Children Die Waiting for Courage

Taxi plows into cyclist on Broadway. Rider thrown, back shattered. Driver distracted. Streets unforgiving. System failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist was struck by a northbound taxi while riding east on Broadway at 17:24. The taxi hit the bike at its left front bumper, ejecting the cyclist and causing severe back injuries, including fractures and dislocations. The cyclist was semiconscious after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No cyclist errors or helmet issues were cited. This crash shows the grave risk distracted drivers pose to people moving through New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694954 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned left, struck a 67-year-old man crossing with the signal on West 105 Street. The impact caused head injuries and bleeding. Driver failed to yield. Pedestrian left incoherent in the street.

According to the police report, a 2010 Ford SUV traveling south on West 105 Street made a left turn and struck a 67-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered head injuries, minor bleeding, and was incoherent after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV's center front end hit the pedestrian and sustained damage. No pedestrian errors contributed to the crash. The driver was licensed in New York. This collision highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield to people crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698822 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council calls for state action on Sammy’s Law and SAFE Streets Act. The bills would let New York City lower speed limits and give crash victims new rights. Lawmakers push to curb deadly driving and protect those on foot and bike.

Resolution 0549-2023, filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The resolution, introduced April 11, 2023, and filed December 31, 2023, calls for 'allowing New York City to establish a lower speed limit, and enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led sponsorship, joined by Gutiérrez, Restler, and others. The package aims to cut speeds, redesign streets, and support crash victims. It would let the city set safer limits, require safe passing for cyclists, and mandate complete street design. The council’s action spotlights the urgent need to protect people walking, biking, and riding in New York.

• File Res 0549-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-31

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

A sedan struck a bicyclist riding north on Amsterdam Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fractures to the knee and lower leg. The driver showed inattention and distraction. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged; the bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male bicyclist was injured after a 2024 Acura sedan collided with him on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan, driven by a female with a learner's permit, had damage to its right front bumper. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bicyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown, and no other contributing factors were noted. The crash occurred while both vehicles were traveling straight north. The impact point was the sedan’s right front bumper and the bike’s center back end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 72-year-old woman crossing Columbus Avenue with the signal was hit by a sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Columbus Avenue struck a 72-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at an intersection. The driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the left front bumper. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Mayor Adams backs taking 150,000 parking spots for garbage containers. He calls it a small price for cleaner streets. The plan shifts trash from sidewalks to bins, clearing paths for pedestrians. Council member Abreu supports the West Harlem pilot. Resistance remains.

"What’s happening in West Harlem – it’s working." -- Shaun Abreu

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced support for the Sanitation Department's plan to repurpose 150,000 parking spaces for containerized garbage collection. The policy, unveiled by DSNY, aims to move trash from sidewalks into closed bins, targeting cleaner streets and less sidewalk clutter. The mayor said, 'Everyday New Yorkers are tired of the rodents, they’re tired of the trash, and this is a small price to pay on ensuring that you can have cleaner streets.' Council member Shaun Abreu, representing West Harlem, voiced strong support, citing visible improvements from the local pilot. The plan requires smaller buildings to use wheeled bins on sidewalks, while larger buildings would get shared curbside containers. The city faces pushback from some residents, but Adams insists street cleanliness is a top concern. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the move could clear sidewalks for pedestrians and reduce hazards from trash piles.

• Adams: Eliminating ‘Parking’ for Trash is ‘Small Price to Pay’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

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 cyclist lies in critical condition after a crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street. Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out the city’s inaction. The intersection has claimed lives before. The community rallies, but danger remains. Cyclists keep dying. The city stalls.

On September 26, 2023, Councilmember Shahana Hanif (District 39) issued a statement following a severe crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street in Park Slope. The incident left Jacob Priley, a cyclist and advocate, critically injured. Hanif highlighted the intersection’s deadly history, referencing the 2021 death of Arcellie Muschamp. She pressed the Department of Transportation for urgent safety upgrades, saying, 'How many more crashes until the DOT pays attention?' Hanif noted the recent completion of a protected bike lane on Ninth Street but stressed that more action is needed. She thanked neighbors for their support and vowed to work with the DOT. So far in 2023, 3,702 cyclists have been injured and 22 killed on New York City streets. The city’s pace on safety remains too slow for those at risk.

• Brooklyn rallies behind biker critically injured in Park Slope crash, raises funds for medical bills, amny.com, Published 2023-09-26

Sanitation trucks now lift curbside bins in West Harlem. No more sidewalk trash bags. Ten blocks and fourteen schools lose parking, gain cleaner streets. Rats lose ground. Council Member Abreu and DSNY back the change. Some residents cheer. Others worry about access.

On September 15, 2023, New York City launched a containerized garbage collection pilot in West Harlem. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) rolled out mechanical lifts on trucks to empty curbside containers, covering ten residential blocks and fourteen schools. The pilot aims to 'eliminate sidewalk trash bags, combat rats, and reclaim public roadway space from private car storage.' Council Member Shaun Abreu and DSNY officials publicly supported the program, with Abreu stating, 'Rats are a huge problem uptown, and we’ll never get the problem under control as long as we’re just throwing bags on the sidewalk.' Jonathan Viguers, DSNY assistant commissioner, acknowledged the removal of parking spaces as necessary. The initiative is part of Mayor Adams's anti-rat campaign. While some residents praise cleaner sidewalks, others raise concerns about accessibility and overflow. The city may expand the program, but faces cost and political hurdles.

• First Trash of History: City Starts Containerized Garbage Collection In West Harlem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-15

An e-bike and e-scooter collided on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old woman, suffered an eye injury and minor bleeding. Police cited passing too closely as the cause. Both vehicles showed no damage.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling east and an e-scooter traveling north collided on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old woman, was injured with an eye injury and minor bleeding. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor to the crash. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. Both vehicles had no visible damage, and the point of impact was the left side doors. The report does not specify any other contributing factors or actions by the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666466 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 20-year-old unlicensed driver crashed a 2023 sedan into a parked ambulance on Cathedral Parkway in Manhattan. The driver suffered a concussion and head injury. A 34-year-old passenger was injured with arm trauma. Unsafe speed caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male driver operating a 2023 Kia sedan struck the left rear bumper of a parked 2014 ambulance on Cathedral Parkway, Manhattan. The driver was injured with a concussion and head trauma, and was incoherent at the scene. A 34-year-old male front passenger suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm and was in shock. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor. The driver was unlicensed. The ambulance was stationary at the time of impact. Both occupants were restrained, with the driver using a lap belt. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A female SUV driver struck a sedan from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The impact injured the SUV driver’s lower leg and knee. Police cited following too closely and driver inexperience as causes. Both vehicles traveled northbound at the time.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female driver of a 2020 SUV rear-ended a 2010 sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. The SUV driver suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock at the scene. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead northbound when the collision occurred. The SUV sustained damage to its center back end, while the sedan was damaged at its center front end. The injured driver was not ejected and complained of pain or nausea. No other persons were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Paris rips out parking. Sidewalks widen. Intersections clear. Mayor Anne Hidalgo puts pedestrians first. No crackdown on e-bikes. Cars, not cyclists, face the squeeze. Advocates say New York should follow. Fewer cars, more space for people. The numbers demand it.

""Hoylman-Sigal did say that banning privately owned e-bikes was 'going too far,' the paper reported, but he also did not focus the safety concerns on drivers and on the city's failure to widen sidewalks, create new micromobility lanes or daylight intersections."" -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On June 30, 2023, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced a sweeping policy shift: the new 'Street Code.' The plan, described as giving 'absolute priority for pedestrians,' will remove 70,000 parking spaces by 2026, daylight all intersections, widen sidewalks, and expand bike lanes. Hidalgo rejects harsh measures against e-bikes, focusing instead on reducing car dominance and discouraging SUVs through progressive parking fees. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, District 6, is mentioned in the context of New York’s contrasting approach, where enforcement often targets e-bikes rather than cars. Advocates highlight that cars and trucks cause most pedestrian injuries and deaths. They urge New York to emulate Paris—reclaiming street space from cars, not blaming micromobility. The data is clear: fewer cars mean safer streets for all.

• Paris Mayor Enters Fray Between E-Bikes and Pedestrians — By Fighting Drivers, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-30

An e-bike collided with a parked SUV on Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The 42-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head contusion. The SUV was damaged on its left front quarter panel. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash involved an e-bike traveling north that struck a parked SUV on Riverside Drive near West 109 Street. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old man, sustained a head injury described as a contusion and remained conscious. The SUV showed damage to its left front quarter panel. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, indicating the bicyclist's error played a role. No driver errors by the SUV were noted. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash did not involve ejection from the bike. No other injuries or vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04