Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Oct 23 - An 81-year-old woman pedaled east on Columbus. A taxi turned, struck her rear wheel, sent her flying. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious. Distraction behind the wheel. The street did not stop. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

According to the police report, an 81-year-old woman riding a bike eastbound on Columbus Avenue at West 65th Street was struck from behind by a taxi making a left turn. The report states the taxi's right front bumper collided with the rear wheel of the cyclist, ejecting her from the bike. She suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The narrative describes the cab striking the cyclist from behind, emphasizing distraction behind the wheel as a key element. No contributing factors are attributed to the cyclist. The report details the impact and injury, highlighting the systemic danger posed by inattentive drivers operating large vehicles in busy city corridors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768024 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - A 69-year-old man lay bleeding on West 55th. A bike, unlicensed and fast, hit him head-on at the corner with 7th Avenue. The street held witness to speed and impact. He stayed conscious, blood pooling beneath him.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old pedestrian was struck by a cyclist at the intersection of 7th Avenue and West 55th Street in Manhattan around 13:20. The report states the bike was 'fast and unlicensed' and identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The cyclist, a 27-year-old male driver, was operating without a license and traveling straight ahead when he hit the man head-on at the center front end of the bike. The victim suffered severe bleeding from the head but remained conscious at the scene. The cyclist sustained a contusion and upper arm injury but was wearing a helmet. The report notes the pedestrian stepped into the street against the light, but the primary driver errors cited are the cyclist's unsafe speed and unlicensed operation. The incident highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed, speeding cyclists in crowded city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - City Council arms FDNY with power to shut repeat e-bike battery offenders. New laws target shops selling illegal lithium-ion batteries. Enforcement ramps up. Fires drop, but uncertified batteries still threaten. Online sales remain unchecked. City pushes inspections, but incentives lag.

On September 21, 2024, the City Council enacted Local Law 49 and Local Law 50, empowering officials to padlock businesses that repeatedly violate lithium-ion battery safety rules. The Committee on Consumer Affairs advanced the bills, with Council Member Gale Brewer introducing both. The laws allow FDNY to close retailers who breach Local Law 39 three times in three years. The official matter summary states: 'The city can now forcibly close repeat offender shops that sell illegal lithium-ion batteries and micromobility devices.' Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vera Mayuga called the issue urgent. Baruch Herzfeld, CEO of Pop Wheels, backed the law but urged more incentives for certified batteries and safe charging. While fires have dropped since last year, uncertified batteries still pose danger. The city has inspected over 650 shops and issued 275 violations, but online sales remain a loophole.

• Power Play: City Can Now Padlock Businesses Violating Lithium-Ion Battery Rules, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-10

Oct 8 - Gale Brewer, once a bike ally, now supports state e-bike registration and park bans. She cites pressure and rising complaints. Critics say these moves target delivery workers, not danger. Data shows cars, not e-bikes, drive most injuries. Streets grow harsher for the vulnerable.

On October 8, 2024, Council Member Gale Brewer publicly reversed her stance, now supporting state-level e-bike registration and a blanket ban on e-bikes in city parks, as proposed in Intro 60. Brewer, speaking at an E-Vehicle Safety Alliance town hall, said, "I will sign on to that bill. That's not an issue." She attributes her change to the existence of state bills and constituent pressure, but refuses to back Council Member Bob Holden's city bill. Julie Menin also endorsed strict registration and park bans. Critics, including advocacy groups, warn these measures will hit low-wage, immigrant delivery workers hardest and undermine efforts to reduce car use. Data shows pedestrian injuries from e-bikes remain flat, while cars cause most harm. Brewer's shift marks a retreat from policies that protect vulnerable road users.

• Gale Brewer Flips on E-Bike Registration Due To ‘Nasty’ Pressure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-08

Oct 1 - Work started on a new 96th Street bus lane. The city will cut car lanes for buses. Council Member Gale Brewer stands with opponents. DOT says most locals don’t drive. The bus lane aims to speed up slow, crowded crosstown rides.

On October 1, 2024, construction began on a dedicated bus lane along 96th Street in Manhattan. The project, not tied to a specific bill number, is led by the Department of Transportation and replaces a traffic lane in each direction between West End Avenue and 2nd Avenue. The matter aims to 'speed up crosstown buses like the M96 and M106.' Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, has sided with residents opposing the change, though she did not comment for the record. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez claims the new lane will make commutes 'faster, more reliable, and safer for everyone.' The bus lane will operate 24/7, except for a short eastbound stretch. DOT notes that 74% of 96th Street residents do not own cars, and most commute by transit, bike, or foot. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Construction begins on new 96th Street bus lane in Manhattan, amny.com, Published 2024-10-01

Sep 30 - DOT broke ground on new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street. The redesign will stretch 1.7 miles. Councilmember Gale Brewer raised curb space concerns. Officials say the project will speed up buses and slow down cars. Work finishes later this year.

On September 30, 2024, the Department of Transportation began construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, a project stretching from West End to Second Avenue. The matter, titled 'DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street,' aims to improve service for 15,500 weekday riders. Councilmember Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, held a rally earlier in the month expressing concerns about lost curb space and pushed for alternative solutions. Brewer sent a letter to DOT on behalf of residents, stating, 'All I can say is that I did what I did to represent them.' DOT officials countered that the redesign will reduce congestion and retain curb access. The project includes dedicated bus lanes, left-turn bays, and treatments to slow drivers. Most residents in the area rely on transit, walking, or cycling. The city expects the redesign to make commutes faster and safer for all road users.

• DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-30

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 6 - A taxi swung left on West 57th. A woman pedaled straight. Steel met flesh. Her arm broke, helmet catching the blow. She lay silent in the city’s roar. The street marked her pain, the cab rolled on.

A crash unfolded near 625 West 57th Street in Manhattan when, according to the police report, a taxi 'turned left' as a woman on a bike 'rode straight.' The collision occurred at the center front end of both vehicles. The cyclist, a 36-year-old woman, suffered crush injuries to her arm and was left in shock, as detailed in the report. The narrative states, 'Metal struck her arm. Bone gave. She wore a helmet. She did not rise.' The report lists the taxi as making a left turn and the bike as proceeding straight ahead. Both 'contributing factor' fields are marked 'Unspecified,' but the sequence described highlights the systemic danger of left-turning vehicles crossing paths with cyclists traveling straight. The cyclist’s helmet use is noted in the police data, but no victim actions are listed as contributing factors. The focus remains on the peril created by the taxi’s left turn across the cyclist’s path.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 6 - A man stepped into 7th Avenue. A bike hit him head-on. His skull struck the pavement. Blood pooled on West 56th Street. He died where he fell. The city’s rhythm broke for a moment, then traffic moved on.

A 66-year-old man was killed at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 56th Street in Manhattan when a cyclist traveling south struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 19:45. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' and was not at an intersection. The impact caused the victim’s head to hit the pavement, resulting in severe bleeding and death at the scene. The police report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the cyclist and the pedestrian, offering no further detail on driver behavior. The narrative describes a direct collision and the fatal consequences for the pedestrian. No crosswalk or traffic signal was present at the location, but the report does not cite any cyclist error or violation. The focus remains on the deadly outcome of a vulnerable road user struck by a moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 5 - Council Member Gale Brewer stood with opponents against a 96th Street bus lane. She cited parking and speed concerns. DOT said parking stays. Advocates called her out for ignoring slow buses and 15,000 daily riders. Brewer claimed support for bus lanes elsewhere.

On September 5, 2024, Council Member Gale Brewer publicly opposed a dedicated bus lane on West 96th Street at a rally. The matter, described as a 'City Council member public statement/rally regarding bus lane project,' saw Brewer call on DOT to remove two blocks from the crosstown bus lane plan, citing the area's 'residential character' and questioning the need due to 'current bus speeds.' Brewer, who once backed bus lanes on 14th, 34th, and 181st Streets, now argued for alternatives and said, 'I'm a bus rider who takes this bus every day. It's not slow.' DOT countered that parking would be preserved and loading zones added. Transit advocates criticized Brewer for ignoring data on slow westbound buses and the needs of 15,000 daily riders. Council Member Shaun Abreu, who represents the district, did not attend and stated he does not oppose the bus lane. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Self-Proclaimed Bus Lane Champion Gale Brewer Tries To Tank Bus Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-05

Sep 5 - Councilmember Gale Brewer stands with Upper West Siders against a new 96th Street bus lane. Residents rally. DOT wants faster buses. Brewer demands alternatives. The fight pits transit speed against curb access. DOT vows to move forward. Riders wait.

On September 5, 2024, Councilmember Gale A. Brewer (District 6) joined Upper West Side residents to oppose the Department of Transportation’s plan for dedicated bus lanes on 96th Street. The proposal, announced in May, would convert a traffic lane in each direction to bus-only use between First and West End avenues, aiming to speed up the M96 and M106 routes. Brewer, who previously supported bus lanes elsewhere, told the crowd, 'There are concerns that we have. I think that you have to look at alternatives to making the bus go faster.' The matter, titled by Gothamist as 'Yet another NYC bus lane plan faces big fight, this time from angry Upper West Siders,' highlights tension between transit improvements and local access. DOT officials say the lanes will help over 15,000 daily bus riders. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• Yet another NYC bus lane plan faces big fight, this time from angry Upper West Siders, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-05

Sep 5 - Upper West Side residents and Council Member Shaun Abreu push back on a 96th Street bus lane. DOT aims to speed up slow buses for 15,000 daily riders. Locals cite residential concerns. Debate pits transit needs against curb access. No clear resolution.

On September 5, 2024, Council Member Shaun Abreu of District 7 joined Upper West Side residents in questioning the Department of Transportation's plan for a 24/7 offset bus lane on 96th Street. The DOT proposal, intended to speed up the M96 bus for 15,000 daily riders, would repurpose a travel lane in each direction while preserving curb parking. Abreu stated, "I wouldn’t say I’m opposed or in favor at this point," but called for more clarity and adjustments from DOT. The matter, described as a push to 'torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street,' has drawn support from East Side's Community Board 8 and opposition from West Side locals and Council Member Gale Brewer, who suggested alternatives like bus signal priority. The debate centers on balancing transit improvements with residential curb access. No formal committee action or safety analysis has been reported.

• Upper West Side locals seek to torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street, amny.com, Published 2024-09-05

Aug 16 - A 93-year-old woman crossing Central Park West with the light was struck by an e-scooter. Blood pooled by her head. She stayed conscious. The scooter’s front end crumpled. The rider did not yield. Systemic danger, flesh and steel, collide.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling north on Central Park West at West 65th Street struck a 93-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states, 'An e-scooter struck a 93-year-old woman crossing with the light. She stayed conscious. Blood pooled near her head. The scooter’s front end crumpled. The rider did not yield.' The primary contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The data makes clear that the e-scooter operator failed to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, resulting in a violent collision. The report notes the pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but only after citing the driver’s failure to yield as the cause. The focus remains on the driver’s actions and the systemic risk posed to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748506 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Jul 29 - A Chevy SUV hit a 31-year-old woman at West End Avenue and West 64th Street. She fell, blood pooling beneath her head. The front grill bore the mark. The street held her silence. Shock widened her eyes as sirens approached.

A 31-year-old woman was struck by a Chevy SUV while in the crosswalk at West End Avenue and West 64th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report describes the woman lying in shock, bleeding from the head, with severe lacerations. The SUV's center front end bore visible damage. Police note the pedestrian was at the intersection, engaged in 'other actions in roadway.' The driver was traveling straight ahead in an eastbound direction. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further details on driver behavior. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of the pedestrian, who suffered significant head injuries. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior are cited beyond her presence in the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A cyclist hit a young woman on Amsterdam Avenue. She fell, her head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The bike rolled on, unscathed. The force landed square, the harm hers alone. The night echoed with sirens and blood.

A 25-year-old woman was struck by a cyclist traveling northeast on Amsterdam Avenue, according to the police report. The collision left her semiconscious in the street, suffering severe bleeding from a head injury. The narrative states, 'She fell, head bleeding, semiconscious in the street. The rider kept straight. No damage to the bike. The front wheel hit center. The damage was hers alone.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the cyclist and the pedestrian. The cyclist was going straight ahead at the time of impact, and the point of contact was the center front end of the bike. No damage was reported to the bicycle. The report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The harm was borne entirely by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 25 - Two e-scooters slammed together on Riverside Boulevard. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood pooled on the pavement. He was conscious, wounded, and young. Unsafe speed tore through the afternoon. The city’s danger cut deep.

According to the police report, two e-scooters collided at speed near Riverside Boulevard and West 61st Street in Manhattan. The crash left a 14-year-old boy injured, bleeding from the face but conscious. The report states, 'Two e-scooters collided at speed. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood on the pavement.' The listed contributing factor is 'Unsafe Speed.' No helmet use was recorded for the injured boy. The data shows both vehicles were going straight ahead before impact, and the severity of the injury was high. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the threat posed by unsafe speed on city streets, especially for young and vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 25 - A car moving east on West 58th Street struck a 29-year-old woman head-on before sunrise. Her body was crushed. She died alone in the street, unnamed, as the city slept. The impact left silence and loss in its wake.

According to the police report, a woman was walking in the roadway near West 58th Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan at 3:41 a.m. when an eastbound car struck her head-on. The report states her body was crushed and she died at the scene, 29 years old, alone in the dark. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, and the car was traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. No information is provided about the vehicle type or the driver. The victim's actions are described as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but the report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly force of the car and the lack of identified driver error in the report highlight the systemic dangers faced by pedestrians on city streets, especially in the early hours.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19