Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

Dec 18 - A woman crossed East 90th at 3rd. An e-scooter slammed her in the crosswalk. The front end crushed her shoulder. She stayed down, conscious. The rider vanished. The street roared on. She lay hurt, alone.

A 32-year-old woman was struck by a northbound e-scooter while crossing at the corner of East 90th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A woman in the crosswalk, her shoulder crushed beneath the front of a northbound e-scooter. She stayed down, conscious. The rider fled.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her shoulder and upper arm. The e-scooter rider left the scene without stopping. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No specific driver errors were documented in the data. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the rider unaccounted for.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 15 - A motorcycle and sedan collided on 3 Avenue near East 65 Street. The motorcyclist was ejected, suffering abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved failure to yield and improper lane usage by the drivers.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on 3 Avenue collided with a sedan making a right turn northeast near East 65 Street in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, a 35-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and improper passing or lane usage. The motorcycle's left front bumper and the sedan's right front bumper were damaged. The motorcyclist was conscious after the crash but seriously injured. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while making the turn. The crash highlights dangerous driver actions leading to severe injury for the vulnerable motorcyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - 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

Dec 7 - Council axed a decade-old rule that stalled bike lanes. Restler led the charge. The vote was 32 to 15. Now, bike lanes face just 14 days of delay, not months. DOT and advocates cheered. Cyclists need protection. The city moves faster.

""2023 is sadly on track to be the deadliest year in decades for cyclists, underscoring the need for a cohesive network of bike lanes across New York City. Unfortunately, current rules mean that bike lanes are often stuck in unnecessary red tape that delays their construction by months or even years. Intro. 417 will significantly streamline the approval process and I am happy to support its passage."" -- Keith Powers

On December 7, 2023, the City Council passed Bill 417, repealing a law that delayed bike lane construction. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, cleared the Council with a 32-15 vote. It reduces the waiting period after community board notification from 90 days plus 45 after a hearing, to just 14 days. The matter summary reads: 'The City Council repealed a decade-old law that imposed lengthy delays on the city before it could break ground on new bike lanes.' Restler said, 'No other transportation project in New York City...requires this type of extended dead period.' Council Member Keith Powers backed the bill, citing rising cyclist deaths. The Department of Transportation called bike lanes 'life-saving infrastructure.' The amended bill now covers all bike lanes, regardless of length. Advocates say this will help install more lanes and protect vulnerable road users.

• Council Repeals Decade-Old Law that Stalled Bike Lane Installation, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-07

Dec 3 - A 52-year-old man was struck while crossing East 79 Street outside an intersection. The sedan hit him on the right front quarter panel. He suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The driver was distracted and inexperienced.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing East 79 Street near Madison Avenue, not at an intersection or crosswalk. The driver, a licensed female operating a 2022 Audi sedan traveling eastbound, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. No other factors such as pedestrian fault or safety equipment were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers to vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - City Council bans uncertified e-bike batteries. Landlords fear fires, block storage. Riders lose access. Powers vows to clear dangerous gear. Advocates demand safe parking, charging. E-bikes remain vital for workers and families. Enforcement rises. Sales drop. Streets stay tense.

""We're going to get into the business of getting the dangerous equipment off the street and set up a fund to do that."" -- Keith Powers

On November 27, 2023, the NYC Council, with Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) speaking out, took legislative action on e-bike battery safety and storage. The Council passed laws banning uncertified lithium-ion batteries and launched a trade-in program for unsafe batteries. The matter, titled 'NYC e-bike owners wonder where to store them as landlords fear battery fires,' highlights the tension: 'We're going to get into the business of getting the dangerous equipment off the street and set up a fund to do that,' Powers said. Advocacy groups, including Danny Harris, called for expanded safe bike parking and charging, stressing that e-bikes are a lifeline for many New Yorkers. The crackdown has led to stricter landlord policies, increased enforcement, and declining bike shop sales. The Council aims to improve safety without cutting off access for vulnerable road users who depend on e-bikes.

• NYC e-bike owners wonder where to store them as landlords fear battery fires, gothamist.com, Published 2023-11-27

Nov 21 - A 36-year-old woman crossing East 67 Street with the signal was struck by a southbound taxi making a left turn. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver showed no visible vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East 67 Street at an intersection with the signal. The taxi, traveling southbound and making a left turn, struck her. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The taxi showed no damage upon impact. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted, and no helmet or signaling issues are mentioned. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683334 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - A 65-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with a bus on East 72 Street. The impact hit the bike’s center back end and the bus’s right front quarter panel. The rider suffered bruises and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a bus and a bicycle collided while both were traveling east on East 72 Street. The bicyclist, a 65-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions. The report lists driver inattention and improper passing or lane usage as contributing factors. The bus driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Prevo bus. The point of impact was the bus’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s center back end. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights driver errors, specifically inattention and improper lane use, as key causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - Manhattan’s Community Board 6 slammed Council Member Holden’s e-bike registration bill. The panel voted 8-1 against it. They called it punitive and harmful. Critics say it burdens cyclists and delivery workers, while failing to address illegal mopeds or improve street safety.

Council bill drafted by Bob Holden, backed by 32 co-sponsors, would require registration and license plates for all e-bikes, e-scooters, and other legal motorized vehicles. On November 8, 2023, the transportation committee of Manhattan’s Community Board 6 voted 8-1 to oppose the measure, calling it 'harmful and unnecessarily punitive.' The matter’s summary: 'require license and registration for all types of e-bikes.' Council Members Keith Powers and Julie Menin support the bill; Carlina Rivera has not signed on. The committee’s resolution states the proposal would negatively impact all cyclists, especially delivery workers, and fails to address illegal mopeds or require point-of-sale registration. Critics argue the bill is regressive, ineffective, and would not improve safety for vulnerable road users.

• Manhattan Panel Pans City Council E-Bike Registration Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-08

Nov 6 - A 61-year-old woman was hit by a taxi turning left on East 96 Street. She suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The impact damaged the taxi’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a taxi making a left turn on East 96 Street in Manhattan struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was injured, suffering a head injury and was found unconscious. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The taxi’s left front bumper was damaged on impact. The driver was licensed and traveling southbound. The pedestrian was in the roadway performing other actions when struck. No safety equipment or victim fault was noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and failure to yield in busy city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677177 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A taxi struck an e-bike traveling north on East 84th Street in Manhattan. The e-bike driver was ejected and suffered neck injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a factor. The taxi’s right side doors took the impact. Two people were in the taxi.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on East 84th Street collided with an e-bike going straight north. The e-bike driver, a 35-year-old man, was ejected and sustained neck injuries, leaving him semiconscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The taxi, carrying two occupants, was damaged on its right side doors where the impact occurred. The e-bike was damaged at its center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A Honda sedan turned left on East 60th Street. Its bumper hit a 39-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The driver followed too close and failed to yield.

A 39-year-old woman was struck by a Honda sedan while crossing East 60th Street with the signal. According to the police report, the sedan turned left and its right front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing her to fall and suffer a bleeding head injury. The woman remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed. The impact left blood on the asphalt. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - 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

Oct 22 - A 26-year-old man was struck on Lexington Avenue while crossing with the signal. The SUV hit him head-on, causing a head abrasion. The pedestrian remained conscious but injured. The crash happened near East 72 Street in Manhattan.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Lexington Avenue at an intersection with the signal. The vehicle involved was a 2008 Toyota SUV traveling eastbound, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors or contributing factors were noted. The pedestrian was not ejected and was crossing legally. The crash caused damage to the front center of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - A 37-year-old man was struck while crossing outside a crosswalk on East 96 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was unconscious with full-body injuries. Limited view and slippery pavement contributed. Two sedans traveling east collided with the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing East 96 Street in Manhattan outside a crosswalk. He was unconscious with injuries to his entire body. Two sedans traveling east were involved. The point of impact on the striking vehicle was the left front quarter panel. Contributing factors listed include 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Unsafe Speed' for the drivers, along with 'Pavement Slippery' affecting the pedestrian's footing. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. The report does not list any driver license issues. The collision caused serious injury but does not assign fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670879 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A taxi making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on East 73 Street in Manhattan. The 23-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered facial injuries with minor bleeding. The driver showed inexperience and unsafe speed at impact.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on East 73 Street was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The 23-year-old male cyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained facial injuries, including minor bleeding. The report lists driver inexperience and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The taxi's left front bumper struck the right side doors of the bike. The cyclist was in shock and injured but survived. The driver was licensed and male. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670922 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 6 - A 52-year-old woman was struck while crossing Madison Avenue at East 63rd Street. The SUV hit her center front, causing shoulder abrasions. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. Police cited failure to yield and disregarded traffic control as factors.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Madison Avenue at East 63rd Street with the signal. She suffered abrasions to her shoulder and upper arm. The crash involved a 2022 SUV traveling north and a 2011 box truck traveling west. The SUV struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and disregarding traffic control. The pedestrian was not at fault. Both drivers were licensed. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision but sustained injuries requiring attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 4 - A 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured on East 84th Street near Madison Avenue. The rider suffered a facial contusion. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience as contributing factors. The bike showed no damage. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured on East 84th Street in Manhattan. The rider suffered a facial contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The bike was traveling north, going straight ahead, and showed no damage at the center front end. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report does not mention helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers to vulnerable bicyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 15 - City inspectors hit retailers this weekend. They target illegal lithium-ion batteries and mopeds. The law aims to curb deadly fires and street chaos. Delivery workers face new hurdles. Enforcement falls to DCWP, NYPD, and FDNY. Gaps in moped regulation remain.

On September 16, 2023, Local Law 39 takes effect in New York City. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will start enforcing the ban on uncertified lithium-ion battery sales. Inspectors will also check for illegal mopeds, issuing summonses and referring cases to NYPD and FDNY. DCWP spokesperson Michael Lanza said, 'While inspecting retailers for compliance with LL39, we will also check for illegal motorized scooters [mopeds], issue summonses and refer issues to NYPD and FDNY as appropriate.' Two days earlier, the City Council passed Council Member Keith Powers's bill for a citywide battery buyback program, letting delivery workers swap faulty batteries for certified ones. Powers acknowledged the ongoing problem of illegal mopeds, stating, 'We recognize that problem. We've been talking to the deputy mayor's office about further measures ahead.' The new law targets fire risk and unregulated vehicles, but loopholes in moped sales and enforcement persist.

• Enforcement of Illegal Batteries — and, Apparently, Mopeds — Starts on Saturday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-15

Sep 14 - City Council passed a battery buy-back bill. Delivery workers can swap unsafe batteries for certified ones. New rules target deadly lithium-ion fires. Lawmakers demand delivery companies step up. Fourteen dead, over 100 hurt this year. Enforcement on uncertified sales begins soon.

"We know there are folks who can't afford high-priced batteries and bikes, and we will provide them the opportunity to surrender that unsafe equipment and receive a safe replacement." -- Keith Powers

On September 14, 2023, the New York City Council passed a package of bills to fight lithium-ion battery fires. The main bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, creates a city-funded buy-back program for delivery workers to exchange faulty batteries and devices for safe, certified ones. The matter summary states the program aims to address the high cost of certified batteries, which can be prohibitive for low-paid workers. Council Members Oswald Feliz and Gale Brewer sponsored additional bills: Feliz's requires safe bikes and batteries for deliveries, while Brewer's mandates delivery apps provide safety training and equipment. Brewer also called for the Department of Transportation to update its safety course. Powers said, "We will provide them the opportunity to surrender that unsafe equipment and receive a safe replacement." The Council's action follows 180 battery fire incidents, 14 deaths, and over 100 injuries this year. Lawmakers push for delivery companies to take responsibility for worker safety and equipment standards. Enforcement against uncertified battery sales will begin soon.

• Council Passes Battery ‘Buy-Back’ Program and Other Bills to Curb Lithium-Ion Fires, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-14