By Carol Tannenhauser
A bicyclist was killed in Central Park on Wednesday, June 18, after colliding with a pedestrian who was crossing East Drive at 97th Street, an NYPD detective told West Side Rag.
Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, of the Bronx, was riding northbound on East Drive when he collided with a 41-year-old unidentified pedestrian who was crossing the drive in the crosswalk from east to west, the detective reported. “The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and struck his head on the curb,” he said. EMS took him to Mount Sinai Morningside hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.
The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions to his left hand, and refused medical treatment at the scene, the detective said.
There have been no arrests, and an investigation by the NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is ongoing.
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I’m sorry for the cyclist and his family. But the pedestrian was in the crosswalk. Didn’t that give him the right of way? Shouldn’t the cyclist have stopped for him? Or at least slowed down? Would the cyclist have died if he had been wearing a helmet when he fell? We don’t know all the facts yet, but it’s a fact that the East and West Drives have become veritable race courses. Pedestrians (especially the elderly and parents with strollers) trying to cross them are at the mercy of irresponsible cyclists.
We don’t know what happened. The pedestrian was crossing from East to West. He could have stepped out right in front of the bike not leaving enough time for the cyclist to avoid the collision. It is also possible that the the cyclist was distracted. We can say pedestrians always have the right of way but that doesn’t mean a cyclist can always avoid them.
A cyclist should and must always avoid a pedestrian that has the right of way. And to be clear, I am an avid cyclist who rides thousands of miles per year. I am also a car owner and a pedestrian.
Yes, they should. But the fact is sometimes you can’t. Sometimes pedestrians (and this used to be limited to little kids but now extends to adults staring at their phone) step off the curb without looking.
To be clear, I’m a pedestrian. I am very much against e-Bikes in Central Park. That doesn’t change the fact that we don’t know what happened in this situation.
I am not going to pretend that I stop at all traffic lights while cycling. In my morning commute, heading down 5th Avenue, I often cannot see the edge of the road at the crosswalk because a bus is in the way. I am going to go through the light because 19 times out of 20 there is no one that will be in the crosswalk and no cross traffic. And half of those intersections it is actually 100% legal for me to go through the light as per NYC law. But I slow my speed enough that if there is someone I can’t see because they are blocked by the bus, if someone were to step out in front of me I would be able to stop. Over the years this has happened dozens of times. And I have always stopped in time and always will. So I agree with you that, when the cyclist has the right of way, they might not be able to stop in time. But when the cyclist does not have the right of way, I disagree with you and maintain that the cyclist MUST be able to stop in time. Otherwise the cyclist is 100% at fault for any collision.
That’s exactly not correct. A bicyclist approaching a crosswalk should be looking for pedestrians on the sidewalk approaching the curb, even if they haven’t stepped off yet. You said: “He [the pedestrian] could have stepped out right in front of the bike not leaving enough time…” You’re blaming the pedestrian, and that’s wrong again. It’s the bicyclist’s job to slow down to the point where there’s enough time to avoid any pedestrians.
There’s a light at that intersection. If the light was green, I’d conclude that the pedestrian is at fault.
This is actually not true according to law, if the cyclist had the light and the right of way. Cyclists, and drivers for that matter, have the right of way and, as long as they are traveling at or under the speed limit, are required to do anything that a reasonable person would do to avoid a collision if a pedestrian steps out in front of them. This includes hitting the brakes, swerving, etc. The idea that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, even in crosswalk, is a dangerous myth. If the cyclist was going against the light, then it is a different situation and the pedestrian then did have the right of way an, in that case, everything you said was true. But only if the pedestrian actually did have the right of way.
“We can say that pedestrians always have the right of way but that doesn’t means a cyclist can always avoid them.”
While we DON’T know all the fact, if so many cyclists did not ride at competition speeds, there would be fewer such accidents.
Cyclists need to start stopping for RED lights. They never stop. I can understand how they dont want to lose momentum but they should at least slow down.
I wholehartedly agree. Is there any indication there was a red light in this situation?
What does the law say? If cyclists choose not to follow them or law enforcement doesn’t enforce the law that is terrible. But are there laws that were broken that caused this accident?
If there aren’t there should be.
Thank God the pedestrian survived with only a minor injury.
I don’t know what happened here but I used to cross at that spot twice a day and the bikers come around a blind corner at 97th going north and not a lot of them stop regardless of the intersection or the light. Which I don’t even care as long as they yield to pedestrians, which they should do always.
They should. But equally, pedestrians should obey the light.
I am very familiar with that crosswalk, as I run by there all the time. That particular crosswalk is always an issue for peds whether headed East of West. Nortbound cyclist tend to pick up speed at the ‘straight-a-way’ between 90th and 97th Street right before the drive sligtly goes downgrade. Time to start considering speed bumps or traffic calming devices at all crosswalks along the drive. If not to protect the pedestrians, but to slow down cyclists and save lives.
A couple of thoughts. Speed bumps would be very dangerous for cyclists. Some posters say that cyclists don’t stop at red lights. Of course they don’t. The traffic lights are left over from when cars were allowed in the park. Pedestrians and cyclists, including this pedestrian, pay no attention to the lights. It is a 6.2 mile track around the whole park. And of course people try to improve their course time. Maybe put up a sign before curves like “Danger. Pedestrian crossing around next curve”.
Of course not. It’s beyond irresponsible for cyclists to “improve their course time” on a shared roadway. There’s a free velodrome in Kissena Park. They should be going there.
And the traffic lights are not “left over from when cars were allowed in the park”. They’re there (and have always been) to be obeyed by all vehicular traffic, including bicycles.
Olmsted did not install traffic lights when he built Central Park.
“Improve their course time”? This isn’t the Tour de France. This is a walkable city but for some reason pedestrians are at risk of injury and death both from drivers and cyclists.
As someone who cycles through CP 5 days a week. Describing CP as a track to where people may be attempting to improve their course time is definitely an issue.
Having a 6.2 mile stretch where bikes can ride without worrying about cars is already a massive privilege in big city. It’s most definitely and should never be a race track. That would ruin the park for most for the benefit of very few.
Two cyclists I know were seriously hurt in crashes with pedestrians in recent months. They told me the pedestrians stepped into their paths without warning. In one case, the cyclist had the light; in the other there was no nearby signal or crosswalk. Data on these crashes isn’t that good, and I wonder if they are more dangerous for cyclists than pedestrians [especially if the cyclists are unhelmeted; the cyclists I know both wore helmets].
Central Park is lawless when it comes to cyclist and pedestrian safety. Yes, cyclists must give right of way to pedestrians. Yes, cyclists usually ignore the lights. But I ride a lot in the park, and regularly see stupid pedestrian behavior too. People don’t pay attention.
I ride in the park too and yes there are idiot pedestrians but just like driving a car, you always have to give pedestrians the benefit of doubt and ride defensively. Want to ride fast laps, get up early or ride after dark. But I think the big problem lately is the # of ebike riders who just don’t know or care how to ride well. Maybe a test or license should be required for them.
All traffic laws in this country!
“Pedestrians have the right away!!!!”
Spare me the tears. I was a pedestrian who was hit by a cyclist in the park and left bleeding on the sidewalk while he sped away. Thank goodness, the people around me called an ambulance.
I am sorry you were in a crash. There is a lot of reckless riding in the park, especially in the afternoon and evening when it’s crowded and inexcusable to go fast. But Bill’s point regarding bad pedestrian behavior is valid. I’ve seen pedestrian/cyclist crashes that were 100% caused by a pedestrian stepping into the bike lane without looking. I’ve also seen multiple near misses between cyclists and off leash dogs that wander into the road.
For the record, I’m not a cyclist, but I’m a regular runner in the park.
There is no such thing as pedestrian bad behavior. Pedestrians are not going to wait for lights nor should they. It’s unrealistic and silly to think so. Bikes are hard to see and simply should not be going over 18 mph, PERIOD. Also, the person who thought it was a good idea to put bike lanes 12 inches from the sidewalk should be imprisoned.
If pedestrians shouldn’t have to wait for lights, why should cyclists? I understand that it is the law that cyclists should wait for lights. But I also understand that it is the law that pedestrians should wait for lights too.
Yes, I see plenty of pedestrian bad behavior all the time. There is no reason for a pedestrian to wait for a traffic light to change by standing off the curb and in the bike lane. As a pedestrian and a pedestrian advocate, I yell at pedestrians all the time to stay on the sidewalk. They are not in any races, either. They don’t need a starter gun. They gain no mileage by standing off the curb. There is no reason to spend billions building bike lanes so that a pedestrian should be standing in it. Courtesy works both ways.
Thank you. For an objective comment. There is often bad behavior all around. Unfortunately people only want to see one point of view – seems not only in CP – the world in general!
He shouldn’t have left, and I am sorry you were hurt and glad you are okay now – but if you were obeying the traffic laws, this comment wasn’t about you.
Lily- We are NYC E Vehicle Safety Alliance. We are 1200 volunteers who advocate for victims and try to get 0606-Priscilla’s Law passed as well as 0060. Pam Manasse is a co- founder and was paralyzed on right side of body by an e-moped that tried to speed away. Please join us. http://www.nycevsa.org.
Now the New York PD will be involved on slowing the bicycle extremist in Central Park down, it usually takes an incident like this for them to enforce the law for a month, what a shame our society is today.
Yup! Again the NYPD will have to solve this problem. What would this city be like if not for the NYPD and FDNY. Sanity amongst a chaotic city administration.
The NYPD is a significant part of this problem for their decades-long pattern of utterly ignoring traffic infractions by bicyclists in this city.
Not true in the slightest. The NYPD Officers cannot step out in front of a speeding bike … or do you think bikers will slow down and stop in order to receive a ticket? In the 20 Precinct, over 30 years ago, we initiated things like the Super Bowl Sunday bike sting. I was the Community Council President at the time. There were dozens of articles written about our bike stings and the like, but e-bikes bring a whole new level of lawlessness and it will not be stopped until bikes have license plates and red light cameras issuing tickets. Let’s not blame the NYPD for not initiating high speed cars chasing bikes to the detriment of everyone.
“Officers cannot step out in front of a speeding bike”
Who’s asking them to? We don’t expect offices to step in front of a speeding car, do we? Yet, in spite of that, the NYPD has ways of enforcing traffic laws when they’re broken by a motorist. Isn’t it entirely reasonable to expect that they will devise strategies for dealing with lawbreakers on bicycles and e-bikes? And if they fail to do so, isn’t that on them?
I’ve ridden a bicycle regularly for many years and I’ve previously written in to say that pedestrians and cyclists have to be reasonable and respect each other. That’s still true but the recklessness on the part of cyclists has grown really bad in the last few years. Based on my observations, there are three problems (excluding careless pedestrians): 1) cyclists going fast who just don’t care enough to slow down; 2) ebikes ridden by people who don’t normally bike and don’t understand how fast and dangerous they can be; and 3) ebikes ridden by delivery people who are so pressed for time that they are driven to take unreasonable risks. Problem (1) is what most people here complain about. It’s hard to enforce rules against them because while a law-abiding cyclist will stop for a cop, a speeder will whiz by on the other side of the road and it’s not worth the effort or danger for a cop who’s just been told to “crack down on cyclists.” Problem (2) is a simple education problem and can be dealt with using signs or posters or whatever. Problem (3) is complex and I’m not sure what to do about it. Personally, as a casual/commuter cyclist, I am being SUPER slow and careful, allowing more time for trips, and trying to make reassuring eye contact with any pedestrians who might consider me a threat. (I still get yelled at just for existing, though.)
although you didn’t enumerate it by word the “unnecessary risk” I fear most, and cannot be over emphasized, is the traveling the wrong way in a bike lane, and worse, doing that at 30-40% faster than non-e bikers. I was an avid cyclist for many years, who got so disillusioned with the bike traffic, I gave it up. It just wasn’t any fun any more.
Please please wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. This is so sad.
I’m in Central Park all the time as a jogger. About 20 percent of these bicycles go way toi fast and some which are electric bikes or scooters shouldn’t even be permitted in the park. Nothing is enforced in terms of safety. More accidents will happen and more folks will die and get injured because nothing is monitored in terms of safety.
It doesn’t have to be like this. Unfortunate and sad.
According to the ABC 7, “Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.”
That explains a lot. This is a subsection of riders–citibikers on ebikes that can do 25 miles an hour, riding without a helmet and utterly clueless as to the danger, or the laws. I’ve always seen them and thought of them as an accident waiting to happen. Unfortunate it did actually happen. Prevail on Citibike/Lyft in this case to educate their customers better, they do a crappy job at that and they should be held accountable.
This is a tragedy! I ride in the park numerous times a day to get from east to west and I witness the following, in order of the worst offenders! : 1-cyclists who think it’s a racetrack or the Tour de France and can’t be bothered slowing down or even stopping when pedestrians are walking 2- oblivious tourists who can barely handle their e-bikes swerving all over the place 3- rude NYers who just don’t care and will weave around pedestrians. To be honest, I see very few delivery guys riding. How about building a small bike track for the men (it’s always men!) who want to train for their bike races? I also suggest big loud signs at every crosswalk asking people to BE COURTEOUS AND SLOW DOWN & STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS! Paint the crosswalks bright yellow! Add a small speed bump…make it so cyclists have no choice but to slow down. Sure, cops will help but are they really going to go after the dozens of cyclists who plow through…😞
There IS a bike track for folks who want to train:
https://www.nycgovparks.org/facility/cycling-tracks/kissena-velodrome
Riding in a velodrome is a completely different type of riding than in Central Park or on the street, just like road cycling is a completely different type of riding than mountain biking. The bikes used for riding in a velodrome are a completely different kind of bike than a road bike or a mountain bike. That’s like saying we don’t need tennis courts in Central Park if we have badminton courts.
Kissena is 13 miles each way from the UWS. A city of 8 million can have more than one 400 meter track for competitive cyclists to train. Most spandex-clad riders are responsible and are on high alert at the worst points in the park, like east 97th, east 72nd, and the entire lower loop. I’ll note that this cyclist was a deliverista on a throttle e-bike, not someone cycling for sport.
Thirteen miles is basically two laps of the park. For a competitive cyclist, that’s pretty much a warmup, no?
Many years ago I was a roller blader who got hit from behind by a cyclist on the West Drive. I wasn’t weaving, going backwards or doing any fancy moves, just a steady skate in a straight line, so there was plenty of room to maneuver around to pass me, From behind me this guy, when he was about two feet away so I had NO time to react, suddenly yelled “on your right!” and then hit me, and we both went flying. People ran over to pick us up, and a cop did too. He asked if I was hurt, but I was still so stunned that a minor ache in my left hip didn’t seem to matter, so I said no. So I let the cyclist jerk go without getting his name, which I regret to this day, because an hour or two later the bruises came out and the swelling started. Luckily I had no broken bones (I eventually got an x-ray) but there was massive soft tissue bruising, a lot of pain, and I was using a cane for like 3 weeks. So when I’m on my bike I always remember my accident and make sure I’m observing everyone around me .
I would ban all motorized vehicles on the drive Including e-bikes (other than pedal-assist, park, law enforcement and emergency vehicles), and enforce it, and also ban bikers from riding “clipped in”. I would then have a full time “crossing guard” (a la Chelsea piers) at each crossing during “rush hour”. These steps, achievable, would make the loop much, much safer for all users.
Without knowing the facts, let’s not cast blame. My friend just last week experienced the same exact accident- riding the Central Park loop and hit a pedestrian, flying over the handlebars and hitting her head. She was lucky that she wore a helmet, but still suffered bad injuries. In her case, the pedestrian was crossing against the light and looking at his phone while walking. 100% at fault. Both cyclists and pedestrians need to be cautious and aware of their surroundings at all times.
I’m sorry for your friend’s accident. I was riding my bike in Riverside and a runner parallel to me on my right suddenly turned left a foot in front of me without warning and I got knocked down, instantly. It was quite amazing, the guy didn’t even think to look where he was going. Once you are in this situation, you have to assume going forward that all pedestrians are a danger and to leave plenty of berth to avoid them, and reduce your speed. Now I literally assume everyone will kill me – cyclists, ebikes, mopeds, delivery vehicles, cars, the works. In my neighborhood even if a car stops for you the guy behind will swerve around and hit you because that 10 seconds of their lives is so much more important that they can’t wait for the car ahead of them to move. Expect lawless, entitled, and clueless behavior these days and trust no one. The only protection is to go slow, assume no one is paying attention or stay off the road, unfortunately.
Prayers to family of the person who was killed. We readers are in no position to lay fault. And I am also sorry to all those who were injured by a bike/scooter or by a pedestrian. But we all share responsibility over all.Of course, each specific incident has its own set of facts, yet many find it easy to blame one group or another.
I, too, pass that area (the whole loop, in fact) regularly as a pedestrian, e-scooter-er, biker (just for leisure). Unfortunately, there is no easy fix, and it’s easy for everyone to blame the other party. But it’s not the peds, the bikers, the delivery guys, It’s everyone’s responsibility. And unfortunately, no law will actually protect you from an accident; you might have legal right of way, but if you insist on that right at the wrong time, you’re still the one who gets injured.
I have seen speeding bikers sail through crosswalks on a red,
I have seen peds crossing against the light, while looking at their phone, and walking in the direction of traffic (so they wouldn’t see what hit them even if they weren’t glued to their phone);
I have seen peds and scooterists waiting at the crosswalk each yielding to each other in the classic, “After you.” “No, please, after YOU.”;
I have seen peds waiting for traffic to pass even though they have the light;
I have seen bikers stop to let peds cross even though the biker has the light;
I have seen deliver guys slow and yield to me so I could exit;
I have seen peds walk straight into the crosswalk staring down oncoming traffic and just daring for someone to hit them;
I have seen many delivery guys stop for pedestrians;
I have seen e-scooters swerve and crash because they avoided a ped who was crossing against the light while talking into his phone.
If there is one group that does deserve unmitigated opprobrium, it’s the gas-powered scooter riders, and the gang-like riders who ride in packs at high speed doing wheelies, sometimes on gas dirt bikes GOING THE WRONG WAY ON THE DRIVE.
Let’s all accept our responsibility. Perhaps if we all endeavored to be a little more considerate to each other, a little more sensible about the immediate surroundings when we’re on the street, a little more patient, a little more responsible.
Be safe out there, everyone! Just like the saying, “It’s better to be happy than to be right.” It’s better to be intact that to be right.
Thank you. This is one of the most intelligent posts here. It is sad how many people are letting their personal experiences and biases impact their perspective on this.
Based on the article, it is not clear who is at fault. There are many times in such incidents where the biker is at fault. And there are many times where the pedestrian is at fault. So all of these other posts blaming one or the other are irresponsible and borderline dangerous. We Upper West Siders like to think we are so smart yet this comment list is just showcasing our ignorance.
Something needs to be done so that bikers are more responsible and slow down. And at the same time, pedestrians have to be more responsible. Even a biker going at a very slow pace would have a hard time stopping when a pedestrian steps out in front of them.
I don’t know what the answer is. But whining and placing blame with no corroborating is not constructive.
WSR is a great resource. And I admire the work of its writers and editors. You are also very aggressive at times with censoring. How about not publishing the posts of people who place blame like this? That would be helpful.
We don’t know if the light was red or green, and for which party. We don’t know if the victim was riding a bike or (racing) an e-bike. I do know both pedestrians, and even more so bikers, have zero respect for the park traffic lights, locals and tourists alike. It’s a total free for all. The only thing you can do to protect yourself is to watch out for your own safety. I speak as a daily visitor to the park, and I am a walker as well as a biker. Until we obey the law, the loop, particularly at crossings, will continue to be a deathtrap, unless you pay attention. Having said that, I absolutely love Central Park, I just pay attention.
The speed at which bikes and e-bikes travel in the park is ridiculous. It is way past time for speed regulations. Terrible incident! How many more have there been?
The tragic death of an e-biker in Central Park—after colliding with a pedestrian in a crosswalk and being thrown fatally from his own bike—is not just a tragedy, it’s a symptom of a broken, lobby-driven policy failure. E-bikes and e-scooters, many of which can reach 50+ MPH, are still completely unregistered, unlicensed, and untraceable—even when involved in crashes or reckless behavior. For years, commonsense legislation like Priscilla’s Law (Intro 0606 and State bills A339A/S2599A), which would require visible license plates and registration for these vehicles, has been aggressively blocked by Transportation Alternatives—a group more devoted to ideology than safety.
Now, under their influence, the City has allowed a deeply misguided “pilot” program to push these fast, motorized vehicles into our parks—our last supposed refuge from chaotic urban traffic. In Central Park, pedestrian walking space was sacrificed, the 86th St transverse sidewalk turned into bike lanes, and a six-mile e-bike loop merged with areas used by walkers and runners. It’s a disaster by design, courtesy of the Department of Transportation and Parks Department, which have been carrying the water for the “Biker Bro” lobby.
It’s time to end this nonsense. The e-bike parks pilot must be shut down. Council Member Holden’s Intro 0060—banning e-micromobility from NYC parks—must be brought to the floor and passed. The public should not be subjected to more danger, more fear, and more tragic headlines just so a handful of groups can continue to deny the harm they’ve unleashed. City officials must find the backbone to stand up to these activist lobbyists and finally protect the very people they’re elected to serve—walkers, seniors, children, runners, and everyone who still believes NYC should be a city safe for pedestrians.
Just like the elimination of automobiles in the park drives, it’s now time to ban the e-bikes.
Political representatives need to make bicycles LICENSED – unfortunately there are too many cyclists that don’t take responsibility for their actions. Licensing will help. and share companies should be required to have renter sign a contract each time they rent with verifiable contact info provided like text – sayithey understand they must follow all traffic rules. Then all police foot/bike patrols should be allowed to issue tickets for collisions involving bicycles- this should only be done by NYPD Officers on the street- not traffic control personnel who are never around…. Not DOT – our NYPD officers…
When micromobility vehicles become licensed, their business model fails, look at what happened to Revel scooters. The reality is that all these e-bike companies have a dangerous business model of more ridership and more vulnerable road users out on the road at all costs.
The important takeaways are always wear a helmet as a cyclist and don’t look at your phone/please pay attention while crossing, regardless as who has the right of way. These basic things save lives. [I was in a big bike accident as a kid — chain fell off — and decades later I’m still dealing with the fall out re: teeth issues. yay.]
Sadly this person’s death was preventable. A helmet for one must be worn by anyone cycling. Nor should this “pilot program” to bring e-bikes to Central Park have been instituted. It was created with no community input and largely the ill conceived idea of the DOT and the Trans Alt lobby. It has been objected to by the majority of NY residents since inception. And yet it continues without any real observation or investigation of the results. Many people have been severely injured.
This beautiful park is now taken over by motorized 2 wheel vehicles riding mainly at 30mph without any concern for traffic laws.
Sadly the city’s agencies have been captured by private interests. The safety of residents, seniors, children, the disabled and e-bike riders themselves is a footnote of little interest. The hundreds of letters written to end this program are ignored. Many no longer go to the park for fear of being run over while on a pedestrian path or on the loop.
New York has killed the goose that laid the golden egg. It’s a very dangerous city.
This is tragic, nothing less. And preventable. The bike lobby and Adams and the unrelentingly-incompetent Rodriguez dot are responsible. Ebikes amd all other evehicles should be banned from the Park. Enough. Wake up Adams and Ydanis,
So easy, add speed bumps throughout the park. The Spandex Monsters can get the aggression out on Route 9 in NJ and terrorize those residents. It’s that simple.
The pedestrian has the right of way. Period. Even if he’s stupid and crossing against the light and not in a crosswalk. The cyclist has to avoid people on foot. And the cyclist has right of way over anyone in a motorized vehicle. This is just common sense. I’m still flummoxed by the fact that cyclists expect me to move out of their way when I’m on a sidewalk and they’re riding illegally. I feel bad that I do not feel bad for this cyclist.
Unless the surviving pedestrian is honest, we’ll never know what happened here. I implore people to look where you are going, no matter if you are on a bike or walking. Get your heads out of your iPhones. Stop rushing. Yield to whoever has the right of way. Slow down on curves. If two people saw each other, there is no excuse for them to be running into one another. Bikes can swerve easily, which is one of the reasons to be on two wheels and not three or four. There is no reason for any pedestrian to step in front of a bike, and no reason for any bike rider to zoom past any pedestrian, either. Severe injury, or death, or a lawsuit isn’t worth a few seconds — courtesy should be extended to all.
PLM
Peddling Lives Matter.