld, CEO of Pop Wheels, backed the law but urged more incentives for certified batteries and safe charging. While fires have dropped since last year, uncertified batteries still pose danger. The city has inspected over 650 shops and issued 275 violations, but online sales remain a loophole.

• Power Play: City Can Now Padlock Businesses Violating Lithium-Ion Battery Rules, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-10

Gale Brewer, once a bike ally, now supports state e-bike registration and park bans. She cites pressure and rising complaints. Critics say these moves target delivery workers, not danger. Data shows cars, not e-bikes, drive most injuries. Streets grow harsher for the vulnerable.

On October 8, 2024, Council Member Gale Brewer publicly reversed her stance, now supporting state-level e-bike registration and a blanket ban on e-bikes in city parks, as proposed in Intro 60. Brewer, speaking at an E-Vehicle Safety Alliance town hall, said, "I will sign on to that bill. That's not an issue." She attributes her change to the existence of state bills and constituent pressure, but refuses to back Council Member Bob Holden's city bill. Julie Menin also endorsed strict registration and park bans. Critics, including advocacy groups, warn these measures will hit low-wage, immigrant delivery workers hardest and undermine efforts to reduce car use. Data shows pedestrian injuries from e-bikes remain flat, while cars cause most harm. Brewer's shift marks a retreat from policies that protect vulnerable road users.

• Gale Brewer Flips on E-Bike Registration Due To ‘Nasty’ Pressure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-08

A sedan making a left turn collided with a taxi traveling straight on Amsterdam Avenue. The sedan driver suffered facial injuries from the impact. Police cite driver inattention, distraction, and unsafe lane changing as causes behind the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:45 on Amsterdam Avenue involving a 2004 Honda sedan and a 2023 Toyota taxi. The sedan driver, a 46-year-old male, was making a left turn when the collision happened. The taxi was traveling north going straight ahead. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the taxi. The sedan driver sustained facial injuries and was conscious, wearing a lap belt at the time. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited. The crash highlights the dangers of inattentive driving and unsafe maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 15-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury on Riverside Drive. The crash caused a concussion and left him injured but conscious. The bike’s front center end was damaged in the impact, highlighting a violent collision.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male bicyclist riding northbound on Riverside Drive was ejected from his bike and sustained a head injury classified as a concussion. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but suffered significant injury severity rated at level 3. The bike sustained damage to the center front end, indicating a direct impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors or other vehicles involved. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The absence of detailed contributing factors in the report points to a violent single-vehicle incident with serious consequences for the vulnerable rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764420 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04