Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Dec 12 - DOT will not meet the law’s bus lane goals. Staff shortages and budget cuts choke progress. Riders wait. Commutes crawl. Promises break. The city’s most vulnerable—bus riders—are left stranded by inaction and empty pledges.

The Streets Plan law, passed by the City Council in 2019, requires DOT to build 20 miles of new bus lanes in 2022 and 30 miles each year for the next four years. As of December 2022, DOT had built only 7.7 miles, with 4.2 miles of new camera-enforced lanes and 7.3 miles under construction. The agency cites staff shortages and budget cuts as the main obstacles. Council members and advocates, including Riders Alliance and the City Council, have condemned the delays and called staff shortages 'unacceptable.' Mayor Adams’s administration has revised its promise, now counting 'enhanced' lanes, not just new ones. DOT spokesman Vin Barone insists the agency intends to meet 2023 goals, but specifics are lacking. The law has no enforcement provision. The city’s one million daily bus riders, many low-income and people of color, continue to suffer slow, unreliable service.

• DOT Expects to Miss Targets for New Bus Lanes, Sources Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12

Dec 10 - A 30-year-old man driving a 2017 Toyota sedan was injured in Manhattan near Walker Street. The driver suffered a head injury and shock. The crash involved the sedan backing and hitting another vehicle’s right rear bumper. The driver wore a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Walker Street in Manhattan. The driver was operating a 2017 Toyota sedan traveling east and was backing when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the right rear bumper of the sedan, which sustained damage to the center back end. The driver suffered a head injury and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists "Illness" as a contributing factor but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was wearing a lap belt at the time of the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - A Dodge pickup turned left at White and Lafayette. The driver struck an 83-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The bumper hit her head. She collapsed, unconscious. Internal injuries. She died on the street. The truck failed to yield.

An 83-year-old woman was killed at the corner of White Street and Lafayette Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a Dodge pickup truck, making a left turn, struck her with its front bumper. The impact caused head trauma and internal injuries. She collapsed and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver held a permit from New Jersey. The report does not mention any actions by the victim that contributed to the crash. The deadly impact highlights the danger faced by pedestrians, even when following the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A 47-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing Albany Street with the signal. The driver made a right turn and hit her with the vehicle’s right front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Albany Street at an intersection with the signal. The driver, operating a 2017 Toyota SUV, was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected from the scene. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A sedan hit a 38-year-old woman crossing Broadway at Dey Street. The driver failed to yield. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, leg, and foot. The car's left front struck her. No damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old woman was crossing Broadway at Dey Street with the signal when a sedan traveling southwest struck her. The impact came from the vehicle's left front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and sustained moderate injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587481 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 25 - MTA’s customer survey skews results. Riders forced to rate safety based on homelessness and erratic behavior. Biased questions fuel false narratives. Real safety data lost. Riders left unheard. Subway danger misunderstood. Systemic flaws persist. Riders pay the price.

On November 25, 2022, a public critique targeted the MTA’s Customers Count Survey. The survey, administered by WBA Research, asked riders to rate satisfaction with conditions like panhandling and homelessness, but gave no room for context. The matter summary states, 'the survey was flawed and would produce biased results.' The critique opposes the narrative that subway danger comes from vulnerable people, and warns that these results justify more police, not real safety. No council bill or committee is involved; this is a public challenge to MTA’s data practices. The author notes, 'the authority is failing to collect key data that it can use to actually improve people’s experience using transit.' Riders’ voices are lost. The system’s real dangers remain unaddressed.

• Survey Says: Here’s Why the MTA Thinks You Don’t Feel Safe on the Subway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 25 - Council debates curbside space. Experts push for parklets, not just parking. Merchants and groups could claim street edges for public use. DOT urged to oversee, not DCWP. Council Member Velazquez leads but stays silent. The fight is for safer, shared streets.

""For us, it's a no-brainer to put it under DOT so that we can push the program to be a little more holistic, and start thinking about these other opportunities for the curb. If we end up seeing the program fall under DWCP, you're going to lose the opportunity to evolve it."" -- Charles Fall

This proposal, now before the City Council, seeks to expand the Open Restaurant program by allowing curbside space to become 'community parklets.' The bill is led by Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, though she declined comment as the process continues. The matter, as described by the Regional Plan Association and partners, aims to 'enable merchants or organized groups to tap into the Open Restaurant program and its legal infrastructure, giving new mixed-use space to programs that benefit their communities.' The Alfresco NYC Coalition and advocates like Maulin Mehta support shifting oversight to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a broader, safer approach to curb use. The bill is under active debate, with hearings showing strong support for reclaiming curb space for public benefit, not just cars or restaurants.

• GREEN CURBS: Open Restaurant Supporters Want Some ‘Parking’ Spots for Parklets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 21 - Subway riders gave Hochul a landslide. They want safe, reliable trains. Advocates say the governor must fund transit, not let it fall apart. Riders rejected fearmongering. Now they wait for Hochul to deliver on her promises. The city’s future rides on it.

""Without them, the MTA risks falling into a real death spiral of fare hikes and service cuts, which will further depress ridership and hurt the city and region’s recovery."" -- Charles Fall

This post-election analysis, published November 21, 2022, reviews the outcome of the November 8 election and its meaning for transit policy. Subway riders backed Governor Hochul by an 81 to 19 percent margin in districts with the busiest stations. The article states, 'the governor needs to invest in mass transit and provide the MTA the billions it needs in new dedicated revenues to save it from the fiscal cliff.' Advocates like Rachael Fauss, John McCarthy, Liam Blank, Kate Slevin, and Lisa Daglian urge Hochul and the legislature to boost funding and treat transit as essential. They warn of a 'death spiral' if service cuts and fare hikes hit. Hochul’s support for projects like the Interborough Express and congestion pricing is noted. The message is clear: New Yorkers demand safe, reliable transit, and the governor must deliver.

• ANALYSIS: Subway Riders Backed Hochul By Widest Margins; Now Governor Better Deliver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 21 - DOT will add a parking-protected bike lane on 10th Ave. from Chelsea to Hell’s Kitchen. Community Board 4 backed the plan but demanded more concrete barriers. Locals say painted islands and plastic posts won’t stop cars. Three pedestrians have died since 2016.

On November 21, 2022, the Department of Transportation unveiled a plan for a parking-protected bike lane on nearly 40 blocks of 10th Avenue, stretching from W. 14th to W. 52nd streets. Manhattan Community Board 4’s Transportation Committee unanimously supported the proposal but urged DOT to add more physical barriers. The plan includes pedestrian islands and repurposes car lanes in some sections, but for 19 blocks, car lanes remain untouched. Council Member Erik Bottcher and local activists pushed for the redesign, citing high crash and fatality rates: 173 crashes this year, 40 injuries, and three pedestrian deaths since 2016. Committee members, including Christine Berthet and Brett Firfer, criticized painted islands as unsafe, calling for concrete or vertical barriers. DOT’s Patrick Kennedy cited resource limits. The agency aims to start work in spring and finish by fall.

• DOT Unveils Long-Awaited 10th Ave. Bike Lane; Locals Say Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 18 - A family pedals through Palo Alto, hauling kids and groceries by cargo bike. They dodge car chaos, breathe clean air, and stay close. Their story cuts through car culture. They prove families can thrive without a car. Streets shape safety. Bikes bring freedom.

On November 18, 2022, Streetsblog NYC published a public advocacy piece titled "Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth." The article highlights the Boelens family, who have lived car-free for 11 years, using cargo bikes for daily errands and childcare. The piece states: "We find it's just as easy to get around within a five-mile radius by bike than it is by car. We get exercise, fresh air, and save so much money." The story features direct quotes from Arnout and Nicole Zoeller Boelens, who describe the ease and joy of cycling as a family. No council bill, vote, or committee action is involved. The article challenges the myth that families need cars, showing how street design—not personal choice—shapes safety and mobility for vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst assessment is included.

• Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 18 - A grove now stands in Brooklyn for those killed by cars. Families for Safe Streets and city officials opened the Memorial Grove in Lincoln Terrace Park. It marks the toll of traffic violence. Names are remembered. The city’s pain is made visible.

On November 18, 2022, city officials and Families for Safe Streets dedicated the Memorial Grove for Victims of Traffic Violence in Lincoln Terrace/Arthur S. Somers Park, Brooklyn. The event, supported by Mayor Eric Adams, marks the first such memorial in the United States. Adams said, 'My administration has zero tolerance for traffic violence.' Robin Middleman Filepp of Families for Safe Streets called it 'a public health crisis that demands action.' The grove honors over 2,100 killed and nearly half a million injured since Vision Zero began in 2014. The Parks Department set aside the space, with saplings planted by volunteers and city workers. The memorial stands as a stark reminder: traffic violence is preventable, and victims deserve recognition.

• A Grove Grows In Brooklyn: Finally, New York Has a Memorial to Road Violence Victims, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 15 - Cars poison New York. Emissions kill 1,400 city residents each year—more than crashes. Noise from traffic warps bodies and minds. Walking brings health, sanity, and community. Electric cars do not solve the core danger. Streets remain deadly. Walking saves lives.

This policy advocacy, published November 15, 2022, revisits the impact of car dependency a decade after 'Walkable City.' The article, titled 'Walkable City 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought,' draws on studies showing road emissions cause 53,000 early deaths annually in the U.S., with 1,400 in New York City alone. Healthcare costs from vehicle emissions top $21 billion per year in the city. The piece highlights that electric vehicles do not eliminate most toxic emissions, which come from tires and non-tailpipe sources. Traffic noise increases risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. The article quotes, 'People who walk 8.6 minutes a day are 33 percent more likely to report better mental health.' It argues that walking and biking foster stronger communities and civic engagement, while car traffic breeds isolation and danger. No council member is named; this is a broad policy critique, not a legislative action.

• <i>Walkable City</I> 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Nov 14 - Philadelphia will fix or install 10,000 curb ramps after a lawsuit. The city dragged its feet for decades. Disabled residents faced danger, isolation, and injury. Officials acted only after being sued. Sidewalks beyond ramps remain neglected. Justice came slow, hard-fought.

On November 7, 2022, Philadelphia settled a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019, agreeing to install or repair 10,000 curb ramps over 15 years—at least 2,000 every three years. The city must keep these ramps in working order, but sidewalks beyond the ramps are excluded. The matter, titled 'Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?', highlights the city's long resistance to basic ADA compliance. Plaintiffs like Fran Fulton said, 'They're responding to our needs now because we sued them.' Disability Rights Advocates attorney Meredith Weaver called the process 'hard-fought,' noting that leaders' inaction led to injuries and isolation. Weaver stressed that proactive, well-funded sidewalk networks—not lawsuits—would better protect people with mobility challenges. This settlement forces overdue action, but leaves many sidewalks unsafe.

• Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Nov 11 - A 45-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises after a sedan struck him at Water Street in Manhattan. The sedan was making a right turn when it collided with the cyclist going straight. Injuries were moderate.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead on Water Street, Manhattan. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old man, sustained contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. The sedan's right front quarter panel and right side doors were damaged. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the collision circumstances. The bicyclist was not ejected and his safety equipment status is unknown. The driver of the sedan was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581850 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 10 - A 22-year-old man was hit by a northbound taxi at North End Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. The crash caused shock and left the taxi damaged at the front. The pedestrian crossed against the signal.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a taxi traveling north on North End Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The taxi, with two occupants and a licensed driver, hit the pedestrian with its center front end, sustaining damage. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding and was in shock following the crash. The report lists the pedestrian's error and confusion as contributing factors. No driver errors were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - DOT will take two car lanes on Washington Bridge for a protected bike lane and a bus lane. Cyclists and bus riders get space. Pedestrians breathe easier. Community board backs the plan. Car drivers lose parking. The city moves to fix a deadly gap.

On November 9, 2022, the Department of Transportation proposed repurposing two car lanes on the Washington Bridge for a two-way protected bike lane and a dedicated bus lane. The plan was presented to Manhattan Community Board 12's Traffic and Transportation committee, which gave unanimous advisory support. The DOT aims to install the changes by summer or early fall 2023. The proposal states: 'The city wants to repurpose a pair of car lanes on the Washington Bridge uptown for a two-way bike lane and a bus lane next year, giving a dedicated space to cyclists who are currently forced to share extremely narrow paths with pedestrians.' Lucia Deng, a Transportation Alternatives activist, called the move 'huge,' noting the Bronx and Upper Manhattan have long been neglected. DOT planner Patrick Kennedy said, 'We try to maintain the protected connections as much as possible. They really only work if they’re continuous.' The plan removes 20 parking spaces but connects vital bike and bus routes, giving thousands of non-drivers safer passage.

• DOT Proposes Protected Bike Path, Bus Lane for Washington Bridge (The Other One), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 9 - A University of Washington study finds permanent daylight savings time could save 33 human lives and 36,550 deer yearly. Fewer crashes happen when commutes end before dark. Earlier Rutgers research showed a 13 percent drop in pedestrian deaths at dusk and dawn.

On November 9, 2022, a research report published in Current Biology examined the impact of permanent daylight savings time on road safety. The study, led by University of Washington researchers, argues that 'rolling back the clocks in November may give millions of Americans an extra hour of sleep, but it also costs human and animal lives on U.S. roads that could be saved by making daylight savings time permanent.' The report found that keeping daylight savings time year-round could prevent 33 human deaths and 36,550 deer deaths annually by reducing crashes during dark hours, especially at peak commute times. A 2004 Rutgers study cited in the report found permanent daylight savings time would cut pedestrian deaths by about 13 percent during dusk and dawn. The researchers stress that systemic changes—like mandatory streetlights, traffic-calming infrastructure, and wildlife crossings—are also needed to protect vulnerable road users and wildlife.

• Research: Permanent Daylight Savings Time Could Save Human and Animal Lives on Our Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 7 - A scooter collided with a flatbed truck making a right turn on Centre Street in Manhattan. The scooter driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The crash was caused by driver inattention and distraction.

According to the police report, a flatbed truck was making a right turn on Centre Street when a scooter traveling straight ahead struck the truck's right side doors. The scooter driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The scooter driver was not ejected and remained conscious. The flatbed truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the truck and the left front bumper of the scooter.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580700 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 2 - A distracted driver slammed into stopped cars on West Street. A 24-year-old passenger took the hit, bruised and shaken. Metal crumpled. The street held the pain. System failed the vulnerable again.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash unfolded on West Street at Chambers Street in Manhattan. Three vehicles were involved: a sedan and an SUV stopped in traffic, struck by another sedan. Driver inattention and distraction caused the collision. A 24-year-old male front-seat passenger suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. He was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other causes were cited. The crash left the passenger injured and underscored the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A BMW sedan turned right and hit a woman on a bike going straight. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, leg, and foot. The crash left her in shock. The bike and car were both damaged.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan traveling south on West Street made a right turn onto West Thames Street and struck a bicyclist who was also traveling south, going straight. The cyclist, a 33-year-old woman, suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was wearing a helmet and was in shock after the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond unspecified causes. The sedan was damaged on its right side doors, and the bike was damaged at the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19