On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, pedestrians, crash victims and safety advocates gathered along a Central Park drive near West 72nd Street to demand stricter rules for e-bikes, e-scooters and cyclists, saying riders too often fail to stop for people on foot, ABC7 New York reported. The rally followed a fall marked by two deaths on the park loop. As a Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer team, Chaikin Trial Group wants walkers, joggers and riders to understand what the reports say, why these collisions happen and what rights injured people have under New York law.
What Happened at the Central Park Rally
The demonstration was organized by the New York City E-Vehicle Safety Alliance (EVSA), which wants e-vehicles banned from the park and opposes the planned redesign of the park’s six-mile loop, according to ABC7 and 710 WOR. Members stood along the roadway near West 72nd Street asking riders to stop at pedestrian crossings; some complied and others kept going. “People are hit almost every day,” EVSA leader Janet Schroeder said.
The New York Daily News described several recent incidents on the loop:
- September 23, about 6:30 a.m.: Richie O’Brien, 41, a steamfitter walking to work, was fatally struck by a cyclist on East Drive at 84th Street. The NYPD says its investigation is ongoing, including whether he was in the crosswalk with the light.
- October 5, about 8:20 a.m.: Near the same spot, a 71-year-old cyclist braked to avoid an off-leash dog, was thrown from his bike and suffered a fatal head injury.
- July 7, about 4:30 p.m.: Jean Kotler, 43, was jogging in the pedestrian lane on West Drive at 64th Street when a wrong-way e-bike rider struck her from behind. She suffered a traumatic brain injury; her family says she will be on disability for life.
Our thoughts are with the O’Brien family, the family of the cyclist who died, and everyone recovering from injuries in the park.
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Why These Accidents Happen: Central Park Crash Data
According to NYPD Central Park Precinct figures reported by the Daily News, there were 34 severe accidents in the park last year, involving 22 pedal cyclists, 7 riders of motorized two-wheelers and 4 pedestrians, and one e-bike rider died. Severely injured pedal cyclists rose from 11 to 14 to 17 over the prior three years, and 20 severe injuries have been recorded on the loop so far in 2026. ABC7, citing the NYPD, reported 26 e-bike and e-scooter accidents in the park this year as of October 18.
Common factors in park-drive collisions include:
- Riders failing to yield at pedestrian crossings or running red lights
- Excessive speed on shared drives, especially on downhill stretches
- Wrong-way riding in lanes meant for one direction or for pedestrians
- Crowded mixed-use space shared by joggers, tourists, cyclists, pedicabs and e-vehicles
- Sudden hazards such as off-leash dogs or people stepping into the drive
City officials say they are working on it. A spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani said the NYC Department of Transportation is “working in close collaboration with the Central Park Conservancy and NYC Parks” to monitor the drives, and NYC Parks said it is “committed to making our greenways and park drives safer and more welcoming for everyone.” Advocates are also pushing Priscilla’s Law, which would require e-bikes and e-scooters to be registered and display a visible rear license plate. For broader pedestrian safety guidance, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Your Legal Rights After a Pedestrian or E-Bike Accident in New York
Being hit by a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter can cause injuries as serious as a car crash, including head and brain trauma, fractures and spinal injuries. A Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer can help you sort through several issues that are specific to these cases:
- Negligence claims against the rider. Cyclists and e-bike riders must follow traffic rules and use reasonable care. If a rider’s carelessness caused your injury, you may have a personal injury claim against that rider.
- Insurance can be complicated. New York’s No-Fault system applies to motor vehicle accidents. Legal e-bikes and e-scooters are generally not treated as motor vehicles for No-Fault purposes, so recovery may depend on the rider’s own coverage, such as homeowners or renters insurance, or on other policies. Delivery riders working for a business may raise additional questions about the employer’s responsibility. Your own policy may also offer some protection.
- Shared fault does not bar recovery. New York follows pure comparative negligence (CPLR 1411), so your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault but not eliminated.
- Claims involving the City. If a dangerous roadway, crossing design or maintenance defect played a role, a claim against the City of New York generally requires a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident.
- Deadlines. Most New York personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years. Wrongful death claims and claims against public entities have shorter deadlines, so it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.
Every case is different, and these general rules are not a substitute for advice about your specific situation.
What To Do After an E-Bike or Pedestrian Accident
- Get medical care right away. Head injuries may not show symptoms immediately.
- Call 911 and ask for a police report. In Central Park, the NYPD Central Park Precinct responds.
- Identify the rider. Get the rider’s name, phone number and any insurance information. Because e-bikes generally do not carry plates, photos of the rider, the device and any company logos or delivery bags matter.
- Document the scene. Photograph the crossing, signals, signs, lighting and your injuries.
- Find witnesses and cameras. Park visitors, nearby buildings and riders with helmet cameras may have recorded the collision.
- Keep records of medical visits, missed work and expenses.
- Speak with an attorney before giving recorded statements to any insurance company.
How Chaikin Trial Group Can Help
Chaikin Trial Group represents people injured in pedestrian accidents and bicycle, e-bike and scooter accidents throughout New York City, Long Island and Westchester, from our offices in Manhattan and Melville. Our team can investigate who was responsible, identify every available insurance source, gather video and witness evidence, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. When a crash takes a life, our wrongful death lawyers help families seek accountability.
Learn more about our personal injury practice, review our case results, see the areas we serve, or read client reviews.
If you were hurt in Central Park or anywhere in Manhattan, talk to a Manhattan pedestrian accident lawyer today. Consultations are free, and you pay no fee unless we win. Contact us online.
Related: read our coverage of the Central Park North e-bike crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pedestrian accident lawyer in NYC if I was hit by an e-bike instead of a car?
It can help. Insurance coverage for e-bike and scooter collisions is often less clear than for car crashes, and identifying the rider and any responsible business can take investigation. A pedestrian accident lawyer in NYC can evaluate who may be liable and which policies may apply.
What does a Manhattan bicycle accident lawyer do for cyclists who are hurt?
Cyclists can be injured by other riders, vehicles or hazardous conditions. A Manhattan bicycle accident lawyer gathers evidence, deals with insurers and pursues compensation from those responsible, including in some cases claims involving roadway conditions.
Can I still recover if a Central Park bike accident was partly my fault?
Possibly. Under New York’s comparative negligence rule, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault but is not automatically barred.
How long do I have to contact an e-bike accident attorney?
As soon as possible. Most personal injury claims must be filed within three years, but claims involving the City require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, and wrongful death claims have their own shorter deadline. Evidence such as video footage can also disappear quickly.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.