Subway surfing in New York City refers to the dangerous act of riding on the exterior of moving subway trains, typically on top of or clinging to the sides of the cars, often for social media attention or as a form of thrill-seeking. This activity has led to multiple fatalities, including the recent deaths of two teenage girls found on a J train in Brooklyn in October 2025, highlighting its extreme risks.
What Is Subway Surfing?
Subway surfing involves individuals riding on the outside of moving subway trains, such as on the roof or between cars, instead of inside the passenger compartments. The practice has existed for over a century but has gained renewed popularity among teenagers due to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where videos of the stunt can go viral. Despite public safety campaigns, the behavior persists and has become increasingly deadly.
Risks and Dangers
The dangers of subway surfing are severe and often fatal. Risks include electrocution from the third rail, which carries 600 volts of electricity, collisions with tunnel structures or overhead beams, falling onto the tracks, and sudden train movements that can throw riders off balance. In one past incident, a teenager died after his head struck a beam while riding over the Williamsburg Bridge. The New York City Transit president has emphasized that “getting on top of a subway car isn't ‘surfing’—it's suicide”.
Recent Incidents and Statistics
As of October 2025, subway surfing has resulted in at least three deaths in the year, following six fatalities in 2024 and five in 2023. The victims are increasingly younger, with some as young as 9 years old arrested for attempting the act. The recent deaths of two teenage girls—one reportedly 13 years old—on a J train in Brooklyn shocked the city and reignited calls for stronger prevention measures.
Prevention Efforts
In response, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and NYPD have launched multiple initiatives to combat the trend. These include deploying drones to detect and intercept surfers in real time, increasing arrests (229 in 2024 compared to 135 in 2023), and running public awareness campaigns like “Ride inside, stay alive”. The MTA is also working with social media companies to remove videos that glorify the activity and is considering technical fixes, such as securing doors between train
