Blood on Seward Avenue: No One Safe, No One Speaking Up

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

An 18-year-old e-scooter rider bled onto Lafayette Avenue. The street did not yield. He stayed conscious, his face torn open. The pavement, unmoving, marked his southbound path with blood.

An 18-year-old male riding an e-scooter southbound on Lafayette Avenue near White Plains Road in the Bronx sustained a severe facial injury, according to the police report. The report states the rider was not wearing a helmet and was traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The narrative describes, 'Blood ran from his face. He stayed awake. The pavement did not move.' Police classified the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or persons were involved, and there is no indication of driver error by another party. The report notes the rider's lack of helmet use, but lists this detail only after describing the incident and does not attribute it as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the physical consequences and the environment, with no blame assigned to the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling south rear-ended a stopped vehicle on Soundview Avenue in the Bronx. The front passenger of the stopped car suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Unsafe speed by the striking driver caused the collision, highlighting driver error and risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Soundview Avenue in the Bronx at 3:15 AM. A sedan registered in New York was traveling south and struck the center back end of a stopped sedan registered in New Jersey. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the collision. The impact caused injuries to the front passenger of the stopped vehicle, a 31-year-old male who suffered neck injuries and whiplash, and was wearing a lap belt at the time. The passenger was not ejected but experienced shock. The striking vehicle was moving straight ahead, while the struck vehicle was stopped in traffic. This crash underscores the dangers posed by drivers failing to adjust speed appropriately, resulting in rear-end collisions and serious injuries to vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn struck a 13-year-old e-scooter rider traveling straight on Seward Avenue in the Bronx. The unlicensed e-scooter driver suffered chest injuries and abrasions. The sedan’s right rear quarter panel was damaged in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:50 on Seward Avenue in the Bronx. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling northwest, was making a left turn when it struck the e-scooter rider, a 13-year-old boy traveling south. The point of impact was the sedan’s right rear quarter panel and the e-scooter’s center front end. The e-scooter driver was injured with chest abrasions and remained conscious. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash, but the sedan’s left turn maneuver directly preceded the impact. The e-scooter driver was unlicensed, though this is not cited as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable riders traveling straight through intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her at a Bronx intersection late at night. The driver was making a left turn when the impact occurred. The pedestrian was left in shock, complaining of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Pugsley Avenue and Story Avenue in the Bronx around 11:40 p.m. The pedestrian was located at the intersection when a 2015 Jeep sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield, but the collision occurred during the driver's left turn maneuver. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The pedestrian's actions are listed as unknown, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck a 41-year-old man on Bruckner Expressway. The impact threw him unconscious with a severe head injury. The crash happened outside an intersection. No driver errors listed in the report.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a 2015 Chrysler SUV traveling east on Bruckner Expressway at 3:56 a.m. The SUV struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was in the roadway, not at an intersection, performing unspecified actions. He suffered a serious head injury and was found unconscious. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors. The driver was licensed in New York and had two occupants in the vehicle. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turns left on Pugsley Avenue. Its bumper slams a young woman’s neck as she crosses with the light. Blood pools on the dark street. The driver looked away. The car is untouched. The woman is not.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Pugsley Avenue near Seward Avenue struck a 24-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states she suffered a neck injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. Police attribute the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, licensed and operating a 2015 Honda sedan, looked away during the turn, according to the narrative. The vehicle sustained no damage. The woman’s action—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the driver’s errors are cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the persistent danger left-turning vehicles pose to pedestrians in city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a motorcycle on Story Avenue. The rider flew from the bike. He landed hard. His leg and foot took the blow. The night air was quiet. The street was not.

According to the police report, a sedan and a motorcycle collided at 22:48 on Story Avenue in the Bronx. The sedan hit the motorcycle's center front end. The 37-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. Both vehicles were traveling straight before the crash. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were listed. The report cites unspecified contributing factors. The impact left the motorcycle rider seriously hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763760 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two unlicensed riders collided head-on on Story Avenue. One, sixty-five, bled from the face, helmeted and half-thrown. Distraction ruled the street. Center-front impacts left scars and pain. The Bronx pavement bore witness to inattention’s cost.

According to the police report, two unlicensed men—one operating an e-bike, the other an e-scooter—collided head-on near 1755 Story Avenue in the Bronx. Both vehicles struck center-front. The report states, 'Distraction guided them,' and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both operators. One rider, age 65, suffered severe facial bleeding and was partially ejected from his vehicle, though he wore a helmet. The report also notes 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for this injured rider. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. The data highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted operation and improper lane use, especially when riders are unlicensed. The crash left both machines and bodies marked by the consequences of inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

A distracted driver struck a 44-year-old cyclist on White Plains Road. The man was ejected, suffering head abrasions. The crash left the bike undamaged. The street became a danger zone for the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured during a crash on White Plains Road at 8:25 p.m. The cyclist, heading south, was going straight when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The bicyclist suffered head abrasions. He was wearing a helmet at the time. The point of impact was the center front of the bike, which showed no damage. No other vehicle details or contributing factors related to the bicyclist are listed. The crash underscores the risk posed by driver distraction to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

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

A 12-year-old boy riding a bike was struck and ejected by a sedan turning right on White Plains Road in the Bronx. The boy suffered head contusions but remained conscious. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on White Plains Road made a right turn and struck a 12-year-old bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper hitting the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained head injuries classified as contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the sedan driver as a contributing factor. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted for the bicyclist, but the primary driver error was the failure to yield. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. Vehicle damage was minimal, indicating the severity of injury came from the impact and ejection rather than vehicle deformation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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