Elderly cyclist, 71, killed after hitting unleashed dog, flipping over handlebars in Central Park

An elderly bicyclist was killed when he careened into a dog running free in Central Park Monday morning – and flipped over his handlebars to the ground, cops and sources said.

The 71-year-old cyclist was riding north on the East Drive near East 84th Street around 8:20 a.m. when he struck the unleashed pooch who darted into the roadway, police said.

A 71-year-old cyclist died after a collision with a dog on East Drive and East 84th Street in Central Park in Manhattan, New York, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Fox 5 New York A 71-year-old cyclist died after a collision with a dog on East Drive and East 84th Street in Central Park in Manhattan, New York, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Fox 5 New York The impact threw the senior over the handlebars and onto the pavement, hitting his head, police said.

The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, cops and sources said.

The dog was unharmed during the morning collision, cops said.

The owner, a woman, had the pup running free because dogs are allowed to be unleashed in that section of the park before 9 a.m., sources said.

The identity of the bicyclist was not released pending family notification.