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 23 - City will let property owners install e-bike charging stations on sidewalks. The move aims to stop deadly basement charging and bring safety to delivery workers. A new battery trade-in program will target dangerous lithium-ion batteries and mopeds. Community resistance remains.

On July 23, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a new initiative to permit private sidewalk e-bike and moped charging stations. The program, previewed at a press conference with Mayor Adams, will open for applications by year’s end after a public hearing on August 21. The matter, described as making it 'easier and faster for property owners to install public battery charging and swapping cabinets,' seeks to replace illegal, hazardous charging hubs with regulated infrastructure. Council Member Keith Powers, who sponsored last year’s battery trade-in law, said, 'No one wants to use—or be anywhere near—batteries that aren't safe to charge.' Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh called current illegal charging 'effectively death traps.' The city will also fund a $2 million battery and moped trade-in program. Delivery worker advocates want the new stations to be free or low-cost. Community board opposition has slowed previous efforts. The mayor remains neutral on state e-bike registration proposals.

• DOT Will Fast-Track Private Sidewalk E-Bike Charging Stations, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-23

Jul 22 - A 42-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after a taxi collided with him on East 21st Street in Manhattan. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing the crash that left the cyclist bruised and injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:49 on East 21st Street near 3 Avenue in Manhattan. A taxi traveling north and a bicyclist traveling west collided. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained head injuries, including contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The taxi's front center end struck the bicyclist, but the vehicle sustained no damage. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's actions. The driver’s failure to comply with traffic control directly led to the collision and serious injury of the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742324 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A 50-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV made a left turn in Manhattan. Both drivers had limited views, contributing to the collision. The bicyclist remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:19 in Manhattan near 1st Avenue and 491. A 2016 Ford SUV was making a left turn westbound when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 50-year-old male, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the driver failed to yield or adequately check for the bicyclist while turning. No safety equipment was reported on the bicyclist, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was minimal, but the bicyclist was injured, underscoring the danger posed by limited visibility and driver errors during left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A taxi struck a 20-year-old woman in a marked Manhattan crosswalk. She suffered serious leg injuries and shock. The crash left her hurt and exposed the danger taxis pose to people on foot at city intersections.

According to the police report, a taxi collided with a 20-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection of 145th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan at 10:15 p.m. The woman was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. No passengers were in the taxi at the time. The incident highlights the ongoing risk taxis present to pedestrians at city crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742094 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 16 - Taxi slammed into a southbound cyclist. The rider flew off the bike. Back scraped raw. Metal twisted. Intersection turned harsh. City’s danger for the unprotected, plain as blood on pavement.

According to the police report, a taxi and a bike collided at 5:00 PM on East 47th Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. The taxi, heading west, struck a 37-year-old woman riding south on her bike. She was ejected and suffered back abrasions. The bike’s left front bumper and the taxi’s right front quarter panel were damaged. Both drivers held valid licenses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite any error by the cyclist. No driver errors like failure to yield or inattention were specified. The cyclist wore no safety equipment, but this was not listed as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A bus struck a bicyclist from behind on East 23rd Street in Manhattan. The 22-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the bus driver’s failure to maintain safe distance and improper lane use as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:05 on East 23rd Street near 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. A 2017 Ford bus, traveling east and making a right turn, collided with a westbound bicyclist stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the bus's right rear quarter panel striking the bike’s right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 22-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the bus driver’s errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The bicyclist’s confusion is noted but not blamed. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. This collision highlights the dangers posed by close following distances and improper lane maneuvers by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741357 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - A sedan traveling east collided with a southbound bicyclist on 2 Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, experiencing shock and pain. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:34 on 2 Avenue near East 59 Street in Manhattan. A 2018 Toyota sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east, struck an 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and reported pain and nausea, also experiencing shock. The police report identifies the contributing factor as the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way. No other contributing factors from the bicyclist were noted. The collision caused damage to the sedan’s front end. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

Jul 11 - A Jeep rolled south on 2nd Avenue. A man on a bike hit the pavement, his leg torn, blood pooling. No helmet. The Jeep showed no damage. The cyclist’s pain marked the corner, another body broken by traffic’s force.

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 48th Street in Manhattan, a collision between a Jeep SUV and a cyclist left a 31-year-old man with severe lacerations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, according to the police report. The narrative states, 'A Jeep kept south. A man on a bike fell hard. Blood pooled near his torn leg. His foot split open. No helmet. No damage to the Jeep. Just pain on the pavement.' The report lists the cyclist as injured, suffering 'severe lacerations,' and notes that the SUV sustained no damage. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The police report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The only detail about the cyclist’s behavior is the absence of a helmet, which is mentioned in the narrative but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets amid heavy vehicle traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - A sedan struck a 59-year-old man crossing East 39 Street at Park Avenue. The impact left him conscious, with abrasions and arm injuries. The car hit him with its right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 39 Street at Park Avenue in Manhattan. A westbound 2019 Honda sedan went straight and struck him with the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious after the crash. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. The sedan had two licensed occupants and sustained damage to the right front bumper. This collision shows the danger pedestrians face at busy intersections when struck by moving vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A southbound bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV making a left turn hit him at 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. Driver inattention caused the collision. The cyclist was not ejected and suffered minor bleeding and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:37 near 585 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. A 2020 Mercedes SUV was making a left turn when it struck an 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling southbound. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock noted. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain attention during the left turn maneuver. The bicyclist was not ejected and was riding without safety equipment. No victim fault is assigned; the focus remains on the driver's error causing the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - An SUV turning left on East 39 Street struck two elderly pedestrians. Both suffered serious injuries. The impact hit the left front bumper. No damage to the vehicle. The street stayed dangerous. Lives changed in seconds.

According to the police report, a 2017 Acura SUV traveling south on East 39 Street made a left turn and struck two pedestrians, both aged 86, who were crossing outside an intersection without a signal or crosswalk. The impact occurred at the SUV's left front bumper. One pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated hip; the other sustained bruising to the arm. The report lists no explicit driver contributing factors and notes the vehicle was turning left at the time of the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and the vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrians' location outside a crosswalk is noted but not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A 57-year-old woman suffered a severe hip and upper leg fracture after an SUV struck her at an intersection on East 19 Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn, hitting the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:15 on East 19 Street near 3 Avenue in Manhattan. A 57-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Ford SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, struck her with the vehicle's left front quarter panel. The pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when the SUV, traveling west and making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The victim sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to her hip and upper leg. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, emphasizing driver error. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused significant vehicle damage to the left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on East 34 Street. Both drivers and a passenger suffered bruises and contusions. The SUV driver fell asleep, causing the crash that injured three occupants without ejections or life-threatening trauma.

According to the police report, at 7:50 a.m. on East 34 Street near FDR Drive, a southbound Honda SUV collided with the rear of a southbound Honda sedan. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. The SUV driver was cited for falling asleep, a critical driver error that led to the crash. The sedan carried two occupants: the driver, a 35-year-old man wearing a lap belt, and a 52-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear. Both occupants and the SUV driver sustained contusions and bruises, with injuries to the back and lower extremities. None of the occupants were ejected, and all remained conscious. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver, highlighting driver fatigue as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - An armored truck struck a sport utility vehicle on Madison Avenue at 4:50 a.m. Two female passengers in the SUV suffered neck and facial contusions. The armored truck driver was unlicensed and driving at unsafe speed, failing to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:50 a.m. on Madison Avenue involving an armored truck traveling north and a 2023 Ford SUV traveling east. The armored truck driver, who was unlicensed, failed to yield the right-of-way and was driving at an unsafe speed. The point of impact was the armored truck's left front bumper striking the right side doors of the SUV. Two female passengers in the SUV, ages 62 and 56, were injured with contusions to the neck and face, respectively. Both passengers were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the armored truck driver. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A taxi turned on East 44th and 3rd. An e-scooter struck its side. The rider, 26, crashed headfirst, blood pooling on the street. Deep cuts marked his head. He stayed conscious. The city’s rush did not pause.

According to the police report, a taxi turned at the corner of East 44th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. An e-scooter, traveling west, collided with the taxi’s right side. The 26-year-old e-scooter rider was thrown headfirst, suffering severe lacerations to his head. The report states the rider remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors in the collision, with the e-scooter’s impact focused on the taxi’s right rear quarter panel. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the ongoing danger vulnerable road users face from improper vehicle maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A distracted SUV driver struck a bicyclist traveling north on 1st Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash caused no vehicle damage but left the rider injured and conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:23 in Manhattan near 253 1st Avenue. A 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured after being hit by a 2022 Ford SUV that was parked and then moved. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors on the bicyclist's side, but the primary driver error was the SUV driver's inattention. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The SUV sustained no damage despite impact on its left side doors. The bicyclist was conscious and injured, with no safety equipment noted. The report highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and close following distances in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jul 2 - Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02