Seven Dead, a Thousand Broken—Why Won’t NYC Slow the Streets?

A man pedaled east on West 72nd. His bike crumpled beneath him. Blood pooled on the street. His skull split. He did not fall, but something inside him broke. The city’s hard edge met flesh and bone.

A 31-year-old man riding a bike eastbound on West 72nd Street near Central Park was severely injured, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist suffered a major head injury with severe bleeding after the back of his bike folded under him. The narrative describes, 'His head split open. Blood spilled onto the pavement. The back of the bike folded under him. He stayed upright. Something inside him didn’t.' The only contributing factor listed in the police report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' No other vehicles are cited as involved. The crash occurred at 16:48 in Manhattan’s 10023 zip code. The police report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The focus remains on the confusion and systemic dangers that can lead to such devastating outcomes for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723865 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan door snapped open on West 68th. Metal met muscle. A cyclist’s leg split, blood pooling in the street. The driver never looked. The cyclist, helmeted and conscious, bore the wound. Distraction behind the wheel left flesh torn.

A cyclist traveling east on West 68th Street in Manhattan collided with the left-side door of a parked sedan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 19:48 and resulted in severe lacerations to the cyclist’s knee and lower leg. The report states, 'A sedan door flung open. Steel caught his leg. Flesh tore. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. The driver hadn’t looked.' The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedan’s driver opened the door without checking for oncoming traffic, causing the impact. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause cited is the driver’s failure to pay attention before opening the door.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719706 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany lawmakers clear the way for New York City to lower speed limits to 20 mph. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, follows years of parent-led advocacy. The measure excludes major multi-lane roads but targets most city streets. Lives hang in the balance.

On April 18, 2024, state lawmakers advanced legislation enabling New York City to reduce its default speed limit to 20 mph. The measure, known as Sammy’s Law, is part of the state budget deal and awaits final publication. Sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill allows the City Council to set lower limits on most streets, but excludes roads with three or more lanes in one direction. The bill’s title honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a speeding driver in 2013. Rosenthal said, “This is about trying to eliminate all unnecessary deaths, and one of the ways you do that is by making the speed limit lower.” Hoylman-Sigal credited persistent advocacy by Sammy’s mother and Families for Safe Streets. The City Council and Mayor must still approve the change. Advocates and city officials say the law gives New York City a vital tool to prevent traffic violence and protect vulnerable road users.

• Lawmakers to allow NYC to lower speed limit to 20 mph, gothamist.com, Published 2024-04-18

A diesel truck passed too close on West 76th. The e-bike rider, helmet on, was crushed at the hip and killed. The truck rolled on, untouched. The street fell silent, holding the weight of sudden loss.

According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck traveling east on West 76th Street passed an e-bike rider 'too closely.' The 57-year-old woman riding the e-bike, who was wearing a helmet, was struck and crushed at the hip. She died at the scene. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, underscoring a critical driver error by the truck operator. The truck itself sustained no damage and continued on after the collision. The e-bike rider’s helmet use is noted in the report, but the fatal outcome was driven by the truck driver's failure to maintain a safe passing distance. The report offers no evidence of any error or contributing action by the e-bike rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706377 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turned left on 8th Avenue. A 62-year-old man biked north. Metal met flesh. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The car was untouched. The man was not.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn at 8th Avenue and West 35th Street struck a northbound cyclist at 12:04 p.m. The 62-year-old man on the bike suffered a head injury, was partially ejected, and bled severely but remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, both attributed to driver error. The sedan was undamaged, while the cyclist lay half-thrown beside his frame. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail follows the primary driver errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls and fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped rider crashed headfirst into a parked SUV on Ninth Avenue. Blood pooled beneath his helmet. He stayed conscious, wounded and dazed, as streetlights flickered onto the cold Manhattan night.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old moped rider traveling south on 9th Avenue near West 58th Street struck the left side doors of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A moped struck a parked SUV. The rider, 29, hit headfirst. Blood seeped from his helmet. He stayed conscious.' The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor, indicating the moped rider responded to another vehicle's actions before the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time, with no damage reported. The injured rider suffered severe head bleeding but remained conscious. The police report notes the use of a helmet by the rider. No driver errors from the parked SUV are cited; the focus remains on the chain of events triggered by traffic conditions and the presence of large, stationary vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Electeds launched 'Bike Safe' to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They named cars as the main killers. Delivery workers face pressure from apps. The campaign puts blame where it belongs: on reckless drivers and the systems that push workers to risk lives.

On January 19, 2024, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Council Member Erik Bottcher launched the 'Bike Safe' public safety campaign in Council District 47. The campaign, titled 'Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll,' urges cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks, but Bottcher stressed, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Bottcher and Hoylman-Sigal both called out reckless drivers as the real threat. Assembly Member Tony Simone joined, pushing for statewide laws to curb dangerous delivery app practices. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project highlighted how apps force delivery workers into risky behavior, but noted that new minimum pay rates help slow things down. The campaign focuses on education, not punishment, and centers the voices of workers and vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Electeds Roll Out 'Bike Safe' Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-19

Council Member Bottcher and colleagues launched ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They admit cars are the main killers. Five died in Bottcher’s district last year—three were pedestrians hit by drivers. The campaign runs citywide.

On January 19, 2024, Council Member Erik Bottcher unveiled the ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ campaign. The effort, joined by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Tony Simone, aims to remind cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks. Bottcher’s district saw 2,215 crashes last year, injuring 267 pedestrians and 218 cyclists; three of five fatalities were pedestrians killed by drivers. Bottcher said, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Simone highlighted delivery app pressure on workers to break laws. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project noted delivery workers face daily risks and exploitation. The campaign, first in English and Spanish, will expand citywide. The focus remains: cars are the real threat, but all street users must be considered.

• Electeds Roll Out ‘Bike Safe’ Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-19

A sedan backed into a 39-year-old woman standing off West 33rd Street. Her head split open. Blood ran. Twelve vehicles tangled in the chaos. Alcohol fueled the crash. The street roared. She fell silent. Systemic danger, unchecked.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman stood off the roadway on West 33rd Street near 7th Avenue when a sedan reversed into her, splitting her head open and causing severe bleeding. The impact set off a chain reaction, tangling twelve vehicles. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor, stating one driver had been drinking. The woman was not in the roadway at the time. The police report highlights the driver's error—backing up while impaired—as the direct cause of the injury and the pileup. No victim action contributed to the crash. The incident exposes the lethal risk of impaired driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Upper West Side’s board voted 8-1 to demand crackdowns on unregistered mopeds. The resolution urges city and state to punish illegal dealers, enforce laws, and back Albany’s registration bill. Lawmakers say loopholes fuel chaos. Immigrants often misled. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 14, 2023, Community Board 7’s transportation committee passed a resolution, 8-1, demanding action against unregistered mopeds. The board called on the Department of Motor Vehicles to impose civil penalties on unregistered dealers and urged city and state officials to enforce laws against selling non-street-legal mopeds. The resolution also asks the city to consider a buy-back program for gas-powered mopeds. The matter, titled 'Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds,' supports Albany legislation requiring sellers to register mopeds with the DMV before sale. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores sponsor the bill. Bores said, 'We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets.' The board’s move aims to close loopholes, protect vulnerable road users, and address the chaos caused by unregistered mopeds.

• Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

A Jeep struck a parked Toyota on Broadway. The Jeep fled. Inside the wreck, a nine-year-old girl bled from the eye. Her face was cut deep. She stayed conscious. The street ran south. The light still held. Metal and blood marked the scene.

A Jeep crashed into a parked Toyota sedan at Broadway and West 61st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the Jeep vanished after impact. A nine-year-old girl, riding as a passenger in the Toyota, suffered severe lacerations to her face and eye but remained conscious. The report states, 'A parked Toyota, front crushed. A Jeep vanished. Inside the wreck, a 9-year-old girl, bleeding from the eye, stayed conscious. Her face cut deep.' The contributing factor listed is 'Other Vehicular.' No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are specified in the data. The girl’s use of safety equipment is unknown. The crash left the street marked by violence and loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684172 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany lawmakers move to force moped registration before sale. The bill aims to block illegal, unregistered mopeds from city streets. Dealers, not riders, would handle paperwork. Advocates say this targets bad actors and protects pedestrians from rogue machines.

On October 23, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill in Albany to require moped dealers to register vehicles with the DMV before buyers leave the shop. The bill, supported by Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Upper East Side), seeks to close a loophole that lets illegal mopeds flood city streets. The matter summary states: 'New legislation in Albany seeks to eliminate the use of illegal mopeds by requiring sellers to register them with the DMV before buyers can take them out of the shop.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This common-sense bill would simply ensure that the registration happens at the point of sale, before someone rides out of the shop.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project backs the move, stressing manufacturer responsibility. Attorney Daniel Flanzig says the law could clear streets of unregistered, dangerous vehicles. The bill is not yet law, but enforcement actions against illegal mopeds are already underway.

• State Lawmaker Seeks to Close Moped-Registration Loophole, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

Council Member Holden’s e-bike license bill piles red tape on riders but leaves pedestrians exposed. The proposal skips real fixes—wider sidewalks, protected lanes, safer work rules. It targets e-bikes, not the cars and street chaos that truly endanger walkers.

Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill, co-sponsored by a Council majority, to require licenses for all e-bikes. The bill, discussed in October 2023, has not specified a streamlined process for licensing. The matter’s summary states: 'Holden's bill does nothing to rectify the fundamental issues of inadequate space and dangerous workplace practices.' Holden and his colleagues push regulation, but critics say the bill ignores the real threats: narrow sidewalks, blocked crosswalks, and unsafe delivery work. The proposal would burden riders and discourage micromobility, while failing to address illegal mopeds or car dominance. State Senator Brad Hoylman’s employer-provided ID plan is cited as a better alternative. The opinion calls for protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and fair enforcement, not more bureaucracy. Holden’s bill, critics argue, misses the mark for pedestrian safety.

• Opinion: Holden’s E-Bike License Proposal Misses the Mark on Pedestrian Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

A man crossed West 44th. A car followed too close. No screech, no stop. He fell. Blood ran down his leg. Shock in his eyes. The car rolled on, untouched. The street held the pain.

A 46-year-old man was injured while crossing West 44th Street near 8th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the car was 'following too closely.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot and showed signs of shock. The report states, 'A car followed too close. No screech, no stop. He fell hard. Blood spilled down his leg.' The vehicle showed no damage. The only driver error listed is 'Following Too Closely.' No other contributing factors are mentioned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672482 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Chevy sedan turned left at West 10th and Greenwich. The driver hit a 76-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She bled on the pavement. Semiconscious, then still. The car’s front end took the impact. She died at the scene.

A 76-year-old woman was killed at the corner of West 10th Street and Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a Chevy sedan made a left turn and struck the pedestrian head-on as she crossed with the signal. The report states, 'The light was with her. She was 76. She crossed with the signal. The car struck her head-on.' The driver’s action is listed as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The impact was to the center front end of the vehicle. The woman suffered severe head injuries and was semiconscious before succumbing to her wounds. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist lies in critical condition after a crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street. Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out the city’s inaction. The intersection has claimed lives before. The community rallies, but danger remains. Cyclists keep dying. The city stalls.

On September 26, 2023, Councilmember Shahana Hanif (District 39) issued a statement following a severe crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street in Park Slope. The incident left Jacob Priley, a cyclist and advocate, critically injured. Hanif highlighted the intersection’s deadly history, referencing the 2021 death of Arcellie Muschamp. She pressed the Department of Transportation for urgent safety upgrades, saying, 'How many more crashes until the DOT pays attention?' Hanif noted the recent completion of a protected bike lane on Ninth Street but stressed that more action is needed. She thanked neighbors for their support and vowed to work with the DOT. So far in 2023, 3,702 cyclists have been injured and 22 killed on New York City streets. The city’s pace on safety remains too slow for those at risk.

• Brooklyn rallies behind biker critically injured in Park Slope crash, raises funds for medical bills, amny.com, Published 2023-09-26

A Nissan sedan hit a man on West 42nd Street. The bumper smashed his head. Blood spilled on the street. He stayed awake, hurt and bleeding. The car rolled east. The driver was distracted. The city failed to protect him.

A 29-year-old man was struck by a Nissan sedan while crossing West 42nd Street just before 1 a.m. According to the police report, 'A distracted driver in a Nissan sedan struck a 29-year-old man crossing against the light. The bumper hit his head. Blood pooled. He stayed conscious. Hurt bad. The car kept moving east.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The crash underscores the danger posed by driver distraction. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

A man on a Bravo motorcycle crashed northbound on 8th Avenue before dawn. He flew headfirst, helmeted, into the dark. The front end crushed. He lay bleeding, unconscious, ejected from the wreck. One rider. One silence.

A 36-year-old man riding a 2016 Bravo motorcycle was severely injured in a crash on 8th Avenue near 47th Street in Manhattan at 4:06 a.m. According to the police report, the rider was ejected, suffered a head injury, and was found unconscious and bleeding. The report states, 'A man on a 2016 Bravo motorcycle flew headfirst into the dark. Helmeted, bleeding, unconscious. The front crushed, the rear torn.' The motorcycle was traveling northbound when the crash occurred. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped sped east through Central Park at dawn. The driver lost control. He flew from the seat. His hip shattered. Flesh tore. He screamed in pain. The trees stood silent. No helmet. No brakes. No answer.

A 30-year-old moped driver was ejected and severely injured on Central Park’s Transverse Road Two. According to the police report, the moped was traveling at unsafe speed, with no helmet and no brakes. The driver suffered a shattered hip and severe lacerations. The report states, 'A moped tore east at dawn. No helmet. No brakes. The driver, 30, flew from the seat, hip shattered, flesh torn.' Unsafe speed is listed as the contributing factor. The data notes the absence of a helmet only after the primary driver error. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash left the driver conscious but in agony, alone in the early morning park.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653002 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04