District 10 traffic accidents: Street safety urgency uptown

Aug 5 - Adams and the Council cut roadside dining to a sliver. Outdoor tables now fill just 0.09 percent of parking spots. Most sheds will vanish. The city’s car-first streets return. Small businesses and advocates call the rollback a loss for public space.

On August 5, 2024, the Adams administration finalized its new outdoor dining policy, shrinking the pandemic-era program. The city now allows roadside dining only from April to November, with just 1,315 restaurants applying for street setups. Another 1,277 sought year-round sidewalk cafes. The matter, described as a 'massive scaleback,' drew criticism from advocates and business owners. Jackson Chabot of Open Plans said, 'It’s mind boggling that New York City is actually regressing back to more car-centered streets.' Restaurateurs like Charlotta Janssen and Robert Sanfiz warned that new seasonal rules and costly storage will force many to abandon outdoor dining. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the program 'the largest and best in America,' but critics say the city missed a chance to reclaim space from cars and support vulnerable road users.

• SPLAT: Adams Administration’s Squeeze on Roadside Dining is Complete, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-05

Aug 1 - Two motorcycles northbound on Saint Nicholas. The rear machine too close, slamming the lead. A 33-year-old, unlicensed, helmetless, thrown down. His leg split, blood pooling on West 176th. Metal, flesh, and asphalt tangled in the dusk.

According to the police report, two motorcycles were traveling northbound at West 176th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The rear motorcycle, operated by a 33-year-old man, was 'following too closely' and struck the motorcycle ahead. The report states the rear rider was unlicensed and wore no helmet. The collision left him with severe lacerations to his lower leg, described as his leg 'split open' and blood pooling at the scene. Both motorcycles were damaged at the center front and back ends, consistent with a rear-end impact. The police report explicitly lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the rear rider. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to maintain safe distance and speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - City Council and Mayor Adams cut outdoor dining. Only 1,300 restaurants applied—down from 12,500 at the pandemic’s peak. New rules force seasonal setups, tough for small owners. Roadway dining nearly vanishes. Public space returns to cars. Advocates call it a missed chance.

On July 30, 2024, New York City’s outdoor dining program faced a sharp drop. Only 1,300 restaurants applied for permits, compared to 12,500 during the pandemic. The City Council and Mayor Adams changed the law, allowing roadway dining only seasonally. Eateries must set up each March and tear down by December, a heavy lift for small businesses. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, issued a 'last call' for applications. Rodriguez said, 'Outdoor dining enriches our communities, and we're excited to make it a permanent feature of New York City streets.' Yet, only 23 roadway setups are pending approval. Advocates like Jackson Chabot of Open Plans argue the city should allow year-round use, calling the decline a missed opportunity for public space and safety. The new design rules—no roofs or sides—leave some owners feeling exposed and unsafe. The city’s move shifts space back to cars, shrinking safe zones for pedestrians and diners.

• About 1,300 Restaurants Apply For Outdoor Dining — 90% Drop From Pandemic’s Height, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-30

Jul 27 - A Jeep struck a motorcycle on Harlem River Drive. The rider flew, arm shattered, skin burned on the pavement. The bike overturned. A sedan’s bumper bore the bruise. Speed carved the scene. Metal, flesh, and asphalt collided in daylight.

According to the police report, a Jeep traveling south on Harlem River Drive collided with a motorcycle, sending its 50-year-old rider flying onto the pavement. The report states, 'A Jeep slammed into a motorcycle, hurling its 50-year-old rider onto the hot pavement. His arm shattered. His skin burned. The bike overturned.' The motorcyclist suffered severe burns and a broken upper arm. The crash also involved a sedan, which sustained damage to its rear bumper. The police report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, underscoring the role of excessive speed in the collision. The motorcyclist was ejected and injured, but the report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The impact left a vivid mark of danger and violence on Harlem River Drive.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A young man on a KTM motorcycle crashed into two parked SUVs on Fort George Avenue. Ejected, he suffered fatal head trauma. Blood pooled beneath the streetlights. The police report cites driver inexperience. He died there, alone, on the summer night.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old man riding a KTM motorcycle northbound on Fort George Avenue near Audubon Avenue struck two parked SUVs. The collision occurred at 21:44. The report states the rider was ejected on impact and suffered severe head trauma, with blood found on the pavement. He died at the scene. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the crash. The narrative notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary driver error. The parked SUVs were unoccupied and stationary at the time of the collision. The report provides no evidence of any contributing factors beyond those attributed to the motorcycle operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743277 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Jul 15 - A moped slammed into the rear of a Jeep on Broadway. The unlicensed, helmetless rider flew from his seat, struck the pavement headfirst, and never woke. Limbs crushed, skull broken. The city’s streets claimed another life before dawn.

According to the police report, a violent collision occurred at Broadway and Bennett Avenue in Manhattan when a moped, traveling north, struck the rear of a Jeep SUV that was slowing or stopping. The 26-year-old moped rider, unlicensed and not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and suffered fatal head and crush injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the moped operator. The narrative states, 'He hit the pavement headfirst. Limbs crushed. Skull broken. He did not wake.' The Jeep driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The crash unfolded at 12:48 a.m., underscoring the lethal consequences of driver inattention and excessive speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - DOT wants a new contractor for its camera enforcement program. The current vendor, Verra, missed reckless drivers with hidden plates. Over 40% of photos were tossed. The city lost millions. DOT aims for better tech and oversight to catch more violators.

On July 11, 2024, the Department of Transportation issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new five-year automated traffic enforcement contract. The program, managed by DOT, is the largest in the nation for speeding, red light, and bus lane violations. The RFP follows a city comptroller report showing Verra Mobility, the current contractor, rejected 41.5% of photos—often due to obscured or defaced license plates—costing the city over $100 million in lost fines. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the automated enforcement programs 'key to our Vision Zero efforts to save lives on our streets.' The RFP seeks to leverage new camera technology to address the surge in hidden plates and ensure stronger oversight. New equipment is expected by August 2025. Verra may reapply, but DOT wants a vendor who can catch more dangerous drivers and keep enforcement strong.

• DOT Seeks New Camera Enforcement Contract to Better Catch Obscured License Plates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

Jul 7 - A GMC SUV struck a 46-year-old woman on Wadsworth Avenue before dawn. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The unlicensed driver fled south. The car showed no damage. The street stood silent, danger unbroken.

According to the police report, a 2023 GMC SUV traveling south on Wadsworth Avenue at 2:40 a.m. struck a 46-year-old woman in the roadway. The impact caused severe bleeding from her head, though she remained conscious at the scene. The report notes that the driver was unlicensed and fled south after the collision, leaving the vehicle undamaged. Police cite 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and is listed as performing 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' also recorded as a contributing factor, but only after the primary driver error. The event underscores the systemic danger posed by unlicensed and inexperienced drivers operating large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - Council Member Stevens doubts Citi Bike demand in the Bronx. She sees full docks, asks if they should shrink. Experts fire back: full docks mean high use. Ridership surges. DOT stands firm. Bike-share stays. Riders keep moving.

At a May 8, 2024, City Council oversight hearing, Council Member Althea Stevens questioned the need for a Citi Bike dock in her South Bronx district. She said, "If we're seeing that these stations aren't being used adequately ... is there another option, can we make the docks smaller?" The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, defended the current system. Bike-share experts like David Eddington countered that full docks signal popularity, not neglect. Citi Bike General Manager Patrick Knoth explained that point-in-time observations mislead, as ridership is strong and docks are planned based on trends. Citi Bike usage in Stevens's district rose 48 percent from 2022 to 2023, with most riders using reduced fares. The hearing highlighted the need for a comprehensive, accessible bike-share network, especially as e-bikes make hilly areas more reachable.

• Explainer: Why a Full Citi Bike Dock Doesn’t Mean No One’s Using It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-04

Jun 26 - Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon pushes a bill to ban parking near intersections citywide. The move targets deadly corners where cars block sightlines. Sixteen community boards and dozens of officials back it. DOT drags its feet. Advocates demand action.

Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon introduced a bill to end New York City's exemption from the state law banning parking within 20 feet of intersections. The bill, now under consideration, has strong support: sixteen community boards and over three dozen elected officials have signed on. The measure aims to remove parked cars from corners, a practice called 'daylighting,' to improve visibility and cut intersection crashes. Simon called it a 'no-brainer,' saying, 'people feel a lot safer crossing those intersections.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez has voiced concerns that daylighting could lead to faster, more dangerous turns, but advocates like Sara Lind of Open Plans counter that daylighting is 'proven and widely popular.' The DOT missed a deadline for a daylighting safety study but claims it will daylight 1,000 intersections this year. Advocates urge the city to follow the law and protect vulnerable road users at every intersection.

• ‘No-Brainer’: State Pol Seeks Citywide Parking Ban Near Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Jun 24 - Congestion pricing would have cut cars, cleared streets, and opened space for people. Stockholm did it. Manhattan could have. Hochul stopped it. Pedestrians and cyclists lost. The city stays loud, crowded, and dangerous. The promise of safer streets remains unkept.

This media commentary, published June 24, 2024, examines the halted launch of congestion pricing in Manhattan. The article, titled 'Hey, Gov. Hochul, Here’s How Congestion Pricing Would Have Remade Manhattan,' draws a sharp contrast between New York and Stockholm, where a similar policy removed 20 percent of cars and reclaimed public space for people. The piece criticizes Governor Hochul’s decision to cancel congestion pricing, arguing it denies New Yorkers the safety and freedom seen in Stockholm’s pedestrianized, business-friendly streets. The commentary features voices like Clarence Eckerson and Lars Strömgren, highlighting the benefits for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and children—who thrive when cars are fewer. The article underscores the lost opportunity for safer, calmer streets and improved transit, with no council member or bill number attached, but a clear call for systemic change.

• Hey, Gov. Hochul, Here’s How Congestion Pricing Would Have Remade Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-24

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 5 - A sedan tore south on Broadway, colliding head-on with a northbound moped. The rider, helmetless, was ejected and left bleeding on the hot street. The crash carved pain into the city’s concrete and left a body still.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southbound on Broadway at West 190th Street struck a northbound moped head-on at 16:55 in Manhattan. The moped rider, a 29-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding across his entire body. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error that led to the violent collision. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, a detail noted in the report after the documentation of driver error. Both vehicles were reported as going straight ahead before impact. The force of the crash left the moped rider motionless on the street, underscoring the grave consequences of improper lane usage by vehicle drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 1 - A man on an e-bike rode east on West 181st Street and collided with the rear of a parked diesel truck. His chest was crushed. He wore a helmet. There was no movement, only silence in the dark.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old man riding an e-bike eastbound on West 181st Street struck the right rear bumper of a parked diesel tractor truck. The report states the crash occurred in darkness and notes the cyclist was wearing a helmet. The narrative describes the impact as crushing the rider's chest and causing internal bleeding, with no skid marks at the scene. The e-bike's front end was damaged. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The parked truck, registered in Indiana, was unoccupied at the time. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor beyond noting helmet use after listing driver error. The collision left the cyclist motionless and silent, underscoring the lethal consequences of distraction and systemic street danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - A cyclist’s arm split open against the side of a stopped taxi at Fort Washington and 161st. Blood marked the pavement. The helmeted rider stayed awake. The taxi sat untouched. The street fell silent, holding the aftermath in its grip.

A cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his arm after striking the side of a stopped taxi at Fort Washington Avenue and 161st Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 10:12 a.m. The report states, 'A cyclist struck the side of a stopped taxi. His arm split open. Blood on pavement. He wore a helmet. He stayed awake. The taxi sat untouched.' The taxi was stopped in traffic and sustained no damage, while the cyclist’s bike impacted the right side doors of the vehicle. The police report lists no specific contributing factors and does not cite any driver errors. The only victim behavior noted is helmet use, which is mentioned after the description of the crash. The focus remains on the physical impact and aftermath, with the police narrative emphasizing the silence and gravity that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729960 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 21 - Council Member Restler and Greenpoint residents slammed City Hall for gutting the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The city scrapped protected lanes and a road diet. Crashes and near-misses persist. Locals demand real safety. The mayor wavers. DOT offers only half-measures.

On May 21, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined Greenpoint residents to protest the city’s retreat from the original McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The plan, developed over two years, promised to 'remove a lane of car traffic in each direction, add protected bike lanes, and shorten pedestrian crossings.' Mayor Eric Adams ordered DOT to scale it back after opposition, leaving only partial improvements. Restler accused the mayor of ignoring traffic experts and thousands of residents. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called the city’s response 'unacceptable' and 'irresponsible.' The Department of Transportation resumed limited work but has not finished its analysis for the southern half. Residents and advocates, including Make McGuinness Safe, cite ongoing crashes and dangerous crossings. The city’s compromise leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as the most effective safety measures remain unbuilt.

• ‘Irresponsible’: Locals criticize Adams, DOT as McGuinness Boulevard redesign falters, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-05-21

May 20 - Five killed in Queens. A child, a young man, two moped riders, and another victim. Councilmember Vickie Paladino calls for debate, not action. City lags on protected lanes. Advocates say the toll is rising. Streets remain deadly for the vulnerable.

On May 20, 2024, Councilmember Vickie Paladino (District 19) was mentioned in a public debate following a deadly weekend on Queens streets. The event, covered by Gothamist, highlighted that 2024 is one of the deadliest years for Queens since Vision Zero began. The matter summary states, 'Five people were killed by cars over the weekend.' Paladino criticized DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and street safety advocates, calling for a 'robust, inclusive debate.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives condemned the city's failure to meet the 2019 NYC Streets Plan, which mandates 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year. The city has built only 72% of required bike lanes and 19% of bus lanes. Advocates point to rising deaths, especially among children, and blame delays and opposition from local officials. The debate underscores a systemic failure to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• Deadly weekend on Queens’ streets makes 2024 one of the worst, safety advocates say, gothamist.com, Published 2024-05-20

May 10 - Gov. Hochul backs renewing New York City’s small red light camera program. She stops short of supporting expansion. The city’s power over street safety grows, but Albany holds the reins. Vulnerable road users wait as lawmakers debate control and coverage.

On May 10, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul publicly supported reauthorizing New York City’s red light camera program, which is set to expire in December. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, would renew the program for six years and expand cameras from 150 to 1,325 intersections. Hochul, at a ceremony for 'Sammy’s Law,' said, 'local governments should be making these decisions,' but did not endorse the expansion. The Adams administration and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez have pushed for more cameras. Hochul’s stance signals support for local control over traffic enforcement, but leaves the fate of a broader camera rollout uncertain. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while Albany debates the city’s authority to protect its streets.

• Gov. Hochul Backs Red Light Camera Renewal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-10

May 9 - City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.

At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.

• DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-09