Parking Over People: Riverdale’s Streets Run Red

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 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

Feb 29 - Council Members Marte and Dinowitz push for covered bike parking in parks and city buildings. The bill demands weather-proof shelters and storage, aiming to meet the city’s cycling surge. Lawmakers want fewer cars, more bikes, and safer streets for all.

On February 29, 2024, Council Member Chris Marte introduced a bill in the New York City Council requiring covered bike parking in parks and city-owned buildings. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, is under committee review. The legislation states, 'the city would have to install between one and five weather-proof enclosures with six to eight spaces apiece, depending on the size of the park.' Parks over 2.5 acres must have at least one shelter; parks over 250 acres need five. City buildings over 10,000 square feet, including public schools, must provide bike storage for workers and visitors. Marte said, 'If we want to get off the reliance of people commuting by car, we have to offer them alternative ways to get there.' The Parks Department and city agencies must report on implementation or explain impracticality. This bill targets safer, more accessible bike infrastructure for New Yorkers.

• Pols Want Covered Bike Parking at Parks, City Buildings, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-29

Feb 16 - A 41-year-old woman suffered elbow and arm injuries after a sedan struck her at a marked crosswalk on West 254 Street. The driver, making a left turn, failed to notice the pedestrian due to inattention, causing a collision that left the victim in shock.

According to the police report, a male driver operating a 2010 Honda sedan was making a left turn on West 254 Street at 6:52 AM when he struck a 41-year-old female pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. No damage was reported to the vehicle, and the driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian's crossing behavior was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in pedestrian-heavy areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 25 - Albany weighs bills A5259 and S2812 to keep and expand red-light cameras past December. Assembly Member Dinowitz and Senator Gounardes push for more cameras. DOT data shows fewer violations and crashes. Advocates demand action. The cap leaves neighborhoods exposed. Lives hang in the balance.

Bills A5259 and S2812 face debate in the New York State legislature. If lawmakers fail to act, the city’s red-light cameras—now capped at 150 intersections—will shut off December 1, 2024. The matter, described as 'reauthorize and expand the city's red-light camera program,' is championed by Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and Senate co-sponsor Andrew Gounardes. Dinowitz, the sponsor, urges expansion, stating, 'We should have red-light cameras on every intersection.' Gounardes expects a review and expansion. DOT data backs them: violations and rear-end crashes have dropped at camera sites. Residents like Amy Bettys call the cap dangerous. Advocacy groups support the bills, though they are not a top priority. Dinowitz stresses automated enforcement is vital with limited police. The bills await committee action. Vulnerable road users face risk if the program lapses.

• Better Red Than Dead: Albany Takes Up Camera Reauthorization, Expansion, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-25

Jan 4 - A 62-year-old woman crossing Cambridge Avenue with the signal was struck by a northbound convertible making a left turn. She suffered upper arm contusions and bruises. The driver’s left front bumper made impact without reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cambridge Avenue near West 235 Street in the Bronx at 18:47. A 62-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was hit by a convertible traveling northbound that was making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained upper arm contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors, but the driver’s action of making a left turn into a crossing pedestrian indicates a failure to yield right of way. No pedestrian errors or helmet use were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693567 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 17 - A 16-year-old on an e-bike hit a turning sedan on Riverdale Avenue. He flew from the bike. Landed hard. Unconscious. Crushed. Speed tore control from his hands. The street fell silent. The city marked another wound.

A 16-year-old riding a Solar e-bike was severely injured after colliding with a Toyota sedan making a left turn at Riverdale Avenue and West 256th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was a contributing factor in the crash. The teen was ejected from his e-bike, landed hard, and was found unconscious with crush injuries to his entire body. The sedan was turning left when the crash occurred. The report lists no errors for the sedan driver. The only contributing factor named is unsafe speed. No mention is made of helmet use or signals in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 16 - A 26-year-old woman driving a sedan southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway suffered full-body injuries. The vehicle struck an object head-on. She was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. The driver reported pain and nausea and was in shock.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on Henry Hudson Parkway. She was driving a 2010 Nissan sedan southbound when the vehicle sustained center front end damage from a collision. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. She complained of pain and nausea and was in shock. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash resulted in injury severity level 3, indicating serious injury to the driver’s entire body.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 26 - A 56-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected after striking debris on Henry Hudson Parkway. The crash caused abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The road was slippery, worsening the impact. The rider was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male motorcyclist traveling south on Henry Hudson Parkway was injured after his motorcycle struck an obstruction or debris on the road. The contributing factors listed include 'Obstruction/Debris' and 'Pavement Slippery.' The rider was ejected from the motorcycle, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcycle sustained damage to the left front quarter panel. The driver was wearing a helmet and was conscious after the crash. The report highlights the presence of road hazards and slippery pavement as key causes, with no mention of driver error beyond these conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 48-year-old male motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a crash on Henry Hudson Parkway. The impact hit the left front quarter panel. The driver was conscious and not ejected. Distraction and inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash on Henry Hudson Parkway. The motorcycle, traveling south, struck an object or vehicle on its left front quarter panel. The driver sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as primary contributing factors, along with driver inexperience. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The crash caused damage to the motorcycle's left front quarter panel. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved according to the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - A 54-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash after his SUV crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway. The vehicle’s front end took the impact. Slippery pavement contributed. The driver was trapped but conscious, restrained by lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male driver in a 2021 RAMB SUV crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway at 9:52 p.m. The vehicle struck an object or another vehicle with its center front end. The driver was trapped inside but conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. He sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report lists slippery pavement as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The crash caused moderate injury severity. The driver’s licensed status and travel direction southbound were recorded. No other occupants or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661182 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 2 - A motorcycle struck a sedan making a right turn on West 254 Street in the Bronx. The 19-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and leg injuries. Unsafe speed was a factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south on West 254 Street collided with a sedan making a right turn northbound. The motorcycle driver, a 19-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver with two occupants, sustained damage to its left front bumper. The motorcycle's center front end was damaged. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658897 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 7 - A 31-year-old male SUV driver struck two parked buses on Riverdale Avenue in the Bronx. The impact injured his head, leaving him semiconscious with a concussion. Both buses suffered front and rear damage. The driver was restrained but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male driver in a 2023 Kia SUV traveling south on Riverdale Avenue collided with two parked buses facing north. The SUV hit the front of one bus and the rear of another. The driver sustained a head injury and was semiconscious with a concussion. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any failure to yield or other driver errors explicitly. The buses were stationary before the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved or injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654286 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A motorcycle collided with a moped on Broadway in the Bronx. The motorcycle driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south on Broadway collided with a moped also heading south but slowing or stopping. The motorcycle driver, a 42-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The motorcycle sustained damage to its left front bumper, while the moped's right front bumper was damaged. The motorcycle driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - Two sedans slammed into each other on Broadway. The impact tore into the left sides. Two women in the back seats suffered neck and internal injuries. Both stayed conscious. No ejections. Both drivers licensed. No cause listed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Broadway at 10:22 p.m. The crash struck the left rear quarter panel of one car and the left front bumper of the other. Two female passengers, aged 41 and 82, suffered neck and internal injuries. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight ahead. No one was ejected. The police report does not specify a cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - A 54-year-old man driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a rear-end crash on West 263 Street in the Bronx. The SUV behind him followed too closely and struck the sedan’s rear. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West 263 Street in the Bronx when an SUV traveling south rear-ended a sedan stopped in traffic. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The impact damaged the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. No other factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Two sedans crashed on West 238 Street. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The impact hit the left front quarter panel of one car and the right side doors of the other. Traffic control was disregarded, causing the collision.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on West 238 Street near Riverdale Avenue. The driver of one vehicle, a 51-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash involved impact to the left front quarter panel of one sedan and the right side doors of the other. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and traveling eastbound. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640772 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A 36-year-old woman driving an SUV on West 260 Street in the Bronx suffered a back injury. The vehicle struck an unspecified object or vehicle with its left front bumper. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on West 260 Street near Broadway in the Bronx. She was driving a 2019 SUV southbound when the left front bumper of her vehicle impacted an unspecified object or vehicle. The driver sustained internal back injuries but was conscious and not ejected. She was wearing a lap belt. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The crash caused damage to the left front bumper of the SUV. No other persons or pedestrians were reported injured or involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06