Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Dec 16 - Gov. Hochul hid her public schedule for months when she killed congestion pricing. Repeated records requests hit a wall. Advocates and legal experts say the secrecy blocks vital scrutiny. New Yorkers are left in the dark as drivers keep clogging city streets.

On December 16, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office refused to release her daily schedule for April, May, and June—the months when she halted congestion pricing. Streetsblog filed two Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests (R001199-062024 and R001389-102924), both denied or delayed without reason. The matter centers on the governor's decision to 'pause congestion pricing,' a move that impacts every New Yorker who walks, bikes, or rides transit. Heather Murray of Cornell Law School called the delay 'unconscionable,' saying, 'Delaying release of these records for six months is tantamount to denial of the request and violates the Freedom of Information Law.' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance urged Hochul to 'level with New Yorkers.' The governor's secrecy shields her from accountability as city streets remain dangerous for vulnerable road users.

• Gov. Hochul Won’t Reveal Public Schedule For Period When She Flopped on Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-16

Dec 13 - The Hudson River Greenway uptown reopens next week after months of sinkhole repairs. The fix is temporary. Cyclists and pedestrians face the same dangers. Advocates demand a highway lane for bikes. The city delays. The threat remains. Lives hang in the balance.

On December 13, 2024, officials announced the reopening of the Hudson River Greenway between W. 181st and Dyckman streets after months of repairs. The Parks Department said, 'While durable repairs have been made, efforts are ongoing to address underlying challenges and create a stronger, safer greenway for New Yorkers.' The path, north of the George Washington Bridge, has collapsed twice in two years. Advocates like Allegra LeGrande and Ira Gershenhorn, along with former Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz, urge the city to convert a Henry Hudson Parkway lane into a protected bike path. They call this 'low-hanging fruit.' Instead, the city has forced cyclists onto dangerous, unprotected detours. The city’s refusal to provide a safe, direct route exposes vulnerable road users to ongoing harm. No council bill number applies; this is an urgent matter of infrastructure and safety, not legislation.

• Patch Job: Hudson River Greenway Uptown Returns Next Week, For Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-13

Dec 10 - A taxi and a bus collided on West Street in Manhattan. The taxi driver, a 48-year-old woman, suffered shoulder injuries and shock. Both vehicles were making left turns when impact occurred. Driver inexperience was cited as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:24 on West Street near Murray Street in Manhattan. The collision involved a taxi and a bus, both making left turns. The taxi's right front quarter panel struck the bus's left rear quarter panel. The taxi driver, a 48-year-old female occupant, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma and experienced shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and reported complaints of pain or nausea. The police report explicitly cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors related to victim behavior were noted. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors, particularly in complex maneuvers like left turns involving large vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779066 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 10 - Council Member Paladino’s bid to ban e-bikes from city parks failed at Manhattan Community Board 2. Members called the bill vague, redundant, and unenforceable. Even e-bike skeptics dismissed it. The board demanded real solutions, not empty gestures or propaganda.

Bill number not specified. On December 10, 2024, Manhattan Community Board 2’s transportation and parks committees reviewed Council Member Vickie Paladino’s proposal to ban e-bikes from city parks. The committees voted overwhelmingly against it. The matter, described as an effort to 'make it more harmonious and safer for people in parks,' was criticized as 'not fleshed out.' Paladino, a Queens Republican, failed to provide data or address existing rules. Co-sponsor Gale Brewer admitted she signed on under pressure and doubted enforcement. Committee members Shirley Secunda, Susanna Aaron, Janet Liff, and Jeannine Kiely all voiced strong opposition, calling the bill redundant and inadequate. The Central Park Conservancy declined to endorse a ban, urging more protected bike lanes instead. The board found the proposal did nothing for safety and ignored systemic issues.

• ‘Not Fleshed Out’: Paladino’s E-Bike Ban Falls Flat at Manhattan Civic Panel, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-10

Dec 9 - A 75-year-old woman broke both arms tripping over Christmas trees dumped on a sidewalk. Video shows others stumbling too. A jury awarded her $1.1 million. The article slams sidewalk dumping, calls for strict enforcement, and demands clear paths for pedestrians.

On December 9, 2024, Streetsblog NYC published a media advocacy piece on sidewalk obstruction and pedestrian safety. The article recounts the case of Barbara Hutson, who suffered two broken arms after tripping over Christmas trees left on a Manhattan sidewalk by Regis High School and a neighboring coop. The article states: 'This would not have happened if Regis and the coop had not left the trees to occupy 70 percent of the sidewalk width,' quoting Hutson’s lawyer, Adam White. Hutson sued and won a $1.1 million jury verdict. The piece highlights city code requiring a clear pedestrian passage and criticizes the city’s lax enforcement. The article urges residents and government to keep sidewalks clear, placing discarded trees in the curbside lane, not where people walk. No council bill was involved, but the advocacy centers the danger to pedestrians and the need for systemic change.

• Cycle of Rage: Here’s Why Your Dead Christmas Tree Should Be in the Road, Not on the Sidewalk, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-09

Dec 6 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a station wagon on West Street, injuring a 12-year-old passenger. The child suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. Driver distraction was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West Street in Manhattan at 17:40. A 2022 Jeep SUV, traveling southbound, collided with the rear end of a 2018 Toyota SUV also moving southbound. The point of impact was the center front end of the Jeep and the center back end of the Toyota. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision. A 12-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear of the Toyota was injured, sustaining head injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision involved multiple SUVs traveling straight ahead, with the SUV driver failing to maintain attention, leading to the rear-end impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 4 - DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Dec 2 - Taxi and SUV collided on Varick Street. Three men suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and debris. Metal twisted. Whiplash followed. City streets remain unforgiving.

According to the police report, a taxi and an SUV crashed on Varick Street in Manhattan. Both vehicles were heading south when the taxi struck the SUV's right rear quarter panel. Three men—drivers and a front passenger—sustained neck injuries, all described as whiplash. Police list driver inattention and distraction as key contributing factors, along with obstruction or debris. All injured were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report highlights the dangers of distraction and debris in city traffic. No fault is assigned to the injured occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776435 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 25 - An SUV making a right turn struck a northbound e-scooter on West Street. The e-scooter driver, a 43-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:40 on West Street near Canal Street. A 43-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling north was partially ejected when a 2023 GMC SUV, also traveling north but making a right turn, collided with him. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV, while the e-scooter showed no damage. The e-scooter driver sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to properly observe or yield to the e-scooter. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not wearing safety equipment at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 23 - Two sedans traveling north collided on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. A passenger in one vehicle suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Tire failure and steering failure contributed to the crash, causing significant damage to both vehicles’ quarter panels.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling north on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel when they collided. The impact occurred at the left rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the other. The crash injured a 26-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear seat of the Toyota sedan, who sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites tire failure and steering failure as contributing factors to the collision. Both drivers were licensed males from New York, and both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to the crash. The damage was localized to the quarter panels of both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776455 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - Council moves to gut parking reforms in City of Yes. Car-centric districts win. Fewer homes, more cars, less safety. The plan shrinks. Streets stay dangerous. The promise of safer, denser neighborhoods slips away in committee rooms.

Bill: City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. Status: Awaiting City Council committee vote as of November 20, 2024. The proposal, described as 'a zoning initiative aiming to eliminate costly parking mandates citywide,' faces heavy opposition from council members in low-density, car-dependent districts. Progressive members like Lincoln Restler, Carlina Rivera, Tiffany Cabán, and Shahana Hanif support full removal of parking mandates. But the Council is set to weaken the bill, keeping parking minimums in many areas. This move will slash the number of new housing units and keep dangerous car volumes on city streets. Experts warn that keeping parking mandates will limit housing growth and keep neighborhoods unsafe for those outside cars. The compromise falls short of the original vision for safer, more walkable streets.

• Council Likely To Weaken Mayor’s ‘City Of Yes’ Pro-Housing Zoning Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-20

Nov 19 - Four sedans collided in a chain reaction on Canal Street in Manhattan. The driver of one vehicle suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause, with vehicles stopped in traffic when the crash occurred.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision involving four sedans occurred on Canal Street, Manhattan, at 17:18. All vehicles were traveling south and either stopped in traffic or going straight ahead when the crash happened. The point of impact was primarily at the center back ends of the vehicles. The driver of one sedan, a 58-year-old male occupant, sustained chest injuries and was in shock, wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision resulted in vehicle damage concentrated on rear and front bumpers, indicating failure to maintain attention and safe distance among drivers in stopped traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - City data shows open streets thrive. Storefronts fill up. Pedestrians and cyclists bring life and cash. Cars do not. Vacancy rates drop where traffic is banned. Volunteers keep these corridors alive, but city support lags behind their success.

On November 18, 2024, the Department of City Planning released a report titled 'Storefront Activity in NYC Neighborhoods.' The analysis, covered by Streetsblog NYC, finds that open streets—car-free corridors—have about half the vacant storefronts of car-filled streets. The report states: 'vibrant public spaces are key to the success of local businesses.' City officials like Ya-Ting Liu, chief public realm officer, and volunteers such as Alex Morano and Brent Bovenzi, praised the program's impact. Bovenzi noted, 'the program is shrinking because too much of the burden falls upon volunteer labor.' The Open Streets program, now permanent, covers over 130 locations but relies heavily on volunteers. Advocates urge the city to invest more, as the data shows people-centric design drives economic recovery and safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.

• Car-Free Streets are Good For Business, Yet Another Report Shows, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-18

Nov 18 - City Council passed a bill to clean up battered newsracks. Erik Bottcher led the charge. The law forces owners to post contact info and lets DOT set strict standards. The goal: clear sidewalks, fewer obstacles, safer passage for all.

On November 18, 2024, the City Council approved a bill regulating sidewalk newsracks. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher (District 3), passed through committee and aims to address neglected, broken, and obstructive newspaper boxes. The bill summary states it will 'establish clear guidelines and help ensure that our local publications get to maintain their newsracks while also helping to alleviate sidewalk congestion.' Bottcher’s action brings new requirements: owners must display contact information, and the Department of Transportation gains authority to set size, shape, and material standards. Sandra Ung, another council member, noted that without oversight, newsracks become a blight. The law seeks to reduce sidewalk clutter, making streets less hazardous for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

• ‘Ugly’ NYC sidewalk newspaper boxes will get much-needed makeover under new City Council bill, nypost.com, Published 2024-11-18

Nov 16 - A 69-year-old cyclist collided with an open BMW door near Church Street. Blood streaked his face. The driver, distracted, looked away. The street froze. The wound cut deep. Silence hung heavy in Manhattan’s morning air.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old male cyclist was injured on Park Place near Church Street when he struck the open door of a parked BMW sedan. The incident occurred at 8:50 a.m. in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered severe facial lacerations, with blood running down his face as described in the narrative. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The BMW driver, licensed in New Jersey, was present and reportedly looked away at the moment of impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but helmet use is not cited as a contributing factor in the police report. The focus remains on the driver’s inattention and the systemic danger posed by inattentive dooring in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - A 28-year-old woman suffered head abrasions after a bike struck her at a Manhattan intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The crash happened as the cyclist, traveling south, failed to maintain attention, causing the impact.

According to the police report, a bike traveling south on West Street struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection near Watts Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice, indicating the cyclist's failure to maintain focus. The point of impact was the bike's center front end, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. There is no mention of any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted cycling in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - Two male bicyclists collided head-on on West Street in Manhattan. One, age 59, suffered a head injury and was semiconscious with complaints of pain and nausea. Both bikes showed no damage, and the crash occurred while both riders traveled straight ahead.

According to the police report, the crash involved two male bicyclists traveling in opposite directions on West Street, Manhattan. Both were going straight ahead when they collided front-to-front. The 59-year-old bicyclist was injured, sustaining a head injury and was semiconscious, complaining of pain and nausea. The report notes no vehicle damage and no ejection from the bikes. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were cited in the report, with both contributing factors listed as unspecified. The crash time was 21:23. The data focuses on the impact and injuries sustained, with no indication of victim fault or helmet use. The collision highlights the dangers bicyclists face even when traveling straight on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - Governor Hochul slashes NYC’s congestion toll to $9. The move aims to beat a federal block but guts traffic reduction. Streets will see less relief. The plan leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city trades speed and safety for political timing.

On November 8, 2024, Governor Hochul proposed lowering New York City’s congestion pricing toll from $15 to $9. The plan, a policy proposal to adjust congestion pricing, comes as officials rush to implement it before a new presidential administration can intervene. The original $15 toll, crafted by the Traffic Mobility Review Board and approved by the MTA Board, promised strong traffic reduction and included credits and caps. The $9 version, previously reviewed in environmental assessments, may lack those protections. Economist Charles Komanoff warns, 'You lose other benefits. Most noticeably, you don’t get the immediate traffic speed gain that a $15 toll would give.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes urges swift action, saying, 'The time to commit to better public transit, less traffic and cleaner air is now.' The lower toll is projected to improve traffic speeds by only 6.4 percent, far less than the 17 percent expected from the original plan. With less traffic reduction, streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Analysis: Hochul’s $9 Congestion Toll May Stave Off Trump, But Won’t Reduce Traffic as Much, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-08

Nov 6 - Diesel trucks choke New York streets. Pollution hits hardest in poor, Black, and Hispanic neighborhoods. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule promises cleaner air and fewer deaths. Industry fights back. Governor Hochul faces a choice: protect lives or bow to polluters.

This opinion, published November 6, 2024, urges Governor Hochul to uphold New York’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standard and the Low NOx Heavy-Duty Omnibus standard. The piece warns, 'Delaying the implementation of any clean truck rule will likely result in the state losing hundreds of millions in health benefits and lead to additional air pollution-caused deaths.' The ACT, adopted in 2021, sets electric truck sales targets to cut deadly diesel pollution. The statement highlights the disproportionate harm to low-income communities of color, especially in the South Bronx, where truck exhaust drives high asthma rates. The author calls on Hochul to resist fossil fuel industry pressure and keep life-saving rules on track, stressing that clean truck standards are both feasible and vital for public health.

• Opinion: Clean Trucks Will Save Lives — If Gov. Hochul Stays the Course, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-06