District 8 Bleeds: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

Council filed a bill to study e-bike charging stations for food delivery workers. The plan called for a task force to weigh cost, location, and fire risk. The bill died at session’s end. Delivery workers remain exposed. No action. No safety.

Int 0927-2023, introduced February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to create a task force to study the feasibility of building charging stations for e-bikes used by food delivery workers. The bill’s summary states: 'A Local Law in relation to establishing a task force to study the feasibility of building charging stations for bicycles with electric assist to be used by food delivery workers.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Cabán, Farías, Hudson, Hanif, Richardson Jordan, Ayala, Nurse, Avilés, Won, and Brewer. The task force would have reviewed costs, locations, funding, and fire risks tied to lithium-ion batteries. The bill was filed at the end of session, leaving delivery workers without new protections or infrastructure.

• File Int 0927-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

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

Council filed a bill to force DOT to study street design that blocks or deters trucks from residential streets. The bill called for a report on making streets less accessible to commercial vehicles. It died at session’s end. No action taken.

Int 0924-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to study and report on using street design to limit or reduce commercial vehicle use in residential neighborhoods. The matter’s title reads: 'A Local Law in relation to requiring the department of transportation to study street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez sponsored the bill, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The report was due by December 31, 2023. The bill was filed at the end of session with no report issued. The measure aimed to examine street redesign, traffic calming, and camera enforcement to keep trucks out of residential areas, but it stalled before any impact reached the street.

• File Int 0924-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

Council called on maritime importers to cut truck traffic and use marine vessels for last mile deliveries. Trucks choke streets, foul air, and endanger lives. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain crowded. The danger rolls on.

Res 0501-2023 was filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 16, 2023, and closed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. The resolution urged, in its own words, 'top maritime importers to New York City ports to commit to making the City’s streets greener by reducing truck traffic and using marine vessels for last mile deliveries throughout the boroughs.' Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez sponsored, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate Williams, and others. The bill cited the city’s reliance on trucks—89% of freight—fueling congestion, pollution, and risk for everyone outside a vehicle. The Council pointed to pilot programs like Blue Highways as a way to clear streets and cut emissions. But the resolution was filed without action. Trucks still rule the road.

• File Res 0501-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

A moped rider struck two SUVs on Madison Avenue. He hit hard, helmeted head first. Blood pooled on the street. The rider lay conscious, half-spilled onto the asphalt. Metal and blood marked the scene. The night stood still.

A 36-year-old moped rider was injured at Madison Avenue and East 101st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the moped clipped two SUVs while passing. The rider, wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The crash was attributed to 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The report states, 'A moped clipped two SUVs while passing. The rider, 36, slammed hard, helmeted head first. He lay half-spilled onto the street, bleeding, conscious.' The data lists improper lane usage as the driver error. The helmet is mentioned only as part of the injury description.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600379, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Before dawn in the Bronx, a tanker crashed into a diesel truck. Steel tore. Diesel spilled. A 62-year-old man, trapped in the cab, suffered a broken back. He stayed conscious. The street ran slick with fuel. The city did not stop.

A violent collision unfolded on Walnut Avenue near East 139th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, a tanker struck the side of a northbound diesel truck before sunrise. The impact left a 62-year-old male driver with crush injuries and a broken back. He was strapped in and remained conscious as diesel spilled onto the street. The tanker’s front end hit the truck’s left side doors. Both vehicles were driven by men, one with a permit and one licensed. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. The crash highlights the danger when massive trucks collide in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592278, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV hit a 68-year-old man on East 148th Street near Brook Avenue. His leg shattered under the weight. He lay conscious, pain sharp, blood on asphalt. The streetlights glared. The city moved on. The night swallowed his cries.

A 68-year-old pedestrian suffered severe crush injuries to his lower leg after being struck by an SUV on East 148th Street near Brook Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the man was in the roadway, not at a crosswalk, when the collision occurred. He remained conscious at the scene, his injuries described as significant. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. No mention is made of helmet use or signaling. The crash highlights the persistent danger faced by pedestrians on city streets, especially outside marked crossings, as vehicles continue to dominate the roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587013, 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 Honda SUV struck a baby boy on East 136th Street. The front end hit him. He suffered severe lacerations. The driver was distracted. The child was not at an intersection. Blood pooled on the road. The city failed to protect its youngest.

A 2007 Honda SUV hit a baby boy in the roadway on East 136th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'A 2007 Honda SUV struck a baby boy in the road. The front end hit him. He was torn open. He bled. The driver was distracted. The child was not at an intersection.' The child, a male infant, suffered severe lacerations to his entire body and was conscious after the crash. The data lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other errors or helmet or signal issues are noted in the report. The impact was direct and devastating, with the SUV's center front end striking the child. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed by distracted driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566567, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota pickup ran a red on Bruckner Boulevard. It hit a man on an e-scooter broadside. The rider flew off, leg torn open, blood on the street. The scooter lay crushed. The driver disregarded traffic control. The city failed to protect him.

A Toyota pickup truck struck a man riding an e-scooter on Bruckner Boulevard near East 138th Street at midnight. According to the police report, the pickup 'ran the light' and hit the e-scooter broadside. The 39-year-old scooter rider was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and a torn leg. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the driver of the pickup. The scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but the primary cause remains the driver's failure to obey traffic signals. The scooter was demolished. The crash left blood pooling on the pavement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564194, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A BMW veered on Courtlandt and 3rd. An Apollo truck hit it head-on. Metal twisted. The BMW driver, unbelted, flew from his car. Blood pooled on the street. He lay conscious, leg torn. No one else was hurt. The night held its breath.

A crash unfolded at Courtlandt Avenue and 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, a BMW swerved while changing lanes. An Apollo multi-wheeled truck, driven by an unlicensed operator, struck the BMW head-on. The BMW driver, 41, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle, suffering severe lacerations to his leg. He remained conscious at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The police report lists no specific contributing factors beyond the unlicensed status of the Apollo truck driver and the lack of safety equipment for the BMW driver. The street was left scarred, metal twisted, and one man hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561946, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A diesel truck struck a 17-year-old boy on East 138th Street. The impact crushed his head. He died in the street. The truck kept moving. The night stayed silent. No one stopped. The city lost another child.

A 17-year-old pedestrian was killed on East 138th Street when a westbound diesel truck struck him after midnight. According to the police report, the boy was playing in the roadway when the truck hit him, causing fatal head injuries. The truck did not stop. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors are cited in the data. The victim died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The truck showed no damage. The crash left a teenager dead and a city street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561730, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped tore south on Willis Avenue. A woman pedaled north. They collided head-on. She flew from her bike, her leg pouring blood. The moped rider, unlicensed, hit the street. Both hurt. Speed killed the margin for error.

A moped and a bicycle crashed head-on at Willis Avenue and East 135th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the moped sped south while a 42-year-old woman rode her bike north. Both riders were ejected. The woman suffered severe bleeding from her leg. The moped rider, a 39-year-old man, was semiconscious with facial injuries. The report states both vehicles were traveling at unsafe speeds. The moped operator was unlicensed. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted after the driver errors. Unsafe speed by both parties is listed as the primary contributing factor. No blame is placed on the injured cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555747, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A parked Dodge SUV was hit on Grand Concourse. Inside, a 50-year-old man died. The street was empty. Police cite driver inexperience and distraction. The crash ended a life in the still dark. Metal, silence, impact. Nothing moved after.

A fatal crash occurred near 344 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. According to the police report, a parked Dodge SUV was struck. Inside, a 50-year-old man, belted in, was killed. The report states, “Inexperience and distraction drove the blow that ended him.” Police list 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The victim was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. No other injuries were reported. The street was empty at the time. The crash left the driver dead behind the wheel, the SUV’s left front bumper damaged, and the block silent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555456, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on an e-bike struck a parked SUV on East 149th Street. His face hit metal. Blood pooled on the pavement. He stayed conscious, torn and still. The SUV never moved. The street fell silent around him.

A 33-year-old man riding an e-bike collided with a parked SUV near 769 East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the e-bike rider hit the left rear bumper of the stationary vehicle. The rider suffered severe facial lacerations and was partially ejected from his bike but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, registered in New Jersey, was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, with no specific driver errors or helmet use cited. No injuries were reported for the SUV’s owner. The impact left the cyclist bloodied and the street quiet.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551275, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Yamaha motorcycle struck a turning dump truck on Willow Avenue. The unlicensed rider, helmetless, flew from the bike and burned. He died in the street. Sirens came too late. The truck’s left side bore the mark of impact.

A Yamaha motorcycle collided with the left side of a turning dump truck on Willow Avenue near East 138th Street in the Bronx. The 43-year-old motorcycle rider, who was unlicensed and wore no helmet, was ejected and killed. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The dump truck, driven by a licensed operator, was making a left turn when the motorcycle, traveling straight, struck its side. The rider suffered severe burns and died at the scene. The report notes the lack of a helmet only after citing the traffic control violation. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543289, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on a KTM motorcycle crashed on East 138th Street. He hit parked cars and a turning Mercedes. He was thrown from the bike. His body struck the street. He died there. Driver inattention and unsafe speed marked the crash.

A 30-year-old man riding a KTM motorcycle died on East 138th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, he struck parked cars and a Mercedes sedan making a left turn. The motorcyclist was unlicensed and wore no helmet. He was ejected and suffered fatal crush injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The crash involved multiple vehicles, but only the motorcyclist was killed. No other injuries were specified. The systemic dangers of speed and distraction on city streets remain clear in this fatal collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4535076, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilians can report violators. Each offense draws a $175 fine. The city pays whistleblowers a cut. The bill stalled. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 0501-2022 was introduced to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 2, 2022. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints to the department of transportation for hazardous obstruction violations,' aimed to create a new civil penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 1,320 feet of a school. The penalty: $175 per violation, enforced through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Civilians, except city employees, could file complaints and receive 25% of collected fines. The Department of Transportation would support this with a phased-in reporting program and annual public reports. Council Member Carlina Rivera led as primary sponsor, joined by over two dozen co-sponsors. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0501-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-06-02

A motorscooter crashed into a taxi’s rear on 2nd Avenue. The rider, helmetless, flew from the seat. His leg crushed. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stared at the sky, conscious. Traffic control ignored. Metal and flesh met hard city street.

A motorscooter struck the rear of a westbound taxi on 2nd Avenue near 110th Street. The 42-year-old motorscooter rider was ejected and suffered severe crush injuries to his leg. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was a contributing factor in the crash. The report also notes the rider wore no helmet, but this is listed only after the failure to obey traffic control. The impact left the rider conscious but bleeding on the pavement. The data shows both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the danger when drivers disregard traffic controls, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530188, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 0401-2022 would force the city to install speed humps on streets bordering parks over one acre. The measure targets reckless driving near green spaces. The transportation committee filed the bill at session’s end. No action taken.

Int 0401-2022 was introduced in the City Council on May 19, 2022, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by sixteen co-sponsors. The bill would have required the Department of Transportation to install speed humps on all roadways next to parks at least one acre in size, unless the DOT commissioner found installation unsafe or inconsistent with guidelines. The bill was filed without passage at the end of the session. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0401-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-05-19