Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

May 19 - DOT wants a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off. Buses crawl now. Riders lose time. Council Member Powers backs the plan. Activists demand action. Streets jammed with traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safer passage.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation proposed a 14th Street-style busway for 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, reported by Dave Colon for Streetsblog NYC, would ban through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, echoing the successful 14th Street model. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the M34, voiced strong support: 'If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results.' The proposal is not yet a formal bill and has not reached any council committee. Activists and elected officials with experience on 14th Street back the move, citing faster buses and higher ridership. However, the event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no assessment of safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be made.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

May 19 - Police handcuff cyclists. Judges toss tickets. Lawmakers protest. NYPD issues criminal summonses for minor bike infractions. Riders face court for actions once legal. Anger grows. The city’s crackdown targets the vulnerable, not the dangerous.

West Side Spirit reported on May 19, 2025, that opposition is mounting against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses to cyclists for minor traffic violations. Council Member Gale Brewer criticized the move, stating, "A civil summons is a more appropriate response and thrusting people into the criminal justice system unnecessarily is bad public policy." The article notes that some officers issued summonses for actions legalized in 2019, such as cyclists proceeding with a pedestrian walk signal. Many tickets were dismissed in court due to errors by police. A class action lawsuit has been filed by a cyclist ticketed for a legal maneuver. The crackdown raises questions about enforcement priorities and the risk of criminalizing vulnerable road users instead of addressing systemic dangers.

• NYPD Faces Backlash Over Bike Summonses, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-05-19

May 19 - DOT plans a busway on 34th Street. Cars must turn off after one block. Buses crawl now. Council Member Powers backs it. The 14th Street model sped up buses and drew more riders. Activists want strong, lasting action. The city must deliver.

On May 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation announced a proposal to create a 14th Street-style busway on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. The plan, to be presented to community boards, would restrict through car traffic between Third and Ninth avenues, forcing cars to turn off at the first opportunity. The matter aims to address congestion and slow bus speeds on the M34, where buses average five to seven miles per hour. Council Member Keith Powers, who rides the route daily, said, "If you dedicate a big chunk of a corridor to bus service, you will see strong results." Powers and community leaders support the move, citing the 14th Street busway’s success: a 24 percent speed boost and 30 percent ridership jump. The proposal follows years of planning and comes as congestion pricing looms. Some advocates remain wary, recalling Mayor Adams’s past delays and reduced busway hours. The city faces pressure to make the busway permanent and effective for all vulnerable road users.

• DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

May 19 - Adams administration opens a pedestrian path on Queensboro Bridge. Federal Secretary Duffy objects. Critics say his stance ignores history and safety. The bridge once belonged to walkers. Now, the city returns space to people, not cars. Tensions flare. Vulnerable users watch.

On May 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the Adams administration's move to open a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. The event, not a council bill but a city action, drew sharp criticism from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who opposed removing a vehicle lane for pedestrians and cyclists. The article states: 'forcing pedestrians and cyclists in both directions to share a single lane on a bridge with nine lanes for car drivers was unsafe.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Julie Won attended the opening. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety to assess.' Still, the move restores space to those on foot and bike, challenging car dominance and federal resistance.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

May 14 - A sedan struck a 73-year-old man crossing with the signal on E 75th and Lexington. The impact bruised his arm. Police cite pedestrian confusion. The car’s left front bumper hit. No vehicle damage reported.

A Ford sedan hit a 73-year-old man as he crossed E 75th Street at Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the car, making a right turn, struck him with its left front bumper. The man suffered a contusion to his arm but remained conscious. Police list 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the driver or passenger. The sedan showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

May 11 - A sedan hit a 67-year-old woman at E 67th and Park. She bled from her arm, semiconscious. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. System failed to protect her. The street stayed loud.

A 67-year-old woman walking at the intersection of E 67th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan was struck by a northbound sedan. She suffered a shoulder injury and minor bleeding, and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. Both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' are listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger pedestrians face when drivers do not follow basic rules. No further details on the pedestrian's actions or equipment were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 9 - Two vehicles crashed on Lexington. One driver suffered neck and head injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Both cars damaged. Streets remain dangerous for all.

A taxi and an SUV collided on Lexington Avenue at East 95th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' One driver, age 42, sustained neck injuries and a concussion. The SUV driver was unlicensed. Both vehicles were traveling south and struck each other, damaging the taxi's rear and the SUV's front. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured. The report lists driver inattention as the sole contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812311 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 9 - Council Member Keith Powers and Dr. Calvin Sun slammed federal Penn Station plans. They called for city and state control. Both backed congestion pricing and safer, more accessible transit. Skepticism ran high. Vulnerable road users got a rare mention. No trust in Washington.

On May 9, 2025, at a Manhattan Borough President candidate forum, outgoing Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) and Dr. Calvin Sun voiced strong doubts about the federal government’s Penn Station renovation plans. Powers said, 'I am not looking to co-operate with Donald Trump on really anything,' stressing the need for city and state leadership and a plan that delivers for housing, public space, and transit. Dr. Sun echoed distrust, warning the federal government could deprive the city of needed resources. Both candidates supported congestion pricing, with Sun favoring a dynamic model and exemptions for low-income New Yorkers. They called for improved public transit accessibility and more pedestrianization. Powers demanded tougher fare evasion enforcement, while Sun sought nonviolent consequences and better subway quality. The forum highlighted the candidates’ focus on local control and safer, more equitable streets.

• Manhattan BP candidates skeptical of federal plans for Penn Station, ‘not looking to work with Trump’, amny.com, Published 2025-05-09

May 8 - Albany lawmakers passed a $254-billion budget. Republicans railed against congestion pricing. Democrats stood firm. The vote split along party lines. The budget funds the MTA and transit expansion. Vulnerable road users saw no direct mention. The system rolls on.

"The amount that you're paying for congestion pricing is actually a relatively small increase in the total cost... And the good news on the research is theater has not come down since congestion pricing has started. Restaurants have not come down. There are more people on the streets." -- Liz Krueger

On May 8, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed Gov. Hochul’s $254-billion budget after heated debate. The bill, debated in the Senate Finance and Transportation Committees, included $6 billion for MTA capital improvements and supported congestion pricing. Sen. Dean Murray (R-Suffolk) and Sen. Bill Weber (R-Rockland) opposed the measure, citing toll burdens and limited transit options. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) and Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) defended the plan, highlighting increased MTA revenue and minimal impact on local businesses. The matter summary reads: 'State legislators from the suburbs, particularly Republican lawmakers, voiced strong opposition to congestion pricing during the passage of Gov. Hochul's $254-billion budget in Albany.' The budget passed 40-22, mostly along party lines. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Budget Passes in Albany, But First, GOP Whines About Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-08

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 5 - A Ford SUV hit a 72-year-old woman crossing Park Avenue with the signal. She suffered a neck injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed open. The driver was licensed.

A 72-year-old woman was struck and injured by a Ford SUV while crossing Park Avenue at East 75th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the southbound SUV, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a neck injury and was in shock. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. No vehicle damage was reported. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.

• E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 25 - A sedan hit a 78-year-old woman crossing with the signal on 5th Ave. She suffered a fractured arm. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was making a left turn. System failed to protect her.

A 78-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing 5th Ave at E 81st St in Manhattan. She was crossing with the signal and suffered a fractured arm. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver was licensed and driving a 2010 Hyundai sedan. No vehicle damage was reported. The system allowed a driver error to injure a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - City Council and Mayor slash shed permits, force faster repairs. New laws demand brighter lights, stricter deadlines, and design upgrades. Council Members Powers and Bottcher drive the push. The city aims to reclaim sidewalks from decades of dark, lingering scaffolding.

On April 18, 2025, the City Council passed and Mayor Eric Adams signed a five-bill package to overhaul sidewalk shed and scaffolding rules. The bills—Intro. 393-A, 391-A, 394-A (sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers), and Intro. 660-A, 661-A (sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher)—cut shed permit durations from one year to three months, double required lighting, and impose new penalties for delays. The matter summary states: 'New laws are set to finally tackle the scourge of unsightly sidewalk construction sheds and scaffolding structures around the city.' Powers said, 'This package of legislation puts forward reforms to fundamentally change our approach to scaffolding while ensuring safety is still the top priority.' Bottcher added, 'It’s time we cut back the endless sidewalk sheds that block our light.' The reforms target over 400 miles of lingering scaffolding, aiming to restore light and space to city sidewalks.

• Shed-locked no more: New laws to crackdown on lingering scaffolding, amny.com, Published 2025-04-18

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11