Bronx River Parkway took two young riders. The map says it wasn’t a fluke.

Jan 6 - Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06

Jan 1 - SUV making left turn slammed into e-bike rider on White Plains Road. Rider ejected, hit hard, left with leg and foot injuries. Police cite driver for ignoring traffic control. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male e-bike rider was struck and injured by a 2024 SUV making a left turn on White Plains Road at Magenta Street in the Bronx. The SUV, driven by a licensed woman, hit the bicyclist at the center front end. The rider was ejected and suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and went into shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, showing the SUV driver failed to obey signals or signs. No contributing factors were attributed to the bicyclist. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 30 - Albany leaders killed the MTA’s capital plan. Repairs and upgrades freeze. Janno Lieber warns of cascading failures. Riders face broken signals, crumbling tracks, and delays. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee urges reversal. Lawmakers argue over funding while the city waits.

On December 30, 2024, New York State legislative leaders rejected the MTA 2025-29 Capital Plan. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins blocked approval, citing incomplete funding. The plan, described as funding 'crucial state-of-good-repair track work,' now hangs in limbo. MTA CEO Janno Lieber called the move a 'Catch-22' that could cause cascading failures and delay urgent repairs. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA urged lawmakers to withdraw their objection, warning of long-term delays and higher costs. Stewart-Cousins’s spokesperson, Mike Murphy, dismissed the urgency, pointing to unfinished projects from the last plan. The standoff leaves essential transit upgrades—and the safety of millions—at risk.

• MTA to Albany Pols: Your 11th-Hour Rejection of the Capital Plan Will Cause an ‘Insurmountable’ Problem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-30

Dec 29 - A 60-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in the Bronx after a sedan struck him head-on. The crash involved driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his face and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 60-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained facial abrasions, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan was traveling east, going straight ahead, and struck the bicyclist with its left front bumper. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. Additionally, the bicyclist's own contributing factors were 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage and had no occupants at the time. The bicyclist remained conscious after the crash, highlighting the violent impact caused primarily by driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Carl Heastie killed the MTA’s $65 billion capital plan. The move came as Gov. Hochul faced backlash over congestion pricing and fare hikes. Riders and walkers are left exposed. The system stays broken. Albany plays politics. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 26, 2024, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie abruptly blocked the MTA’s proposed $65 billion capital plan. The move followed public outrage over Gov. Hochul’s congestion pricing scheme and a planned 4% fare hike for transit riders. The editorial, titled 'Gov. Hochul is the face of the MTA’s congestion-toll madness: Don’t let her fool you,' blasted the $9 toll and warned that the agency’s legal power to raise prices remains. Stewart-Cousins and Heastie’s last-minute action signals deeper political games, not reform. The article quotes Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli: 'Consolidation, efficiency, and savings in this area was promised years ago, but has yet to be fully realized.' No safety analyst weighed in, but the capital plan’s collapse means no new investment in safer streets or transit. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. The system’s failures continue.

• Gov. Hochul is the face of the MTA’s congestion-toll madness: Don’t let her fool you, nypost.com, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 26 - Two state leaders killed the MTA’s $68 billion upgrade plan a day before approval. The veto blocks critical repairs, new subway projects, and safety upgrades. Riders face more delays, broken stations, and uncertainty. The city’s lifeline hangs in limbo.

On December 26, 2024, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie vetoed the MTA’s $68 billion capital plan. The MTA Board had approved the plan 10-0 on September 25 and submitted it to the Capital Plan Review Board (CPRB) on October 1. The matter, described as 'the MTA's $68 billion budget to fix mass transit,' was rejected by Stewart-Cousins and Heastie with a letter sent on Christmas Eve. Their action blocks dozens of projects, including subway accessibility, station repairs, and new transit lines like the Interborough Express. The veto leaves the future of these upgrades—and the safety of millions of riders—uncertain. The MTA warns this could threaten federal funding and delay critical improvements. The city’s transit system, already battered by delays and breakdowns, now faces more risk and instability.

• 2 NYS legislators reject MTA’s $68 billion capital plan, amny.com, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 26 - Albany leaders stopped the MTA’s $68-billion plan. Their move halts new trains, station fixes, and power upgrades. Riders wait. Subways and buses age. Streets stay dangerous. No comment from Heastie or Stewart-Cousins. Advocates warn: delay means risk for millions.

On December 26, 2024, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins blocked the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, worth $68 billion. The action came via a Christmas Eve letter to MTA CEO Janno Leiber, rejecting the plan and stalling critical transit improvements. The plan, as described, funds 'essential work'—new trains, accessibility, power, and station repairs. Riders Alliance called on Albany to 'fix the subway.' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance warned, 'the least-visible projects are the most vulnerable to cuts – but also often the most essential, like new signals and upgrades to power systems and structures.' Neither Heastie nor Stewart-Cousins responded to requests for comment. The rejection delays contract awards for new electric rail cars and locomotives, leaving millions of riders—and vulnerable road users—at risk from crumbling infrastructure and unreliable transit.

• Christmas Sockings: Carl Heastie and Andrea Stewart-Cousins Say ‘No’ to Better Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 17 - A 17-year-old e-scooter passenger was ejected and seriously injured in a Bronx collision. The SUV hit the scooter’s right front, causing fractures and dislocation. Police cited failure to yield and traffic control disregard by the scooter rider’s party.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 16:15 on East 213 Street in the Bronx involving a 2013 Nissan SUV traveling east and an e-scooter traveling south. The SUV struck the e-scooter on its right front bumper, damaging the SUV’s center front end and the scooter’s right side doors. A 17-year-old male passenger on the e-scooter was ejected and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists contributing factors as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' linked to the injured passenger’s party. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights driver and rider errors involving yielding and traffic control compliance, with no mention of victim fault or helmet use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - Three southbound vehicles collided in a chain-reaction crash on Bronx River Parkway. Following too closely caused rear-end impacts. A 26-year-old occupant suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation, remaining conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on the Bronx River Parkway at 17:40 involving three southbound vehicles: an SUV, a 2019 sedan, and a 2023 sedan. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor for all involved vehicles. The impact points include the center front end of the SUV and the 2023 sedan, and the left rear bumper of the 2019 sedan. A 26-year-old female occupant was injured with a fractured, distorted, and dislocated shoulder-upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report highlights driver errors related to maintaining unsafe following distances, leading to the multi-vehicle collision. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777033 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 3 - Two sedans collided on Paulding Ave in the Bronx, injuring a 35-year-old male driver. The crash involved driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The injured driver suffered back pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10 p.m. on Paulding Ave in the Bronx. Two sedans traveling east and south collided, with impact on the right front bumper and right front quarter panel. The 35-year-old male driver of the BMW, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and whiplash. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The injured driver was not ejected and remained conscious. The BMW driver held a permit license, while the other vehicle was operated by a licensed female driver. Vehicle damage was noted on the right front and right rear bumpers. The report focuses on driver errors leading to the collision and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A young man on an e-bike was crushed beneath two southbound cars on Webster Avenue. Slick pavement, harsh lights. His body broken, the bike destroyed. Three vehicles kept moving. He did not.

A 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed on Webster Avenue near East 233rd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash occurred when the e-bike rider was struck and crushed beneath two southbound vehicles—a 2018 Audi sedan and a 2023 Honda SUV. The report describes the pavement as 'slippery' and the lighting as 'harsh.' The police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, as well as the hazardous road surface. The e-bike was demolished, and the cyclist suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The police report notes that all involved vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No contributing factors are attributed to the victim. The report underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and dangerous road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 30 - SUV hit sedan’s right side on Paulding Avenue. Young woman at the wheel suffered a head injury. Police blamed driver inattention and unsafe speed. Three in sedan escaped harm. Metal twisted. Street silent.

According to the police report, a crash took place at 1:00 PM on Paulding Avenue in the Bronx. An SUV traveling south struck the right side of a westbound sedan. The 22-year-old female SUV driver suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The sedan carried three people; none were hurt. The SUV’s center front end hit the sedan’s right side doors, causing heavy damage. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - An 11-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan made a left turn and struck her while she crossed against the signal. Glare impaired visibility, contributing to the collision on White Plains Road in the Bronx.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on White Plains Road in the Bronx made a left turn at 8:15 a.m. and struck an 11-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The report identifies glare as a contributing factor, which likely impaired the driver's visibility. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated as moderate. The driver was licensed and operating a 2019 sedan with no reported vehicle damage. The report highlights driver error related to failure to adequately respond to glare conditions during the left turn, resulting in the pedestrian's injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771123 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 12 - Two SUVs traveling north on Bronx River Parkway collided at 10:40 p.m. Both drivers suffered contusions and bruises. The crash involved impact between a left rear bumper and a right front bumper. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, two Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicles collided on Bronx River Parkway at 22:40. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead northbound. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of one SUV striking the right front bumper of the other. Both drivers, males aged 34 and 54, were injured with contusions and bruises to the elbow, lower arm, hand, and head. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicles. The report explicitly cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles properly otherwise. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights the dangers of excessive speed on this stretch of roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771413 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 6 - A bus struck a stopped SUV on Webster Avenue in the Bronx, injuring the SUV driver. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries and whiplash. Police cite the bus driver’s following too closely and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

According to the police report, at 6:20 AM on Webster Avenue in the Bronx, a bus traveling east rear-ended a stopped SUV. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old male, suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries along with whiplash. The report identifies the bus driver’s errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed,' directly contributing to the collision. The bus struck the SUV’s right rear bumper with its left front bumper, causing center back-end damage to the SUV and front-end damage to the bus. The SUV driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and speeding in traffic, especially on busy Bronx streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 4 - SUV hit sedan’s side as it turned left in the Bronx. Woman driver suffered neck injury and concussion. Police blamed improper lane use. Metal twisted. Streets stayed hard.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling south struck a sedan making a left turn at 4011 Lowerre Place in the Bronx. The 63-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered a neck injury and concussion. Police cited 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the cause. The sedan’s left side doors and the SUV’s right front bumper were damaged. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors. The sedan driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - E-bike slammed into sedan on E Gun Hill Rd. Nineteen-year-old rider hurt, arm scraped. Sedan moved straight. E-bike turned left, struck car’s front. Police cite improper turning, distraction.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 16:31 on E Gun Hill Rd near Barnes Ave in the Bronx. A 19-year-old male e-bike rider was injured, suffering abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The e-bike was making a left turn and collided with a sedan traveling straight northwest. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, both attributed to the e-bike operator. The sedan driver was not cited for any contributing factors. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767851 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - Two SUVs collided at 7:02 AM on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. The driver of one vehicle suffered an elbow abrasion but was conscious and restrained. Police cited obstructed view and disregarded traffic control as key factors in the crash.

At 7:02 AM on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx, two SUVs collided, according to the police report. The impact occurred between a 2018 Dodge SUV traveling east and a 2016 Ford SUV traveling south. The driver of the Dodge SUV, a 39-year-old male occupant, was injured with an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors to the crash. The Dodge driver’s limited view likely played a role in the collision, which involved impact to the right front bumper and right front quarter panel of the vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 30 - Gov. Hochul may slash the $68.4-billion MTA capital plan. Transit advocates rage. Riders face crumbling subways, broken promises. The governor holds the knife. The future of safe, reliable transit hangs in the balance. The buck stops with her.

On September 30, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she might not fill a $33-billion gap in the proposed 2025-2029 MTA capital plan, threatening to shrink the $68.4-billion package approved by the MTA Board. The plan now awaits review by the Capital Plan Review Board, which has 90 days to approve or reject it. The matter centers on whether the governor will force cuts to desperately needed repairs and upgrades. Advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance demand Hochul fund 'the reliable, accessible, resilient service we've long been denied but that we need and deserve.' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany calls out Hochul’s record, urging her to cut her own Interborough Express project first if reductions come. The MTA declined comment. The fate of New York’s transit—and the safety of millions who rely on it—rests on this decision.

• Derailed? Gov. Hochul May Rip Up MTA Capital Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-30

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26