Jan 27 - Council watered down the City of Yes plan. Parking mandates remain in many areas. Housing stays costly. Streets stay carved for cars. Vulnerable road users get no relief. The fight over parking and safety continues. No victory for people on foot or bike.

This opinion piece, published January 27, 2025, criticizes the City Council's compromise on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) zoning amendments. The Council, after pressure from housing opponents, reinstated parking requirements in many transit-served neighborhoods, despite the City Planning Commission's push to eliminate them citywide. The matter, as described, states: 'Anyone not supporting the elimination of parking mandates is only perpetuating our city's housing crisis.' Planning expert Eric Kober, the author, argues the Council's move blocks housing growth and contradicts city policies to reduce car use. Council members' actions—passing a diluted version of COYHO—leave vulnerable road users exposed. The compromise preserves car dominance, keeps streets dangerous, and stalls progress for safer, people-first neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Candidates Must Pledge to Strengthen ‘City of Yes’ to End Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 27 - A boy walked a rural Georgia highway. He made it home safe. Police arrested his mother. The road lacked sidewalks. Drivers sped by. The system blamed the parent, not the dangerous street. Advocates call for safer roads, not more punishment.

On January 27, 2025, media reported the arrest of Brittany Patterson after her 10-year-old son walked alone along Mineral Bluff Highway, Georgia. The case is not a council bill, but a flashpoint in the debate over child independence and pedestrian safety. Prosecutor Emma Harper said the arrest was due to the boy walking on 'a busy highway with no sidewalk.' The matter highlights how parents, not road designers or drivers, face consequences when children navigate unsafe streets. Advocates, including Lenore Skenazy and attorney David DeLugas, condemned the criminalization of parents and called for accountability in road design. Streets like Mineral Bluff Highway, with high speeds and no sidewalks, endanger all pedestrians. The story underscores a systemic failure: dangerous roads persist, while parents and children bear the risk and blame.

• A Child Went For a Walk on a Rural Highway Alone. His Mom Got Arrested For It., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 26 - An SUV making a left turn collided head-on with a sedan traveling straight. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:25 on Wilcox Street near Bruckner Avenue. A 2015 SUV was making a left turn when it struck a 2022 sedan traveling westbound straight ahead. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old female occupant, sustained a head injury and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The SUV driver was a licensed male from New York, and the sedan driver was a licensed female from New Jersey. The collision highlights critical driver errors involving inattention and yielding failures, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 21 - A sedan struck a parked SUV on Davis Ave. The driver suffered neck injuries. Obstruction or debris in the road played a role. Metal hit metal. One man hurt. The street stayed silent.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Davis Ave hit a parked SUV. The sedan's left rear bumper struck the SUV's right rear quarter panel. The sedan's driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. No one else was in either vehicle. The report lists obstruction or debris as a contributing factor, highlighting a failure to safely navigate around hazards. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 21 - Senator Scarcella-Spanton pushes S 2622. The bill kills congestion pricing, adds an MTA board seat, and orders a forensic audit. Streets risk more cars. Riders and walkers face louder, dirtier roads.

Senate bill S 2622 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C),' was sponsored by Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23). The bill repeals congestion pricing, expands the MTA board, and mandates a forensic audit. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but repealing congestion pricing means more traffic and danger for New York’s most vulnerable on the street.

• File S 2622, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 19 - A 74-year-old male SUV driver suffered serious hip and leg injuries after a crash on Richmond Terrace. The vehicle struck an object head-on. Police cite prescription medication as a contributing factor, highlighting risks from impaired driving conditions.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old male driver operating a 2010 SUV on Richmond Terrace was involved in a crash at 18:40. The vehicle, traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained center front end damage from a collision. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and was semiconscious at the scene. The report identifies prescription medication as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating impairment that likely affected the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. There is no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by impaired driving due to prescription medication, a critical factor in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 17 - A sedan struck two pedestrians crossing Forest Ave with the signal. Both suffered concussions and injuries to head and hip. The driver hit the left front quarter panel. Pedestrian confusion and glare contributed, according to the police report.

At 7:30 p.m., a 2022 Honda sedan traveling north on Forest Ave struck two pedestrians at an intersection, according to the police report. The vehicle impacted the left front quarter panel and sustained damage to the left front bumper. Both pedestrians, a 30-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal but suffered concussions and injuries to the head and hip respectively. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and glare as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not indicate driver failure to yield but highlights pedestrian confusion and environmental glare as factors in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 17 - A pick-up truck making a left turn struck a 42-year-old woman crossing Montgomery Avenue with the signal. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The driver failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection.

According to the police report, at 9:57 AM on Montgomery Avenue in Staten Island, a 2023 Dodge pick-up truck traveling east was making a left turn when it struck a 42-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The point of impact was the truck's right front bumper. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787162 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 17 - A 28-year-old woman suffered a hip and upper leg contusion after an SUV struck her at a marked crosswalk on Tompkins Avenue. The driver was distracted and failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 on Tompkins Avenue in Staten Island. A 28-year-old female pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was struck by a southbound SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to her hip and upper leg and remained conscious. The report identifies driver errors as the primary contributing factors: "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Toyota SUV. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 16 - A 51-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head contusion on Dixon Ave. The crash involved alcohol, according to the police report. The rider was conscious but injured, with no helmet worn and no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Dixon Ave while traveling south. The bicyclist, who was the sole occupant and driver of the bike, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the incident. The bike sustained no damage, and the point of impact was recorded as 'Other.' No helmet or other safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash occurred while the bicyclist was going straight ahead. The data highlights the role of alcohol in this crash, emphasizing driver impairment as a critical factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 16 - Reinvent Albany blasted a bill to exempt NYPD officers from Manhattan congestion tolls. The group called it unfair, a $22 million giveaway to a powerful few. They warned it would drain funds, raise tolls, and reward special interests over public safety.

On January 16, 2025, Reinvent Albany, a good government watchdog, issued a statement opposing a bill from Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. The bill seeks to exempt NYPD officers, even off-duty, from paying congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan’s central business district. Reinvent Albany called the measure 'contrary to notions of basic fairness' and a '$22 million handout' to a special interest. The Traffic Mobility Review Board had already rejected such exemptions. The group warned that multiple exemption bills could cost the public $100 million yearly and force higher tolls for everyone else. Neither Pheffer Amato nor Scarcella-Spanton commented. The watchdog urged lawmakers to serve the many, not the powerful few.

• Watchdog Group: No Congestion Pricing Toll Exemptions for Cops!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 13 - A distracted driver struck a 56-year-old woman walking outside an intersection on Jewett Avenue. She suffered a fractured hip and upper leg, leaving her in shock. The crash exposed dangers of driver inattention and pedestrian confusion in shared spaces.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at 15:30 on Jewett Avenue after being struck by a vehicle traveling straight ahead. The 56-year-old female pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated upper leg and hip, resulting in shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted but does not mitigate the driver's responsibility. The pedestrian was outside an intersection at the time of impact. The vehicle involved was unspecified in type and had one occupant. This incident underscores the critical role of driver focus and the systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 12 - Two passengers in an SUV suffered injuries in a crash on Caswell Avenue. The vehicle’s right front quarter panel was damaged. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts, sustaining bruises and whiplash in the impact.

According to the police report, a 2022 Hyundai SUV traveling west on Caswell Avenue collided with another vehicle traveling south. The SUV sustained damage to its right front quarter panel and bumper. Two passengers inside the SUV, a 45-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and a 12-year-old girl in the right rear seat, were injured but not ejected. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The woman suffered contusions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, while the girl experienced whiplash and neck injuries. The report does not specify any contributing driver errors or factors leading to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The injuries reflect the force of the impact on the vehicle’s occupants, highlighting the dangers inside vehicles during collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 11 - SUV plowed into a parked sedan on Hillside Avenue. The sedan’s driver, 41, suffered a concussion and whole-body injuries. Police blamed driver distraction. Systemic danger left another vulnerable road user hurt.

According to the police report, at 3:34 AM on Hillside Avenue in Staten Island, a 2016 SUV traveling east struck a parked 2002 sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 41-year-old man, was semiconscious with a concussion and injuries to his entire body. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the cause of the crash. The SUV was moving straight ahead; the sedan was stationary. No other contributing factors were noted. The collision left the vulnerable sedan driver injured, highlighting the risks posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 10 - Assemblyman Ed Ra slammed Governor Hochul for touting train travel while relying on an SUV for her own trip. Critics say her actions undermine public trust and highlight the gap between officials and regular commuters. The controversy exposes hypocrisy, not safety reform.

""The average working class commuter doesn’t have the luxury of traveling with six state troopers and until confidence is restored in the safety of train, subway and bus travel, the number of riders will continue to fall."" -- Charles Fall

On January 10, 2025, Assemblyman Ed Ra (District 19) publicly criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s transportation choices. The incident, covered by nypost.com, centers on Hochul’s photo-op promoting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) use, while her security detail drove an SUV to pick her up at Syosset station. Ra stated, “here she is responsible for BOTH a car trip and a train ride to get to the same place.” The matter, though not a formal bill, highlights political opposition to congestion pricing and official transit promotion. Ra’s comments, echoed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, stress the disconnect between officials’ privileges and the daily reality for vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact was assessed.

• Hochul poses for LIRR photo-op while dispatching her security detail to pick her up from station, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 10 - A federal judge shut down New Jersey’s bid to block Manhattan’s congestion pricing. New York offered concessions. New Jersey wanted more. Talks failed. The toll plan moves forward. Political posturing left transit riders and city streets in the crossfire.

On January 10, 2025, a federal judge ruled against New Jersey’s attempt to halt New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered under the headline 'Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?', details failed settlement talks. Judge Leo Gordon tried to broker a deal. New York offered expanded crossing credits and transit funding. New Jersey, led by Governor Phil Murphy, demanded more. Murphy insisted New Jersey was reasonable, denying New York’s claims of generous offers. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop criticized Murphy’s approach, arguing New Jersey should have bargained for transit benefits instead of fighting the tolls outright. Council Member Vickie Paladino (District 19) was mentioned in coverage. The outcome: congestion pricing advances, with no new protections or funding for vulnerable road users in New Jersey or New York.

• Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?, gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 9 - A cyclist crashed on Henry Street. No protected bike lanes. The driver sped off. The street stayed the same. Neighbors rallied. The council member listened. The injury was harsh. The system failed. Brooklyn’s gap in bike safety remains wide.

On January 9, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published an essay detailing a crash on Henry Street in Brooklyn. The piece, titled 'A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn,' describes the lack of protected bike lanes in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. The author recounts merging into traffic, being closely followed by a driver, and crashing on a wet, greasy iron grid. The car sped away. Passersby helped. The cyclist suffered a broken collarbone. The essay notes, 'Our area of Brooklyn is a major hole in the borough's protected bike lane network.' Council Member Shahana Hanif attended a community meeting on the issue. The call is clear: Brooklyn’s streets favor cars, not people. The absence of protected lanes leaves cyclists exposed and injured. The system’s neglect is the danger.

• ESSAY: A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-09

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Republican lawmakers blasted MTA chief Janno Lieber. They called for his resignation. They slammed the new $9 congestion toll. They dismissed claims of safer subways. They warned of more taxes. Riders and walkers remain caught in the crossfire.

""We are asking for something that we believe is very necessary for the well-being of the people of the state of New York, especially for those who live in the MTA region. We believe that under these circumstances it is very warranted."" -- Andrew Lanza

On January 8, 2025, Republican state legislators, including Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (District 9), held a press conference demanding the resignation of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair Janno Lieber. The lawmakers, joined by Senators Steven Rhoads and Bill Weber, criticized Lieber for 'losing the trust of commuters' and downplaying subway crime. They condemned the new $9 congestion pricing toll for Midtown, with Weber calling it 'tone deaf' and demanding repeal. The event summary reads: 'GOP pols push MTA boss to resign after brushing off transit crime as New York braces for even more taxes, fees.' The lawmakers oppose further taxes and fees to close the MTA’s $33 billion gap. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The debate leaves the city’s most exposed—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders—uncertain and unprotected.

• GOP pols push MTA boss to resign after brushing off transit crime as New York braces for even more taxes, fees, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-08