Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Aug 22 - State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal stands firm. He says New York needs congestion pricing. The governor paused the $15 toll. Lawmakers debate lower fees and exemptions. The MTA’s future hangs in the balance. Vulnerable road users wait for action. Streets stay dangerous.

On August 22, 2024, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) joined the debate over New York’s congestion pricing plan. The original $15 toll was paused by Governor Hochul in June. Now, officials consider a lower toll or alternatives to fund the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'we need congestion pricing.' The matter, titled 'MTA boss ‘thrilled’ Kathy Hochul eyeing lower congestion toll after NY gov indefinitely paused controversial scheme,' highlights the urgency of MTA financing. Assemblywoman Deborah Glick noted Hochul’s commitment to a replacement plan. The bill’s status remains in flux, with no committee or vote recorded. The safety impact for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—was not assessed. The city’s most at-risk remain exposed as leaders argue over dollars and cars.

• MTA boss ‘thrilled’ Kathy Hochul eyeing lower congestion toll after NY gov indefinitely paused controversial scheme, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-22

Aug 20 - A motorbike traveling south struck a 61-year-old pedestrian crossing without signal at Federal Plaza. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion. The crash occurred late at night. Improper lane usage by the motorbike driver caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a motorbike at 1 Federal Plaza in Manhattan at 11:04 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal when the motorbike, traveling south and driven by a licensed male driver, impacted the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and concussion, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating the motorbike driver failed to maintain proper lane discipline. No damage was reported to the motorbike. The pedestrian's crossing behavior was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage by motorbike drivers in dense urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - A 66-year-old woman suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries after a collision with a southbound cyclist at the Broadway intersection. The cyclist struck her center front, causing injury without vehicle damage. Contributing factors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway in Manhattan at 13:24. The collision involved a southbound cyclist who was traveling straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian at the center front end of the bike. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate (3). The cyclist’s bike showed no damage. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless behavior are cited. The cyclist was licensed and operating the bike legally. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face at intersections even when vehicle damage is absent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - MTA leaders blasted the city for killing Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. Paint and ticket blitzes failed. Bus speeds barely moved. Riders remain stuck in traffic. Cars clog lanes. Promised fixes scrapped. Advocates demand real action. The city stalls. Riders suffer.

On August 16, 2024, MTA officials sent a scathing letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, criticizing the city’s decision to abandon plans to upgrade Fordham Road’s curbside bus lanes to offset bus lanes. The letter, signed by outgoing NYCT President Richard Davey and interim successor Demetrius Crichlow, called the city’s paint-and-enforcement approach a 'total bust.' The MTA cited new data showing bus speeds increased just 2–4 percent since October 2022—far below the 15 percent target. The matter summary reads: 'The Fordham Road project enjoys widespread support from transit advocacy groups, and Fordham Road bus riders, who have been enduring slow service for decades.' Council involvement is not specified, but the MTA’s letter and Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein both demand stronger measures. The city’s inaction leaves Bronx bus riders stranded in slow traffic, with vulnerable road users paying the price for political compromise.

• FOIL’D: MTA Leadership Assailed DOT for Failing to Boost Fordham Road Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-16

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 13 - A moped carrying two passengers was struck from behind by an SUV traveling northeast on Canal Street. The impact injured a 20-year-old female passenger, causing elbow and arm trauma and shock. The SUV driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:39 on Canal Street involving a 2013 SUV and a 2024 moped, both traveling northeast. The SUV, driven by a licensed female driver from New Jersey, struck the moped's center front end with its right side doors. The moped carried two occupants, including a 20-year-old female passenger who sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. She was wearing a helmet, classified as 'Helmet Only (In-Line Skater/Bicyclist).' The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the moped. The moped driver was unlicensed. No other contributing factors were noted. The collision caused right side damage to the SUV and front-end damage to the moped.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A sedan struck a 35-year-old female bicyclist on West Street, causing a hip and upper leg injury. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained contusions. The crash involved driver inattention and bicyclist confusion, according to the police report.

At 10:44 PM on West Street in Manhattan, a collision occurred between a 2018 BMW sedan and a female bicyclist, age 35. According to the police report, the sedan was parked before the crash and impacted the bicyclist at the center front end. The bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg, including contusions. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Additionally, bicyclist confusion or error was noted twice as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The police report emphasizes the driver's failure to maintain attention as a key cause of the crash, highlighting systemic danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - Two sedans collided on Manhattan’s FDR Drive, injuring three men. The crash caused neck and arm injuries with whiplash complaints. Police cited improper passing or lane usage as the cause. All occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on FDR Drive near the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan at 8:15 p.m. Two sedans traveling north collided, with one vehicle impacting the center back end of the other. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in maneuvering lanes. Three male occupants were injured: a 51-year-old driver with neck injuries and whiplash, a 35-year-old driver with elbow and arm injuries and whiplash, and a 30-year-old front passenger with neck injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and wearing lap belts at the time of the crash. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The collision highlights risks from improper lane changes on a busy highway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747882 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A new report finds alternatives to congestion pricing fall short. They raise less money, miss traffic cuts, and skip air quality gains. The MTA faces a funding gap. Modernization stalls. Riders and streets lose. Council Member Weprin is mentioned.

On August 11, 2024, Council Member David Weprin (District 24) was mentioned in a report examining alternatives to congestion pricing for MTA funding. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) found that 'various proposals to replace the mass transit money lost from pausing congestion pricing either don’t raise the same revenue or fail to achieve other benefits such as reduced traffic from the Manhattan toll.' The report, reviewed by Weprin, details that none of the eight alternatives—ranging from payroll taxes to casino revenue—would match congestion pricing’s $1 billion annual yield or its bondable value. Lisa Daglian, PCAC’s executive director, said these options either fall short on funding or burden working New Yorkers, while missing out on cleaner air and less traffic. The MTA has suspended billions in modernization work. The pause leaves vulnerable riders and city streets exposed.

• How do MTA funding alternatives compare to congestion pricing? Not well, says a new report, amny.com, Published 2024-08-11

Aug 10 - An e-scooter, fast and unyielding, hit an 11-year-old girl off the roadway on South Street. Her face split open. She stayed conscious, blood pooling on the sidewalk. The scooter kept going, untouched, leaving pain and silence behind.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling at unsafe speed struck an 11-year-old girl off the roadway near South Street and Maiden Lane in Manhattan. The report states the girl was not in the roadway at the time of impact. She suffered severe lacerations to her face but remained conscious. The narrative describes the scooter as 'fast and straight,' making contact with the child and then continuing on without stopping. The police report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The e-scooter sustained no damage, and the driver did not remain at the scene. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the danger posed by high-speed vehicles, even off the main roadway, and the consequences of reckless operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A motorcycle struck a parked SUV on FDR Drive late at night. The motorcyclist, partially ejected and wearing a helmet, suffered full-body injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes in this violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:56 on FDR Drive when a motorcycle traveling north struck a parked SUV. The SUV was stationary with its left rear bumper impacted at the center back end. The motorcyclist, also traveling north and slowing or stopping before impact, collided front center with the SUV. The motorcyclist, a 49-year-old male occupant wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in shock. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors on the motorcycle operator's part. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash underscores the dangers posed by inattentive driving around stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing, claiming sole authority. She called on lawmakers to fix the MTA’s $15-billion gap. Critics say she overreaches. Transit advocates warn: without tolls, transit funding collapses. The law stands. The pause endangers New Yorkers who rely on safe streets.

On August 2, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul publicly defended her June 5 decision to 'pause' New York’s congestion pricing law. Speaking at a Colorado think tank, Hochul insisted, 'Pause is a pause until I say it's not a pause.' She urged the state legislature to address the $15-billion MTA funding shortfall, stating, 'The legislature has to come back and find a solution.' Congestion pricing, passed in 2019, was designed to fund transit and reduce deadly traffic. Critics, including transit advocates and policy experts, challenged Hochul’s authority and accuracy, noting her claims about economic hardship and London’s tolls were misleading. Hochul’s unilateral move leaves the law in limbo and threatens the future of safe, reliable transit for millions of New Yorkers. No council members were directly involved in this executive action.

• Crazy Talk: In New Speech, Hochul Declares Dictatorial Powers, But Also Begs Legislature for Bailout, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-02

Jul 30 - A 61-year-old woman suffered chest abrasions after a cyclist traveling west on Centre Street hit her at an intersection. The cyclist failed to maintain a safe distance, causing the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a cyclist traveling westbound on Centre Street struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing at an intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained chest abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating the cyclist did not maintain adequate distance, leading to the impact. The bike showed no damage, and the point of impact was the center front end of the bicycle. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This collision highlights a failure in cyclist control and distance management, resulting in injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A sedan plowed into a stopped taxi near Broadway. The cabbie, trapped and bleeding, waited for help. Police cited driver distraction. The sedan driver had no license. Metal screamed. The street fell silent.

According to the police report, a sedan crashed into a stopped taxi near 160 Broadway in Manhattan. The taxi driver, a 39-year-old man, was trapped inside his vehicle with severe lacerations. The report states the sedan driver was unlicensed and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan struck the taxi's right rear bumper with its center front end. The narrative describes the cabbie lying trapped, blood slicking the seat, as the street held its breath. No evidence in the report suggests any error or contributing factor on the part of the taxi driver. The focus remains on the unlicensed, distracted sedan driver whose actions led directly to the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - State Sen. Jeremy Cooney calls out Governor Hochul. He demands a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap left by her congestion pricing pause. Projects for safer, more accessible transit hang in the balance. Albany leaders mostly stay silent.

On July 24, 2024, State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued a public demand for Governor Hochul to deliver a '100-day plan' to replace the $16.5 billion MTA funding shortfall caused by her cancellation of congestion pricing. In his op-ed, Cooney wrote, 'the time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed,' urging the governor to convene finance, labor, and passenger representatives to find a solution. Cooney’s push comes as the MTA faces threats to station accessibility, signal upgrades, and new trains and buses. Other Albany leaders, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate President Andrea Stewart-Cousins, have offered little response. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called Hochul’s move illegal. The bill or action is not numbered, but the committee involved is the Senate Transportation Committee. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the loss of funding jeopardizes projects vital to vulnerable road users.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 24 - Senator Jeremy Cooney blasted Governor Hochul’s halt of congestion pricing. He called for a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap. The pause means fewer upgrades, dirtier buses, and stalled accessibility. Passengers and workers across New York pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, State Senator Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, demanded action after Governor Hochul’s abrupt June 5 decision to pause congestion pricing. In an op-ed, Cooney wrote, “The time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed, what is most important is keeping our promise to the passengers and workers impacted across the state.” He urged Hochul to deliver a 100-day plan to replace the $16.5 billion MTA shortfall, either by alternative funding or reinstating tolls. Cooney warned that the pause means less expansion, less accessibility, dirtier buses, older trains, and outdated signals. The impact hits every region, but especially vulnerable transit riders who rely on safe, modern service.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 23 - Gov. Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing slams the brakes on 23 planned subway elevators. Disabled New Yorkers are stranded. The city’s promise of mobility is broken. Crowded stations stay deadly. Lawmakers offer no fix. Riders wait. Danger remains.

On July 23, 2024, advocates condemned Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing, a move that halted funding for 23 new subway elevators. The action, detailed in 'Disabled NYer’s are Victims of Gov. Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause,' leaves tens of thousands without access. Michelle Alcaraz and Ray Ray, both disabled New Yorkers, are forced to travel far from home or avoid transit altogether. The MTA’s $16 billion in scheduled repairs, including crucial accessibility upgrades, is now in limbo. Joe Rappaport of the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled called on the governor and legislature to restore funding, warning that the lack of elevators treats disabled riders as 'second-class citizens.' The pause keeps stations dangerous for parents, caregivers, and the disabled. Lawmakers have yet to offer a solution.

• Disabled NYer’s are Victims of Gov. Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-23

Jul 20 - A 24-year-old woman crossing Broadway at Rector Street was hit by a northbound bike. She suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injury. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Broadway near Rector Street in Manhattan at 10 p.m. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her knee and lower leg. The collision involved a northbound bike traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian at its center front end. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the bike operator and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report emphasizes driver error and systemic danger rather than victim fault. The bike had no occupants other than the driver, and the impact caused damage to the bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743196 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A sport utility vehicle struck a stopped taxi from behind on Park Place late at night. The impact injured a 28-year-old front passenger, causing shoulder and upper arm contusions. Alcohol involvement and other vehicular factors contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:42 on Park Place. A 2017 Jeep SUV traveling east, going straight ahead, collided with the rear of a stopped 2023 Toyota taxi. The taxi was also stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV striking the center back end of the taxi. The front passenger in the taxi, a 28-year-old male, sustained a contusion and bruising to his shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites alcohol involvement and other vehicular contributing factors as causes. The driver errors noted include failure to maintain safe distance and impaired operation due to alcohol. The injured passenger was not ejected and remained conscious. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A sedan traveling east struck a bicyclist on Chambers Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. The bicyclist wore a helmet and was riding straight ahead.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:40 on Chambers Street in Manhattan. A sedan and a bicycle, both traveling east, collided when the sedan struck the bicyclist on the right side doors with its right side, impacting the bike's left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old female wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained abrasions but remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, highlighting the sedan driver's failure to maintain attention. No other contributing factors were specified for the bicyclist. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the sedan and the left front bumper of the bicycle. This incident underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in Manhattan's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19