Another Year, Another Funeral: End the Silence on Deadly Streets

A Harley slammed head-on on FDR Drive. A 56-year-old woman riding pillion took the blow. She wore a helmet. Her body was crushed, but she stayed awake. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. The road showed no mercy.

A violent crash on FDR Drive left a 56-year-old woman, riding as a motorcycle passenger, with severe crush injuries across her entire body. According to the police report, 'Rage rode the road that night. The bike split open. The highway did not forgive.' The collision involved a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and another vehicle. The police report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The woman, helmeted and conscious, was not ejected but suffered major trauma. Driver aggression and reckless behavior are cited as causes. The report notes the passenger’s helmet only after listing driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667922, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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 sedan struck an e-bike head-on at 2nd Avenue and East 60th. The rider, 24, fell hard. Blood pooled. Head wounds. He lay unconscious in the street. The KIA’s doors bent. The city watched, silent.

A sedan collided head-on with an e-bike at the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 60th Street in Manhattan. The 24-year-old e-bike rider suffered severe head wounds and was found unconscious in the street. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck an e-bike head-on. The rider, 24, crumpled on impact. Blood pooled. Head wounds. Unconscious in the street.' The KIA sedan’s right side doors were bent inward from the crash. Both vehicles were traveling south and going straight ahead. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both parties. No driver errors were specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647639, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Lynn Schulman calls for a public referendum to end NYC’s carriage horse trade. She slams council inaction and union power. Streets remain deadly for horses and people. The city’s leaders stall. The public demands change. The fight continues.

On June 27, 2023, Council Member Lynn Schulman (District 29) published an editorial urging a public referendum to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The editorial, titled "With politicians fearful of the TWU, a public referendum is the answer," criticizes the City Council’s failure to act on a bill that would replace horses with electric carriages. Schulman highlights that only 18 of 51 council members sponsor the bill, despite strong public support and past campaign promises. She names Justin Brennan, Gale Brewer, Julie Menin, and herself among those who have not advanced the legislation. Schulman blames union influence for the council’s inaction, citing 115 accidents and 27 horse deaths over decades. She calls for a citizen ballot initiative to bypass political gridlock and protect both horses and the public from ongoing street danger.

• With politicians fearful of the TWU, a public referendum is the answer, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-27

A box truck hit a man at dawn on 2nd Avenue. The truck struck head-on. The man fell. Blood on the street. Head wounds. Broken bones. He never woke. The city’s day started with loss.

A 47-year-old man was killed at the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 82nd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a box truck traveling south struck the pedestrian head-on as he crossed the intersection. The report states, “A man crossed against the light at dawn. A box truck struck him head-on. He lay broken and bleeding on the asphalt. Head wounds. Fractured bones. He never woke up.” Police list 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a Hino box truck. No injuries were reported for the truck’s occupants. The crash left one man dead and a city intersection marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624351, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 1030-2023 would force DOT to show its hand. Every traffic signal and speed bump request, tracked online. Status, reason, and timeline—no more black box. The bill died in committee, but the demand for sunlight remains.

Int 1030-2023 was introduced on April 27, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to post details of all traffic control device and speed reducer requests on a public website. The matter summary reads: 'The required website would include, but need not be limited to, the following information: case number, general topic, issue, status, resolution, reason for approval or denial of traffic control device, and if approved, the timeline for completion.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by 21 co-sponsors including Williams, Hanif, and Yeger. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided, but the measure aimed to end secrecy around life-saving street changes. Public access to this data could expose delays and denials that keep streets deadly.

• File Int 1030-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Council moved to ban driving with fake or expired plates. Civil fines would hit drivers hard. Sponsors spanned the city. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars and reckless drivers.

Int 0987-2023 was introduced in the New York City Council on April 11, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The bill aimed to prohibit operating a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates, including temporary ones. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Civil penalties ranged from $300 to $1,000, with a 10-day cure period for expired plates. The bill was sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over thirty council members, including Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Yeger, Menin, and others, as well as the Brooklyn and Bronx Borough Presidents. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0987-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

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

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, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council grilled DSNY for dragging its feet on commercial waste zone reform. Delays keep rogue haulers on the street. Reckless driving and deaths persist. Members pressed for urgency. DSNY offered shifting timelines. The city’s most vulnerable remain at risk.

On February 23, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the delayed rollout of commercial waste zone reform, first mandated by law in 2019. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) admitted the overhaul would not start until late 2024, with citywide coverage years away. The matter, described as a fix for a 'free-for-all system that led to reckless driving and fatalities,' remains stalled. Council Members Lincoln Restler and Julie Menin pressed DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch on the slow pace and shifting deadlines. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who introduced the original legislation, stressed the need for clear guidance. StreetsPAC’s Eric McClure highlighted the deadly consequences of delay. DSNY opposes a bill from Council Member Sandy Nurse to create a working group to address these setbacks. The ongoing delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous private carting trucks.

• Council to DSNY Commish: Move Faster on Rogue Carting Biz, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-23

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

The MTA expands its stroller pilot to 1,000 buses. Parents can now board with strollers open. Council Member Julie Menin calls it a game changer. Disability advocates’ concerns addressed. Only one-sixth of buses included. More routes promised. Riders demand safer, easier access.

On January 25, 2023, the MTA announced an expansion of its stroller pilot program, now covering 1,000 buses—about one-sixth of the city’s fleet. The move follows years of parent advocacy for safer, easier boarding. The matter, titled 'Stroller Pilot Expands to 1,000 Buses, More Routes to Come,' was supported by Council Member Julie Menin (District 5), who demonstrated the new space with her daughter, stating, 'this is really literally game changing for parents.' Disability advocates initially raised concerns about wheelchair access, but the MTA adjusted designs to protect those spaces. A panel of parents, disability advocates, and drivers guided the rollout. The MTA logged 2,500 stroller rides so far, with the B1 line leading in use. The expansion promises more routes soon, but leaves most buses unchanged for now.

• Stroller Pilot Expands to 1,000 Buses, More Routes to Come, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-01-25

The MTA expands its stroller pilot to 1,000 buses. Parents can now board without folding strollers. Advocates call it a game changer. Wheelchair space stays untouched. Riders comply. Still, only a fraction of buses get the upgrade. More routes coming soon.

On January 25, 2023, the MTA announced an expansion of its stroller pilot program, bringing dedicated stroller space to about 1,000 buses—roughly one-sixth of the city’s fleet. The move follows a pilot on 140 buses across seven lines. The matter summary states: 'More city buses will have a dedicated space for strollers.' Council Member Julie Menin demonstrated the new space, calling it 'game changing for parents.' Disability advocates, including Liz Valdez, confirmed wheelchair areas remain unaffected. The MTA formed a panel of parents, disability advocates, and drivers to address concerns. Compliance has been strong, with no reported conflicts. The expansion answers long-standing demands from parents for safer, easier boarding. All buses can be retrofitted, but most remain unchanged for now. More routes will be announced.

• Stroller Pilot Expands to 1,000 Buses, More Routes to Come, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-25

An e-bike hit a 49-year-old man mid-block on East 74th. The front end slammed him. Blood poured from his face. He stayed awake. The rider was new. The street fell silent after.

A 49-year-old pedestrian was struck by an e-bike traveling south, mid-block on East 74th Street. According to the police report, 'Mid-block on East 74th Street, a 49-year-old man was struck by an e-bike heading south. The front end hit him square. Blood spilled from his face. He stayed conscious. The rider was new.' The man suffered severe bleeding to his face but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No other actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash. The collision shows the danger when inexperienced riders operate e-bikes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599703, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 57-year-old woman crossed East 96th. An SUV struck her at the intersection. Her head split. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The city slept. She bled alone in the dark.

A 57-year-old woman was struck by an SUV at the intersection of East 96th Street at 3:10 a.m. According to the police report, 'A 57-year-old woman hit by an SUV at the intersection. Head split. Blood poured onto the quiet street. She stayed awake.' The woman suffered a severe head injury and heavy bleeding but remained conscious. No contributing driver errors were listed in the police data. No other injuries were reported. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left a pedestrian gravely hurt while the city remained silent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill sought more car-free streets on busy holidays. It would have let neighborhoods close roads for crowds and events. The measure died in committee. Streets stay open to traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed.

Int 0859-2022 was introduced to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on December 21, 2022. The bill aimed to require the Department of Transportation to allow special Open Streets activations on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The matter summary reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan led as primary sponsor, joined by Julie Menin, Farah N. Louis, Julie Won, Kristin Richardson Jordan, Alexa Avilés, Lincoln Restler, Shahana K. Hanif, and Rita C. Joseph. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not advance. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill’s failure leaves vulnerable road users at risk during the city’s busiest days.

• File Int 0859-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-12-21

The Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now has a tough, weatherproof cover. Cyclists no longer risk slipping or punctured tires on metal grates. Council Member Julie Won joined DOT and others to push the project. Riders get a safer, smoother crossing.

On December 13, 2022, Council Member Julie Won (District 26) joined city officials to mark the completion of a DOT pilot project covering the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane. The project, coordinated with Council Member Julie Menin, used fiber-reinforced polymer panels to shield riders from the bridge’s hazardous metal grating. The official matter: 'Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride.' Won praised the project’s quick finish and its promise of safer, more comfortable biking. DOT and community leaders noted the new surface prevents slips and flats, separating cyclists from traffic. The $100,000 upgrade, never before used in New York, aims to keep vulnerable road users out of harm’s way.

• Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride, amny.com, Published 2022-12-13

A Toyota hit a northbound e-bike on 1st Avenue. The rider, 24, flew from the saddle and landed headfirst. He lay still, blood pooling on the pavement. The car’s front end crumpled. No helmet. Silence followed the crash.

A Toyota sedan struck a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike northbound on 1st Avenue. According to the police report, 'A Toyota struck a northbound e-bike. The rider, 24, flew from the saddle, hit headfirst, and lay still. No helmet. Blood on the pavement. The car’s front end folded in silence.' The crash left the cyclist unconscious with severe head injuries and lacerations. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause was the driver’s failure to yield. No injuries were reported for the car’s occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584022, 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