Press Release
NEW YORK, NY (Thursday, July 16, 2026)—The Central Park Conservancy’s paramount concern is always the safety of everyone who comes to the Park—as a local or a tourist; whether to run, walk, ride, read, or simply take in the beauty of the world’s most extraordinary urban green space.
More work must be done to address this concern on the Central Park Drives, where earlier this month 43-year old Jean Celano was reportedly struck by an e-bike traveling the wrong way. She suffered head injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition. We fervently hope for her swift and complete recovery, and our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.
Too many people on the Drives are breaking the stated rules of the road, which, as we have seen, can have life-altering consequences. This is not acceptable. We maintain profound concerns related to high speeds—especially by e-scooters, e-bikes and non-electric racing bikes—and have long advocated for additional safety measures, 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.
No one should go for a run, take a walk, pedal a bike, or otherwise properly use Central Park and risk injury or worse. As the Park’s caretakers and stewards, we urgently ask our partners in the Mayor’s Office and the City Council to take additional steps – either through rule changes or the legislative process – that honor the inclusive history of Central Park while also improving safety for all visitors. In a Park that welcomes more than 40 million visitors each year, time is of the essence.
For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions or reach out to [email protected].