Central Park Redesign Blamed for Pedestrian Death Amid Rising Crashes

Safety advocates are calling for enhanced security measures in Central Park following the fatal collision of a pedestrian with a cyclist. The incident, which critically injured Long Island resident Richie O’Brien, has intensified scrutiny on the park’s redesign.

O’Brien, 41, a steamfitter and father of two, was struck by a cyclist on September 23 while walking near East 84th Street on the park's East Drive. He sustained traumatic brain injuries and died on Sunday, according to his family.

The Central Park Conservancy issued a statement last week urging increased enforcement of traffic rules and reiterating its request for a 15 mph speed limit on the park's drives. However, pedestrian safety activists contend that the New York City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recent redesign of these routes is directly responsible for the increased danger.

"This is such a tragedy and it didn’t have to happen," Janet Schroeder, director of the New York City Electric Vehicle Safety Alliance, told The Post. Schroeder specifically criticized the DOT’s changes, which she described as creating a "super highway for deliveristas, Citibikes, speeding bicyclists and illegal e-vehicles."

The DOT's redesign of the park’s 6.03-mile car-free loop included the creation of two new one-way lanes for cyclists, designated for slow and fast-moving riders, alongside a single two-way lane for pedestrians. Previously, the drives featured separate lanes for walking and cycling, as well as vehicle paths.

Schroeder called for the resignation of Central Park Conservancy President and CEO Betsy Smith, accusing the conservancy of ignoring warnings from her group about the redesign's safety implications.

Data indicates a rise in crashes on the park drives. From December 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, the NYPD recorded 51 crashes, compared to 47 during the same period the previous year. This represents an increase of four incidents, according to NYPD collision data available through June 11, 2026.

The DOT stated that the project is ongoing and includes repaving, repainting roads, replacing traffic signals, and installing new signage to alert cyclists about pedestrians. The agency has not provided a firm completion date for the remaining phases of the redesign, which will address the northern section of the park loop.

"They are going to nicely ask riders to not go over 15? Put up signs?" Schroeder questioned. "Who in the hell is going to follow that? There is zero accountability or enforcement in our parks."

A previous attempt to mandate a 15 mph speed limit for cyclists faced legal challenges, with a judge placing it on hold in February following a lawsuit by the New York Cycle Club. The City Council currently has no legislative proposals specifically for a 15 mph limit in Central Park.

The City Council's Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is scheduled to hold a hearing on e-bike safety on Wednesday. Councilman Shaun Abreu, the committee's chair, indicated that O’Brien's death would be considered during discussions, though the hearing's primary focus remains on electric vehicles rather than standard bicycles.

A spokesperson confirmed that the DOT is reviewing the fatal crash, and the NYPD is conducting its own investigation.