Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

Aug 23 - 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.

"We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets." -- Alex Bores

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

Aug 19 - A sedan making a left turn struck a southbound e-bike on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The e-bike rider, a 39-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. Both vehicles damaged front ends.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male e-bike rider traveling south on Park Avenue was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The collision caused back injuries and shock to the e-bike rider, who was not ejected from his vehicle. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way by the sedan driver as the contributing factor. The sedan, carrying two occupants, sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the e-bike was damaged at its center front end. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A 23-year-old man driving a sedan was injured when an SUV struck the rear of his vehicle on Park Avenue. The impact caused abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV was slowing; the sedan driver was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Park Avenue in Manhattan when a station wagon/SUV struck the rear of a sedan. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old male, suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists the contributing factors as "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" on the part of the SUV driver. The SUV was slowing or stopping at the time, while the sedan was traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - 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

Jul 31 - 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

Jul 31 - 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

Jul 28 - A box truck hit a 78-year-old man on a bike near East 96th Street. His head split open. Blood pooled on the street. The truck kept moving. The man lay still, unconscious, on the sunlit asphalt.

A 78-year-old cyclist was struck by a box truck on Madison Avenue near East 96th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was found unconscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The truck showed no visible damage and did not stop. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause cited is driver inattention. The crash left the man gravely injured, his blood marking the asphalt where he fell.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A pick-up truck and an SUV crashed head-on on East 77 Street. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction as causes. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 2021 pick-up truck and a 2020 SUV collided on East 77 Street. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact, which occurred at the center front end of the SUV and the left front bumper of the truck. The crash caused damage to the front ends of both vehicles. No other injuries or victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - A van and sedan crashed on East 75 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers were heading south when the collision occurred. The female sedan driver suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury. Driver distraction was a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a van and a sedan collided on East 75 Street near Park Avenue in Manhattan. Both vehicles were traveling south when the crash occurred. The female driver of the sedan, age 23, sustained an upper arm and shoulder injury and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the sedan and the right front quarter panel of the van. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646756 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A moped hit a 39-year-old man on Madison Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and lost consciousness. The unlicensed, inexperienced driver crashed head-on. Systemic danger left blood on the street.

According to the police report, a 2022 Fly Wing moped traveling north on Madison Avenue near East 86th Street struck a 39-year-old male pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and was found unconscious. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed and inexperienced. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped, which sustained damage. No safety equipment was noted. The crash left one pedestrian injured and exposed the risks faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - A sedan hit a cyclist from behind on Lexington Avenue. The man flew from his bike. His leg was crushed. He lay conscious on the pavement. The car kept going straight. The street did not bend. The crash left the cyclist broken.

A sedan struck a 27-year-old cyclist from behind at Lexington Avenue and East 60th Street in Manhattan. The impact threw the cyclist from his bike, crushing his leg. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck a cyclist from behind. The man, 27, was thrown. His leg crushed. He lay conscious on the hot pavement.' The crash data lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was ejected and suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot. The sedan continued straight after the collision. No helmet or signaling issues were cited in the report. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists sharing city streets with cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A 77-year-old man was struck while getting on or off a vehicle at East 63 Street in Manhattan. The sedan, traveling west, hit him at unsafe speed. He suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The driver caused the crash by speeding.

According to the police report, a 77-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 63 Street in Manhattan. He was getting on or off a vehicle when a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling west struck him. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for the driver. The sedan showed no vehicle damage and was going straight ahead before impact. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and sustained serious injuries. The crash highlights the danger of speeding vehicles at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 22 - Four dead in Chinatown. Unsafe e-bike batteries sparked the blaze. Council Member Powers leads a bill to swap out dangerous batteries. Mayor Adams hesitates, citing costs. Delivery workers face risk. The Council demands action. Lives hang in the balance.

Intro 949, a City Council bill, seeks to buy back unsafe e-bike batteries and provide safe replacements at low or no cost. The bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, has support from 33 Council members. It follows a deadly Chinatown fire on June 21, 2023, that killed four people. The bill is in committee, with Powers urging Mayor Adams and the FDNY to support it, stating, 'There is a clear consensus that a battery swap program will save lives.' Mayor Adams questioned the program's cost and called for federal, state, and Council funding. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh backed the need for safe batteries for delivery workers. The Council's push comes as battery fires rise, endangering workers and residents. The bill has broad coalition support, but City Hall has not fully committed.

• After Deadly Fire, Mayor Waffles on E-Bike Battery Buy Back Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-22

Jun 17 - A moped traveling north hit a 30-year-old woman crossing East 96 Street with the signal. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and was semiconscious. The driver was speeding and distracted. The impact damaged the moped's front center.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on East 96 Street struck a 30-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was semiconscious, complaining of pain and nausea. The report lists the driver's unsafe speed and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The moped's center front end was damaged on impact. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted for the pedestrian. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of the collision. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the part of the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A 39-year-old woman crossing East 62 Street with the signal was hit by an eastbound e-bike. The rider failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East 62 Street at Lexington Avenue with the signal. The collision involved a male e-bike rider traveling eastbound who struck her at the center front end of his bike. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The e-bike showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured at the scene. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers fail to yield and pay attention to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 1 - 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 2023-06-01

May 31 - 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 2023-05-31

May 30 - NYC leaders went to Albany. They demanded lawmakers pass Sammy’s Law. The bill lets the city set its own speed limits. Brad Hoylman-Sigal led the charge. The law is named for a child killed by a car. The fight is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

On May 30, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and other NYC officials lobbied the state legislature to pass key transportation and housing bills before the session ends June 9. The centerpiece is 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let New York City set its own speed limits, potentially lowering them to 20 mph. Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor, said, 'Senators in Massapequa shouldn’t set the speed limit for Manhattan—or the reverse.' The law is named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a car in Brooklyn. The bill had stalled before, but this year the required home rule resolution was submitted. Mayor Adams’ administration also pushed for affordable housing reforms. The push for Sammy’s Law is a fight to give NYC control over its streets and protect vulnerable road users from deadly speeding.

• NYC officials press Albany to pass critical bills on housing, city speed limit and others before session ends, nypost.com, Published 2023-05-30