New York City, New York — A devastating crash on one of New York City’s busiest bridges has left two men dead and sparked renewed concerns over the growing presence of illegal high-speed electric scooters on city pathways.
Authorities say the fatal collision occurred on the Queensboro Bridge and involved an electric scooter capable of traveling at speeds far above the legal limit in New York State.
Deadly Crash Unfolds on Busy Bridge
According to reports, the crash happened shortly after 8 a.m. on May 28 in the bridge’s dedicated bike lane.
Investigators said a 39-year-old man riding a motorized stand-up scooter was traveling westbound when he collided head-on with a 35-year-old cyclist heading east.
Emergency responders rushed both men to a nearby hospital following the violent impact. Despite medical efforts, both victims later died from their injuries.
Authorities identified the scooter rider as Francis Del Valle and the cyclist as Dmytro Stechenko.
Illegal Scooter at Center of Investigation
The tragedy has drawn significant attention because the scooter involved was reportedly an illegal high-speed micromobility device.
Advocates and transportation officials confirmed that the scooter was capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 50 mph.
Under New York State law, electric scooters are prohibited from operating if they can exceed 20 mph.
The discovery has intensified concerns among safety advocates who argue that increasingly powerful electric scooters pose serious risks to cyclists and pedestrians sharing the same infrastructure.
Riders Describe Dangerous Conditions
The Queensboro Bridge remains one of the busiest routes in the city for cyclists and pedestrians.
Although separate lanes were established for non-vehicle traffic last year, many commuters say congestion remains a major issue.
A local resident who frequently uses the bridge described the situation in blunt terms.
“It sucks. It’s just really bad,” he told Gothamist. “The riders on the electric scooters, they fly.”
He also expressed concerns about visibility during certain hours of the day.
“Especially when it’s dark, this part of the bridge early in the morning or late at night, pitch black,” he said. “You can’t see them coming.”
The comments highlight ongoing worries about both speed and visibility on crowded transportation routes.
Advocacy Groups Call for Change
Transportation advocates say the deadly collision could have been avoided.
Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, called crashes involving illegal high-speed devices “entirely preventable.”
The nonprofit organization is urging city leaders to move forward with legislation known as the “Ride Safe, Ride Right” bill, which seeks to restrict the sale of certain fast-moving micromobility devices.
Supporters argue the measure would help reduce the number of dangerous vehicles operating on bike lanes and shared-use pathways.
City Officials Respond to Tragedy
The incident has also prompted a response from city leaders.
A spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized concerns about illegal high-speed devices operating in public spaces.
“This terrible tragedy is a grim reminder that illegal, high-speed micro-mobility devices, like the stand-up e-scooter involved in this incident, are dangerous and have no place on our roadways or bike paths,” the spokesperson said.
The statement continued:
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of both victims as we continue to review the details of this crash. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe, and the Mamdani Administration will continue working to remove these illegal devices from our streets and bring accountability to micromobility use.”
As investigators continue reviewing the crash, the tragedy has become a focal point in the broader debate over safety, regulation and enforcement involving rapidly growing micromobility technology.
What do you think should be done about high-speed electric scooters on public pathways? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
