Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Sep 7 - A 68-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing Park Row. The driver failed to yield during a left turn. The pedestrian suffered a neck contusion but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Park Row and Broadway. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when a 2017 Honda SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained a neck contusion and remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle sustained no damage. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561902 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 7 - Car culture drains wallets and endangers lives. Oil, auto, and insurance giants profit while public transit withers. Politicians suspend gas taxes, starving transit funds. Predatory loans and high insurance rates bleed drivers. Vulnerable road users pay the price in blood and dollars.

This opinion piece, published September 7, 2022, on Streetsblog NYC, attacks the narrative that congestion pricing is a 'cash grab.' Author Nicole A. Murray argues the true financial and social burden comes from car culture itself. The article highlights how automotive, oil, and insurance industries siphon money from the public, while political decisions—like Governor Hochul's gas tax suspension—undercut transit funding. The piece states: 'The real cash grab: the silent hands that the automotive and subsidiary industries have in our pockets—all of our pockets—every day.' Murray calls out the hypocrisy of congestion pricing opponents who ignore the needs of transit-dependent New Yorkers. No council bill number or committee is involved; this is a public statement, not legislation. The article exposes how car dependency and predatory lending practices trap working families, while public transportation offers a path to freedom and safety.

• OPINION: The Real ‘Cash Grab’ Isn’t Congestion Pricing — It’s Car Culture, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-07

Sep 1 - Senator Brian Kavanagh calls out city and state leaders for failing basement tenants. He slams piecemeal fixes and urges full legalization and safety upgrades. Storms kill. Inaction kills. Kavanagh says: bring these homes into the light, or more will die.

On September 1, 2022, Senator Brian Kavanagh (District 27) published an editorial demanding urgent action to legalize and regulate basement apartments. The piece, titled 'Basement apartments shouldn’t be death traps,' criticizes government inaction after deadly floods from Hurricane Ida and Sandy. Kavanagh, a sponsor of recent state legislation, writes: 'New York City needs to immediately move to legalize and regulate basement apartments to ensure the safety of their tens of thousands of tenants.' He condemns defunded pilot programs and failed bills, calling for a full-scale mobilization to prevent more deaths. Kavanagh’s editorial highlights the deadly consequences of neglect and urges leaders to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants living in basement units.

• Basement apartments shouldn’t be death traps, nydailynews.com, Published 2022-09-01

Aug 31 - DOT will daylight intersections, ban left turns, and add pedestrian space on McGuinness Boulevard. Eleven pedestrians and four cyclists have died here since 1995. Advocates demand a full redesign. The city promises more action after these quick fixes.

On August 31, 2022, the Department of Transportation announced interim safety improvements for McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The street has seen 1,594 crashes, 44 cyclist injuries, 67 pedestrian injuries, and three deaths since 2013. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced the changes, which include daylighting intersections, banning left turns at key avenues, and adding painted pedestrian extensions. Gallagher said, 'Quick, iterative incremental changes will be a great way to reduce injuries and fatalities rather than waiting for an entire overhaul.' Council Member Lincoln Restler praised the upgrades as 'a step in the right direction.' Bronwyn Breitner of Make McGuinness Safe Coalition called for a full-scale redesign, reallocating space from cars to people. The city will revisit the corridor plan this winter after installing these measures in the fall.

• DOT Will Give Deadly McGuinness Boulevard Some Safety Fixes Before Full Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-31

Aug 30 - SUV rear-ended stopped SUV on South Street. Passenger, 28, suffered neck injury and whiplash. Driver inattention caused the crash. Impact hit center front and back ends. Passenger stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on South Street near Whitehall Street in Manhattan. The rear SUV struck a stopped SUV, injuring a 28-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat. She suffered neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash damaged the center front end of the striking SUV and the center back end of the stopped SUV. The injured passenger was restrained with a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 30 - Senator Julia Salazar’s Ride Clean bill passed the New York Senate 60-3. It offers up to $1,100 for e-bike purchases. The bill aims to cut car use and emissions. It stalled in the Assembly. Lawmakers say it makes e-bikes accessible for working New Yorkers.

Senate Bill S7703, known as the Ride Clean rebate, passed the New York State Senate on June 2022 by a 60-3 vote. The bill sits stalled in the Assembly committee since January. The measure, sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar, would require NYSERDA to cover half the cost of e-bike purchases, up to $1,100. Salazar said, 'When the federal government falls short, it really does fall on the state to step up and take responsibility.' Assembly sponsor Robert Carroll added, 'This is not a luxury item.' The bill’s summary states it aims to make e-bikes accessible and reduce car dependence. If enacted, New York would join a handful of states offering direct e-bike subsidies, targeting emissions and car use in daily trips.

• NY Lawmakers Want To Bring E-Bikes To The People, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-30

Aug 27 - A sedan merged into a westbound motorcycle on Canal Street. The rider suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The sedan’s front was damaged. The crash left the motorcyclist in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan merging west on Canal Street struck a motorcycle traveling straight in the same direction. The motorcycle driver, a 41-year-old man wearing a helmet, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. The sedan’s center front end hit the motorcycle’s right side doors. Police list "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors are noted. The sedan had one occupant, the driver. The motorcycle had two occupants; the injured person was the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 27 - A bicyclist and a pedestrian collided on Broadway in Manhattan. Both suffered moderate injuries. The bicyclist hit the pedestrian while traveling south at unsafe speed. Both were conscious but injured. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old female bicyclist traveling south on Broadway collided with a 43-year-old female pedestrian not at an intersection. Both were injured, with the bicyclist sustaining abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and the pedestrian suffering internal back injuries. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor for both parties. Additionally, pedestrian/bicyclist error or confusion contributed to the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The bike showed no damage, and the point of impact was the center front end of the bicycle. The bicyclist was going straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - Congestion pricing cuts traffic in Manhattan. Air grows cleaner in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Hudson County. Truck diversions raise miles driven, but fine particle pollution drops. Health improves. Advocates push for electric buses, cleaner trucks, and strict air monitoring.

This policy analysis, published August 26, 2022, reviews the impact of congestion pricing on air quality, focusing on the Bronx. The report states: 'Air quality and public health in the Bronx will receive a boost from congestion pricing, even under a toll scenario that diverts substantial truck traffic.' The analysis draws from the MTA's environmental assessment, especially Toll Scenario A, which projects less particulate matter (PM2.5) in Bronx air despite increased vehicle miles. The health benefits for Bronx residents match those in Queens, Brooklyn, and Hudson County. Environmental justice and transportation advocates call for rapid electrification of buses and trucks, capping highways, and rigorous air monitoring to prevent new pollution hot spots. The analysis values total health benefits at $20.8 million for 2023. No council members are named in this report.

• ANALYSIS: Congestion Pricing Will Lead to Better Air Quality in The Bronx, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-26

Aug 25 - An SUV rear-ended another stopped SUV on Canal Street. The struck driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Police blamed driver inattention. Both vehicles took heavy center damage.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles were traveling east on Canal Street when one stopped in traffic and the other failed to stop, crashing into its rear. The driver of the struck SUV, a 45-year-old woman, sustained a head injury and concussion. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police cited driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The striking SUV was damaged at the center front, while the stopped SUV was damaged at the center back. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562308 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A sedan turned left on Church Street. An e-scooter slammed into its rear. The rider flew off, struck the pavement headfirst. He wore a helmet. He died in the street, late morning sun on his body. Distraction and inattention ruled the scene.

A deadly crash unfolded at Church and Thomas Streets in Manhattan. According to the police report, a sedan made a left turn as an e-scooter traveled straight. The e-scooter struck the sedan's rear quarter panel. The 40-year-old scooter rider was ejected and hit the pavement headfirst. He died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors. The e-scooter rider wore a helmet, but the impact proved fatal. No other serious injuries were reported. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of distraction and poor attention behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 22 - Two sedans crashed on West Street in Manhattan. One driver, a 49-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries. The collision involved a left front bumper impact and a center front end impact. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on West Street near Murray Street in Manhattan. The female driver, age 49, was injured with chest trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The crash involved one vehicle traveling west going straight ahead and another making a right turn northeast. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one sedan and the center front end of the other. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557590 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 21 - A 10-year-old girl was injured on Albany Street after a bike struck her outside an intersection. The impact caused abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The driver’s inattention was a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a bike traveling north on Albany Street struck a 10-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the crash. The bike showed no damage, and the driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian’s injury severity was classified as moderate, with no mention of safety equipment or protective gear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557598 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 17 - Senator Blumenthal demands federal action on deadly frontover crashes. He calls for better data, more transparency, and front cameras on giant cars. But cameras alone won’t shrink vehicles or save enough lives. The real fix: fewer, smaller cars on the road.

On August 17, 2022, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address frontover crashes—fatal incidents where large vehicles strike unseen children in front. The senator’s letter called for annual injury and fatality data, improved data collection, and efforts to prevent future deaths. He stated, 'Safety is not—and should never be—a premium feature only available to those who can afford it; it should be the default.' Blumenthal’s push follows a demonstration showing ten children hidden in a single SUV’s blind spot. The bill’s focus is on mandating front cameras, but experts and advocates warn this won’t fix the core problem: cars are too big, too tall, too deadly. As noted, 'The most effective way to reduce tragic frontover deaths is to have fewer cars in American driveways.' Cameras help, but shrinking vehicles and reducing car dependency would save more lives.

• Senator Calls on Feds to Mandate ‘Frontover’ Cameras on Huge Cars — But It Won’t Save Enough Lives, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-17

Aug 16 - Turning parking into greenspace means fewer floods, safer streets. Asphalt traps water. Storms turn roads into rivers. Bioswales and trees soak up rain, protect homes, keep subways dry. The city must swap pavement for life. Action saves lives, not parking.

On August 16, 2022, the Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, discussed flood prevention. An opinion from a Transportation Alternatives staffer urged the Council to 'transform impervious driving lanes into green climate solutions.' The piece calls for bioswales and greenspace in place of parking, citing the deadly floods after Hurricane Ida. It highlights that 72 percent of city land is impervious, worsening flash floods. The author presses city leaders, including Mayor Eric Adams, to repurpose street space for climate resilience, referencing the NYC 25x25 challenge. The message is clear: 'Our streets can become the solution to climate change and flooding.' No council vote occurred, but the advocacy pushes for urgent, systemic change to protect New Yorkers from future storms.

• OPINION: Want to Prevent Flooding? Turn ‘Parking’ Into Greenspace, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-16

Aug 12 - Taxi turned left and struck a man crossing with the signal. The impact bruised his knee, leg, and foot. Police cite failure to yield. The taxi’s left front bumper took the hit.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Chambers Street in Manhattan struck a male pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The taxi was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver. The taxi’s left front bumper was damaged in the crash. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4556231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 12 - A box truck making a left turn struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan traveling east on Canal Street. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and shock. The truck driver held a permit and was inexperienced. Passenger distraction also contributed.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male sedan driver was injured when a 2019 box truck, driven by a male with a New Jersey permit, made a left turn and collided with the sedan's left rear quarter panel on Canal Street. The sedan driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and was in shock. The report lists driver inexperience and passenger distraction as contributing factors. The truck driver’s lack of full licensing and inexperience played a key role in the crash. The sedan driver was not at fault. No ejections occurred, and the injury severity was moderate.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - A box truck struck a 32-year-old male bicyclist on Fulton Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage. The crash involved improper lane usage by the truck.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Fulton Street in Manhattan collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The 32-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The truck was parked before the crash and impacted the left side doors of the bike. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the truck operator. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck showed no damage, while the bike was damaged at the center front end. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' but does not specify further.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A 38-year-old woman riding a bike north on Battery Place was injured when a westbound SUV hit her. The bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries. The crash involved driver distraction. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female bicyclist traveling north on Battery Place was struck by a westbound 2016 Toyota SUV. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, yet no vehicle damage was recorded. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the bicyclist's part.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - Senate nears a climate deal. Bill pours billions into electric cars, skips bikes and transit. Big SUVs get a boost. No new money for high-speed rail. Advocates warn: heavy vehicles mean danger. Vulnerable road users left in the cold.

The Senate’s climate bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, is close to passage as of July 29, 2022. It allocates $369 billion to decarbonize sectors like power plants and HVAC, aiming for a 40% emissions cut by 2030. The bill continues the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and adds a $4,000 credit for used EVs, but omits dedicated funding for electric transit, freight, or e-bikes. Advocates like Yonah Freemark, David Zipper, and Noa Banayan criticize the focus on large electric SUVs and trucks, calling them dangerous for people outside cars. Zipper says, “We’re actually inducing people to buy heavier, more dangerous electric automobiles.” The bill introduces a $3.4 billion Neighborhood Equity and Access Grant, but skips high-speed rail and transit. Advocates urge more action, warning that the bill leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• What’s in the New ‘Climate’ Deal for Sustainable Transport — And What’s Not, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-29