Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

May 12 - A taxi traveling south on Lexington Avenue struck multiple parked SUVs from behind. The taxi driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions and shock. The crash was caused by driver inattention, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 18:07 on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, a taxi traveling south struck several parked SUVs from behind. The taxi driver, a 57-year-old male occupant, was injured with abrasions to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and experienced shock. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, colliding with the center back ends of the parked vehicles. No other occupants or pedestrians were involved or injured. The report explicitly identifies the taxi driver's failure to maintain attention as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to any victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723879 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 11 - Two sedans slammed together at Park Avenue and East 78th. A male driver took the hit—shoulder, arm, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention. Metal crumpled. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 7:00 PM on Park Avenue near East 78th Street in Manhattan. The northbound sedan's male driver, age 32, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles showed heavy front-end damage. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers as the main cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores how driver distraction endangers everyone on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 9 - A motorcycle failed to yield and struck a 17-year-old crossing Madison Avenue with the signal. The teen suffered arm abrasions. Driver ignored traffic controls. Impact was direct and avoidable.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on Madison Avenue in Manhattan struck a 17-year-old female pedestrian as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as driver errors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, but remained conscious after the crash. The motorcycle's center front end hit the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead. This crash shows how driver failure to yield and ignoring traffic controls put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - An SUV making a right turn struck the left front bumper of a southbound MTA bus on Lexington Avenue. The bus passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed dangers from improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Lexington Avenue at 13:11. A station wagon/SUV, traveling southeast, was making a right turn when it collided with the left front bumper of a southbound MTA bus. The contributing factor cited is "Turning Improperly," indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The bus had one occupant, a 27-year-old male passenger seated in the rear, who was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The SUV sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, and the bus's left front bumper was damaged. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger or other parties. This crash highlights the risks posed by improper turning maneuvers in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722784 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 26 - A taxi’s unsafe lane change on Park Avenue struck a moped carrying two men. The moped passenger, hanging outside and helmeted, was ejected and suffered a severe shoulder injury. The crash left the passenger in shock with visible trauma to the upper arm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Park Avenue at 14:45 when a taxi driver committed an unsafe lane change. The taxi collided with a moped traveling southbound, impacting the moped’s left front bumper. The moped carried two occupants; the 32-year-old female passenger was riding or hanging on the outside and was wearing a helmet. She was ejected from the moped and sustained a severe injury to her shoulder and upper arm, resulting in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, identifying the taxi driver’s error as the cause. The passenger’s helmet use is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. No blame is placed on the passenger, who was injured due to the driver’s dangerous maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 20 - A 27-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV making a left turn struck him on East 70 Street. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the cyclist bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:27 on East 70 Street in Manhattan. A 2023 Tesla SUV was making a left turn westbound when it struck a bicyclist traveling straight ahead in the same direction. The point of impact was the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors, such as victim behavior or helmet use, were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers turning across vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - A 7-year-old boy crossing Park Avenue was struck by an unlicensed cyclist. The child suffered facial abrasions. No damage to the bike. The street stayed dangerous. The morning stayed quiet.

According to the police report, a female cyclist riding eastbound near 655 Park Avenue in Manhattan struck a 7-year-old boy who was crossing outside a crosswalk at 8:00 AM. The child suffered abrasions to his face and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the cyclist as unlicensed, a key driver error in the crash. The bicycle showed no damage. No other contributing factors are specified in the report. The incident underscores the risk to young pedestrians and the consequences of unlicensed cycling in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - SUV turned right, ignored traffic control, hit a 24-year-old cyclist. Cyclist suffered knee and leg injuries. Driver inattention and disregard for signals led to the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was riding north on East 87 Street near Madison Avenue in Manhattan when a northbound SUV made a right turn and struck him. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The cyclist was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash shows clear driver error in failing to obey traffic controls and maintain attention, directly harming the vulnerable cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - Mayor Adams dodged questions on e-bike registration and battery swap rollout. City Hall offered no answers. Delivery workers wait. Council Member Powers grows impatient. Advocates warn registration could hurt cycling. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous for riders and walkers.

On April 2, 2024, Mayor Adams faced questions about Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar's bill to require e-bike registration and the city’s delay in launching a mandated battery swap program. The mayor called both topics 'off topic' at a press conference. City Hall later said it is reviewing the Rajkumar bill and that the Department of Transportation would oversee the battery swap program, but provided no timeline. The bill, based on disputed injury statistics, has drawn criticism from street safety advocates who argue registration would suppress cycling and sustainable transit. Local Law 131, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, requires the battery swap program, but the city has not acted. Powers voiced frustration, noting the Council plans to allocate $3 million for the program. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as city action stalls.

• Mayor Mum on E-Bike Registration Bill, Battery Swap Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-02

Mar 27 - SUV stopped on 3rd Avenue. Sedan plows into its rear. Passenger in sedan bruised. Driver inattention and inexperience caused the crash. Urban traffic danger, plain and raw.

According to the police report, at 18:20 on 3 Avenue near East 94 Street in Manhattan, a northbound SUV stopped in traffic was struck from behind by a northbound sedan. The impact hit the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the sedan’s right front and side doors. A 30-year-old male passenger in the sedan’s right rear seat suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. The police report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision shows the risk posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 14 - Assembly bill A 9415 orders $90 million for faster, more reliable buses and fare-free rides. Sponsors demand the MTA report every dollar. Streets could shift. Riders wait.

Assembly bill A 9415, introduced March 14, 2024, sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Enacts the get congestion pricing right act,' directs the MTA to spend $45 million to improve bus frequency and reliability, and another $45 million to expand fare-free bus pilots in New York City. Sponsors Zohran Mamdani (36), Yudelka Tapia (86), Jo Anne Simon (52), and Alex Bores (73) back the move. The bill requires the MTA to report on these investments. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File A 9415, Open States, Published 2024-03-14

Mar 8 - SUV reversed on East 96 Street. Struck a 68-year-old woman crossing with the light. She suffered a bruised shoulder. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield. The SUV showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old woman was crossing East 96 Street at Madison Avenue with the signal when a southbound SUV, backing up, struck her. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and bruising to her shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV, a 2021 Cadillac, showed no damage despite the impact at the center back end. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The police report highlights driver error as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Council targets fake and expired plates. Bill sets fines. Ten-day grace for expired tags. Crackdown aims at cars that dodge law and endanger streets. Committee on Public Safety holds the measure.

Int 0177-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates,' makes it illegal to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day cure period. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets drivers who hide behind illegal plates, a tactic often linked to hit-and-runs and reckless driving.

• File Int 0177-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 21 - More delivery workers now register their mopeds. Police crackdowns and ticket threats push them to comply. Advocates step in, guiding new immigrants through red tape. Sellers rarely warn buyers about legal requirements. Workers pay steep fees to keep earning and avoid losing their rides.

This report, published February 21, 2024, details the surge in moped registrations among New York City delivery workers. DMV data show ZIP codes with many deliveristas now lead in registered mopeds. The article quotes workers like Junior Pichardo, who says, 'If you have plates, [the police] won’t summons you.' Eric Macario and William Medina, both delivery workers, highlight confusion and lack of information about registration and insurance. Medina blames sellers for failing to inform buyers. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores have introduced a bill to require sellers to register mopeds before sale, but it remains pending. For now, advocates help workers navigate the system. Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project says many only learn the rules after police seize their mopeds or issue tickets. The crackdown exposes systemic gaps, leaving vulnerable workers to bear the cost and risk.

• Data Dive: More Delivery Workers are Registering Their Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-21

Jan 17 - A 24-year-old unlicensed female driver struck an object with her sedan’s left front bumper on Park Avenue. She suffered a head contusion and bruising. The crash occurred as she disregarded traffic control, highlighting driver error and systemic risk.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female driver operating a 2012 Lexus sedan on Park Avenue was injured when she impacted with her vehicle's left front bumper. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The driver was unlicensed, adding to the severity of the violation. She sustained a head injury described as a contusion and bruise but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The crash happened at 16:34, with the vehicle traveling north and going straight ahead before the impact. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. This incident underscores the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls and operating vehicles without proper licensing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 16 - A 63-year-old man suffered serious head injuries after an SUV hit him in Manhattan. The crash occurred on a slick pavement, causing the pedestrian to become incoherent. The vehicle struck with its center front end, injuring the man internally.

According to the police report, a 2021 Alfa SUV traveling east on East 79 Street in Manhattan struck a 63-year-old male pedestrian at 7:05 AM. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end, causing head injuries and internal complaints. The pedestrian was reported incoherent after the collision. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No pedestrian actions or helmet use were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by hazardous road conditions and vehicle-pedestrian interactions in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695539 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 30 - Two drivers sustained injuries in a collision on East 78 Street. Both were conscious but bruised. The impact involved two sedans, one turning left and the other going straight.

The crash occurred when two sedans collided at East 78 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers, a 32-year-old male and a 24-year-old female, were injured, suffering contusions. According to the police report, the primary contributing factor was 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The male driver was making a left turn while the female driver was going straight ahead. Both were wearing lap belts and harnesses at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692636 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19