Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

Oct 18 - Steel met bone on Lexington Avenue as a Hyundai sedan crashed into a turning TAIZH. The driver’s leg shattered. No airbags. No mercy. Rush hour traffic swallowed the screams and the long wait for help began.

A Hyundai sedan collided with a TAIZH vehicle at Lexington Avenue near East 86th Street, according to the police report. The crash occurred during rush hour, with both vehicles traveling south. The report states the Hyundai driver struck the turning TAIZH, resulting in the Hyundai driver suffering severe crush injuries to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the primary contributing factors were 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing Too Closely.' The narrative describes the impact as 'steel on bone,' with the driver remaining conscious as he waited for aid. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. No vehicle damage was recorded, but the human toll was immediate and severe. The crash underscores the danger when drivers follow or pass too closely, especially amid heavy traffic and complex maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - A sedan plowed into a 16-year-old boy on his bike at East 84th and Fifth. Blood pooled on the street. The boy’s abdomen torn, his body in shock. The driver, distracted, did not see him. The driver did not stop.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bike was struck and severely injured by a sedan at East 84th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 1:31 p.m. The report states, 'A sedan struck a 16-year-old boy on a bike. No helmet. Abdomen torn. Blood pooled on the street. He lay in shock. The driver didn’t see him. Didn’t stop.' Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The boy suffered severe lacerations to his abdomen and pelvis and was in shock at the scene. The police report does note the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed only after the driver’s inattention. The sedan’s left front quarter panel was damaged. The driver’s failure to see and yield to the cyclist is the central cause, as documented by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764046 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 12 - A 75-year-old man pedaled east on East 96th. Something struck him from behind. He fell hard. Blood spilled from his neck. His bike twisted on the pavement. The street stayed silent. The wheels kept turning.

A 75-year-old male bicyclist was riding eastbound near 112 East 96th Street in Manhattan when he was struck from behind, according to the police report. The report states, 'Something struck him from behind. He fell. Blood poured from his neck onto the pavement. His bike lay twisted.' The cyclist suffered severe bleeding from the neck and was listed as injured. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both involved parties, and the second vehicle is described as 'Unspecified.' The point of impact was the center back end of the bicycle, indicating a rear-end collision. No driver errors are explicitly cited in the data, but the narrative and vehicle damage confirm the cyclist was hit from behind while traveling straight ahead. No victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The incident highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users even in the absence of clear driver accountability.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783386 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - An 18-year-old woman suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries and a concussion after being struck by an SUV making a right turn on Lexington Avenue. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision at a Manhattan intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:45 AM on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. An 18-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was injured when a 2017 RAM SUV making a right turn struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and suffered a concussion but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and traveling southbound. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. This collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as the cause of harm to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 24 - A southbound school bus collided with a bicyclist on East 68 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered head injuries and abrasions but was conscious. The bus showed no damage. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on East 68 Street was struck by a southbound school bus. The point of impact was the bus's right rear bumper and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained head injuries and abrasions, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious. The bus driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, with no vehicle damage reported. The report lists contributing factors for the bicyclist as unspecified and does not identify any driver errors or contributing factors for the bus driver. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The lack of specified driver errors highlights systemic danger in this collision involving a large vehicle and a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 21 - A sedan struck a 29-year-old man riding south on Lexington Avenue. The cyclist suffered neck injuries and shock. Police blamed driver distraction and tailgating. Pain and nausea followed the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Hyundai sedan hit a 29-year-old male bicyclist on Lexington Avenue near East 70th Street in Manhattan at 1:34 p.m. The sedan, driven by a licensed woman, was parked before the collision. The cyclist, heading south, was struck at the left side doors of the car. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The bicyclist suffered neck injuries and shock, complaining of pain and nausea. No contributing factors related to the cyclist's behavior or equipment were cited. Driver distraction and tailgating were the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 21 - An 82-year-old woman suffered severe leg fractures after a 2023 SUV backed unsafely into her on East 73 Street in Manhattan. The driver’s failure to yield while reversing caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock with serious injuries.

According to the police report, a 2023 Land Rover SUV was backing westbound on East 73 Street in Manhattan when it struck an 82-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing outside of an intersection or crosswalk. The report explicitly cites "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor for the crash. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s center back end, causing fractures and dislocations to the pedestrian’s knee, lower leg, and foot. The victim was left in shock and sustained injury severity level 3. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The report highlights the driver’s error in failing to back safely, directly leading to the pedestrian’s severe injuries. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757972 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 28 - A 52-year-old woman crossing East 86 Street with the signal was struck by a southbound bicyclist. The impact fractured her elbow and lower arm. Police cited the bicyclist’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention as causes.

According to the police report, a bicyclist traveling south on East 86 Street struck a 52-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered a fractured, dislocated elbow and lower arm injury. The report identifies the bicyclist’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the bike, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed by bicyclists failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 21 - An e-scooter rider traveling east collided with an SUV also heading east. The rider was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Obstruction and defective pavement contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

At 16:15, an e-scooter rider traveling east struck the right front bumper of a 2019 Ford SUV also traveling east on Transverse Road Number Three. According to the police report, the e-scooter driver, a 21-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with bruising noted. The report cites 'Obstruction/Debris' and 'Pavement Defective' as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead with no reported damage to the vehicle. The collision's impact point was the center front end of the e-scooter and the right front bumper of the SUV. The report highlights roadway conditions and obstruction as key factors, without attributing fault to the injured e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - Locals and leaders want the parking lot under the FDR Drive gone. They demand public space, not car storage. The city brought cars back after flood wall work. Residents call it a missed chance. They want a waterfront for people.

On August 19, 2024, Manhattan’s Community Board 6 and Council Member Keith Powers pushed to convert the parking lot under the FDR Drive, between E. 18th and E. 23rd streets, into public space. The lot, closed for years during flood wall construction, reopened for parking despite calls for change. The matter summary reads: 'An underused parking lot below the FDR Drive should finally turn into a community space instead of car storage, according to residents and politicians.' Sandy McKee, CB6 chair, said, 'If we took away the cars, it would be a visible connection through to the waterfront.' Powers backed the move, stressing the need for public access. The board sent a resolution to the Economic Development Corporation. The city claims it still needs the space for construction and right-of-way management. No formal bill number or committee is listed. The push echoes similar highway conversions in Toronto and Brooklyn.

• Parking Lot Under the FDR Should Become Public Space: Locals, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-19

Aug 18 - A moped driver lost control near East 81st. He was ejected, hit the ground, and suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver distraction and improper lane use. No other vehicles involved. The street stayed quiet.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old man driving a moped was ejected and injured near East 81st Street in Manhattan at 10:49 AM. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The moped was heading west, going straight, when the crash occurred at the center front end. The driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious at the scene. No damage to the moped was reported. The police report does not cite any victim actions as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 12 - A 19-year-old male bicyclist suffered hip and upper leg contusions after an SUV made a right turn and struck him. The crash occurred on East 68 Street in Manhattan. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 15:15 on East 68 Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. A station wagon/SUV was making a right turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling northbound straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 19-year-old male, sustained contusions to his hip and upper leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors from the vehicle driver. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV sustained damage to its right front bumper, and the bike was damaged at the center front end. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750538 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A 33-year-old man suffered back injuries and shock after contact with a parked Tesla sedan in Manhattan. The vehicle showed no damage and the pedestrian was not in the roadway. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors without driver error.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male pedestrian was injured near a parked 2023 Tesla sedan in Manhattan at 14:15. The vehicle was stationary with no damage and the driver was licensed in New Jersey. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when the incident occurred. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. No pedestrian behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained back injuries and was in shock. The lack of vehicle damage and the pedestrian's position suggest a non-collision incident, but the exact cause remains unspecified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on East 89 Street. The cyclist was ejected and suffered back injuries and bruises. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the collision’s impact and injury severity.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on East 89 Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the bike. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained back injuries and contusions, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - State Sen. Jeremy Cooney calls out Governor Hochul. He demands a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap left by her congestion pricing pause. Projects for safer, more accessible transit hang in the balance. Albany leaders mostly stay silent.

On July 24, 2024, State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued a public demand for Governor Hochul to deliver a '100-day plan' to replace the $16.5 billion MTA funding shortfall caused by her cancellation of congestion pricing. In his op-ed, Cooney wrote, 'the time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed,' urging the governor to convene finance, labor, and passenger representatives to find a solution. Cooney’s push comes as the MTA faces threats to station accessibility, signal upgrades, and new trains and buses. Other Albany leaders, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate President Andrea Stewart-Cousins, have offered little response. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called Hochul’s move illegal. The bill or action is not numbered, but the committee involved is the Senate Transportation Committee. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the loss of funding jeopardizes projects vital to vulnerable road users.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 23 - City will let property owners install e-bike charging stations on sidewalks. The move aims to stop deadly basement charging and bring safety to delivery workers. A new battery trade-in program will target dangerous lithium-ion batteries and mopeds. Community resistance remains.

On July 23, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a new initiative to permit private sidewalk e-bike and moped charging stations. The program, previewed at a press conference with Mayor Adams, will open for applications by year’s end after a public hearing on August 21. The matter, described as making it 'easier and faster for property owners to install public battery charging and swapping cabinets,' seeks to replace illegal, hazardous charging hubs with regulated infrastructure. Council Member Keith Powers, who sponsored last year’s battery trade-in law, said, 'No one wants to use—or be anywhere near—batteries that aren't safe to charge.' Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh called current illegal charging 'effectively death traps.' The city will also fund a $2 million battery and moped trade-in program. Delivery worker advocates want the new stations to be free or low-cost. Community board opposition has slowed previous efforts. The mayor remains neutral on state e-bike registration proposals.

• DOT Will Fast-Track Private Sidewalk E-Bike Charging Stations, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-23

Jul 12 - New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

Jul 2 - State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02