Canal Street Kills—City Watches, Promises, Delays

Jun 23 - A sedan hit a nine-year-old on a standing scooter at Cherry Street and Market Slip. The child suffered chest injuries. Police cite driver inexperience. The street stayed busy. The system failed the vulnerable.

A sedan traveling north on Cherry Street struck a nine-year-old boy riding a standing scooter at Market Slip in Manhattan. The child, listed as 'Other Motorized' and 'Driver,' suffered chest injuries and abrasions. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. No other injuries were specified for the sedan occupants. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The collision highlights the risk faced by vulnerable road users when driver errors occur.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822712 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 18 - A sedan hit a 77-year-old woman crossing with the signal at E Broadway. She suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

A 77-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing E Broadway in Manhattan. She was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, the driver was making a U-turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. Driver inattention and distraction were also cited as contributing factors. The report lists no injuries for the driver or passenger. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver error at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - Waymo will test robotaxis on New York streets. Human drivers will control the cars. State law blocks full autonomy. Officials stress safety. Waymo pushes for legal change. The city weighs risk. Streets wait for the next move.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Waymo will soon test its driverless taxi technology in New York City. The vehicles will not operate autonomously; human drivers will remain behind the wheel, as state law forbids fully driverless cars. Waymo is lobbying for a law change to allow autonomous operation, but the effort has stalled in the State Assembly. Mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari said, "Public safety is our first priority, which is why we have strong guardrails and requirements in place on any sort of autonomous vehicles." The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing Waymo’s permit application, the first under the new Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration or Testing Permit Program. The article highlights the tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with policy decisions pending and no driverless operation allowed yet.

• Waymo Robotaxis Begin NYC Street Tests, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 17 - A driver failed to yield. A woman crossing with the signal was hit at Lafayette and Leonard. She suffered a bruised arm. The car’s left front bumper struck her. System failed to protect her.

A 25-year-old woman was injured while crossing Lafayette Street at Leonard Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and suffered a contusion to her arm. The vehicle’s left front bumper made contact. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No vehicle damage was noted. The system allowed danger at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823292 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A cyclist struck a 67-year-old man on Hester Street. The man suffered a fractured back. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard. The street stayed busy. The pain stayed sharp.

A cyclist traveling west on Hester Street struck a 67-year-old pedestrian, causing a fractured back and dislocation. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of impact. The report lists no damage to the bike. The man remained conscious after the crash. The data highlights driver inattention and failure to obey traffic controls as key factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822707 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - A sedan hit a cyclist at Bowery. The cyclist was ejected and hurt. Police cite following too closely. The street saw blood, metal, and a man limping away.

A sedan and a bike collided at 250 Bowery in Manhattan. The 32-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered injuries to his lower leg. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was the contributing factor. The sedan, driven by an 85-year-old woman, showed no damage. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the report lists driver error first. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - A box truck turned into a cyclist on Madison Street. The cyclist suffered a leg injury. Police cite improper turning and driver inexperience. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed busy. The cyclist bled.

A box truck and a cyclist collided on Madison Street near Catherine Street in Manhattan. The 55-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion and lower leg trauma. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The truck driver was licensed and uninjured. The cyclist was conscious but hurt. The police report lists no helmet or signaling issues. The truck had no visible damage. The crash underscores the danger when large vehicles turn into the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821627 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

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

Jun 1 - A cyclist crashed on Duane Street. She was thrown from her bike. Her shoulder fractured. The police report lists the cause as unspecified. The street stayed silent. The pain did not.

A 30-year-old woman riding a bike on Duane Street in Manhattan was ejected and injured. According to the police report, she suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. The crash left her conscious but hurt. No driver errors were specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819509 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - An SUV turned left on Centre Street and hit a cyclist. The rider went down hard, injured in the leg. Police say the driver was distracted and failed to yield. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy. The cyclist was left bruised.

A crash on Centre Street at White Street in Manhattan involved a Ford SUV and a cyclist. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when it struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The 22-year-old cyclist suffered a knee and lower leg injury, described as a contusion. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV’s left front quarter panel hit the cyclist, who was not using any safety equipment. The driver, a 21-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn without yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - A car passed too close on Broome. A 60-year-old cyclist was ejected and injured. Hip and leg struck. Streets stayed loud. Metal and flesh met hard.

A 60-year-old woman riding a bike west on Broome Street was struck and ejected after a car passed too closely. According to the police report, the crash involved a 2022 Honda car and a bicycle, both traveling straight. The cyclist suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was in shock. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor. The car's right front bumper hit the bike's left rear. No helmet or signal use is mentioned in the report. The crash left the cyclist hurt and the street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 29 - A bus hit an 11-year-old girl on Madison Street near Oliver. She suffered arm injuries. The bus showed no damage. Police listed no clear cause. The street stayed busy. The child was conscious. The city’s danger pressed on.

An 11-year-old girl was struck and injured by a bus while crossing Madison Street at Oliver Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the child was crossing outside an intersection and suffered abrasions to her arm but remained conscious. The bus, a New Flyer model, was traveling east and showed no damage after the crash. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or violations are recorded in the data. The report notes the child was 'crossing against signal,' but does not cite this as a contributing factor. No mention is made of helmet or signal use. The incident underscores the persistent risks faced by pedestrians, especially children, on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 21 - A car passed too close on Henry Street. The right front bumper hit a woman working in the road. She suffered back injuries and shock. The street saw danger. The system failed to protect her.

A 33-year-old woman was injured on Henry Street in Manhattan when a vehicle passed too closely and struck her with its right front bumper. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Passing Too Closely.' The pedestrian was working in the roadway and suffered back injuries and shock. No other contributing factors were listed. The crash highlights the danger faced by people working on city streets when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817104 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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