Blood on Cabrini: Manhattan’s Streets Still Built for the Kill

DOT moves to ban cars from Grand Army Plaza. Council members demand urgent fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists face danger daily. Crashes, injuries, broken sidewalks, and chaos define the space. The city promises swift action. Streets for people, not cars.

On November 10, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation proposed making Grand Army Plaza car-free and connecting it to Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill Avenues. The matter, described as 'NYC DOT proposal for car-free Grand Army Plaza and related street safety improvements,' is not a formal council bill but has drawn council attention. Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39) and Crystal Hudson pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to address the plaza’s 'endless traffic, poor sidewalk conditions, broken benches, and overflowing trash cans.' Hanif and Hudson demanded immediate safety upgrades after recent crashes injured pedestrians and cyclists. DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said, 'We want to take it to the next level... more consistent and better designed public spaces.' The agency is seeking public feedback and plans to draft detailed designs within the year. The proposal aims to end the status quo of danger and disrepair, prioritizing vulnerable road users over cars.

• Exclusive: DOT eyes Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza as NYC's next car-free space, gothamist.com, Published 2022-11-10

A Tesla sedan struck two pedestrians crossing outside an intersection in Manhattan. Both men suffered bruises and back or hip injuries. The Tesla driver, wearing a seatbelt, also sustained a neck bruise. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling south on Arden Street hit two male pedestrians crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both pedestrians were injured, suffering contusions and injuries to the back and hip. The Tesla driver, a 26-year-old man, was also injured with a neck contusion and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed as the driver error contributing to the crash. The collision involved two parked vehicles and the Tesla's right front bumper was damaged. No other contributing factors were noted. The pedestrians were not at an intersection and no helmet or signaling issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Ford SUV overturned on Henry Hudson Parkway. Driver and passenger bruised. Unsafe speed listed as cause. Both wore seat belts. No other vehicles or pedestrians involved.

According to the police report, a 2014 Ford SUV overturned on Henry Hudson Parkway while making a right turn. The driver, a 43-year-old man, and the front passenger, a 43-year-old woman, both suffered contusions and bruises. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as the contributing factor for the driver. Both occupants wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper and overturned. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was in shock; the passenger remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580016 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Mayor Adams claimed victory on intersection safety, boasting 1,200 upgrades. But most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists saw missing data, empty promises, and little for cyclists or bus riders. Council Member Brewer vowed to dig deeper.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street to announce his administration surpassed its pledge to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The effort included leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and some street redesigns. Adams declared, "Promise made, promise kept," but activists and Transportation Alternatives criticized the lack of physical upgrades and transparency. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, promised to investigate the data issues. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez acknowledged ongoing fatalities but highlighted fewer pedestrian deaths and the launch of 24/7 speed cameras. Critics noted most Vision Zero priority intersections were untouched, and the city lags on protected bike and bus lane targets. The lack of detailed, user-friendly data clouds the true impact for vulnerable road users.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams claimed over 1,200 intersections got safety upgrades. Most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists say data is murky. Deadly crashes persist. City missed targets for protected bike and bus lanes. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference to announce his administration exceeded its promise to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The event, attended by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Gale Brewer, highlighted a major redesign at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street. The city claims upgrades like leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and raised crosswalks. But activists and Council Member Brewer questioned the data, noting most changes were minor signal tweaks, not physical redesigns. The Department of Transportation declined to release full details, making verification impossible. Adams said, "Promise made, promise kept." Rodriguez stressed the need for a culture shift and pointed to 24/7 speed cameras. But activists warn the city lags on protected bike and bus lane goals. Traffic deaths remain high. The lack of transparency leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-31

City officials claim 1,200 intersections now safer. Bottcher hails Eighth Avenue’s changes. DOT touts bike lanes, road diets, and pedestrian upgrades. But death and injury counts remain grim. Streets still threaten walkers, riders, and the vulnerable.

On October 30, 2022, the city announced it surpassed its goal, redesigning 1,200 intersections for safety. The effort, led by the Department of Transportation, included protected bike lanes, road diets, and pedestrian-first signals. Council Member Erik Bottcher, District 3, praised the Eighth Avenue redesign, saying, 'We’ve got room for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. It’s a much more pleasant corridor.' The announcement followed a year with 187 deaths and over 37,000 injuries by September 30. Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez called for a shift away from car dominance, pushing for a safer, more inclusive city. Despite progress, the toll on vulnerable road users remains high. The city’s promise: more redesigns, but the danger persists.

• Safer crossings: NYC has redesigned 1,200 intersections this year, Adams says, amny.com, Published 2022-10-30

A 25-year-old man working in the roadway was struck on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. Two sedans collided, one backing and one parked. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg contusions. Police cited aggressive driving and road rage as factors.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Amsterdam Avenue near West 181 Street in Manhattan. One vehicle was backing while the other was parked. A 25-year-old male pedestrian working in the roadway was injured, sustaining contusions to his knee and lower leg. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. The backing vehicle was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered significant bruising. The collision involved impact to the left front bumper of the parked sedan and the center back end of the backing sedan. No pedestrian errors or safety equipment were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 2007 Honda SUV made a right turn on 9 Avenue. It hit two pedestrians, ages 8 and 50, both crossing with the signal. Both suffered abrasions and injuries to limbs and neck. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. Confusion contributed.

According to the police report, a 2007 Honda SUV traveling south on 9 Avenue made a right turn and struck two pedestrians at the intersection. Both victims, an 8-year-old girl and a 50-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal. They sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, foot, and neck. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way. Pedestrian confusion also contributed to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV. Both pedestrians were conscious after the collision. No mention of helmet use or signaling by pedestrians was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Paseo Park on 34th Avenue turned a deadly street into a safe haven. In two years, no one has died. Injuries to walkers and cyclists have plunged. The city eyes making it permanent. Council Member Moya blocks expansion. The numbers speak: lives saved.

This report covers the transformation of 34th Avenue into Paseo Park, an open street project in Queens. The project, now two years old as of October 25, 2022, has slashed traffic deaths and injuries. The matter summary states: 'the street has become much safer for all users as it has created dignified public space for all residents.' Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez led the ribbon-cutting. City officials are moving to make the changes permanent. In the last two years, there have been zero traffic deaths on 34th Avenue and a 43 percent drop in crashes in the surrounding area. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries have dropped by half, even as usage soared. Council Member Francisco Moya has not supported expanding Paseo Park into his district, leaving the project stalled at the border. The data show: open streets save lives, cut injuries, and give neighborhoods space to breathe.

• NUMBER CRUNCH: ‘Paseo Park’ is Already a Success Story, Defying Screaming Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

City report shows business boomed on car-free streets. DOT chief Rodriguez hails Open Streets as the city’s future. Council Speaker Adams pushes back on curbside dining. Mayor vows to make outdoor dining permanent. Economic gains clear. Streets still contested ground.

On October 25, 2022, city officials released a report on the Open Streets program’s economic impact. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, worked with Bloomberg Associates and NYC Finance to analyze business growth. The report states, 'business is booming along streets converted to outdoor dining strips or car-free open streets.' Rodriguez supports curbside dining, declaring, 'the future of New York City is going car free.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams disagrees, saying outdoor dining should stay on the sidewalk. Mayor Adams promises to keep the program as a 'critical driver of recovery.' The report found more business growth on open streets than on similar corridors, with gains in Astoria, Prospect Heights, and Chinatown. The council remains divided on the program’s permanent form.

• City’s ‘Open Streets’ Program Sparked Economic Growth During Pandemic, New Report Shows, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

On Halloween, the city will ban cars from 100 streets. Kids will walk free. No engines, no rush, no threat. The move follows a 42% drop in pedestrian injuries on 34th Avenue. Officials say car-free streets mean fewer dead children.

On October 24, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a major expansion of car-free streets for Halloween. The initiative, called 'Trick-or-Streets,' will close 100 streets—across all boroughs except Staten Island—from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The DOT will extend hours on 40 existing open streets and keep another 60 car-free through the evening, partnering with the Street Activity Permit Office for more pedestrian zones. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'I am incredibly excited to build on the triumph of our thriving Open Streets program ... this Halloween, providing greater access to safer, shared community spaces.' Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Council Member Shekar Krishnan backed the move, stressing the deadly risk cars pose to children. DOT data shows a 42% drop in pedestrian injury crashes on 34th Avenue since it went car-free. The city cites national spikes in child pedestrian deaths on Halloween. The message is clear: car-free streets save lives.

• NO TRICK, ALL TREAT: City to Ban Cars on Some Streets for Halloween, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-24

A 26-year-old man was hit while crossing Sherman Avenue with the signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Sherman Avenue at an intersection with the signal. The driver, traveling west and going straight ahead, failed to yield the right-of-way and was distracted, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factors. No information on vehicle type or driver details was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576330 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound moped on Broadway. The moped driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries with abrasions. The crash caused right-side damage to the sedan and front-end damage to the moped.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Broadway attempted a left turn and collided with a moped traveling north straight ahead. The moped driver, a 24-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his abdomen and pelvis and was conscious after the crash. The sedan suffered damage to its right side doors, while the moped was damaged at the center front end. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. The sedan driver was licensed and making the left turn at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575983 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

DOT refused a protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. Cyclists face danger. The city law demands protection. DOT chose traffic flow over safety. Advocates and officials condemned the move. Illegally parked cars block the shared lane. Cyclists remain exposed.

On October 20, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would not install a temporary protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during major construction, despite Local Law 124 requiring such measures when bike lanes are blocked. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who once supported the law as a council member, now claims a protected lane would worsen traffic and turning conflicts. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Alexa Aviles criticized the decision, with Reynoso stating, 'protected bike lanes are essential,' and Aviles urging the city to 'install an alternative, fully protected bike lane where the road can accommodate one.' Advocates argue the shared lane is unsafe and often blocked by cars. The DOT’s move prioritizes vehicle flow over cyclist safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• SAFETY LAST: DOT Admits To Intentionally Endangering Cyclists on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

City Council pushed back the greenway master plan deadline. The plan now lands December 2024, not July 2023. The delay matches a $7.25-million federal grant. Advocates want more greenways, but warn: current paths are broken, dangerous, and neglected.

Bill to create a New York City greenway master plan passed the City Council Transportation Committee on October 19, 2022. The deadline moved from July 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024, after talks with the Adams administration. The bill summary reads: 'A bill that requires a multi-agency effort to create a greenway master plan for New York City unanimously passed the City Council Transportation Committee on Thursday, but there's a catch: the actual master plan won't be revealed until the end of 2024.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez supported the delay to align with a $7.25-million federal RAISE grant. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the funding will help 'prioritize active transportation projects that will reconnect historically disenfranchised communities.' Advocates, including Steve Vaccaro, blasted the poor state of current greenways, calling them dangerous and costly. Despite the delay and maintenance failures, the bill's passage signals hope for safer, expanded routes.

• Greenway Master Plan Bill Now Has a Later Deadline For Creation of Said Master Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-19

A 29-year-old man was hit by a sedan making a left turn on West 176 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on West 176 Street in Manhattan struck a 29-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The driver was making a left turn at the time of impact. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors. This collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A northbound SUV and sedan collided on Thayer Street in Manhattan. The SUV driver, partially ejected and injured with neck pain, suffered shock. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained left-side damage.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Thayer Street in Manhattan involving a northbound SUV and a sedan. The SUV driver, a 32-year-old woman, was partially ejected from her vehicle and sustained neck injuries, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was parked before impact, and the sedan was also parked, with damage to the left side doors and front bumper. The SUV driver was wearing a lap belt. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575265 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 24-year-old male moped driver hit a parked box truck on Broadway in Manhattan. The impact struck the moped’s left rear quarter panel. The rider suffered a neck injury and remained conscious. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling southbound on Broadway collided with a parked box truck. The moped struck the truck’s left rear quarter panel. The 24-year-old male moped driver sustained a neck injury but was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The box truck was stationary with no occupants inside. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A truck driver killed Kala Santiago on a no-truck route. He passed too close, failed to yield, and faced no charges. The city lacks a three-foot passing law. A 2019 bill to fix this died in committee. Cyclists remain exposed. Justice denied.

In 2019, then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez introduced a bill requiring drivers to keep a minimum three-foot distance when overtaking cyclists. The bill, supported by NYPD and DOT, never reached a vote before Rodriguez’s term ended and has not been reassigned. The bill summary states it 'would require drivers of motor vehicles to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking a bicycle.' Rodriguez sponsored the bill. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig and Steve Vaccaro criticized the lack of enforcement and the absence of a defined safe passing law, noting that most of the country already has such protections. Flanzig called the law essential to prevent tragedies like the death of Kala Santiago, who was killed by a truck driver on Parkside Avenue. Without this law, cyclists remain at risk, and drivers rarely face consequences.

• No Charges for Truck Driver Who Killed Cyclist Despite Being on a No-Truck Route and Failing to Yield, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-14

An e-bike slammed into a parked sedan on Nagle Avenue. Metal bent. The rider flew off, landing hard. He died at the scene. Distraction and speed fueled the crash. The car’s side caved in. Another life lost to inattention.

A deadly crash unfolded on Nagle Avenue near Hillside in Manhattan. An e-bike rider, age 46, struck a parked sedan. According to the police report, 'Distraction and speed marked the end.' The e-bike’s front end crumpled. The rider was partially ejected and found dead. The sedan’s left side was dented. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No helmet use or signals are mentioned as factors. The crash left one man dead and another with pain in his leg. The parked car was empty. The toll is clear: distraction and speed proved fatal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15