No More Names on the Asphalt

SUV turned left on E 13th. Cyclist hit. Leg injured. Police list no cause. Streets stay hard. Riders bleed.

A station wagon SUV making a left turn on E 13th Street collided with a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 39-year-old man, suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, the crash involved the SUV's left front quarter panel and the cyclist's bike. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a cause. The impact left the cyclist hurt and the SUV damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A parked Ford and a bronze Toyota touched in Manhattan. An investigator cuffed the young driver on the spot. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office is investigating. No injuries reported. Tension hung in the air.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a minor collision occurred in Manhattan when a civilian's Toyota touched a parked Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. The investigator, Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, immediately confronted and handcuffed the young woman driver, demanding identification. A witness described, 'He jumped out and cuffed her on the spot. No questions, no warning.' The woman was reportedly driving without a license. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office stated, 'OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time.' The incident highlights the use of force and protocol in minor traffic incidents involving law enforcement personnel.

• Security Detail Cuffs Woman After Fender-Bender, New York Post, Published 2025-06-20

A cyclist, forty-three, struck a pedestrian on East Drive near 97th Street. The crash ended his life. Central Park’s paths turned deadly. The city’s promise of safe passage failed. Another vulnerable road user lost to impact.

Gothamist reported on June 19, 2025, that a 43-year-old cyclist died after colliding with a pedestrian in Central Park. The crash occurred on East Drive near 97th Street, according to the NYPD. The article states, "A 43-year-old cyclist died after colliding with a pedestrian in Central Park." No details were given about the pedestrian’s condition or the circumstances leading to the collision. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists and pedestrians sharing crowded park roads. The report underscores ongoing concerns about safety infrastructure and traffic management in one of New York City’s busiest public spaces.

• Cyclist Killed After Central Park Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-19

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

A man crossing East 14th was hit by a cyclist. Blood pooled on the pavement. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Shock set in. The bike rolled on, undamaged. The street stayed busy. The city did not stop.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a cyclist traveling east struck him while he crossed East 14th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was in shock after the crash. The incident occurred at night, away from an intersection or marked crosswalk. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data. The bicycle sustained no damage. The crash highlights the ongoing dangers faced by pedestrians on New York City streets, even when no motor vehicles are involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a man crossing East 5th Street. The car struck his leg. Police cite driver distraction. The man suffered a bruised knee and foot. The street stayed open. The danger stayed present.

A sedan hit a 38-year-old man crossing East 5th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash happened when the sedan was starting from parking and struck the pedestrian, injuring his knee and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and had no signal or crosswalk. The man suffered a contusion. Systemic danger remains for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A police chase tore through Upper Manhattan. A crash. Flames. Francisco Guzman Parra died trapped in the wreck. Officers drove past, never stopped. Video shows the moment. No help came for minutes. The street bore the cost.

Patch reported on June 7, 2025, that NYPD officers pursued Francisco Guzman Parra from The Bronx to Upper Manhattan. Security video shows the pursued SUV crashing and catching fire at Dyckman Street. Officers arrived seconds later but did not stop, instead driving away as flames grew. Guzman Parra died in the fire. The article quotes Guzman's sister: "No help was offered, and then how long he burned for." Officers were suspended after the incident. A police union spokesperson claimed officers could not see the wreck. The department is reviewing whether officers failed to report the deadly crash. The case raises questions about NYPD pursuit protocols and response obligations.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Fire, Patch, Published 2025-06-07

A taxi hit a man in the crosswalk. He suffered head and internal injuries. The police cite vehicular factors. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

A taxi traveling north on 3rd Avenue struck a 54-year-old man at the intersection with East 10th Street. The pedestrian suffered head and internal injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The report lists no driver injuries. The only listed contributing factor is 'Other Vehicular.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A car hit a man on Avenue D near East 4th Street. The driver sped north and struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The man suffered a fractured arm. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed led to the crash. The street stayed quiet after impact.

A 29-year-old man walking on Avenue D near East 4th Street in Manhattan was struck by a vehicle traveling north. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection when the crash occurred. He suffered a fractured and dislocated arm but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The vehicle's center front end hit the pedestrian. No information about the vehicle make or driver was provided. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling. The crash highlights the danger posed by speeding and aggressive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Taxi swung left on Houston. Cyclist rolled straight. Metal hit flesh. Rider thrown, leg battered. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay ruthless.

A taxi making a left turn on East Houston Street collided with a westbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 31-year-old man, was ejected and suffered injuries to his lower leg and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor for both the taxi and the bike. The taxi’s right front bumper struck the cyclist. No other injuries were specified for the taxi occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. Police targeted cyclists, not reckless drivers. Riders stopped at every light, exposed the law’s absurdity. One cyclist jailed for lacking ID. Drivers who injure go free. Cyclists demand fair treatment, safety, respect.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of New Yorkers joined a mass ride to protest the NYPD’s intensified enforcement against cyclists. The demonstration, which began at Union Square, challenged new policies issuing criminal summonses for minor cycling offenses. Riders followed traffic laws, highlighting the crackdown’s contradictions. One cyclist, Erin Poland, said the policy 'is not actually protecting cyclists [but] putting them in more danger.' Another, Tara Pham, noted, 'I’ve been hit by vehicles twice... those drivers face no criminal charges.' The article details how police arrested a Citi Bike rider for not moving aside and lacking ID, while drivers who injure vulnerable road users often avoid serious consequences. The piece underscores the disparity in enforcement and questions the effectiveness and fairness of current NYPD tactics.

• Cyclists Protest NYPD Crackdown in Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-02

A taxi turned left on First Avenue. A cyclist rode straight. Metal struck flesh. The cyclist, a 24-year-old woman, hit the pavement. Her arm bled. The city kept moving. The driver was distracted. The street stayed dangerous.

A crash at the intersection of First Avenue in Manhattan involved a taxi and a cyclist. The taxi, heading west, made a left turn. The cyclist, a 24-year-old woman, was riding straight north. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered an abrasion to her arm. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary error cited is driver inattention. The taxi’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. The crash left the cyclist injured. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The city’s streets remain hazardous for those outside a car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A sedan hit a cyclist at East 5th Street and First Avenue. The cyclist suffered arm abrasions. Police cite outside car distraction and unsafe speed. The crash left the cyclist injured. The driver was not reported hurt.

A crash on East 5th Street at First Avenue in Manhattan involved a sedan and a bicycle. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn when it struck a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 41-year-old man, suffered abrasions to his arm and was listed as injured. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The sedan's driver, a 35-year-old man, was not reported injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes cited were driver distraction and speed. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A judge stopped federal threats to choke city funds over congestion pricing. The $9 toll stands. Streets stay crowded. The fight moves to court. Safety projects hang in the balance. The city waits. The deadline looms.

Patch reported on May 27, 2025, that District Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding federal funding as leverage against New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order 'bars the DOT from engaging in any retaliatory measures' and prevents cancellation of the toll, which charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Federal officials had threatened to withhold funds for road and street safety projects if the city continued the program. The order lasts until June 9, keeping the toll in place and leaving critical infrastructure funding uncertain. The article highlights the standoff between federal authorities and city leaders, with safety and mobility projects at risk.

• Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27

A woman riding home on her e-bike was attacked late at night. She suffered grave brain injuries. The assailant stole her bike, fled, and dumped it in the river. The path had no lights, no cameras. She was left defenseless.

Gothamist reported on May 24, 2025, that Diana Agudela, a 44-year-old e-bike commuter, was brutally beaten on Randall's Island on May 16. The suspect, Miguel Jiraud, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges. Prosecutors said Jiraud, on parole and wearing a GPS anklet, attacked Agudela after 11:30 p.m., stole her e-bike, and discarded it in the East River. Agudela is not expected to survive, having undergone multiple brain surgeries. The article quotes Agudela’s daughter: “We need more protection, we need more lights.” The path where the attack occurred lacked lighting and surveillance. The incident highlights gaps in infrastructure and safety for vulnerable road users.

• E-Bike Commuter Beaten On Randall's Island, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-24

A commercial truck backed up on Avenue C. Its rear struck a pedestrian at the intersection. She suffered a back abrasion and shock. The driver and passenger were unhurt.

A commercial vehicle struck a pedestrian while backing on Avenue C at East 12th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection and suffered a back abrasion and shock. The driver and passenger in the truck were not injured. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. Helmet use or signaling were not listed as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814344 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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