Press Release
NEW YORK—In the wake of a reported crash early Wednesday on East Drive in Central Park, a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy issued the following statement:
"We are extremely saddened to hear that a Park user, walking his bike, was struck by a cyclist on Central Park's East Drive. The Conservancy's thoughts are with him and his family at the time as we hope for his recovery.
As the managers and stewards of the Park, we renew our call for additional safety measures on the Drives, including:
- A 15-mph speed limit (instituted by the NYC Department of Transportation but now suspended in the face of litigation);
- Stronger and more consistent enforcement of traffic rules by our partners in city government; and
- Better bike infrastructure around the Park’s perimeter so that commuters and delivery riders have safe, direct routes that don’t require cutting through the Park itself.
It is unacceptable that a walker, runner, cyclist, or any other visitor responsibly spending time in Central Park should have to anticipate danger, risk injury, or worse. We urgently ask our partners at the Department of Transportation, New York City Council, and the Mayor's Office to increase enforcement, strengthen regulations, build better infrastructure, and prevent another incident from occurring."
Questions may be directed to [email protected].
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About the Central Park Conservancy
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages Central Park and is responsible for raising the Park's annual operating budget. The Conservancy’s staff of 400 is responsible for all aspects of the Park’s stewardship, from day-to-day maintenance and operations to continued restoration and rebuilding projects. Additionally, the Conservancy operates the Park’s visitor centers, provides public programs, and serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. For more information, please visit centralparknyc.org.