No More Bodies in the Road: Demand Safe Streets Now

Council pushed for 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill demanded action—100 new devices each year. It called for a hard look at results. But the session ended. The bill died. Streets wait. Pedestrians keep crossing in the dark.

Int 1151-2023, introduced August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to require the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The bill also ordered a study comparing these devices to unlit signs, probing their power to deter traffic violations and mapping out logistical hurdles. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and over thirty others. The bill was filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided. The city’s crosswalks remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

• File Int 1151-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

A woman on a bike dodged a car at Canal and Forsyth. She crashed. Blood pooled from her head. She lay conscious, alone, ejected on the pavement. No other injuries reported. The night swallowed the scene.

A 32-year-old woman riding a bike on Canal Street in Manhattan swerved to avoid a car and crashed. According to the police report, she was ejected from her bike and suffered severe bleeding from the head. The report states, 'A 32-year-old woman swerved her bike to dodge a car that never touched her. No helmet. She hit the pavement hard. Head bleeding. Conscious. Ejected. Alone in the dark.' The contributing factor listed is 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.' No driver errors are cited in the data. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary cause. No other people were injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643318, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An e-scooter rider slammed into a parked SUV near 55 Church Street. Her arm split open. Blood streaked the grips. She stood, stunned, pain sharp and raw. The SUV sat untouched. The street stayed silent.

A 36-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was injured after crashing into a parked SUV near 55 Church Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A woman on an e-scooter struck a parked SUV. Her arm split open on the metal. Blood smeared the grips. She stood still, stunned, staring. The SUV was unmarked.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The woman suffered severe lacerations to her arm and was in shock. The SUV was parked and showed no damage. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635224, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Council called for Albany to pass Sammy’s Law, letting New York City set lower speed limits. The resolution also urged a crash victims bill of rights and stronger street safety laws. Lawmakers want fewer deaths. The bill stalled. Danger remains.

Resolution 0549-2023, filed at session’s end, came from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2023, and pushed by Council Member Shahana K. Hanif as primary sponsor, with Jennifer Gutiérrez and over twenty others co-sponsoring. The resolution urged the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law'), which would let New York City set lower speed limits, and A.1901, a crash victims bill of rights. The matter title reads: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422, also known as ‘Sammy’s Law,’ ... and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights, as well as the other bills of the package known as the SAFE Streets Act.' The SAFE Streets Act package also includes safe passing for cyclists and complete street design mandates. The Council’s action highlights the city’s ongoing fight against reckless driving and the urgent need for stronger protections for people on foot, on bikes, and in cars.

• File Res 0549-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

Council Member Marte and over 80 Chinatown groups want cars back on Park Row. They signed a letter to City Hall. Some locals object. The NYPD posted reopening signs, then backtracked. The mayor promises community input. Tension runs high. Vulnerable users face new risks.

On April 3, 2023, Council Member Christopher Marte and more than 80 Chinatown organizations urged City Hall to reopen Park Row to car traffic, ending two decades of restrictions. The push, described as supporting 'an improved bike lane, pedestrian walkways, added greenery, and vehicle traffic,' has split the community. Marte and business leaders signed a letter backing the move. The NYPD briefly signaled a reopening, but City Hall called it a mistake. Mayor Adams's administration now promises to work with locals, backed by $20 million in state funds. Marte dismissed calls for extensive traffic studies, arguing Park Row is not a new road. Some residents protest the lack of public review and warn of increased danger for pedestrians and cyclists. The debate exposes a rift: business access versus street safety.

• Chinatown Pol, Business Leaders Want Cars Back on Park Row — And May Prevail, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-03

Council bill Int 0965-2023 aimed to force the city to build 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. The bill died at session’s end. Cyclists remain exposed. The city’s pace stays slow. The streets stay dangerous. The need remains.

Int 0965-2023 was introduced on March 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 miles of protected bicycle lanes annually until 2029. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Sandy Nurse, Erik D. Bottcher, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Kristin Richardson Jordan, Shekar Krishnan, Julie Won, Chi A. Ossé, Tiffany Cabán, Christopher Marte, Crystal Hudson, and Rita C. Joseph. The bill was filed at the end of session, never enacted. The city’s protected bike lane network remains incomplete. Cyclists and other vulnerable road users still face daily risk from cars and trucks. The bill’s failure leaves the city’s most exposed travelers in harm’s way.

• File Int 0965-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-03-16

Council filed a bill to force a city study on truck and delivery traffic from last mile warehouses. The bill targets congestion, collisions, and harm to neighborhoods. It demands hard numbers on vehicle flow, street damage, and danger to people outside cars.

Int 0923-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Alexa Avilés, with over thirty co-sponsors, sought a city study on the impact of truck and delivery traffic from last mile facilities. The official summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conducting a study of the impact that truck and delivery traffic generated by last mile facilities have on local communities and infrastructure.' The bill required the Department of Transportation to report on delivery vehicle volumes, parking, congestion, collisions, and pedestrian injuries near these hubs. It called for identifying the most affected streets and estimating the costs and possible fixes. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, without passage.

• File Int 0923-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

Eighteen million federal dollars will cut lanes, build bike paths, and add access on Delancey Street. The stretch has killed and maimed for years. Officials call it a crisis. The redesign aims to protect walkers and riders where drivers have struck down too many.

On February 6, 2023, officials announced an $18 million federal grant for a street safety overhaul on Delancey Street, Manhattan. The project, funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, will reduce traffic lanes, add protected bike paths, and improve accessibility between Clinton and Bowery Streets. The announcement follows years of crashes—38 killed or severely injured from 2016 to 2020, and 200 crashes in a decade. Council Member Carlina Rivera (District 2) was mentioned in the announcement. Council Member Christopher Marte called the road a 'crisis.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the redesign focuses on a hazardous stretch heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, 'Old folks, toddlers, workers and students shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.' The grant marks a step toward safer streets for New York’s most vulnerable.

• Gillibrand, local pols unveil $18M federal grant to redesign dangerous stretch of Delancey Street, amny.com, Published 2023-02-06

Delancey Street, a crash hotspot, will shrink car lanes and widen space for people. Protected bike lanes and sidewalks will replace danger. Federal money fuels the redesign. Councilmember Marte calls out weekly crashes and lost lives. Change is coming to the bridge’s foot.

On February 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $21 million to redesign Delancey Street in Manhattan, a corridor with over 200 crashes in the past decade. The grant, part of the federal 'Safe Streets For All' initiative, will fund a 'road diet'—reducing traffic lanes, adding protected bike lanes, and widening sidewalks. Councilmember Christopher Marte, whose District 1 includes Delancey, highlighted the area’s frequent crashes and environmental burdens, saying, 'Accidents are at least a weekly occurrence, and tragedies are too common.' The redesign targets the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge, where a 12-year-old was killed in 2012. The city’s Department of Transportation will implement the changes. Former NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, now a federal official, said Vision Zero principles shaped the grant. The project aims to end the cycle of injury and death for vulnerable road users.

• NYC’s Delancey Street to get ‘road diet’ thanks to $21M from feds, gothamist.com, Published 2023-02-01

City will study Canal Street. Pedestrians pack the sidewalks. Cyclists dodge cars. Crashes are common. Council Member Marte wants real change, not another report. Advocates demand action, not delay. The street’s danger is clear. The study starts this spring.

On January 19, 2023, NYC DOT announced an eight-month study of Canal Street, Lower Manhattan. The study aims to address congestion and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Council Member Christopher Marte, quoted as saying, 'this can't be the end as it has been in the past,' called for wider sidewalks and a bike lane. Marte and advocates stressed that 64% of street users are pedestrians, yet they get only 40% of the space. Annie Weinstock of People Oriented Cities warned the study could stall real improvements. Wellington Chen of the Chinatown Partnership supported a new review, citing changing traffic patterns. The study follows years of high crash rates and calls for safer infrastructure. Advocates want action, not another delay.

• UNDER FURTHER REVIEW: DOT To Study Canal Street For Bike and Pedestrian Improvements This Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-19

A Mercedes hit a 62-year-old cyclist at Essex and Delancey. The car struck his head. He stayed conscious. He lost a limb. Flesh torn from bone. The driver failed to yield. The street changed a life in seconds.

A Mercedes sedan struck a 62-year-old cyclist at the corner of Essex and Delancey in Manhattan. The cyclist was hit in the head and suffered a traumatic amputation. According to the police report, 'A Mercedes struck a 62-year-old cyclist in the head. He stayed conscious. He lost a limb. Flesh torn from bone. A right-of-way not yielded.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was severely injured. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old woman, was not reported injured. No helmet or signaling issues were cited as contributing factors. The crash shows the grave danger when drivers fail to yield to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597816, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan hit a 19-year-old woman in a Delancey Street crosswalk. The car’s bumper smashed her head to the pavement. Blood pooled. She faded in and out. Police say the driver was drunk and distracted. The street stayed quiet. Sirens came late.

A 19-year-old woman was struck by a westbound Nissan sedan while crossing Delancey Street at Essex Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:48 a.m. as the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk. The report states: 'A 19-year-old woman in the crosswalk. A westbound Nissan. Right front bumper. Her head hits the street. Blood pools. She drifts in and out. The driver had been drinking.' The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations and was semiconscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No other injuries were specified for vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the lethal risk posed by impaired and inattentive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584684, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Council passed Int 0291-2022, forcing city agencies to map, plan, and report on greenways. The law demands annual updates and public engagement. It aims to carve out safe, car-free corridors for walkers and cyclists. The mayor returned it unsigned.

Int 0291-2022, now Local Law 115 of 2022, was enacted by the City Council on November 27, 2022. The bill came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, first introduced April 28, 2022. The law's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a citywide greenway plan.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by dozens of co-sponsors including Rivera, Hudson, and others. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor on October 27, 2022. The law orders the Department of Transportation and Parks to identify, map, and report on greenways, and to consult with community boards. Proposals for new greenway segments or repairs must be presented to affected communities within 60 days. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law. The measure compels the city to plan and maintain safe routes for non-drivers, with regular public reporting and accountability.

• File Int 0291-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-10-27

A young man lay bleeding on Broadway. Two SUVs, one stopped, one moving. The street was quiet. The impact was hard. The pedestrian shook in shock. Blood pooled. His whole body hurt. The city did not stop.

A 21-year-old pedestrian was struck by a moving SUV near Maiden Lane on Broadway in Manhattan at 2:50 a.m. According to the police report, two SUVs were involved—one stopped, one moving. The pedestrian, not in a crosswalk, was hit hard and suffered severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body. The report states, 'A 21-year-old man, not in a crosswalk, struck hard. Blood pooled on the quiet street. His whole body hurt. He shook in silence.' No contributing driver errors were specified in the data. The impact left the pedestrian in shock, with no other injuries reported among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575884, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel met flesh on Rivington Street. A moped and a sedan collided in the dark. The moped rider’s leg split open. Blood on the asphalt. No helmet. Three in the sedan, unhurt. The street fell silent after the crash.

A moped and a sedan collided near 135 Rivington Street in Manhattan just before 1 a.m. The moped rider, a 35-year-old man, suffered severe lacerations to his leg. According to the police report, 'His leg split open on the asphalt. No armor. No mercy. Just flesh, steel, and silence.' The rider wore no helmet. Three people in the sedan, including a 15-year-old and a 29-year-old passenger, were not injured. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The data shows both vehicles were traveling west and going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The moped rider was the only person injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574269, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Manhattan’s M102 crawls at 4.6 mph. Advocacy groups demand bus lanes, congestion pricing, and faster boarding. Council Member Marte calls for citywide busways. The mayor promises 150 new miles. Enforcement lags. Riders wait. Streets choke. Danger grows.

On August 8, 2022, Council Member Christopher Marte responded to the Straphangers Campaign’s report naming Manhattan’s M102 as the city’s slowest major bus line. The report, titled 'Slow in the City: Straphangers Campaign reveals the most dawdling, unreliable NYC bus lines,' highlighted severe congestion and unreliable service. Marte urged the city to replicate the 14th Street busway model across Manhattan, stating, 'We don’t have to wait until congestion pricing to take action. We know what works.' The mayor pledged 150 miles of new bus lanes over four years. The MTA and DOT officials acknowledged the need for better enforcement and safer, more efficient bus infrastructure. The push for bus priority lanes and congestion pricing aims to clear streets, speed up transit, and protect vulnerable road users from the daily hazards of traffic and delay.

• Slow in the City: Straphangers Campaign reveals the most dawdling, unreliable NYC bus lines, amny.com, Published 2022-08-08

Manhattan leaders want a protected bike lane on the West Side Highway. They would take a lane from cars. Cyclists and pedestrians would get space. The Greenway is too crowded. E-bikes need a legal route. The city is reviewing the plan.

On August 2, 2022, Council Member Christopher Marte backed a proposal for a protected bike lane on the West Side Highway. The plan, led by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, calls for closing a car lane and building a two-way bike lane along Manhattan’s western edge. Levine said, 'This solution would make this route safer for everybody.' Marte called the current Greenway 'an accident waiting to happen.' The proposal aims to relieve congestion on the Greenway and give e-bikes a safe, legal path. The city’s transportation department is reviewing the idea, but the New York State Department of Transportation, which controls the highway, has not commented. The plan draws inspiration from the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, which Levine says improved safety there.

• 'Safer for everybody': Manhattan BP proposal would build a new bike lane on the West Side Highway, gothamist.com, Published 2022-08-02

A woman rode south on Lafayette. She lost control. She flew from her e-bike. Her head struck the street. Blood pooled. She lay unconscious. The bike stood untouched. The street bore the mark of impact.

A woman riding an e-bike south on Lafayette Street at Kenmare was thrown from her bike and suffered a severe head injury. According to the police report, she was unlicensed, helmetless, and lost consciousness after her head struck the pavement. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The e-bike itself was undamaged. The woman was the only person injured in the crash. Helmet use is mentioned only as a detail after the driver error. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551975, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A young man rode south on Essex. He was thrown from his bike. His head struck the ground. Blood pooled fast. He lay semiconscious, sirens echoing. The crash left him bleeding and broken on the asphalt.

A 25-year-old man riding a bike southbound near 105 Essex Street in Manhattan was ejected from his bike and suffered a severe head injury. According to the police report, 'A 25-year-old man, no helmet, thrown from his bike. Head struck hard. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He lay semiconscious, southbound ride ended in sirens and silence.' The cyclist was listed as semiconscious with severe bleeding from the head. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or persons were identified as involved in the crash. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550445, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a 62-year-old cyclist on South Street. The man flew from his bike. Blood ran from his face. The driver’s view was blocked. Distraction played a part. The cyclist wore a helmet. He stayed conscious in the dark.

A 62-year-old man riding north on his bike was hit by a sedan traveling east on South Street near Catherine Slip in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A 62-year-old man, helmeted, was thrown from his bike. His face bled into the dark. A Honda's right side crumpled. The driver didn’t see him. The view was blocked. He was conscious.' The cyclist suffered facial injuries and severe bleeding but remained conscious. The sedan’s right side was damaged. Police list 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers cannot see vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549179, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15