Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycle Safety

NYPD: Pedestrian In ‘Serious Condition’ After Getting Hit By Central Park Cyclist

File photo: Dave Colon

A woman was seriously injured after a cyclist struck her in Central Park on Tuesday morning, police said.

The 26-year-old biker hit the 49-year-old victim inside the park near W. 74th Street at about 7 a.m., police said. The woman was taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in “serious condition” with head and body trauma.

But a police spokesman could not say whether the cyclist, who remained on the scene, was speeding or had gone through a red light — which one member of the local community board said bikers do too often.

“This may or may not have contributed to this incident, but is a common problem that poses a serious risk to pedestrians,” Susan Schwartz, a member of Community Board 7, told the West Side Rag.

The board is expected to vote tonight on a resolution calling for more NYPD enforcement to crack down on rogue cyclists, but advocates say the solution is redesigning the notoriously dangerous pathways in Central Park to make them safer for both bikers and pedestrians, not sending in more police. The city has banished cars from the park, but has not reconfigured traffic lights that were installed to control motor traffic.

“We've been arguing that the roadway is designed for cars/vehicles, and needs a complete reimagination, not more enforcement,” said Lisa Orman, director of Streetopia UWS.

Since 2012, the first full year when the Department of Transportation was required to collect such data, seven pedestrians have been struck and killed by cyclists — several of which have been inside Central Park. Over the same period, more than 1,000 pedestrians were killed by drivers.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Trust Us’: Albany Pols Offer Only Promises To Fill Massive Hole In MTA Capital Plan

Gov. Hochul put a big "IOU" note in place of a real plan to fill the $33-billion hole in the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan.

January 15, 2025

Hochul’s ‘Heavy’ E-Bike Proposal is Light on Potential: Critics

Very few class 3 electric bikes reach 100 pounds. And they look a lot like class 2 e-bikes.

January 15, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Curb Enthusiasm Edition

New York City will launch five "microhub" delivery zones in Brooklyn and Manhattan this spring or earlier, officials said. Plus more news.

January 15, 2025

GOP Governor Hopeful Mike Lawler Dishes Culture War Dreck In Anti-Transit Tantrum

The Republican congressman journeyed to Albany to spew the same empty rage that transit opponents have trotted out for years.

January 14, 2025

Gov. Hochul Eyes Parking Ban at Elementary Schools; Advocates Say It’s ‘Not Enough’

It's a start, but why not bring the safety benefits to the whole city?

January 14, 2025
See all posts