Queens resident on e-bike fatally hit by SUV in accidental crash
In a shocking incident that has once again raised concerns about road safety in New York City, 55-year-old Zhao Feng Zhen lost her life after being struck by an SUV while riding an e-bike in Queens on July 31, 2023.
The collision occurred around 2:18 p.m. on Hollis Court Boulevard, near the intersection with 50th Avenue in Queens Village. Officers from the 111th Precinct rushed to the scene after receiving a 911 call, and EMS transported Zhao Feng Zhen to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The SUV involved in the collision was a 2015 Nissan Rogue, driven by a 62-year-old woman. The SUV collided with Zhao Feng Zhen's e-bike, causing her to be thrown from the bike and onto the pavement. Zhao Feng Zhen suffered severe chest trauma as a result of the collision.
The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is still investigating the incident, and the driver of the SUV has not been identified in the provided report.
This tragic incident marks the latest in a surge of e-bike collisions in the city this year. According to NYPD statistics, there has been a 25% increase in e-bike collisions year to date compared to the same period last year.
In response to the growing number of e-bike accidents, Mayor Eric Adams recently proposed new rules for food app delivery company e-bike riders. The proposed rules would require registration with the city Department of Transportation (DOT) and the assignment of ID numbers to deliveristas.
E-vehicle safety advocates have called for the passage of Priscilla's Law, which would require all e-vehicles to be registered with the DOT, not only those affiliated with app companies. This law aims to improve road safety and hold e-vehicle operators accountable for their actions.
While specific published statistics on e-bike collisions in Queens, NYC for 2022 and past years are limited, citywide data shows a marked increase in e-bike crashes and fatalities over recent years. In 2023, for instance, of the 30 cyclists killed in NYC, 23 were e-bike riders.
Queens is among the boroughs with notable cyclist injury and fatality counts, emphasizing the importance of monitoring e-bike collisions as their usage grows. For more detailed, borough-specific annual collision statistics by year for e-bikes, sources like the NYPD collision reports or NYC Open Data portals focusing on motor vehicle collisions by borough would be most reliable.
It is crucial to remember that every life lost on our roads is a tragedy. As the city continues to grapple with the increasing number of e-bike accidents, it is essential that we work together to ensure the safety of all road users.
[1] New York City Department of Transportation. (2025). Crash data. Retrieved from https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/data/crashdata.shtml
[2] New York City Council. (2025). E-bike safety legislation. Retrieved from https://www.council.nyc.gov/legislation/?search=e-bike+safety
[3] New York City Police Department. (2025). Collision reports. Retrieved from https://www.nyc.gov/site/nyc-emergency-management/data-and-reports/collision-reports.page
[4] Transportation Alternatives. (2023). Citywide e-bike safety legislation. Retrieved from https://www.transalt.org/e-bike-safety-legislation/
The shocking car-accident on Hollis Court Boulevard in Queens, resulting in the death of Zhao Feng Zhen, underscores the need for increased attention to general-news developments regarding accidents, particularly those involving e-bikes. In light of the 25% surge in e-bike collisions this year, initiatives like Mayor Eric Adams' proposed rules for food delivery e-bike riders and the passage of Priscilla's Law are crucial steps towards improving e-vehicle safety, especially in boroughs like Queens where cyclist accidents are prominent.
