Bodies Break, Leaders Stall—Pelham Bay Streets Still Bleed

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Jan 24 - SUV struck a 64-year-old woman crossing Parkview Avenue in the Bronx. She suffered knee and leg injuries. The driver failed to avoid her. No vehicle damage reported. Impact hit her left front side.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old woman was hit by a Mercedes SUV while crossing Parkview Avenue in the Bronx at 6:40 AM. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk. She suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No damage was reported to the vehicle. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788007 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 17 - A city bus teetered over a Bronx overpass after swerving to dodge a double-parked car. Steel scraped concrete. Debris rained down. No one was hurt. The wall broke. The rules broke first.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus nearly plunged from the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass after the driver swerved to avoid an illegally double-parked car. The bus crashed into the wall, leaving it hanging over the edge. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." No injuries were reported, but the crash caused structural damage and scattered debris below. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz noted, "It speaks to the importance of enforcing our parking rules because it was going around a double-parked car." The incident highlights the danger posed by lax parking enforcement and infrastructure vulnerable to impact.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - 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

Jan 5 - Businesses in Manhattan’s toll zone pass new $9 congestion fee to customers. Councilman Holden calls it a scam tax. Residents pay even if they don’t drive. Gridlock grows near the border. Critics warn of rising costs and slower emergency response.

On January 5, 2025, New York City began enforcing congestion pricing below 60th Street, charging drivers $9 during peak hours. The measure, discussed in the article 'NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’,' has sparked backlash. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden, representing District 30, condemned the move, stating, 'It’s no surprise that businesses will pass the Congestion Scam Tax on to consumers.' Companies like CompuVoip and Dream Events & Decor now add surcharges for customers in the zone. Holden’s criticism joins that of Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and others, who warn of higher costs and increased gridlock. Emergency unions claim response times will suffer. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed.

• NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-05

Jan 3 - Congestion pricing hits Manhattan at midnight. Cars pay to cross south of 60th. Lawmakers split. Some call it a burden. Others hail cleaner air, safer streets, and better transit. The toll stirs anger, hope, and a fight over who pays and who breathes.

On January 3, 2025, congestion pricing (no bill number cited) will begin in Manhattan after a federal judge allowed the toll to proceed. The policy charges most drivers $9 to enter south of 60th Street during peak hours. The matter, titled 'Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll,' has drawn sharp lines. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) opposes the toll, warning, 'I don't know how my district is going to be impacted.' He fears more cars parking in Queens and unclear pollution risks. Council Member Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) calls it a 'cash grab.' In contrast, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas support the measure, citing cleaner air, safer streets, and transit upgrades. González-Rojas says, 'Congestion pricing isn't about penalizing anyone—it's about modernizing our transportation system and tackling climate change.' The judge ordered further study on environmental impacts, but the toll begins as scheduled.

• Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll, amny.com, Published 2025-01-03

Jan 3 - As congestion pricing begins, unions and politicians rage. They claim tolls hurt workers and raise costs. Facts show most commuters use transit. Fewer cars mean faster emergency response. The toll funds transit upgrades. The drama masks real safety gains for all.

On January 3, 2025, public debate erupted as New York City prepared to activate congestion pricing in Manhattan. The measure, set to fund $15 billion in subway and rail improvements, drew fierce opposition from unions and Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who called it a 'cash grab' that would 'increase all costs in our daily lives.' The union for FDNY EMTs argued the toll would burden low-wage workers, but data shows 90% of commuters already use public transit. City officials, including mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia, insisted emergency response would not suffer. The measure's summary notes that reducing car traffic will speed up emergency vehicles and protect passengers. The uproar highlights the tension between entrenched driving privileges and the urgent need to make streets safer for vulnerable road users.

• Congestion Pricing Is Happening: Cue the Irrational Drama from the Placard Elite and the Suburbs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-03

Dec 25 - A 21-year-old male driver suffered a concussion and head injury after crashing his BMW sedan on Bruckner Expressway. Police report cites unsafe speed as the cause. Airbag deployed; driver remained inside vehicle but was incoherent at the scene.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male driver operating a 2009 BMW sedan on Bruckner Expressway was injured in a crash at 3:32 a.m. The vehicle was traveling north, going straight ahead when it impacted with its center front end, damaging the left front bumper. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the sole contributing factor to the collision. The driver was not ejected but sustained a head injury resulting in a concussion and was incoherent at the scene. The vehicle's airbag deployed during the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The data highlights the driver's excessive speed as the critical error leading to the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - A sedan overturned on Bruckner Expressway at night, injuring both occupants. The driver suffered upper arm injuries and shock, while the front passenger sustained facial injuries and minor bleeding. Unsafe speed and lane changing contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:43 on Bruckner Expressway involving a 2007 Lexus sedan traveling southwest. The driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with upper arm trauma and shock, restrained by a lap belt. The front passenger, a 22-year-old male, also suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding, also wearing a lap belt. The driver’s contributing factors included unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing, as noted in the report. The vehicle overturned after the driver attempted to avoid an object in the roadway, impacting the roof. The report explicitly cites driver errors—unsafe speed and lane changes—as causes. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782653 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 14 - A Tesla SUV struck a Honda sedan from behind on Bruckner Expressway at 11 p.m. The sedan driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cite alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:00 on Bruckner Expressway involving a Tesla SUV and a Honda sedan. The Tesla, traveling south and going straight ahead, struck the Honda sedan from behind, impacting the sedan's right front bumper and the SUV's center back end. The sedan driver, a 22-year-old male occupant, was injured with whiplash and injuries to the entire body but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the crash. Additionally, improper or inadequate lane markings are noted as a systemic factor. The sedan driver was changing lanes at the time of impact. The collision highlights driver errors and roadway conditions as central causes, with no fault attributed to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 5 - A westbound SUV struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked SUV on Mahan Avenue in the Bronx. The collision injured the driver of the parked vehicle, causing back injuries and whiplash. The crash was linked to improper lane usage by the moving driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:33 PM on Mahan Avenue in the Bronx. A 2005 Ford SUV traveling westbound struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked 2022 Acura SUV. The driver of the parked vehicle, a 40-year-old male occupant, suffered back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the moving driver failed to maintain proper lane discipline. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane use in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 12 - A sedan slammed into a stopped car on Macdonough Place. Six people inside the struck vehicle suffered whiplash and back pain. The crash followed a driver tailgating. One infant was unrestrained. All victims survived.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 10:00 PM on Macdonough Place in the Bronx. The lead vehicle, stopped in traffic, was hit from behind by a following sedan. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the primary driver error. Six occupants in the struck car were injured, including a 1-year-old infant, a 12-year-old girl, and four adults. Injuries included whiplash and back pain. The infant was not using any safety equipment; other occupants wore lap belts. All victims were conscious. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 12 - Two SUVs crashed on Hutchinson River Parkway amid a police pursuit. The impact struck the left rear bumper of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. A 39-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions but was not ejected.

According to the police report, two Ford SUVs traveling north on Hutchinson River Parkway collided during a police pursuit at 2:22 AM. The crash involved a left rear bumper impact on one SUV and a right front bumper impact on the other. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors during the pursuit. A 39-year-old male driver, an occupant in one of the vehicles, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior or safety equipment use. The collision highlights the systemic dangers of high-speed police pursuits involving multiple vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763656 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 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 2024-09-26

Sep 3 - Parking mandates choke streets, raise rents, and trap New Yorkers in car dependence. Council Member Marmorato and Borough President Richards defend these rules, blocking safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Ending mandates means more housing, cleaner air, and safer streets for people, not cars.

This opinion, published September 3, 2024, in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Council Member Kristy Marmorato and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for defending parking mandates. Richards opposes lifting mandates in Queens, citing poor transit. Marmorato lobbied to restore mandates in a Bronx rezoning near new Metro North stations, arguing, 'We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities.' The editorial rebukes this logic, stating, 'We should not cling to parking mandates when we know they encourage car ownership, make streets less vibrant, increase rents, and pollute our air.' The piece urges officials to break the cycle of car-first policy, invest in transit, and end mandates that block affordable housing and safer streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the editorial centers the harm parking mandates inflict on vulnerable road users and the city’s livability.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Say ‘No’ to Car Drivers and ‘Yes’ to Ending Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03

Aug 28 - Two sedans traveling north on Bruckner Expressway collided front-to-back. The driver of the striking vehicle suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. The crash left one driver injured with complaints of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling northbound on Bruckner Expressway when they collided. The point of impact was the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the struck vehicle. The driver of the striking sedan, a 30-year-old male, was injured with chest pain and reported shock. He was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted in center-end damage to both vehicles and left one driver with injury severity level 3, indicating a serious injury. The report focuses on the vehicle collision dynamics without attributing fault to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752040 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 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

Aug 7 - A bus struck its own passengers, injuring two adults with contusions and bruises. Both victims remained conscious but suffered neck and face injuries. The impact occurred at the bus’s left front bumper, revealing a serious crash inside the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 2018 New Flyer bus traveling straight ahead on Westchester Avenue collided with something at its left front bumper around 11:30 p.m. Two passengers, a 45-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, were injured inside the bus. Both were conscious and sustained contusions and bruises to the neck and face, respectively. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors explicitly. The injured passengers were not ejected and were seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat. The crash caused damage to the bus’s left front bumper. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 7 - Bronx council member Kristy Marmorato led a committee to keep parking mandates near new Metro-North stations. The move blocks plans to cut car use and build more affordable housing. Cars stay king. Transit and vulnerable road users lose ground.

On August 7, 2024, the City Council's Land Use Committee, led by Kristy Marmorato, amended a rezoning plan (no bill number provided) for areas near two new Metro-North stations. The committee rejected the Adams administration's push to eliminate parking requirements, instead voting to retain mandates and lower building heights. Marmorato argued, "We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities," and prioritized drivers over reducing car dependency. The proposal, part of the Mayor's 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' plan, aimed to boost affordable housing and transit-oriented development. Marmorato's stance, echoed in multiple statements, keeps parking at the center and limits safer, walkable streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the move preserves car dominance and its dangers for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council Trades Housing Affordability for Car Parking Near New Metro-North Stops, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-07