Injured, Not Invisible: Demand Action on Deadly Streets

Bronx Community Board 8 shot down a DOT plan to slim Riverdale Avenue. The 3-2 vote blocks traffic calming, bike lanes, and safer crossings. Elected officials pushed left-turn signals instead. The street remains wide, fast, and dangerous for walkers and cyclists.

On April 1, 2022, Bronx Community Board 8's Traffic and Transportation Committee voted 3-2 against the Department of Transportation's proposed road diet for Riverdale Avenue. The plan, described as a '.75-mile-long road diet,' aimed to reduce lanes, add traffic calming, and install bike lanes. Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz opposed the DOT's turning bays, pushing instead for left-turn signals at two intersections. The committee echoed their stance, citing concerns about traffic and parking. The matter title: 'Riverdale Rumble: Bronx Panel Rejects DOT Road Diet Plan for Super-Wide Avenue.' DOT officials stressed the area's high rate of crashes, especially harming seniors and children, but the board's advisory vote leaves the avenue wide and perilous for vulnerable road users.

• Riverdale Rumble: Bronx Panel Rejects DOT Road Diet Plan for Super-Wide Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-01

Bronx Community Board 8 shot down a DOT plan to slim Riverdale Avenue. The 3-2 vote blocks traffic calming, bike lanes, and safer crossings. Elected officials pushed left-turn signals instead. The street remains wide, fast, and dangerous for walkers and cyclists.

On April 1, 2022, Bronx Community Board 8's Traffic and Transportation Committee voted 3-2 against the Department of Transportation's proposed road diet for Riverdale Avenue. The plan, described as a '.75-mile-long road diet,' aimed to reduce lanes, add traffic calming, and install bike lanes. Council Member Eric Dinowitz and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz opposed the DOT's turning bays, pushing instead for left-turn signals at two intersections. The committee echoed their stance, citing concerns about traffic and parking. The matter title: 'Riverdale Rumble: Bronx Panel Rejects DOT Road Diet Plan for Super-Wide Avenue.' DOT officials stressed the area's high rate of crashes, especially harming seniors and children, but the board's advisory vote leaves the avenue wide and perilous for vulnerable road users.

• Riverdale Rumble: Bronx Panel Rejects DOT Road Diet Plan for Super-Wide Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-01

Council Member Eric Dinowitz blasted DOT’s Riverdale Avenue road diet plan. He called the agency’s process secretive and unacceptable. Dinowitz demanded real engagement. The proposal aims to curb crashes. Another local, Christian Amato, backed the plan, citing past safety gains.

On March 25, 2022, Council Member Eric Dinowitz publicly criticized the Department of Transportation’s proposal for a 'road diet' on Riverdale Avenue. The plan, discussed before Community Board 8 or Dinowitz himself, drew fire for what Dinowitz called 'unacceptable' and lacking transparency. The matter, titled 'Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’,' centers on a traffic-calming redesign to address frequent crashes. Dinowitz stated, 'I'm not against the plan, because I don't know what it is,' but demanded better outreach. Christian Amato, another local politician, voiced strong support, referencing positive results from Morris Park Avenue. The DOT confirmed the proposal includes a bike lane and seeks community feedback. No formal council vote has occurred. The bill’s safety impact was not assessed.

• Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-25

Council Member Eric Dinowitz blasted DOT’s Riverdale Avenue road diet plan. He called the agency’s process secretive and unacceptable. Dinowitz demanded real engagement. The proposal aims to curb crashes. Another local, Christian Amato, backed the plan, citing past safety gains.

On March 25, 2022, Council Member Eric Dinowitz publicly criticized the Department of Transportation’s proposal for a 'road diet' on Riverdale Avenue. The plan, discussed before Community Board 8 or Dinowitz himself, drew fire for what Dinowitz called 'unacceptable' and lacking transparency. The matter, titled 'Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’,' centers on a traffic-calming redesign to address frequent crashes. Dinowitz stated, 'I'm not against the plan, because I don't know what it is,' but demanded better outreach. Christian Amato, another local politician, voiced strong support, referencing positive results from Morris Park Avenue. The DOT confirmed the proposal includes a bike lane and seeks community feedback. No formal council vote has occurred. The bill’s safety impact was not assessed.

• Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-25

Councilmember Eric Dinowitz slammed DOT’s Riverdale Avenue road diet plan. He called out the agency for secrecy, not substance. The Bronx stretch is deadly. Dinowitz wants more transparency, not fewer lanes. The fight leaves vulnerable road users in limbo.

On March 25, 2022, Councilmember Eric Dinowitz of District 11 made a public statement opposing the Department of Transportation’s proposed ‘road diet’ for Riverdale Avenue. The plan, aimed at a crash-prone Bronx corridor, was criticized by Dinowitz for a lack of transparency: 'A city agency should not be run this way.' He insisted he is not against the plan itself, but objects to DOT’s process, which bypassed him and Community Board 8. Dinowitz’s stance echoes his past opposition to bus lanes that reduce parking, though he supports bike lanes that do not remove vehicle lanes. The proposal, which includes a bike lane, remains under review. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided for this action.

• Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-03-25

Councilmember Eric Dinowitz slammed DOT’s Riverdale Avenue road diet plan. He called out the agency for secrecy, not substance. The Bronx stretch is deadly. Dinowitz wants more transparency, not fewer lanes. The fight leaves vulnerable road users in limbo.

On March 25, 2022, Councilmember Eric Dinowitz of District 11 made a public statement opposing the Department of Transportation’s proposed ‘road diet’ for Riverdale Avenue. The plan, aimed at a crash-prone Bronx corridor, was criticized by Dinowitz for a lack of transparency: 'A city agency should not be run this way.' He insisted he is not against the plan itself, but objects to DOT’s process, which bypassed him and Community Board 8. Dinowitz’s stance echoes his past opposition to bus lanes that reduce parking, though he supports bike lanes that do not remove vehicle lanes. The proposal, which includes a bike lane, remains under review. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided for this action.

• Riverdale Avenue Rumble: Bronx Pol Dinowitz Objects to DOT’s Move on ‘Road Diet’, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-03-25

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02