Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Jan 9 - A cyclist crashed on Henry Street. No protected bike lanes. The driver sped off. The street stayed the same. Neighbors rallied. The council member listened. The injury was harsh. The system failed. Brooklyn’s gap in bike safety remains wide.

On January 9, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published an essay detailing a crash on Henry Street in Brooklyn. The piece, titled 'A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn,' describes the lack of protected bike lanes in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. The author recounts merging into traffic, being closely followed by a driver, and crashing on a wet, greasy iron grid. The car sped away. Passersby helped. The cyclist suffered a broken collarbone. The essay notes, 'Our area of Brooklyn is a major hole in the borough's protected bike lane network.' Council Member Shahana Hanif attended a community meeting on the issue. The call is clear: Brooklyn’s streets favor cars, not people. The absence of protected lanes leaves cyclists exposed and injured. The system’s neglect is the danger.

• ESSAY: A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-09

Jan 9 - Assembly bill A 1236 hits Albany. It targets drivers who block bike lanes. The bill adds a mandatory surcharge. Money goes to the court. Cyclists get no relief until cars clear the lane.

Assembly bill A 1236 was introduced on January 9, 2025. It sits at the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to violations and a mandatory surcharge for parking in a bicycle lane,' would require drivers who block bike lanes to pay a mandatory surcharge to the court that finds them liable. Jo Anne Simon (District 52) leads as primary sponsor, joined by Deborah Glick (District 66) and Tony Simone (District 75) as co-sponsors. The bill aims to penalize drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking bike lanes, but its impact depends on enforcement and driver behavior. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 1236, Open States, Published 2025-01-09

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 324 demands complete street design for state- and federally-funded projects. Sponsors push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars. Safety for all hangs in the balance.

Assembly Bill A 324 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers—when building or upgrading roads. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and many others. The bill also directs the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note yet, but the measure’s intent is clear: streets should protect the most vulnerable, not just move traffic.

• File A 324, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 7 - SUV turned right on Lafayette. Struck a 66-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a head contusion. Driver failed to yield. Distraction and inattention led to impact.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old woman was crossing Lafayette Street in Manhattan with the signal when a 2022 Dodge SUV made a right turn and struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating legally. This crash highlights the danger of driver errors, especially failure to yield and distraction, at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 7 - A box truck struck a sedan from behind on Canal Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed dangers of tailgating in busy city traffic, highlighting driver error as the key cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 AM on Canal Street, Manhattan. A box truck traveling westbound rear-ended a sedan traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the sedan. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old man, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Both drivers were licensed. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by tailgating in dense urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787538 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 6 - Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

Jan 6 - Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06

Jan 4 - An SUV hit a cyclist on Canal Street. The rider suffered leg injuries. Police blamed the driver’s failure to yield. The cyclist stayed conscious. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a Mercedes SUV traveling west on Canal Street struck a northbound bicyclist at 18:01 in Manhattan. The SUV’s center front end hit the bike’s left front bumper. The 34-year-old male cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious and was not ejected. Police listed the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. No cyclist actions or equipment were cited as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 30 - Governor Hochul halted Manhattan’s congestion pricing days before launch. Years of planning and billions for transit hung in the balance. The MTA froze upgrades. Hochul revived the toll months later, but trust and funding took the hit. Riders and streets paid the price.

Bill: Congestion pricing for Manhattan’s Central Business District. Status: Paused by Governor Hochul on June 5, 2024, revived at a lower $9 base in November. No council committee; this was a state action. Hochul’s last-minute reversal stalled the June 30 launch, freezing MTA modernization and risking a $15 billion shortfall. The matter: 'Governor Hochul called off congestion pricing’s scheduled June 30 launch date, despite years of planning and preparation and the MTA’s reliance on the expected revenue.' Hochul defended her pause, then reversed course after the election. Former Governor Cuomo and Hochul both failed to deliver the toll on time. Lawsuits and political delays threaten the future of New York’s transit system. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• 2024 in Review: The Year Congestion Pricing Almost Finally Happened (Again), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-30

Dec 29 - Lyft raised Citi Bike e-bike fees again. This marks the third hike in a year. Per-minute rates climb for both members and non-members. Unlock fees go up. Annual membership holds steady. Riders grumble. The city’s price caps hold. Expansion plans continue.

On December 29, 2024, Lyft announced its third Citi Bike fare increase since the start of the year. The company, which operates the bike-share system under a city contract, will raise e-bike rates from 24 to 25 cents per minute for members and from 36 to 38 cents for non-members. Non-member unlock fees rise to $4.99. Annual membership remains at $219.99. The Adams administration negotiated price caps in 2023; Lyft’s new rates stay below those limits. The matter summary notes, 'Lyft's latest increases still fall below those caps—even as they earned mild jeers from regular users.' No council members are directly involved, as this is a company action, not legislation. The fare hikes frustrate riders, but the city’s price controls and system expansion to new neighborhoods continue.

• Lyft Hikes Citi Bike Fees For Third Time Since Start of 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-29

Dec 27 - Mayor Adams missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. DOT built only a fraction of what the law demands. Commutes drag for the city’s poorest. Council and advocates slam the mayor. Streets stay dangerous. Promises broken. Riders and walkers pay the price.

On December 27, 2024, the Adams administration again failed to meet the 2019 Streets Plan’s legal requirements. The Department of Transportation installed just five miles of protected bus lanes and 22 miles of protected bike lanes—far below the law’s 30 and 50 mile minimums. This marks the third straight year of missed targets. The City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, is considering legislation for stricter tracking. Speaker Adams called the benchmarks 'critical for street safety,' and her spokesperson Mara Davis criticized DOT for 'consistently fall[ing] short of complying with the law.' Advocates like Philip Miatkowski and Danny Pearlstein condemned the mayor’s neglect. The poorest New Yorkers wait longer for slow buses. Streets remain unsafe. The law is ignored. Vulnerable road users suffer.

• Worst Mayor Ever for Bus Riders? Adams’s ‘Streets Plan’ Failure Means Longer Commutes for the Poorest New Yorkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-27

Dec 26 - A taxi making a left turn struck a 42-year-old woman crossing Broad Street with the signal. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries and minor burns. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision in Manhattan.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broad Street and Stone Street in Manhattan at 18:24. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a taxi, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the taxi driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her shoulder and upper arm, along with minor burns, and was reported to be in shock. The taxi driver was licensed and from New Jersey. Vehicle damage was not reported. The collision highlights a driver error in yielding to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 23 - 2024 saw bold moves and setbacks for street safety. Congestion pricing staggered forward. Pedestrian braking tech became law. Atlanta banned right-on-red. Cities poured millions into transit. Yet, the death toll from cars barely budged. Streets remain dangerous. The fight continues.

This is a year-in-review, not a single bill, but it covers major 2024 policy actions. Streetsblog’s December 23, 2024 recap highlights the struggle to end car carnage. The piece notes, 'America's first-ever congestion pricing program had been paused at the 11th hour... brought back in November, though in a sadly diminished form.' USDOT approved a rule for automatic pedestrian emergency braking in new cars. Atlanta passed a right-on-red ban. St. Louis invested $300 million in sustainable transport. Canadian leaders pushed for high car registration fees to fund transit. No single council member is named; instead, the review tracks national and local leaders’ actions. The article underscores that, despite new laws and investments, systemic danger remains. Streetsblog’s coverage centers the ongoing risks to pedestrians and cyclists, showing that progress is slow and incomplete.

• Streetsblog Year in Review: The Biggest Sustainable Transport News of 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-23

Dec 23 - A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

Dec 21 - A southbound SUV stopped in traffic was struck from behind by a sedan traveling the same direction on West Street. The impact injured a rear passenger in the sedan, causing whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively.

According to the police report, at 2:00 AM on West Street near Canal Street, a 2024 Toyota SUV was stopped in traffic when a 2017 Toyota sedan traveling south behind it collided with the SUV's center back end. The sedan sustained center front end damage. A 44-year-old male rear passenger in the sedan was injured with whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision pattern indicates a failure to maintain safe stopping distance by the sedan driver. The SUV driver was licensed and stopped as traffic required. No victim behaviors or additional contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780837 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - MTA greenlights $1.27 billion for new subway cars. Fares will jump to $3 per ride. Council Member Holden calls the hikes and congestion tolls a scam. Riders face higher costs as the agency touts safety and reliability. Critics see waste, not progress.

On December 18, 2024, the MTA approved a $1.27 billion purchase of 435 new subway cars and a fare hike to $3 per ride. The move comes weeks before new congestion tolls hit Manhattan. The matter, titled 'MTA plans fare hike as it OKs $1.27B train car purchase weeks before new congestion toll: ‘Keep the grift alive’,' drew fire from Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30), who called the fare and toll hikes a 'scam' and accused the MTA of mismanagement. Holden’s comments echo broader council criticism of the MTA’s spending and question the effectiveness of congestion pricing. MTA officials defend the investment, citing improved reliability and safety with the new R211 cars. No independent safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill’s status is an approved agency action, not a council vote.

• MTA plans fare hike as it OKs $1.27B train car purchase weeks before new congestion toll: ‘Keep the grift alive’, nypost.com, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 18 - Governor Hochul offered New Jersey over $100 million to settle the congestion pricing lawsuit. Governor Murphy rejected the deal. Transit riders face higher fares and unreliable service. The legal fight drags on. Streets stay dangerous. Cars keep winning.

On December 18, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New Jersey rejected a 'very generous' settlement offer to end its lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, reported by Streetsblog NYC, centers on New York’s offer of over $100 million for New Jersey Transit, potentially as an annual payment from congestion toll revenue. Hochul said, 'We've made multiple offers to settle this lawsuit. Very generous offers.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy refused, risking further strain on NJ Transit, which recently raised fares 15 percent. Riders Alliance’s Betsy Plum called Murphy’s stance 'a stubbornness tax' paid by transit riders. Environmental advocates criticized Murphy for blocking improvements to public transportation. The congestion pricing program, set to be the nation’s first, remains tied up in court. No safety analyst has formally assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• NJ Refusing ‘Generous’ Congestion Pricing Lawsuit $ettlement, Hochul Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 18 - MTA unveiled its final Queens bus overhaul. Seventeen new routes, more frequent service, but cuts on 29 lines. Rush routes aim to speed riders to trains. Public feedback starts January. MTA Board votes in winter. Rollout set for summer 2025.

The MTA announced its final Queens bus network redesign on December 18, 2024. The plan, now entering its last public feedback phase, will be reviewed by the MTA Board in early winter 2025 and implemented by late summer. The proposal includes over $30 million in new funding, 17 new local routes, and increased frequency for 17 lines, but also service reductions on 29 routes. The main highlight is the introduction of 'rush' routes to connect riders to rail faster. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'Every change to a route has an impact on the schedule... and we did it.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards voiced support, stating, 'I'm ready. We're ready.' The process began in 2019 and was shaped by extensive community input. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• The Queens Bus Redesign Is Finished. Probably, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18