No More Excuses: Fordham Heights Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Apr 26 - A 44-year-old male driver suffered elbow and arm abrasions after his SUV struck two parked SUVs on Webster Avenue. The crash involved alcohol and other vehicular factors, leaving the driver trapped but conscious amid overturned vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:34 AM on Webster Avenue when a 44-year-old male driver operating a 2016 Honda SUV traveling east struck two parked SUVs. The report cites alcohol involvement and other vehicular contributing factors as causes of the collision. The driver was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand and was trapped in the vehicle but remained conscious. The impact points included the left front bumper of the moving SUV and the left front bumper and center front end of the parked vehicles. The 2016 SUV overturned during the crash. Driver errors related to alcohol impairment and unspecified vehicular factors led to the collision. The report does not attribute fault to any victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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

Apr 16 - A 56-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a bus making a left turn on Jerome Avenue. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and incoherence. The bus driver disregarded traffic control, with limited view contributing to the crash.

According to the police report, a bus traveling southwest on Jerome Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near West Fordham Road. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was incoherent at the scene, with minor bleeding reported. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the bus driver failed to obey traffic signals. Additionally, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was noted as a secondary factor, suggesting the driver's visibility was impaired. The bus sustained no damage, and no driver license information was provided. The pedestrian was not assigned any contributing fault. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls and limited visibility in busy Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 13 - A BMW tore through the red at Jerome and Fordham. Steel met steel. Two men, 23 and 21, crushed inside. Alcohol in their veins. No belts. The crash was instant. Death was certain. The street swallowed their breath.

According to the police report, a BMW SUV traveling north on Jerome Avenue at East Fordham Road disregarded a traffic control device and collided at speed with another SUV. The report states, 'A BMW ran the light at speed. No belts. No breath. Two young men, 23 and 21, crushed inside. Booze in blood.' Both occupants of the BMW were killed, suffering fatal crush injuries. The driver’s actions—specifically 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed'—are cited as primary contributing factors. Alcohol involvement is also listed as a contributing factor for both the driver and the passenger. The data does not indicate any contributing behavior by the victims beyond the lack of safety equipment, which is noted only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers ignore signals and drive impaired.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 11 - Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 5 - A 9-year-old girl on a motorscooter was struck and bruised when a northbound driver ignored traffic control and failed to yield on East 183 Street. She suffered leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a crash took place at 21:21 on East 183 Street near Grand Concourse in the Bronx. A northbound vehicle, going straight, hit the left side of a westbound motorscooter carrying two people. The 9-year-old female passenger, seated at the rear, suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. No safety equipment was noted for the passenger. The collision left her bruised but conscious. Driver failure to yield and ignoring traffic controls led directly to her injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 3 - A 49-year-old man was struck at an intersection on East 183 Street while crossing with the signal. The impact to the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot caused abrasions. The vehicle hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on East 183 Street at 4:10 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its left front bumper, causing injuries to the pedestrian’s knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions or safety equipment. No driver errors or contributing factors were explicitly cited in the data, but the collision occurred despite the pedestrian crossing legally with the signal, highlighting the dangers posed by vehicle movements at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 16 - A 35-year-old man was struck while crossing Grand Concourse outside a crosswalk. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious but injured in a collision with an unspecified vehicle at night.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male pedestrian was injured at 8:51 p.m. on Grand Concourse near East 183 Street in the Bronx. The pedestrian was crossing outside of a crosswalk or signal when the collision occurred. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and no contributing driver errors or factors were listed in the report. The pedestrian’s crossing outside a designated crosswalk is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The report focuses on the collision circumstances and resulting injuries without attributing fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 14 - Assembly bill A 9415 orders $90 million for faster, more reliable buses and fare-free rides. Sponsors demand the MTA report every dollar. Streets could shift. Riders wait.

Assembly bill A 9415, introduced March 14, 2024, sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Enacts the get congestion pricing right act,' directs the MTA to spend $45 million to improve bus frequency and reliability, and another $45 million to expand fare-free bus pilots in New York City. Sponsors Zohran Mamdani (36), Yudelka Tapia (86), Jo Anne Simon (52), and Alex Bores (73) back the move. The bill requires the MTA to report on these investments. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File A 9415, Open States, Published 2024-03-14

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 7 - Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 6 - A moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with a sedan on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The moped was parked before impact. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:07 on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. A 41-year-old male moped driver was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The moped was parked prior to the collision, which involved a sedan traveling northbound. Both vehicles impacted center front ends, causing damage. The moped driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable moped riders in vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709700 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 28 - Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council eyes bigger NYPD tow pounds. Bill demands enough space to haul away law-breaking cars. Public reports would track towing. Committee shelves action. Streets wait.

Int 0179-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, would require the NYPD to run tow pounds with enough capacity to deter illegal driving. The bill, introduced February 28, 2024, and discussed again on April 28, 2025, reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department tow pound capacity.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks led as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Farías, Narcisse, Restler, Hudson, Louis, and Holden. The bill also calls for public reports on towing operations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0179-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. Cyclists need steel and concrete, not paint. The bill sits in committee. Streets could change. Lives hang in the balance.

Int 0271-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Rivera, Louis, Hanif, Ossé, Brewer, Cabán, Nurse, Hudson, Salaam, Bottcher, Gutiérrez, Feliz, Won, and Joseph. The bill demands the Department of Transportation install 100 miles of protected bike lanes per year for six years. The aim: real protection for cyclists and a safer city grid.

• File Int 0271-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28