Simone Talks, Streets Bleed: Demand Action Before Another Body Hits the Asphalt

Albany lawmakers shut down a last-ditch MTA funding plan after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. No replacement for the lost $1 billion. Transit riders and street users face uncertainty. Lawmakers call the move reckless. The city waits. Danger lingers.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State legislative session ended without passing a replacement funding plan for the MTA after Governor Kathy Hochul paused congestion pricing. The matter, described as 'Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing,' left the MTA without the $1 billion annual revenue congestion pricing would have provided. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the session’s close without a deal. Lawmakers including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, State Sen. John Liu, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, and Assemblyman Tony Simone criticized the governor’s decision and the proposed IOU bailout. Gounardes said, 'I cannot in good conscience ratify a decision that will eliminate a significant, dedicated revenue source for the MTA’s capital plan.' The pause leaves the city’s transit future—and the safety of those who rely on it—uncertain.

• Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-07

Governor Hochul halted New York City’s congestion pricing plan days before rollout. She cited economic pain for working New Yorkers. Transit advocates called it a betrayal. The move leaves city streets clogged and transit funding in limbo. Vulnerable road users remain at risk.

On June 5, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul abruptly paused New York City’s congestion pricing plan, just weeks before its scheduled start. The policy reversal, covered by Gothamist, sparked outrage among transit advocates and progressives. Hochul claimed, 'We need to make sure our solutions work for everyone, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet.' Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani condemned the move as 'political malpractice.' Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, District 23, was mentioned in coverage but did not take a direct action. The decision leaves the city’s streets congested and public transit funding uncertain. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on vulnerable road users, but the pause maintains current dangers for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Hochul says NYC congestion pause is good economics. Critics say it’s politics., gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-05

A man crossed West 36th near Seventh. A Toyota SUV, its driver distracted, struck him head-on. He died on the pavement. The SUV showed no scars. The man bore them all. The city’s streets demand attention. Distraction delivers death.

A 34-year-old man was killed while crossing West 36th Street near Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. At 11:31 p.m., a 2023 Toyota SUV, described as 'going straight ahead,' struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The narrative states, 'A man crossed the street. A 2023 Toyota SUV drove straight. Its front end struck him. He died there on the pavement. The driver was distracted.' The SUV sustained no visible damage, while the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries to his entire body. No contributing factors were attributed to the victim. The report underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728673, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 78-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a southbound Chevy sedan turning left at 7th Avenue and Broadway. His head split open. Blood pooled on white paint. The driver remained in her seat. The car showed no scars.

At the intersection of 7th Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan, a 78-year-old man was struck by a southbound Chevy sedan making a left turn, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 8:30 a.m. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the signal' when the collision happened. The man suffered a severe head injury, with 'severe bleeding' noted at the scene. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan, registered in New York and driven by a licensed driver from New Jersey, showed no visible damage. The driver remained in her seat after the crash. The report makes clear that the pedestrian was lawfully crossing at the intersection when the driver failed to execute a proper turn and struck him.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726604, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup stopped in traffic was struck from behind by an Alfa sedan. Metal crumpled. The pickup driver, 49, belted in, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The sedan driver’s failure to maintain distance caused the crash. Impact left lasting harm.

On Central Park West near 68th Street, a Ford pickup truck was stopped in traffic when an Alfa sedan traveling north struck it from behind, according to the police report. The sedan’s point of impact was its center front end, colliding with the pickup’s center back end. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors linked to the sedan driver. The pickup driver, a 49-year-old man, was belted in with a lap belt and harness and sustained neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The police report explicitly attributes the crash to the sedan driver’s failure to maintain a safe following distance. No contributing factors were assigned to the pickup driver. The collision caused significant metal deformation and left the pickup driver with crush trauma and neck injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724931, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Pre-dawn on 8th Avenue, a Ford SUV plowed into a parked tractor-trailer. Metal shrieked. Four inside, belted, left bloodied and broken. The truck’s rear split open. Shock and pain filled the silence. Unsafe speed and failure to yield ruled the scene.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on 8th Avenue collided with the rear of a parked tractor-trailer, tearing open the truck’s rear and crushing the SUV’s front. The crash occurred in the pre-dawn hours, shattering the quiet with metal and glass. All four occupants of the SUV—aged 23 to 36—suffered serious injuries, including head trauma and crush injuries, and were left in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the SUV occupants, with the driver specifically cited for failing to yield. The tractor-trailer was parked and unoccupied at the time of impact. The narrative describes the violence of the crash: 'The front folded. Metal screamed. Four inside: arms broken, heads bloodied, bodies crushed.' The data points to driver error and systemic danger as the root causes of this early-morning disaster.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722823, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel met flesh at Madison and East 29th. A bus rolled north. An e-scooter crossed west. Metal shrieked. A man, forty-five, lay trapped, pelvis shattered, blood pooling. The scooter was crushed. The street fell silent, danger written in the wreckage.

A violent collision unfolded at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 29th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a bus traveling north struck a westbound e-scooter. The report details, 'A 45-year-old man lay trapped, bleeding from the pelvis. The scooter was crushed.' The injured man, operating the e-scooter, suffered severe bleeding and abdominal trauma, with the report noting he was 'trapped.' Police cite 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, underscoring driver error and systemic hazards at this intersection. The bus's right rear quarter panel and the scooter's front end bore the brunt of the impact. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash exposes the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls and sightlines fail.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721318, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 39-year-old taxi driver died behind the wheel on West 47th Street. No crash, no screech, just silence and a worn seat. The police report cites driver inexperience. The city’s streets claim another life, quietly, in the evening rush.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on West 47th Street near Sixth Avenue when its 39-year-old driver died behind the wheel at 17:10. The report states, "No crash, no screech, no struggle. Just a lap belt, a worn seat, and the quiet failure of inexperience." The only contributing factor listed is "Driver Inexperience." The driver was found in the parked vehicle, wearing a lap belt, and was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists involved in the incident. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the systemic risks and challenges faced by drivers on New York City streets, as underscored by the official attribution of inexperience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719883, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi turned left at Avenue of the Americas and West 25th. Steel struck skull. A 26-year-old cyclist flew, hit pavement, bled from the head. Conscious, blood pooled. The night split open by driver distraction.

According to the police report, a taxi making a left turn at the corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 25th Street collided with a northbound cyclist at 11:44 p.m. The report states, 'A taxi turned left. A cyclist rode north. Steel met skull. He flew, struck pavement. Blood pooled on the street.' The 26-year-old male cyclist was ejected from his bike, sustained a head injury, and was conscious but bleeding severely from the head. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail appears only after the driver error is cited. The impact point was the taxi’s left front bumper and the bike’s right front. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716943, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 26-year-old cyclist’s skull split open under the streetlights. Blood pooled on West 28th near Broadway. The cab rolled on, undamaged. The cyclist stayed conscious. The city held its breath. Nothing else moved.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male cyclist was struck by a southbound taxi on West 28th Street near Broadway in Manhattan at 23:32. The report states the cyclist suffered severe head lacerations, with his 'skull split' and blood pooling on the pavement. Despite the violence of the crash, the taxi showed 'no damage.' The cyclist remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both involved parties, offering no explicit driver error, but the narrative centers the impact and injury to the cyclist. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but only after describing the driver actions and crash impact. The stark details highlight the vulnerability of cyclists and the unforgiving nature of city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722272, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Assembly bill A 9462 would hike fines for drivers caught speeding by cameras more than once. The bill targets repeat offenders in New York City. Lawmakers say it will hit reckless drivers in the wallet. No safety analysis yet.

Assembly bill A 9462 was introduced on March 15, 2024, and is now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, sponsored by Deborah Glick (District 66) and co-sponsored by Tony Simone (District 75), aims to 'impose increasing fines for subsequent speed camera violations in the city of New York.' The legislation has not yet moved to committee or a vote. Glick and Simone back the measure to penalize repeat speeders. There is no formal safety analyst note or impact assessment yet. The bill’s intent is clear: punish drivers who ignore speed cameras, and try to slow them down. Vulnerable road users wait to see if it will make streets safer.

• File A 9462, Open States, Published 2024-03-15

Council calls for state action on e-bike licensing. The bill targets commercial e-bikes, forcing registration and employer liability for violations. Sponsors say it will help identify dangerous riders and shift fines to companies, not workers. The measure sits in committee.

Resolution 0224-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to pass S.7587/A.7833—the 'Commercial E-Bike Licensing Act.' The resolution, introduced March 7, 2024, calls for 'the registration of bicycles with electric assist used for commercial purposes and creates liability for employers for certain violations.' Council Member James F. Gennaro leads as primary sponsor, joined by Gale A. Brewer, Christopher Marte, Alexa Avilés, Farah N. Louis, and Justin L. Brannan. The bill would require commercial e-bikes to be registered and display visible license information. Employers, not delivery workers, would be fined for violations like sidewalk riding. The council frames this as a way to identify dangerous vehicles and hold companies accountable, aiming to reduce injuries and deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. The measure remains under committee review.

• File Res 0224-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Drivers rack up tickets for blocking street sweepers. Fines are low. Many ignore them. Council Member Restler and Assembly Member Simone push bills to hike penalties. The city’s old crackdown expired. Lawmakers want real consequences for repeat scofflaws.

Council Member Lincoln Restler introduced a bill to raise fines for drivers who fail to move cars during alternate-side parking. The bill would increase the penalty to $100 for a second offense within a year and require towing after three violations in 12 months. Assembly Member Tony Simone submitted a state bill to double fines after the tenth violation, up to five times the current cap. The matter targets 'the worst repeat offenders of parking tickets.' Manhattan safe streets activist Jehiah Czebotar analyzed city data, finding that 77 percent of street-sweeping tickets go to repeat offenders, with 37 percent to drivers who got at least six tickets. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program expired last year, leaving a gap in enforcement. Lawmakers say fines must deter, not just be a cost of doing business.

• ‘Cheaper than a Garage’: Meet the Drivers Who Get Repeat Tickets for Not Moving Their Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-05

A box truck rolled north outside 1251 Avenue of the Americas. A baby boy, not in the street, was crushed beneath its front. His back broken. The driver was distracted. Midtown lights blinked on as sirens came.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north outside 1251 Avenue of the Americas struck a baby boy who was not in the roadway. The report states the child was 'crushed beneath its front,' suffering severe back injuries but remaining conscious. The only contributing factor listed in the police report is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The driver, operating a GMC box truck registered in South Carolina, was licensed. The report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash. The impact occurred at the center front end of the truck, underscoring the direct role of driver distraction in this Midtown collision. No other vehicles or factors are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709842, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned left on 8th Avenue. A 62-year-old man biked north. Metal met flesh. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The car was untouched. The man was not.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn at 8th Avenue and West 35th Street struck a northbound cyclist at 12:04 p.m. The 62-year-old man on the bike suffered a head injury, was partially ejected, and bled severely but remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, both attributed to driver error. The sedan was undamaged, while the cyclist lay half-thrown beside his frame. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail follows the primary driver errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls and fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701573, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped rider crashed headfirst into a parked SUV on Ninth Avenue. Blood pooled beneath his helmet. He stayed conscious, wounded and dazed, as streetlights flickered onto the cold Manhattan night.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old moped rider traveling south on 9th Avenue near West 58th Street struck the left side doors of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A moped struck a parked SUV. The rider, 29, hit headfirst. Blood seeped from his helmet. He stayed conscious.' The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor, indicating the moped rider responded to another vehicle's actions before the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time, with no damage reported. The injured rider suffered severe head bleeding but remained conscious. The police report notes the use of a helmet by the rider. No driver errors from the parked SUV are cited; the focus remains on the chain of events triggered by traffic conditions and the presence of large, stationary vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700582, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Member Bottcher and colleagues launched ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They admit cars are the main killers. Five died in Bottcher’s district last year—three were pedestrians hit by drivers. The campaign runs citywide.

On January 19, 2024, Council Member Erik Bottcher unveiled the ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ campaign. The effort, joined by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Tony Simone, aims to remind cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks. Bottcher’s district saw 2,215 crashes last year, injuring 267 pedestrians and 218 cyclists; three of five fatalities were pedestrians killed by drivers. Bottcher said, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Simone highlighted delivery app pressure on workers to break laws. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project noted delivery workers face daily risks and exploitation. The campaign, first in English and Spanish, will expand citywide. The focus remains: cars are the real threat, but all street users must be considered.

• Electeds Roll Out ‘Bike Safe’ Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-19

Electeds launched 'Bike Safe' to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They named cars as the main killers. Delivery workers face pressure from apps. The campaign puts blame where it belongs: on reckless drivers and the systems that push workers to risk lives.

On January 19, 2024, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Council Member Erik Bottcher launched the 'Bike Safe' public safety campaign in Council District 47. The campaign, titled 'Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll,' urges cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks, but Bottcher stressed, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Bottcher and Hoylman-Sigal both called out reckless drivers as the real threat. Assembly Member Tony Simone joined, pushing for statewide laws to curb dangerous delivery app practices. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project highlighted how apps force delivery workers into risky behavior, but noted that new minimum pay rates help slow things down. The campaign focuses on education, not punishment, and centers the voices of workers and vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Electeds Roll Out 'Bike Safe' Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-19

A One Wheel slammed into a man crossing Avenue of the Americas. The impact split his head. Blood pooled on the cold street. He stayed conscious, wounded and exposed, as the city moved around him.

According to the police report, a man was crossing Avenue of the Americas at West 42nd Street when a One Wheel traveling north struck him head-on. The collision caused severe lacerations to the pedestrian's head, leaving him conscious but bleeding on the roadway. The report notes the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, listing 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The One Wheel's point of impact was the center front end, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The incident highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians at busy intersections and the dangers present when vehicles and people intersect outside of designated crossing signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693093, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan backed into a 39-year-old woman standing off West 33rd Street. Her head split open. Blood ran. Twelve vehicles tangled in the chaos. Alcohol fueled the crash. The street roared. She fell silent. Systemic danger, unchecked.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman stood off the roadway on West 33rd Street near 7th Avenue when a sedan reversed into her, splitting her head open and causing severe bleeding. The impact set off a chain reaction, tangling twelve vehicles. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor, stating one driver had been drinking. The woman was not in the roadway at the time. The police report highlights the driver's error—backing up while impaired—as the direct cause of the injury and the pileup. No victim action contributed to the crash. The incident exposes the lethal risk of impaired driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696078, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15