No More Excuses: Demand Safe Streets Before Another Life Is Lost

A Toyota crashed into three parked cars on Adrian Avenue. The driver, seventy-five, bled from the head. He sat alone, conscious, surrounded by shattered glass and twisted metal. The street fell silent except for the echo of impact.

A 2002 Toyota sedan struck three parked vehicles on Adrian Avenue near West 225th Street in the Bronx. The seventy-five-year-old male driver suffered severe head lacerations and was found conscious and alone. According to the police report, 'A 2002 Toyota plowed into three parked cars. The driver, 75, sat bleeding from the head. Conscious. Alone. The front of his car crushed, the silence broken only by the sound of shattered glass.' No pedestrians or passengers were reported injured. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding, distraction, or failure to yield are detailed in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595363 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 31-year-old man was injured in the Bronx when an SUV making a U-turn struck him on the left side. The pedestrian was conscious with an elbow and lower arm injury. The crash occurred away from an intersection on West 231 Street.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 GMC SUV, traveling northwest, made a U-turn and struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection and suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, only noting the SUV's pre-crash action as making a U-turn. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of internal pain. No helmet or signaling factors were mentioned. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594050 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.

On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.

• City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

DOT moves to ban cars from Grand Army Plaza. Council members demand urgent fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists face danger daily. Crashes, injuries, broken sidewalks, and chaos define the space. The city promises swift action. Streets for people, not cars.

On November 10, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation proposed making Grand Army Plaza car-free and connecting it to Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill Avenues. The matter, described as 'NYC DOT proposal for car-free Grand Army Plaza and related street safety improvements,' is not a formal council bill but has drawn council attention. Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39) and Crystal Hudson pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to address the plaza’s 'endless traffic, poor sidewalk conditions, broken benches, and overflowing trash cans.' Hanif and Hudson demanded immediate safety upgrades after recent crashes injured pedestrians and cyclists. DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said, 'We want to take it to the next level... more consistent and better designed public spaces.' The agency is seeking public feedback and plans to draft detailed designs within the year. The proposal aims to end the status quo of danger and disrepair, prioritizing vulnerable road users over cars.

• Exclusive: DOT eyes Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza as NYC's next car-free space, gothamist.com, Published 2022-11-10

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Marble Hill Avenue in the Bronx. The 21-year-old bicyclist suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. Both vehicles were traveling north when the crash occurred.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Marble Hill Avenue in the Bronx. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was injured with internal complaints and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead northbound. The sedan struck the bicycle at the right front quarter panel, impacting the bike's center back end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash resulted in moderate injury severity to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Mayor Adams claimed victory on intersection safety, boasting 1,200 upgrades. But most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists saw missing data, empty promises, and little for cyclists or bus riders. Council Member Brewer vowed to dig deeper.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street to announce his administration surpassed its pledge to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The effort included leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and some street redesigns. Adams declared, "Promise made, promise kept," but activists and Transportation Alternatives criticized the lack of physical upgrades and transparency. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, promised to investigate the data issues. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez acknowledged ongoing fatalities but highlighted fewer pedestrian deaths and the launch of 24/7 speed cameras. Critics noted most Vision Zero priority intersections were untouched, and the city lags on protected bike and bus lane targets. The lack of detailed, user-friendly data clouds the true impact for vulnerable road users.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams claimed over 1,200 intersections got safety upgrades. Most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists say data is murky. Deadly crashes persist. City missed targets for protected bike and bus lanes. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference to announce his administration exceeded its promise to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The event, attended by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Gale Brewer, highlighted a major redesign at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street. The city claims upgrades like leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and raised crosswalks. But activists and Council Member Brewer questioned the data, noting most changes were minor signal tweaks, not physical redesigns. The Department of Transportation declined to release full details, making verification impossible. Adams said, "Promise made, promise kept." Rodriguez stressed the need for a culture shift and pointed to 24/7 speed cameras. But activists warn the city lags on protected bike and bus lane goals. Traffic deaths remain high. The lack of transparency leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-31

City officials claim 1,200 intersections now safer. Bottcher hails Eighth Avenue’s changes. DOT touts bike lanes, road diets, and pedestrian upgrades. But death and injury counts remain grim. Streets still threaten walkers, riders, and the vulnerable.

On October 30, 2022, the city announced it surpassed its goal, redesigning 1,200 intersections for safety. The effort, led by the Department of Transportation, included protected bike lanes, road diets, and pedestrian-first signals. Council Member Erik Bottcher, District 3, praised the Eighth Avenue redesign, saying, 'We’ve got room for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. It’s a much more pleasant corridor.' The announcement followed a year with 187 deaths and over 37,000 injuries by September 30. Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez called for a shift away from car dominance, pushing for a safer, more inclusive city. Despite progress, the toll on vulnerable road users remains high. The city’s promise: more redesigns, but the danger persists.

• Safer crossings: NYC has redesigned 1,200 intersections this year, Adams says, amny.com, Published 2022-10-30

Paseo Park on 34th Avenue turned a deadly street into a safe haven. In two years, no one has died. Injuries to walkers and cyclists have plunged. The city eyes making it permanent. Council Member Moya blocks expansion. The numbers speak: lives saved.

This report covers the transformation of 34th Avenue into Paseo Park, an open street project in Queens. The project, now two years old as of October 25, 2022, has slashed traffic deaths and injuries. The matter summary states: 'the street has become much safer for all users as it has created dignified public space for all residents.' Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez led the ribbon-cutting. City officials are moving to make the changes permanent. In the last two years, there have been zero traffic deaths on 34th Avenue and a 43 percent drop in crashes in the surrounding area. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries have dropped by half, even as usage soared. Council Member Francisco Moya has not supported expanding Paseo Park into his district, leaving the project stalled at the border. The data show: open streets save lives, cut injuries, and give neighborhoods space to breathe.

• NUMBER CRUNCH: ‘Paseo Park’ is Already a Success Story, Defying Screaming Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

City report shows business boomed on car-free streets. DOT chief Rodriguez hails Open Streets as the city’s future. Council Speaker Adams pushes back on curbside dining. Mayor vows to make outdoor dining permanent. Economic gains clear. Streets still contested ground.

On October 25, 2022, city officials released a report on the Open Streets program’s economic impact. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, worked with Bloomberg Associates and NYC Finance to analyze business growth. The report states, 'business is booming along streets converted to outdoor dining strips or car-free open streets.' Rodriguez supports curbside dining, declaring, 'the future of New York City is going car free.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams disagrees, saying outdoor dining should stay on the sidewalk. Mayor Adams promises to keep the program as a 'critical driver of recovery.' The report found more business growth on open streets than on similar corridors, with gains in Astoria, Prospect Heights, and Chinatown. The council remains divided on the program’s permanent form.

• City’s ‘Open Streets’ Program Sparked Economic Growth During Pandemic, New Report Shows, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

On Halloween, the city will ban cars from 100 streets. Kids will walk free. No engines, no rush, no threat. The move follows a 42% drop in pedestrian injuries on 34th Avenue. Officials say car-free streets mean fewer dead children.

On October 24, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a major expansion of car-free streets for Halloween. The initiative, called 'Trick-or-Streets,' will close 100 streets—across all boroughs except Staten Island—from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The DOT will extend hours on 40 existing open streets and keep another 60 car-free through the evening, partnering with the Street Activity Permit Office for more pedestrian zones. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'I am incredibly excited to build on the triumph of our thriving Open Streets program ... this Halloween, providing greater access to safer, shared community spaces.' Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Council Member Shekar Krishnan backed the move, stressing the deadly risk cars pose to children. DOT data shows a 42% drop in pedestrian injury crashes on 34th Avenue since it went car-free. The city cites national spikes in child pedestrian deaths on Halloween. The message is clear: car-free streets save lives.

• NO TRICK, ALL TREAT: City to Ban Cars on Some Streets for Halloween, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-24

DOT refused a protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. Cyclists face danger. The city law demands protection. DOT chose traffic flow over safety. Advocates and officials condemned the move. Illegally parked cars block the shared lane. Cyclists remain exposed.

On October 20, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would not install a temporary protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during major construction, despite Local Law 124 requiring such measures when bike lanes are blocked. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who once supported the law as a council member, now claims a protected lane would worsen traffic and turning conflicts. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Alexa Aviles criticized the decision, with Reynoso stating, 'protected bike lanes are essential,' and Aviles urging the city to 'install an alternative, fully protected bike lane where the road can accommodate one.' Advocates argue the shared lane is unsafe and often blocked by cars. The DOT’s move prioritizes vehicle flow over cyclist safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• SAFETY LAST: DOT Admits To Intentionally Endangering Cyclists on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

City Council pushed back the greenway master plan deadline. The plan now lands December 2024, not July 2023. The delay matches a $7.25-million federal grant. Advocates want more greenways, but warn: current paths are broken, dangerous, and neglected.

Bill to create a New York City greenway master plan passed the City Council Transportation Committee on October 19, 2022. The deadline moved from July 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024, after talks with the Adams administration. The bill summary reads: 'A bill that requires a multi-agency effort to create a greenway master plan for New York City unanimously passed the City Council Transportation Committee on Thursday, but there's a catch: the actual master plan won't be revealed until the end of 2024.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez supported the delay to align with a $7.25-million federal RAISE grant. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the funding will help 'prioritize active transportation projects that will reconnect historically disenfranchised communities.' Advocates, including Steve Vaccaro, blasted the poor state of current greenways, calling them dangerous and costly. Despite the delay and maintenance failures, the bill's passage signals hope for safer, expanded routes.

• Greenway Master Plan Bill Now Has a Later Deadline For Creation of Said Master Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-19

A truck driver killed Kala Santiago on a no-truck route. He passed too close, failed to yield, and faced no charges. The city lacks a three-foot passing law. A 2019 bill to fix this died in committee. Cyclists remain exposed. Justice denied.

In 2019, then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez introduced a bill requiring drivers to keep a minimum three-foot distance when overtaking cyclists. The bill, supported by NYPD and DOT, never reached a vote before Rodriguez’s term ended and has not been reassigned. The bill summary states it 'would require drivers of motor vehicles to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking a bicycle.' Rodriguez sponsored the bill. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig and Steve Vaccaro criticized the lack of enforcement and the absence of a defined safe passing law, noting that most of the country already has such protections. Flanzig called the law essential to prevent tragedies like the death of Kala Santiago, who was killed by a truck driver on Parkside Avenue. Without this law, cyclists remain at risk, and drivers rarely face consequences.

• No Charges for Truck Driver Who Killed Cyclist Despite Being on a No-Truck Route and Failing to Yield, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-14

Officials cut the ribbon on a fortified, two-way bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. The old, chaotic street saw 29 cyclist injuries and one death. Councilmember Restler pushed for this change.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting for the new protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn's District 33. The overhaul converted the street to one-way eastbound and installed a two-way, parking-protected bike lane. The matter summary reads: 'DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane.' Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who championed the redesign, attended the event and called it 'a great friggin day for Brooklyn.' The old lanes were unprotected and blocked by double-parked cars, forcing cyclists into traffic. Since 2012, 29 cyclists have been injured and one killed along this stretch. The new design separates cyclists from vehicles, aiming to end the danger that plagued this busy corridor.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

City officials cut the ribbon on a new two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. Councilmember Lincoln Restler pushed for the overhaul after years of crashes and blocked lanes. Safety comes first.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation opened a fortified, two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn’s District 33. The project, championed by Councilmember Lincoln Restler, followed years of complaints about blocked, unprotected lanes and frequent crashes. The matter, described as a 'complete transformation of the look and feel of the corridor,' converted Schermerhorn from a chaotic two-way street to a one-way with parking-protected bike lanes. Restler, who once failed to ride the stretch without leaving the lane due to illegal parking, called the redesign 'real safety in downtown Brooklyn.' DOT data shows 29 cyclists injured and one killed on this stretch since 2012. The overhaul separates cyclists from moving vehicles, reducing risk for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable road users.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

A tractor-trailer killed Kala Santiago, 25, on Parkside Avenue near Prospect Park. Councilmember Rita Joseph demanded safer streets. Parkside is not a truck route. The street has seen dozens of injuries. Advocates want protected bike lanes. Lives hang in the balance.

On October 12, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40) responded to the death of cyclist Kala Santiago, struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Parkside Avenue, Brooklyn. Joseph, in a joint statement with Transportation Alternatives, said, "The tragic death of yet another cyclist in our city, this time in my own neighborhood, shows how far we need to come to address traffic violence." Joseph called for urgent action to make streets safer. Parkside Avenue, not a designated truck route, has seen 161 injuries in five years, including 28 cyclists and 25 pedestrians. Advocates, including Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives, demanded the city fast-track protected bike lanes, warning, "Lives are on the line." The city has completed eight miles of protected lanes this year, with a goal of 20 by January. The push for protected infrastructure follows a spike in traffic deaths and ongoing danger for vulnerable road users.

• Cyclist killed in Brooklyn crash near Prospect Park, gothamist.com, Published 2022-10-12

A 43-year-old man driving an SUV rear-ended a stopped sedan on West 230 Street in the Bronx. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely as causes. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West 230 Street in the Bronx when a 43-year-old male driver operating a 2014 Chevrolet SUV rear-ended a stopped 1997 Mercedes sedan. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and following too closely as contributing factors. The SUV struck the left rear bumper of the sedan, which was stopped in traffic. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound. The SUV driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The sedan was occupied by four people, but no injuries to them are reported. The crash highlights driver errors leading to rear-end collisions in congested traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Council Member Gale Brewer challenges DOT’s street safety boasts. She questions claims of 750 redesigned intersections. Public data shows far less. Most fixes are signal timing, not real protection. Advocates want proof, not promises. Road deaths remain high. Brewer vows investigation.

On October 5, 2022, Council Member Gale Brewer, chair of the Council's oversight committee, announced plans to investigate the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) street safety claims. Brewer questioned DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez’s assertion that 750 of 1,000 intersections were redesigned, citing public data showing fewer than 400. Brewer said, “I love the idea of using her committee's investigatory power to explore whether the Adams administration has indeed redesigned 750 of the promised 1,000 intersections... or whether it done fewer than that, as the agency's own public data shows.” She confirmed her intent to use committee investigators and hold an oversight hearing. The matter, titled “City Council oversight inquiry into DOT street safety implementation and data transparency,” highlights DOT’s lack of documentation and reliance on signal retiming over physical improvements. Advocates and Brewer demand full transparency and real progress. Road deaths remain high, and the city lags on legal mandates for bus and bike lanes.

• CM Brewer: ‘I’ll Hold DOT Accountable on Promises and Data’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05

Council Member Alexa Avilés pushes new rules for last-mile trucking. Trucks choke Red Hook and Sunset Park. Narrow streets shake. Residents breathe fumes. The bill demands safer, smarter routes. Data and daylighting aim to protect people, not just freight.

On September 30, 2022, Council Member Alexa Avilés (District 38) introduced a package of bills targeting last-mile trucking regulation. The measures, revived in committee, seek to redesign truck routes and gather data on facilities run by Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. The matter aims to 'reduce congestion and emissions, improve safety and increase visibility,' especially in overburdened neighborhoods like Red Hook and Sunset Park. Avilés, the lead sponsor, calls for systematic changes: 'We really need to look systematically at more improved routes to ensure people are safe.' The bills would require the Department of Transportation to daylight intersections and the Department of Environmental Protection to install air monitors on heavy-use roads. Councilwoman Jennifer Gutiérrez sponsors a related bill for public truck-route data. The legislation draws support from industry and advocates, all seeking safer streets and cleaner air for vulnerable New Yorkers.

• Trio of council bills seeks to regulate last-mile trucking routes, crainsnewyork.com, Published 2022-09-30