Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Jun 1 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

May 31 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

May 24 - Transit faces a cliff. Pandemic gutted ridership and revenue. Federal law blocks agencies from using funds for daily operations. Cuts loom: fewer trains, fewer buses, more danger for those who walk and ride. Labor calls Congress to act. Streets will pay the price.

On May 24, 2023, Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, published an urgent call for federal action. The piece, titled 'Feds Must Give Transit the Support (And Flexibility) It Needs Right Now,' demands Congress let transit agencies use federal funds for operating costs, not just capital projects. Regan warns, 'This flaw in federal policy is squeezing communities around the country.' He highlights looming service cuts in cities like New York, Boston, and Atlanta. Regan opposes current restrictions and supports permanent change. The opinion, published in Streetsblog NYC, reflects labor’s stance: without operational funding, transit shrinks, and vulnerable riders—those who walk, bike, or rely on buses and trains—face greater risk. No council bill number or committee applies; this is a national advocacy push.

• Opinion: Feds Must Give Transit the Support (And Flexibility) It Needs Right Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

May 23 - A 41-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after his SUV was struck on the right side doors. The crash occurred as another vehicle made an improper right turn. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male driver in a 2019 SUV was injured when another vehicle made an improper right turn and struck the SUV's right side doors on Varick Street. The driver suffered back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV was stopped in traffic traveling south when the collision occurred. The contributing factor listed was "Turning Improperly." The driver was wearing a lap belt at the time. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 20 - Two sedans crashed head-on on Maiden Lane in Manhattan. A 28-year-old female passenger suffered a head injury and whiplash. Both vehicles hit with left front bumpers. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling in opposite directions on Maiden Lane collided at 12:53 PM. The impact occurred at the left front bumpers of both vehicles. A 28-year-old female passenger in one sedan sustained a head injury and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash caused damage to the left front bumpers of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - An e-scooter rider slammed into a parked SUV near 55 Church Street. Her arm split open. Blood streaked the grips. She stood, stunned, pain sharp and raw. The SUV sat untouched. The street stayed silent.

A 36-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was injured after crashing into a parked SUV near 55 Church Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A woman on an e-scooter struck a parked SUV. Her arm split open on the metal. Blood smeared the grips. She stood still, stunned, staring. The SUV was unmarked.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The woman suffered severe lacerations to her arm and was in shock. The SUV was parked and showed no damage. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635224 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - The city’s Ninth Street redesign faces sharp criticism after a cyclist’s death. Family and advocates say the plan skips key safety fixes. Jersey barriers leave gaps. Pedestrian islands and bike signals are missing. The city delays. Danger remains.

On May 19, 2023, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) latest redesign proposal for Ninth Street in Gowanus drew fire at a Community Board 6 meeting. The plan, discussed in the Transportation and Public Safety Committees, adds buffer-protected bike lanes and some jersey barriers, but skips driveways and omits pedestrian islands, raised intersections, and bicycle signals. Maxime Le Munier, whose wife Sarah Schick was killed by a truck driver on Ninth Street, said, “What we want is to guarantee everyone’s safety, and it seems like it’s going to fall short.” Community Board 6 Transportation Chair Doug Gordon and Public Safety Chair Jerry Armer echoed calls for stronger, faster action. Council Member Hanif hosted a recent event on the issue. The committees unanimously approved the DOT proposal with conditions: more pedestrian safety, more traffic calming, and a comprehensive plan for all of Ninth Street. DOT has not set a timeline. Schick’s family is suing the city for $100 million, alleging negligence.

• Widowed Husband of Slain Cyclist Says Ninth Street Redesign ’Falls Short’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-19

May 18 - A 24-year-old woman was hit by a southbound sedan on Hudson Street near Desbrosses. She suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injury. The driver, licensed and male, struck her with the vehicle’s front center. The pedestrian was conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Hudson Street and Desbrosses Street in Manhattan. She sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg after being struck by a southbound 2019 Tesla sedan. The vehicle impacted her with its center front end. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the collision itself. The pedestrian’s actions remain unknown. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted. The crash caused significant injury but no ejection or loss of consciousness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633595 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - A 55-year-old woman was struck on West Street in Manhattan. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her at the intersection. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a factor.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal at the intersection of West Street and Laight Street in Manhattan. The driver of a 2017 Ford sedan was making a left turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian’s crossing against the signal is noted but the primary driver error was failure to yield. The driver was male, with two occupants in the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630261 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - A pick-up truck turning left struck a northbound bicyclist on Reade Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way by the truck driver. The bicyclist was not wearing safety gear.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Reade Street was hit by a pick-up truck making a left turn. The impact occurred at the truck's left front quarter panel and the bike's right front bumper. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained a shoulder and upper arm contusion. The report lists the truck driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The truck driver was licensed in New Jersey and the bicyclist was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629386 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 10 - A 34-year-old man suffered a fractured hip and upper leg after a sedan backed unsafely on Lafayette Street. The vehicle hit the pedestrian’s left front quarter panel. The man was left in shock with serious injuries.

According to the police report, a 2011 Honda sedan was backing south on Lafayette Street in Manhattan when it struck a 34-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front quarter panel, and the pedestrian was injured without any noted safety equipment. The driver’s unsafe backing maneuver caused the collision, resulting in serious injury to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4627578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - Work starts on Ocean Parkway’s battered bike lane after years of cracks and broken promises. Cyclists still face danger. Parks closed the path but failed to set a safe detour. Riders dodge cars, confusion, and construction. The city drags its feet.

The Ocean Parkway bike lane repair project, funded in 2019 by then-Borough President Eric Adams and former Council Member Mark Treyger, finally began in May 2023 after years of delays. The $2.6-million, seven-block overhaul—managed by the Parks Department—targets the cracked 1894 path between avenues R and X. Construction, delayed by the pandemic and contract issues, will continue through March 2024. The Parks Department closed the northernmost block but failed to provide a safe, legal detour for cyclists, leaving them to navigate dangerous service roads and unclear signage. Treyger celebrated the start on social media, thanking advocates. Jon Orcutt of Bike New York criticized Parks for slow, unsafe detour practices, saying, 'They should be working on it based on function.' Lawmakers have introduced legislation to speed up Parks capital projects. Cyclists remain at risk until the city fixes its broken process.

• Ocean Parkway Bike Lane Fixes Finally Begin After Years of Delays, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-04

May 3 - New York City will cut 150,000 free parking spots for trash containers. The pilot starts in West Harlem this fall. The plan clears sidewalks, targets rats, and reclaims space for people. Council member Abreu and advocates back the move. Change is coming.

The Department of Sanitation announced a pilot to eliminate 150,000 free residential parking spaces for trash containerization. The program, starting fall 2023 in West Harlem, covers up to 10 residential blocks and 14 public schools. The DSNY report, with McKinsey input, finds containerization viable for most neighborhoods. The matter aims to 'remove garbage bags from sidewalks' and address public health. Council member Shaun Abreu supports the initiative, calling current practices 'backwards' and endorsing large-scale containerization. Advocates like CHEKPEDS founder Christine Berthet support repurposing parking for trash containers, citing sidewalk access. The city will double trash collection in the pilot area, with $5.7 million allocated. The plan faces challenges in dense areas, but signals a shift toward safer, cleaner streets for all.

• Sanitation: Trash Containerization Can Be Done With a Historic Reuse of Parking; Pilot to Start This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-03

Apr 26 - Charles Komanoff pitches a once-a-month free trip for every household into Manhattan’s congestion zone. He says it could break the political deadlock. The plan keeps most benefits: less traffic, faster buses, more transit cash. Regular drivers would pay more. Occasional drivers get a break.

On April 26, 2023, Charles Komanoff proposed a policy tweak to New York’s stalled congestion pricing plan. The plan, passed by the state legislature in 2019, remains stuck in federal review. Komanoff suggests, 'let’s give every household in the 12-county MTA region a single untolled trip per month into the congestion zone.' He argues this would address fairness concerns and soften opposition from occasional drivers. The freebie would cut annual net revenues by $110 million, but Komanoff says this could be offset by raising tolls for regular commuters. The proposal aims to preserve congestion pricing’s core goals: less traffic, faster travel, and more funding for transit. Komanoff’s compromise seeks to break the political stalemate and keep the city moving.

• KOMANOFF: Could a Once-a-Month Freebie Save Congestion Pricing?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-26

Apr 25 - Bus-mounted cameras slash crashes and speed up commutes. MTA data shows a 25 percent drop in collisions and faster buses on enforced routes. Riders gain time. Streets grow safer. Delivery giants rack up tickets. The city lags on bus lane promises.

On April 25, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on bus lane enforcement and service improvements. The matter, titled 'SMILE! Bus Lane Cameras Reduce Collisions, Speed Commutes, MTA Says,' highlighted MTA data: routes with automated bus lane enforcement (ABLE) saw 25 percent fewer crashes and 5 percent faster bus speeds over four years. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey testified, calling camera enforcement 'one of the most efficient and effective tools at our disposal.' MTA board member Andrew Albert pushed for more dedicated lanes, while CEO Janno Lieber urged Mayor Adams to meet legal bus lane minimums. The MTA aims to expand cameras to 1,000 buses, covering 80 percent of lanes. The city DOT has fallen behind on required bus lane mileage. Delivery firms like Amazon and UPS are frequent offenders. The MTA is also redesigning routes and reallocating dispatchers to cut bus bunching. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the data shows clear benefits for vulnerable road users.

• SMILE! Bus Lane Cameras Reduce Collisions, Speed Commutes, MTA Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-25

Apr 20 - Advocates push U.S. cities to install speed limiters on government cars. The Safer Fleets Challenge calls for Intelligent Speed Assist in 50 municipal fleets by 2025. Pilots show sharp drops in speeding and crashes. Officials say it saves lives and money.

""This is not something cutting edge... This is the U.S. falling behind and needing to catch up what's happening in other countries ... If you ask a parent if they would like to have this technology in their cars for their teenagers, I would venture to guess almost every parent would say yes. If we want it for our teenagers, we should want it for everyone—because everyone is sharing the roads with each other."" -- Charles Fall

On April 20, 2023, a coalition of transportation advocates launched the Safer Fleets Challenge, urging 50 U.S. communities to install Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) technology on municipal vehicles by 2025. The campaign, highlighted in a Streetsblog NYC article, states: 'Some of America's most prominent sustainable transportation advocacy organizations are challenging governments to embrace a ground-breaking technology that makes it impossible for drivers to speed, starting with the vehicles in their own fleets.' Former council member Erica Gilmore and America Walks president Mike McGinn voiced strong support. Gilmore said, 'Greater safety, of course, would lead to budget savings over the long run for cities and towns.' The article details ISA pilots in New York City and California, showing fewer crashes and less speeding. Advocates argue that executive orders can quickly retrofit fleets, and broader adoption is overdue. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a clear push for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• How Every Government In America Could Stop Its Own Cars From Speeding, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-20

Apr 19 - A 27-year-old female e-biker was injured when a Jeep SUV made a right turn and struck her head-on. The impact hit the bike’s front center and the SUV’s left front quarter panel. The rider suffered bruises and lower leg injuries.

According to the police report, a 2021 Jeep SUV, traveling south and making a right turn on Chambers Street, collided with a female e-bike rider going straight northeast. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The 27-year-old bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected but was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver of the SUV was licensed in New Jersey. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - Mayor Adams backs free buses on ten city routes. Assembly Member Mamdani hails the move for working-class riders. But promised bus lanes and service upgrades lag. Only 11.95 miles built last year. Political fights stall progress. Riders wait. Danger lingers.

On April 19, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams endorsed a pilot to make two bus routes free in each borough, totaling ten free buses. The plan is part of the 'Fix the MTA' package, originally championed by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and progressive allies. Adams said, 'I strongly support the thought of having 10 buses being free on lines in the city. I think it would make a major impact.' Mamdani called free buses 'transformative' for working-class New Yorkers. Despite this, other bus improvements lag. Adams pledged 150 miles of new bus lanes in four years, but only 11.95 miles were built last year. Some projects stalled amid political opposition. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber stressed the need for city commitment to bus lanes and warned of fare hikes and service cuts if funding gaps persist. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• Mayor Adams Backs Free Buses As Other Bus Commitments Fall By the Wayside, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-19

Apr 17 - Sexual harassment stalks DC’s transit. Women riders vanish. WMATA’s old campaigns worked, but vanished too. Ridership drops. Safety erodes. The agency drifts. Riders wait. The call is clear: bring back anti-harassment efforts. Restore trust. Protect women. Save transit.

This opinion piece, published April 17, 2023, urges the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to revive anti-sexual harassment campaigns. The article states, 'WMATA should consider reviving their anti-harassment campaigns to help create a welcoming environment for women.' Before the pandemic, women made up over half of DC transit riders. Now, their numbers have dropped. WMATA’s past campaigns, run with Stop Street Harassment and Collective Action for Safe Spaces, reduced reported harassment and encouraged reporting. But since 2019, progress has stalled. The author notes that sexual harassment drives women away from transit, pushing them toward cars and taxis. WMATA’s 2023 budget lists anti-harassment as a priority, but action is missing. The piece calls for visible, renewed efforts to protect women and restore trust in public transit.

• Opinion: We Should Do More To Fight Sexual Harassment on Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-17