Update March 31, 2025: This story has been updated to include a link to a GoFundMe campaign.


A 49-year-old man was fatally struck by an e-bike cyclist at Franklin and India streets this past Friday evening. 

Williamsburg resident Luis Cruz was crossing Franklin when a 26-year-old cyclist traveling southbound struck him, knocking him over and causing severe head trauma, according to the NYPD. Emergency services were called to the scene at about 7:41 pm. They…

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  1. They were both in the wrong. Double parked and running a stop sign. I hate entitled motorists just as much as e-bike riders.

    1. I don’t think double parking should be a death sentence, lol. Hate is a strong word my friend, you should be careful with that.

      1. Meh. this is what happens when you take shortcuts in life, my friend. I also hate irresponsible / self entitled dog owners.

          1. Well, there are a lot of irresponsible / self entitled dog owners in Greenpoint. Were you triggered? Keep your mutt on a leash and clean up after it, sweetheart.

  2. I’m not surprised to see this intersection in the news. In my experience, it can be very dicey using the crosswalk here. Many e-bikes blow through the stop signs and cars don’t always come to a complete stop. Even though I live on India and use the ferry every day, I cross at the lights one block over on Java – especially at night. It’s just too unnerving at this intersection.

    1. Also the pole light on the corner of Java has been out of service for over a year even after being report many times

  3. This is the exact intersection where a female reporter for a major news outlet was killed riding on the back of a vehicle similar to this. They put up a stop sign after that. People especially seniors are terrified of these vehicles because they rarely obey the law. I have had several close calls with many of them.

  4. I didn’t see any lights on this E bike involved in crash,this should be requirement for all E bikes.Front and rear lighting along with reflective stripping could’ve prevented this accident.

  5. Now that McGuinness is safe, can the same brave coalition rally to make Franklin and India Streets safe from e-bikes?

    Shockingly, no mention of this tragic death on the zealots’ social media platform.

    1. The changes on McGuinness is the best thing to happen in this area since making Kent a one way.

      1. Vision Zero indeed. It is a disgrace that no local politician has said a single word about this man’s death. Complete and utter hypocrisy. Make this a post on IG, Greenpointers, or does this just not fit your narrative?

  6. As a (non electric and non delivery) bike rider, these idiots on e-bikes and mopeds ride in the bike lane and almost hit me on a daily basis. I also watch them repeatedly almost hit pedestrians. Drivers in north brooklyn are equally as dense. Double parking your car on a busy street? You don’t need a car in greenpoint and williamsburg. Idiocy all around.

    1. Amen! It takes no effort to operate an ebike, yet they always seem to salmon because traversing 1 or 2 blocks to ride with traffic is just too much effort. They should be banned.

  7. The lame reason of ‘low death rates’ caused by cyclist is not a reason to not pass laws mandating these vehicles to be responsible when they hurt or kill a pedestrian. Yes, they have to be identified by a license plate and yes, they have to be financially responsible for the damage they cause. How often do bricks fall from buildings and kill people? Yet, laws were enacted that high buildings have to inspect and fix loose bricks on their facade every Five years.

    1. These cretins are not cyclists and he did stay at the scene. Much like when a motorist kills a pedestrian, there will be little to no punishment unfortunately.

  8. The lame reason of ‘low death rates’ caused by cyclist is not a reason to not pass laws mandating these vehicles to be responsible when they hurt or kill a pedestrian. Yes, they have to be identified by a license plate and yes, they have to be financially responsible for the damage they cause. How often do bricks fall from buildings and kill people? Yet, laws were enacted that high buildings have to inspect and fix loose bricks on their facade every Five years.

  9. In a ridiculous response, some have called for even MORE “protected” bikes lanes in Greenpoint. What we actually need are protected PEDESTRIAN lanes – to protect us from bikes and e-bikes and motor bikes that have turned our neighborhood into a dangerous Wild West for pedestrians.

  10. i have written to the DOT twice over the course of 15 years to put a light in here – Ive seen T bones – smashed cars and near misses. If any one needs to sue do it.

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