The 46 year-old actress was returning to her hotel after attending the Calvin Klein show as part of New York Fashion week when the crash happened.
The photographer, named Carl Wu, was reportedly trying to take a photo of the star.
Nicole lost a shoe in the drama but was not thought to be seriously hurt. The star called the police, who gave the offending cyclist a ticket for cycling on the pavement it is illegal to ride bicycles on the sidewalk in the state of New York.
According to a US website, the actress is planning to press charges against him.
It is not the first time the photographer has had a run in with a celebrity - he was previously identified on a blog called F**k You Carl Wu after he allegedly behaved recklessly in a bid to get a picture of Lady Gaga in 2010.
He is said to have desperately run down the parking ramp at the singer’s Boston hotel and ended up having to dodge a car nearly killing himself before apparently becoming caught up in a spat with Gaga’s bodyguard.
Despite her tumble, Nicole still managed to look graceful wearing a figure-hugging grey dress nipped in at the waist with a gold belt.
She had been attending Calvin Klein Spring/Summer 2014 show, where she showed off her new bob haircut.
The actress accessorised with three tone shows in white, brown and black hues, along with a pony skin clutch and a gold watch.