Precinct 26: Crashes pile up on 125th and the Parkway

Jun 26 - A cyclist slammed into a parked SUV on Riverside Drive. Driver inattention left the rider bleeding, ejected, face torn. The street stayed dark. Metal and flesh met. The city kept moving.

A cyclist, age 24, was ejected and suffered severe facial bleeding after colliding with a parked SUV on Riverside Drive at West 130th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The cyclist was conscious but badly hurt. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash involved a bike and a station wagon/SUV. The report did not list helmet use or signaling as factors. The impact was brutal. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 26 - A sedan struck three pedestrians crossing with the signal on Broadway. All suffered injuries. Police cite driver inattention as the cause.

Three pedestrians, ages 31, 46, and 48, were hit by a sedan while crossing Broadway at W 125th Street in Manhattan. All were crossing with the signal and suffered injuries, including leg and body trauma. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The sedan, a BMW, was traveling east with two occupants. No other causes were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823471 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 23 - A stolen box truck crashed into a Midtown building. The front awning buckled under the force. No injuries. Police detained a person of interest. Metal and glass scattered. The street fell silent. The city watched, unblinking.

CBS New York reported on June 23, 2025, that a stolen box truck struck a building in Midtown Manhattan, damaging the front awning. According to police, 'no one was hurt and a person of interest was taken into custody.' The incident highlights the risk posed by unauthorized drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles. The crash did not result in injuries, but the impact damaged property and disrupted the area. The report underscores ongoing concerns about vehicle theft and the potential for harm in dense urban environments, where even a single reckless act can threaten public safety.

• Stolen Truck Slams Midtown Building, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 22 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Amsterdam Avenue. The crash left the cyclist bruised and hurt. Aggressive driving and a bad turn caused the impact. The street stayed dangerous. No one walked away unchanged.

A sedan collided with a cyclist on Amsterdam Avenue near West 122nd Street in Manhattan. The 33-year-old cyclist suffered a contusion and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Turning Improperly' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan struck the back of the bike with its right front bumper. The data shows no helmet or signal issues for the cyclist. The crash highlights the risk faced by cyclists when drivers act aggressively and fail to turn safely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 19 - Shops boost e-bike speeds while City Hall eyes a 15 mph cap. State law blocks quick action. Critics slam the plan as unfair and toothless. Police already target cyclists. Enforcement and real change remain distant. Streets stay risky.

West Side Spirit (2025-06-19) reports that despite Mayor Eric Adams's proposal for a 15 mph speed limit on e-bikes, shops in Manhattan still advertise illegal speed modifications. Adams admits the plan is 'an idea' needing state approval and a lengthy rulemaking process. Critics like Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives call the proposal 'half-baked and ill-conceived,' arguing it unfairly targets cyclists while drivers face lesser consequences for greater harm. Janet Schroeder of the NYC E-Bike Safety Alliance doubts the limit will matter without enforcement: 'The 15 mph speed limit does nothing.' The NYPD already issues thousands of criminal summonses to cyclists for minor infractions. The article highlights the policy gap and enforcement challenges, with no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• City Floats 15 MPH E-Bike Limit, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 14 - City bans cars from 34th Street. Busway stretches from 3rd to 9th Avenue. Residents protest. They say more buses, not fewer cars, would help. Officials push ahead. Tensions flare. Policy shifts, but questions remain on safety and congestion.

According to the New York Post (June 14, 2025), City Hall approved a plan to ban cars on 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues, creating a dedicated busway. The article details heated opposition from local residents and bus riders, who argued the plan was rushed and lacked proper traffic analysis. Stacy Rauch, a daily bus rider, said, 'The bigger problem is we don’t have enough buses.' Critics worried diverted car traffic would overwhelm nearby streets. The city compared the move to the 14th Street car ban, but residents noted differences in bus frequency. The article highlights accusations of conflicts of interest involving community board members and advocacy groups. The policy aims to prioritize buses and vulnerable road users, but leaves open questions about implementation and neighborhood impact.

• 34th Street Busway Plan Sparks Debate, New York Post, Published 2025-06-14

Jun 13 - Cyclists face cars at the 79th Street Rotunda. The city offers only paint, not protection. Officials cite space. Community pleas go unheard. Families feel stress. The hilly detour stays. Danger remains where cars and bikes must mix.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-06-13) reports that city officials will not build a protected bike lane through the 79th Street Rotunda, despite years of requests from Manhattan Community Board 7. Cyclists using the Hudson River greenway must share space with highway-bound vehicles. The $150-million project includes only a painted, unprotected lane. DOT official Colleen Chattergoon said, "With the space that we have, we cannot accommodate a protected bike lane in that area." The city has not acted on a 2019 resolution calling for real protection. Community members and advocates question the safety of the design, especially for children. Officials promised to review the resolution but gave no timeline or details. The plan leaves cyclists exposed to fast-moving traffic, highlighting ongoing policy gaps in street safety.

• City Ignores Calls For Protected Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 8 - Two SUVs slammed together on Henry Hudson Parkway. Metal crumpled. A baby girl and a woman suffered arm injuries. A man complained of chest pain. Speed and close passing fueled the crash. Children sat strapped in, but still got hurt.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed.' A female infant in a child restraint suffered abrasions to her arm. A 36-year-old woman, also a passenger, was injured in the arm. A 38-year-old male driver complained of chest pain. Another child, age 7, was involved but not reported injured. All injured parties were inside the vehicles. The police report lists 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Child restraints were used, but the main causes were driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 2 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

May 31 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

May 30 - An e-bike struck Renee Baruch on the Upper West Side. She woke in pain, face broken, spine injured. NYPD cracks down with criminal summonses. Cyclists protest. City Council stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Justice, tangled in policy.

NY1 reported on May 30, 2025, that the NYPD is issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic infractions, citing a lack of City Council action on new regulations. Commissioner Tisch told the Council, "Pass e-bike regulations." Cyclists object to criminal charges for minor violations, arguing for civil penalties instead. The article highlights the case of Renee Baruch, hospitalized after an e-bike crash left her with facial fractures and a spinal injury. The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division targets reckless e-bike use, but without updated laws, criminal summonses remain their only tool. The policy gap leaves vulnerable road users exposed and enforcement inconsistent.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses For E-Bikes, NY1, Published 2025-05-30

May 27 - A police cruiser swerved from a taxi and slammed into two people eating outside. Sirens screamed. Metal struck flesh. Both diners and officers landed in the hospital. The street stayed open. The city kept moving. The system failed the vulnerable.

According to the New York Post (May 27, 2025), an NYPD squad car struck two people seated at an outdoor dining area on Broadway and West 112th Street. The crash happened when a taxi made a left turn, prompting the police car to swerve. The article states, “The 37-year-old cab driver was given a summons for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.” Both diners and police vehicle occupants were hospitalized in stable condition. The report notes, “It was not immediately clear if authorities were responding to a call when the incident unfolded.” The incident highlights risks at curbside dining areas and ongoing dangers from driver error and street design. The investigation continues.

• Police Car Hits Diners In Manhattan Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-05-27

May 26 - A sedan hit two pedestrians outside the crosswalk on Broadway. Four car occupants suffered whiplash. The pedestrians, aged 63 and 74, were left with abrasions and head injuries. The crash left pain and confusion on the street.

A Ford sedan traveling north on Broadway struck two pedestrians who were not at an intersection. According to the police report, both pedestrians—a 63-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman—were injured, suffering abrasions and, in one case, a head injury. Four people inside the sedan, including the driver, sustained whiplash. The police report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The incident highlights the danger faced by pedestrians outside marked crossings. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 26 - A cyclist struck a pedestrian at W 125th and Broadway. The teenager on the bike suffered a head injury. Police cite confusion and following too closely as factors.

A crash at W 125th Street and Broadway in Manhattan left a 17-year-old cyclist injured in the head after colliding with a pedestrian. According to the police report, both 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment and suffered severe bleeding. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal and was listed as having unspecified injuries. No vehicles other than the bike were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817937 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 24 - A Jeep SUV hit a young woman in the crosswalk on La Salle Street. She crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 23-year-old woman was struck by a Jeep SUV while crossing La Salle Street at Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was 'Crossing With Signal' at the intersection when the SUV, driven by a 34-year-old woman, made a left turn and hit her. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was reported conscious with internal complaints. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed in Connecticut. The crash left the pedestrian hurt, underscoring the persistent risk faced by those on foot in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 23 - Tolls still hang over Third Avenue. Deadlines pass. Courts hold the answer. Fewer cars enter Manhattan. Millions flow to transit. The fight is bureaucratic, not on the street. Riders wait. The city’s pulse slows, but the outcome is uncertain.

West Side Spirit reported on May 23, 2025, that New York’s congestion pricing tolls remain in place despite three missed federal deadlines to remove them. The article details a standoff between the MTA, New York State, and U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, who demands the tolls be taken down, threatening to withhold highway funds. The MTA argues the legality of the tolls and seeks a court injunction, stating, 'congestion pricing is legal and proper.' The system, operational since January 2025, has reduced daily vehicle entries into Manhattan’s core by 76,000 in April and raised $159 million in the first quarter. The dispute highlights tensions over funding priorities and the impact on lower-income drivers, but the courts, not drivers or pedestrians, will decide the fate of the tolls.

• Congestion Pricing Tolls Face Legal Showdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-05-23

May 20 - City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.

amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.

• City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20

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 18 - Taxi driver turned left on Convent Ave, struck an 82-year-old woman in the crosswalk. She suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

An 82-year-old woman was hit by a taxi while crossing Convent Ave at W 130 St in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when the taxi, making a left turn, struck her. She suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No injuries were reported for the taxi occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield and pay attention at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17