Apr 4 - City Council pushes for $3 million to swap dangerous batteries and $61 million more for Fair Fares. They demand safer streets, more paving, and equity for communities hit hardest by crashes. Speaker Adams and Brooks-Powers lead the charge. City Hall resists.

On April 4, 2023, the City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, issued its budget response to the mayor’s $103-billion plan. The Council’s $2.7-billion proposal calls for a near-doubling of Fair Fares funding, $3 million for a battery swap and fire outreach program for delivery workers, and $45.1 million more for road paving. The Council also demands increased investment in street safety infrastructure, especially in communities of color facing high crash rates. Brooks-Powers said, 'New Yorkers deserve access to high-quality services and investments in infrastructure citywide.' Council Member Keith Powers called the battery swap program a 'down payment.' The Council’s push aims to restore cuts and address deadly street conditions. City Hall, citing fiscal pressures, remains cautious but open to negotiation.

• Council Budget Response: $3M for Battery Swaps and $61M for Fair Fares (Among Other Things), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-04

Mar 28 - A box truck smashed into a parked SUV on East 66th Street. Metal tore. A 28-year-old man in the front seat took the blow. His hip broke. He stayed conscious. The truck rolled on. Pain followed.

A box truck struck a parked SUV on East 66th Street. The crash left a 28-year-old man, seated unbelted in the front passenger seat, with a shattered hip and crush injuries. According to the police report, 'A box truck slammed into a parked SUV. Metal screamed. A 28-year-old man sat unbelted in the front. His hip shattered. He stayed awake. The truck kept rolling. So did the pain.' The data lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The injured man was not wearing safety equipment, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the absence of driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - 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 2023-03-21

Mar 14 - A bus changed lanes unsafely and struck a parked sedan on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The sedan’s driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The impact damaged the right rear bumper of the sedan and the bus’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a bus traveling north on 3rd Avenue changed lanes unsafely and collided with a parked sedan. The sedan’s 27-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the sedan driver. The bus’s left front bumper struck the sedan’s right rear bumper. The sedan driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers held valid licenses. The crash caused moderate injuries to the sedan driver and vehicle damage on both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - State senators pressed DOTs to fight e-bike stigma and protect riders. They called for education, better battery rules, and fair treatment for delivery workers. City Hall’s inaction leaves e-bike users exposed. Bans loom while agencies stall. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

On March 2, 2023, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and colleagues sent a letter to city and state DOTs urging action against the 'demonization' of e-bikes and e-scooters. The letter, signed by Ramos and State Sen. Liz Krueger, demanded more education on safe riding and battery use, warning, 'We cannot allow a narrative to build against a vital, green, and growing mode of transportation.' Ramos criticized City Hall for failing to post speed limits and design streets for e-mobility. Krueger backed battery safety bills, while Councilman Bob Holden pushed for outright bans, citing deaths and injuries. The senators warned that inaction could lead to blanket bans, hitting delivery workers hardest. The city’s plan for safe charging hubs faces local opposition. DOT claims a 'holistic approach,' but vulnerable riders remain at risk as agencies drag their feet.

• State Pols Call on DOTs to Counter E-Bike ‘Demonization’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-10

Mar 8 - An SUV hit a woman on a bike at East 67th and 2nd. She flew, landed headfirst. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious, breathing, cut deep. The driver was distracted. The street offered no protection. Metal met flesh. The city kept moving.

A woman riding a bike was struck by an SUV at East 67th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV's front hit the cyclist, ejecting her and causing severe head lacerations. She was conscious and breathing at the scene. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' The listed contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted after the driver error. The crash left blood on the pavement and deep cuts. The SUV sustained damage to the right front bumper. The impact highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 4 - A 42-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision on East 77 Street. The SUV made a right turn, hitting the cyclist head-on. The rider suffered shoulder and upper arm contusions but remained conscious and helmeted.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on East 77 Street was struck by a 2019 Mazda SUV making a right turn eastbound. The cyclist was partially ejected and sustained contusions and bruises to his shoulder and upper arm. The SUV's point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the bike was hit at its center front end. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash. The report notes the SUV driver was licensed, but the bicyclist was unlicensed. No specific contributing factors were listed, but the collision occurred during the SUV's right turn, indicating a failure to yield or check for bicyclists may have played a role.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 2 - City Council pushed forward a battery buy-back and tough lithium-ion rules. Delivery workers’ safety and livelihoods hung in the balance. Lawmakers targeted sellers, not riders. The bills aimed to stop deadly fires without punishing those who rely on e-bikes to survive.

On March 2, 2023, the New York City Council advanced a package of lithium-ion battery safety bills. Council Member Keith Powers introduced the buy-back bill, which creates a citywide program for defective or uncertified batteries. Powers said, "We don't want to penalize businesses and workers without thinking about this strategically." The Council also moved bills from Oswald Feliz, Gale Brewer, Alexa Avilés, and Robert Holden. These measures ban uncertified batteries, require fireproof charging containers, mandate public education, and order FDNY reporting on battery fires. Speaker Adrienne Adams clarified the bills target commercial sellers, not workers. Shahana Hanif urged that policy must "keep workers" at the center. The Council and delivery workers’ union stressed that tech companies, not workers, should bear costs. The FDNY opposed the reporting bill over resource concerns. The legislation aims to curb battery fires while protecting delivery workers who depend on e-bikes.

• Streetsblog Gets Action: Battery ‘Buy-Back’ Program and Other Lithium-Ion Bills Advance in Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-02

Feb 24 - A box truck struck a sedan on East 60 Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver, 22, suffered back injuries but remained conscious. The crash involved a failure to yield right-of-way. Both vehicles traveled west when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, a box truck changing lanes collided with a sedan going straight ahead on East 60 Street in Manhattan. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the sedan and the right front bumper of the truck. The sedan driver, a 22-year-old male, was injured with back trauma but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The contributing factor listed was failure to yield right-of-way by one of the drivers. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles westbound. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609226 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - A bus turned right at Fifth Avenue and East 60th. Its rear wheels caught a 69-year-old woman. Her leg was crushed beneath the weight. She lay broken on the pavement. The bus rolled on, untouched. The city swallowed her pain.

A bus struck a 69-year-old woman at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 60th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the bus turned right and its rear wheels crushed the woman’s leg as she crossed at the intersection. She suffered severe crush injuries to her lower leg and foot. The bus sustained no damage. The driver, a 55-year-old man, reported chest pain but remained conscious. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specified in the data. The violence of the turn left a pedestrian broken on the street, while the bus continued on, unscathed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 21 - Two bicyclists crashed on 1 Avenue near East 90 Street. One rider, 64, was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The collision struck the left rear quarter panel of one bike and the left front bumper of the other. Both riders were conscious.

According to the police report, two bicyclists collided on 1 Avenue in Manhattan. A 64-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The impact occurred on the left rear quarter panel of one bike and the left front bumper of the other. Both vehicles were traveling in opposite directions, one southbound and one northbound. The injured bicyclist was conscious after the crash. No information on helmet use or other safety equipment was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 21 - Assembly Bill 4637 would use cameras to keep cars out of bike lanes. The bill targets drivers who block protected lanes. Sponsors say it will protect cyclists from deadly crashes.

Assembly Bill A 4637, now in the sponsorship stage, aims to create a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced on February 21, 2023, enforces restrictions on protected bike lanes using photo devices. The matter title reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill targets drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking protected lanes. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 4637, Open States, Published 2023-02-21

Feb 19 - Seven vehicles collided on FDR Drive. A 33-year-old female front passenger suffered a head abrasion. All vehicles were traveling south, striking front to back. The injured occupant was not ejected. Driver errors were unspecified in the report.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash occurred on FDR Drive involving seven vehicles all traveling south. The collision involved SUVs and sedans striking each other front to back. A 33-year-old female front passenger was injured, sustaining a head abrasion. She was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors explicitly noted. The injured occupant's safety equipment status is unknown. The crash caused damage primarily to the front and back ends of the vehicles involved. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 16 - Mayor Adams told Albany: the city pays enough for the MTA. State lawmakers pushed back. Hochul wants the city to cover more. The fight over who funds transit leaves riders in limbo. No new money means service cuts or fare hikes loom.

On February 16, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams traveled to Albany to oppose Governor Hochul’s proposal for New York City to contribute an extra $500 million annually to the MTA. Adams argued, “MTA is a statewide obligation. We’re doing our share.” State lawmakers, including Assembly Member Ed Braunstein and State Senator Liz Krueger, countered that the city should help. Hochul’s budget would shift more costs—like Access-A-Ride and student Metrocards—to the city. Progressive lawmakers suggested taxing the wealthy and freezing fares. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins warned, “To increase fares would be detrimental.” The debate continues as the legislature drafts its own budget. No direct safety analysis was provided, but funding gaps threaten transit service, putting vulnerable riders at risk.

• Adams To Albany: Someone Fund The MTA; Albany To Adams: Someone Fund The MTA, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-16

Feb 15 - A 68-year-old woman was struck by a northbound taxi on 3 Avenue. The taxi driver followed too closely and hit the pedestrian at the intersection. The woman suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. She remained conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on 3 Avenue collided with a 68-year-old female pedestrian crossing against the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and driving straight ahead when the collision occurred at the vehicle's right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was conscious after the impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606220 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 11 - A sedan struck a bicyclist from behind on 3 Avenue in Manhattan. The 22-year-old rider was ejected and suffered chest injuries. Police cited the driver for following too closely and inattention. The cyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 3 Avenue rear-ended a bicyclist also traveling east. The 22-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained chest contusions. The report lists driver errors as following too closely and driver inattention or distraction. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The impact occurred at the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the bike. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but injured. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605037 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 5 - Two sedans collided on East 71st Street in Manhattan. One driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles struck each other front and quarter panels. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling west on East 71st Street collided. One driver was making a left turn while the other was going straight ahead. The impact occurred at the center front end of one vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the other. The 20-year-old male driver who was turning left sustained injuries to his elbow and lower arm and was in shock. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 3 - A northbound SUV struck the rear of a northbound sedan on East 73 Street. The sedan’s driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling north on East 73 Street rear-ended a 2018 Volvo sedan also heading north. The sedan’s 35-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The sedan was damaged at its center back end; the SUV was damaged at its left front bumper. Both drivers were licensed. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and remained conscious. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19