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

A motorscooter and motorcycle slammed head-on on Henry Hudson Parkway. The woman on the scooter died at the scene. She wore a helmet. The man on the motorcycle survived with leg injuries. Unsafe speed drove the crash. Metal and flesh scattered on the road.

A deadly crash unfolded on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, a 48-year-old unlicensed woman riding a motorscooter was struck head-on by a southbound motorcycle. She wore a helmet, but it did not save her. She was ejected and died from severe head wounds. The 26-year-old man on the motorcycle survived, suffering injuries to his lower leg and foot. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the collision. The motorscooter driver was unlicensed, but the report centers on speed as the primary cause. No pedestrians or bystanders were involved. The force of the impact left one dead and one injured, marking another violent night on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on a bike crashed into a parked truck. The tire failed. Blood pooled on the street. He clutched his shoulder. The crash left him hurt and bleeding. The truck stood empty. The avenue stayed busy.

A 34-year-old man riding a bike struck the rear of a parked Hino truck on West End Avenue near West 66th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a severe shoulder injury and bled onto the street. The report lists 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' as the contributing factor. The truck was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but no helmet use was listed as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the vulnerability of cyclists when equipment fails.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on a bike struck a parked Audi on West 73rd. His head hit metal. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The SUV never moved. Night pressed in. Driver inattention marked the crash.

A 50-year-old man riding a bike crashed into a parked Audi SUV on West 73rd Street near West End Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist's head struck metal and he suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious. The SUV was stationary and unoccupied. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the primary driver error. The crash highlights the dangers faced by cyclists on city streets, even when vehicles are parked.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 69-year-old woman crossed with the light. A speeding e-scooter hit her. Blood pooled on the street. She lay semiconscious, head injured. The scooter’s front end was crushed. The signal kept blinking. The city’s danger was plain.

A 69-year-old woman was struck by an e-scooter at the corner of 9th Avenue and 29th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a 36-year-old man, driving south on an e-scooter, hit her at unsafe speed and disregarded traffic control. The woman suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, left semiconscious on the pavement. The e-scooter’s front end was crushed. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was ejected from the scooter. No mention of helmet use as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the lethal risk faced by pedestrians in the city’s crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany lawmakers extended 24/7 speed cameras but stalled on key safety bills. Local control over speed limits failed. Some progress, much disappointment. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. Council Member Adrienne Adams was mentioned. The fight for safer streets continues.

""Of course, not as much as any of us would have wanted to see, but for the first time, speed cameras are normalized. The knee-jerk opposition to them has dissipated and now we can build on the success of the 24-hour camera bill to introduce and pass more legislation."" -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

The 2022 New York State legislative session reviewed transportation and street safety policy, with Council Member Adrienne Adams (District 28) mentioned in coverage. Lawmakers extended New York City's school-zone speed camera program for three years, allowing 24/7 operation—a win for street safety. The bill, however, was watered down. Other measures under the 'Crash Victims Rights and Safety Act' saw mixed results: some passed, like upstate towns setting 25 mph speed limits and increased complete streets funding; others, like 'Sammy's Law' for NYC speed limits and expanded safe passing for cyclists, stalled. The matter title called the session 'historic, yet deeply disappointing.' Adams was not a sponsor but was referenced in the debate. Advocates and senators voiced frustration at the lack of progress on local speed limit control and measures against repeat reckless drivers. The session left vulnerable road users without key protections.

• THE ALBANY REPORT: A Historic, Yet Deeply Disappointing, Glass-Half-Empty Legislative Session, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-06-06

Albany extended 24/7 school-zone speed cameras for three years. Lawmakers failed to pass Sammy’s Law and other vital safety bills. Advocates called the session a partial victory, but vulnerable road users remain at risk. Progress, but not enough. Streets stay dangerous.

The 2022 New York State legislative session ended on June 6, 2022. Lawmakers extended and expanded New York City’s school-zone speed camera program to operate 24/7 for three more years. The bill passed, but was watered down from its original form. Other key street safety bills, including 'Sammy’s Law'—which would let NYC set its own speed limits—did not advance. Senator Andrew Gounardes called the speed camera win 'monumental,' while Senator Brad Hoylman said, 'not as much as any of us would have wanted to see, but for the first time, speed cameras are normalized.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives voiced disappointment over the failure of Sammy’s Law, calling it a top priority for Families for Safe Streets. Several other bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists stalled or died in committee. The session brought some progress, but left many dangers unaddressed.

• THE ALBANY REPORT: A Historic, Yet Deeply Disappointing, Glass-Half-Empty Legislative Session, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-06

A 28-year-old man rode north on 12th Avenue. He lost control. The motorcycle struck head-on. He was ejected, helmeted, killed. His head crushed, organs torn. Inexperience and failure to yield ended his life. The bike lay demolished on the street.

A 28-year-old unlicensed man was killed while riding a 1982 Honda motorcycle northbound on 12th Avenue near West 46th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the rider 'struck head-on. Ejected. Helmeted. Dead. Head crushed. Organs torn.' The crash left the motorcycle demolished. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The victim was wearing a helmet, but the severity of the impact proved fatal. No other vehicles or people were reported injured. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of driver inexperience and missed yields.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4534266 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assemblyman Mamdani and Senator Hoylman push for cameras in 50 protected bike lanes. Drivers who block lanes face $50 fines. DOT backs the plan. Lawmakers say enforcement is needed. Cyclists face danger daily. Cameras promise real consequences for reckless drivers.

Assembly Bill, proposed June 2, 2022, by Zohran Mamdani (District 36) and co-sponsored by Brad Hoylman, seeks to deploy automated enforcement cameras at 50 protected bike lanes. The bill aims to fine drivers $50 for each infraction, targeting those who block or drive in bike lanes. The matter summary states: 'NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes.' Mamdani and Hoylman argue that enforcement is critical, with Mamdani stating, 'You consistently see cars driving in the bike lane. We know that these cameras work to deter drivers from breaking the law.' DOT supports the measure, calling it 'life-saving automated enforcement technology.' The bill awaits City Council approval, with Mamdani pledging to advance it through the summer and fall.

• NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-02

A cyclist hit an open SUV door on West 53rd. His head struck hard. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake, injured. The SUV door remained open. The city kept moving. The crash left pain and silence behind.

A 48-year-old man riding a bike on West 53rd Street in Manhattan collided with an open door of a parked SUV. According to the police report, the cyclist's head struck the door, causing severe bleeding. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The SUV was parked at the time, and the door was left open. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary error cited is improper lane usage. The crash left the cyclist injured and conscious. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530320 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel met flesh on West 55th. An e-bike blew through the light. A man stood in the street. The bike struck him hard. Blood streaked his face. He stayed conscious. The street stayed still. The city moved on.

A 44-year-old man was injured on West 55th Street in Manhattan when an e-bike traveling east disregarded a traffic signal and struck him. According to the police report, the e-bike 'sped east through the light.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to his face but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The crash did not occur at an intersection. No mention of helmet use or signaling is included in the report. The incident highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4526326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A GMC SUV struck a woman working on West 25th Street. The driver was distracted. Her leg was crushed. She stayed conscious. The SUV showed no damage. The street bore witness. The system failed to protect her.

A woman working in the roadway on West 25th Street in Manhattan was struck by a GMC SUV. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and distracted. The impact crushed the woman’s leg, leaving her conscious but injured. The SUV, driven by a licensed man, showed no damage. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The woman suffered crush injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was not at an intersection when hit. The data does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger faced by people working in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4525032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on a bike struck head-on at West 38th and 8th. He flew from the saddle. His face ripped open. Blood pooled. The other vehicle stood untouched. Failure to yield cut him down. Silence followed, broken only by sirens.

A 28-year-old man riding a bike was struck head-on at the corner of West 38th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, he was ejected from his bike and landed unconscious on the pavement with severe facial lacerations. The report states, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The other vehicle involved showed no damage. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the primary factor listed is driver failure to yield. No blame is assigned to the injured cyclist. The crash left blood on the street and a man fighting for life.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4513739 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota sedan sliced across lanes on 11th Avenue. Metal shrieked. The driver, 36, took a burn to the eye. Blood ran. Smoke rose from the wreck. He stayed awake. The city moved on.

A Toyota sedan crashed near 11th Avenue and West 22nd Street in Manhattan. The driver, a 36-year-old man, suffered a severe burn and eye injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The report states, 'A Toyota sedan cut lanes. Metal screamed. The driver, 36, sat burned and bleeding from the eye.' No other injuries were specified. The data lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash left the driver conscious but hurt, as smoke curled from the crumpled front of the car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4509583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City wants to loosen idling rules. Community Board 4 says no. Advocates warn of dirtier air, sicker kids. DEP claims clarity, but enforcement already weak. Spectrum wants a break. No one supports it. Drivers idle near playgrounds, hospitals. Danger grows.

On March 4, 2022, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a public hearing on a proposed rule change to New York City's vehicle idling law. The change would broaden the definition of 'processing device,' letting more vehicles idle legally. Manhattan Community Board 4 voted unanimously to reject the change, warning, 'These exemptions... would create an argument that just about any activity that requires power in a vehicle is an idling defense.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman testified, 'Drivers most often idle in front of highly trafficked pedestrian areas... those that live near large roadways face serious health repercussions.' Advocates, residents, and Dr. Patrick Schnell all opposed the proposal, citing health and environmental harm. Spectrum requested a variance, but all testimony opposed it. The DEP claims the change clarifies the law, but enforcement is already weak and large companies are frequent violators. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• AIRBORNE ASSAULT: City Considers Weakening Idling Law that Will Lead to More Pollution, Advocates Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-04

A westbound SUV struck a 65-year-old woman crossing with the signal at West 79th and Broadway. The left bumper hit her hip. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The driver was distracted. The city’s danger showed in steel and blood.

A 65-year-old woman was hit by a westbound SUV while crossing Broadway at West 79th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when the SUV’s left bumper struck her hip, causing severe bleeding. The driver, a 75-year-old woman, was listed as distracted at the time of the crash. The report states: “The driver was distracted.” The official contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are not listed as a cause. The SUV’s impact left the woman injured and conscious at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4506835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Kwok Kwan, an e-cyclist, died after a taxi passenger doored him on 11th Avenue. No summons issued. The strip is notorious for crashes. Council Member Bottcher and Senator Hoylman rallied for protected bike lanes. The city’s deadly streets claim more lives.

On February 16, 2022, e-bike rider Kwok Kwan died after being doored by a taxi passenger on Manhattan’s 11th Avenue near 37th Street. No summons was issued to the driver or passenger for the illegal act. The area, plagued by 913 crashes in three years, has injured dozens of cyclists and pedestrians. Council Member Erik Bottcher and State Senator Brad Hoylman responded by rallying with advocacy groups, demanding protected bike lanes on 10th and 11th avenues. Hoylman tweeted, 'The City must make the streets of the West Side safer!' The Hudson River Greenway, a nearby bike path, bans legal e-bikes, forcing riders like Kwan onto dangerous streets. This was the city’s first cyclist death of 2022, amid a rising toll of road fatalities.

• E-Cyclist Dies After Being Doored On Deadly West Side Strip, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-16

A Chrysler sedan slid south on Henry Hudson Parkway. Metal crumpled at the front. The lone driver, 27, suffered deep leg cuts. He stayed conscious. The road was dark and slick. No other injuries reported. Pavement conditions played a role.

A 2000 Chrysler sedan traveling southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway lost control on slippery pavement. According to the police report, 'A 2000 Chrysler sedan slid on slick pavement. Metal folded at the nose. The 27-year-old driver, alone, belted, bled from deep cuts in his leg. He stayed awake. The road stayed dark.' The driver, the only occupant, suffered severe lacerations to his leg but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the primary contributing factor. No other vehicles or road users were involved. No driver errors beyond the hazardous road surface were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4499935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State lawmakers push to end mandatory parking in new buildings. The bill targets car dominance, aims to cut congestion, and free space for homes. Sen. Hoylman leads the charge. The move could shift city streets, making room for people, not just cars.

Senate Bill, introduced by Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), would ban cities from forcing developers to build off-street parking in new projects. The bill, considered as of January 31, 2022, is under review by the state legislature. The measure, described as aiming to 'encourage public transit use, reduce car ownership, and address climate change,' would give New York City 180 days to update zoning if passed. Sen. Hoylman, the sponsor, calls parking minimums 'backwards' and a barrier to affordable housing. Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx) has shown support for similar efforts. The Department of City Planning and the governor's office will review the legislation if it advances. The bill does not ban parking outright, but removes the mandate, letting developers decide. Advocates say this could lower costs and open space for housing or community needs.

• State Bill Would Eliminate Parking Minimums in the City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-31

A 66-year-old man rode south on West 37th. His bike hit broken pavement. He flew off, struck his head, and died on the street. Blood marked the spot. The nearby taxi never touched him. The city’s streets claimed another life.

A 66-year-old cyclist was killed on West 37th Street near 11th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the man hit broken pavement, was ejected from his bike, and suffered a fatal head injury. The report states, 'The nearby taxi never touched him. He died where he fell.' The only contributing factor listed is 'Pavement Defective.' No driver errors or vehicle contact were reported. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, which is noted after the primary cause. This crash highlights the lethal danger of neglected street conditions for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4495187 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04