January 15, 2026 For decades, Central Park has been the "lungs of New York City," a 843-acre sanctuary where the city's frantic pace is supposed to dissolve into birdcalls and rustling leaves. But today, those leaves are being drowned out by the hum of electric motors and the screech of high-speed tires.

The city recently slashed the speed limit for bikes and e-bikes from 20 mph to 15 mph. On paper, it’s a victory for safety. On the pavement, many residents say it’s a death trap waiting to happen.

The "Super Highway" Scandal

During a recent marathon session of Manhattan Community Board 7, the atmosphere was electric—and not in a good way. While the Department of Transportation (DOT) touts new road markings and yellow caution lights as "safety improvements," victims and local advocates are calling foul.

The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, representing over 1,400 concerned citizens, argues that the park’s new design has effectively created an "e-bike super highway" designed to help delivery drivers and commuters shave seconds off their trips at the expense of human lives.

"I literally sprint across the crosswalk to avoid cyclists," says Upper West Side resident Jake Smyth. "They don’t stop for red lights. They don’t stop for yellow lights."

The Human Cost: Blood in the Garden

While official reports from Sam Schwartz Engineering cite 522 collisions over a four-year period, victims argue the real numbers are buried under a mountain of unreported incidents.

The stories shared at the meeting were harrowing:

• Roberta Simon: A runner hit from behind by a 15-year-old on an e-bike. She woke up four days later following emergency brain surgery.

• Renee Baruch: Hospitalized for a week with multiple surgeries after an e-bike collision. She notes that while police reported one accident in her area, she and her neighbors documented 15, including three involving EMS vehicles.

"These things are horribly dangerous," Baruch warned. "Parks are for recreation, not transportation."

Why the NYPD Can’t Stop the Speeding

If there’s a 15 mph limit, why isn't it being enforced? The answer from the NYPD is a sobering reality check for anyone hoping for a quick fix.

Deputy Inspector Timothy Magliente, commander of the Central Park Precinct, admitted that traditional speed enforcement is a technical nightmare. "The frame of a bicycle is narrow, which makes it impossible to shoot Lidar [laser speed guns]," he explained.

While the precinct issued over 100 summonses for e-bikes last quarter and 4,000 safety fliers, the sheer volume of the 42 million annual visitors makes the park nearly impossible to police. Even speed cameras are viewed as a "band-aid" fix; Magliente noted that riders simply slow down for the lens and throttle back up the moment they pass.

The Great Divide: Necessity vs. Leisure

Not everyone wants the e-bikes gone. For some New Yorkers, the park is a vital artery for safe travel in a city that is otherwise hostile to two-wheeled transit.

"I use an e-bike to get my son across town. We have a lot of stuff to carry," says Trevor Shade of West 82nd Street. "It’s a necessity."

Cyclists like Andrew Rosenthal point out that bikes are only allowed on seven miles of the park’s roads, compared to 60 miles of pedestrian-only paths. "We need to share those seven miles," he argued, noting that for many, the park is the only "safe" place to exercise away from deadly city traffic.

What’s Next?

As the Central Park Conservancy and the DOT look toward "Phase 2" of their safety plan, the tension between pedestrians and riders remains at a breaking point. Proposals for raised crosswalks and stricter lane separations are on the table, but for those who have already felt the impact of a 50-pound e-bike at full throttle, "hope" isn't enough.

For now, if you’re heading to the park for a stroll, the advice from locals is clear: Look twice, move fast, and don't trust the green paint.