No One Spared: Crotona Park East Bleeds While Leaders Dither

Aug 2 - A 40-year-old man on a bike was ejected and burned after a sedan struck him on Westchester Avenue. The sedan showed no damage. The cyclist suffered hip and leg injuries. Streets remain dangerous for the unprotected.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. Both vehicles were traveling westbound. The 40-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering moderate burns and injuries to his hip and upper leg. The sedan, with one occupant, showed no damage and was going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The bike's point of impact was the center back end. The report lists no explicit driver errors or contributing factors for the sedan. The bicyclist's contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified.' The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this is mentioned only after the vehicle dynamics and driver actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746290 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Two sedans slammed together on Sheridan Boulevard. Both drivers suffered head wounds and shock. Police cite ignored signals and a bad turn. Metal twisted. Streets stained. System failed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 1:30 AM on Sheridan Boulevard near Jennings Street in the Bronx. A 23-year-old man driving a 2014 Infiniti made a U-turn. A 19-year-old woman in a 2014 Acura drove straight south. Both drivers suffered head injuries and shock. Both wore lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Damage struck the Infiniti's right side doors and the Acura's front end. Driver errors in maneuvering and obeying signals led to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. Aging trains, tracks, and tunnels wait for repairs. Riders and advocates demand action. Uncertainty grows as leaders debate how to fund essential transit upgrades. Vulnerable users remain at risk.

This report covers the MTA capital plan funding debate as of July 30, 2024. The MTA’s 2025-29 capital program, discussed at the Capital Program Committee meeting, remains unfunded after Governor Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The matter centers on the need for new rail cars, power stations, and repairs to tracks and tunnels. MTA President of Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer stressed, 'We need to achieve 100 percent state-of-good-repair.' State Senator Jeremy Cooney challenged the governor to restore funding or implement congestion pricing within 100 days. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein urged, 'Gov. Hochul must start congestion pricing now to rebuild trust.' The MTA is $15 billion short on its 2020-24 plan, with no clear path forward. Transit advocates warn that underfunding public transit puts riders—especially those on foot or bike—at continued risk.

• Trains, Tracks and Tunnels Top MTA Needs For Next Capital Plan As Current Plan Languishes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-30

Jul 10 - Council members and developers vow to build up to 200 parking spaces per project near new Bronx Metro-North stations. Despite no city parking mandates, car storage dominates debate. Transit access takes a back seat. Vulnerable road users face more cars, more risk.

On July 10, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on proposed rezonings around new Metro-North stations in the Bronx. The matter, titled 'Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council,' focused on whether to require parking in new residential and commercial projects. Council Members Amanda Faris, Kevin C. Riley, Rafael Salamanca, and Kristy Marmorato all pressed for developers to include parking, despite the city's move to waive mandates. Riley called parking 'a huge issue.' Developers, including Baker Development, promised up to 200 spaces per project. Bronx City Planning Director Paul Philips said, 'We certainly expect developers to provide parking.' The debate ignored the danger more parking brings: more cars, more conflict, more risk for people walking and biking. No safety analyst weighed in, but the outcome is clear—transit-oriented in name, car-centric in practice.

• Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-10

Jul 8 - A 19-year-old woman was injured after stepping out from behind a parked vehicle on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. The SUV, traveling north and slowing, struck her with its front center. The pedestrian suffered shock and unknown injuries.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx after emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle. The crash occurred around 4:00 PM. The involved vehicle was a 2013 Buick SUV traveling north, which was slowing or stopping at the time. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV. The pedestrian was placed in shock with unknown bodily injuries. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No visible injuries were reported at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when struck. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Council grilled delivery apps on June 21. Seven bills target reckless e-bike riding, battery fires, and low pay. Lawmakers want apps to answer for worker traffic violations and vehicle safety. Pedestrians and cyclists face daily danger. Councilmember Schulman called for accountability.

On June 21, 2024, the NYC Council's Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection held a hearing on seven bills regulating delivery apps. The bills aim to address 'myriad health and safety concerns' from e-bike crashes, battery fires, and low pay. Councilmember Lynn Schulman, District 29, spoke out: 'Right now, delivery workers are essentially incentivized for speed... This often results in driving recklessly, often putting the lives of pedestrians at risk.' Three bills would make apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash responsible for vehicle safety and compliance, require them to provide safety-compliant e-bikes, and ensure mopeds are registered. Other bills target pay transparency and tip protections. Councilmembers Shaun Abreu and Rafael Salamanca also spoke in support. The measures seek to hold companies accountable for dangers faced by vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• Delivery apps in NYC could be held responsible for workers following traffic laws, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-21

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 5 - A 16-year-old boy was struck by a sedan while crossing with the signal in the Bronx. The driver, traveling north on Boston Road, was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian suffered upper arm injuries and shock from the impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Boston Road in the Bronx struck a 16-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver’s contributing factor was listed as "Driver Inattention/Distraction," indicating a failure to maintain focus on the road. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end, causing injuries to the pedestrian's shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The pedestrian was reported to be in shock and suffered contusions and bruises. The report explicitly cites driver inattention as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 31 - A 15-year-old girl suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation after an SUV struck her at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, traveling straight ahead, hit her center front end. The victim remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard and East 172 Street at 17:40. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a Station Wagon/SUV traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained no damage. The victim suffered a fracture and dislocation to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors, but the collision occurred despite the pedestrian crossing lawfully with the signal. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The incident highlights a failure in vehicle operation or awareness at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730588 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 30 - Council and mayor strike deal to rein in last-mile warehouses. Delivery vans choke streets. Residents breathe fumes. Councilmember Alexa Avilés and others demand rules. New permits, pollution checks, and safety reviews loom. City promises action. Advocates vow to watch.

On May 30, 2024, the New York City Council and Mayor Adams' administration agreed to pursue regulation of last-mile delivery warehouses. The deal emerged during negotiations over the 'City of Yes for Economic Opportunity' zoning plan, which the Council approved. The matter summary notes, 'the administration has pledged to support future legislation to cut pollution from these warehouses and propose rules to restrict new facilities.' Councilmember Alexa Avilés (District 38) and 28 colleagues sent a letter demanding stricter oversight. Avilés and advocates want special permits and environmental reviews to protect neighborhoods from traffic, pollution, and safety hazards. Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer promised a bill empowering the Department of Environmental Protection to regulate warehouse vehicle emissions. Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr. stressed the Council’s leverage: 'It gets to a point where you have to use your power of voting to get the attention of the city.' The City Planning Commission and Council must vote again before rules take effect. Advocates and councilmembers will monitor the administration’s follow-through.

• NYC's 'last-mile' delivery warehouses face a potential reckoning with regulation, gothamist.com, Published 2024-05-30

May 28 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

May 17 - An e-bike rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm after a lane change collision on Boone Avenue in the Bronx. The impact struck the cyclist’s center back end, causing injury without ejection. Driver errors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:19 on Boone Avenue in the Bronx. The injured party was a 21-year-old male bicyclist operating an e-bike traveling west. The report states the e-bike was changing lanes when the collision happened, with the point of impact at the cyclist’s center back end. The cyclist sustained abrasions to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of victim fault or helmet use. The other involved vehicle’s details are incomplete, but the collision’s cause centers on the e-bike’s lane change maneuver. The cyclist was not ejected and was the sole occupant of the e-bike. This incident highlights the dangers posed by lane changes involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - A Ford sedan sat parked on Southern Boulevard. Impact caved its right front bumper. Inside, a driver took a blow to the chest. His passenger’s shoulder pinned. Both conscious. Both belted. Metal pressed flesh. The street swallowed their calm.

At 1490 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, a parked Ford sedan suffered severe damage to its right front bumper, according to the police report. Two occupants were inside: a 57-year-old male driver and a 50-year-old female passenger. Both were wearing seat belts and remained conscious after the crash. The police report states the driver sustained chest injuries while the passenger was trapped by her shoulder, both suffering crush injuries. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident, with the impact focused on the right front bumper. The report lists contributing factors as 'unspecified' and does not cite any driver errors or external causes. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The event underscores the vulnerability of vehicle occupants even when parked, as metal and force converge without warning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18