The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Oct 11 - The 11th Edition of the MUTCD brings overdue changes. It allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and transit lanes. But it still puts cars first. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk. The rules demand human perfection, not safer streets. The danger continues.

On December 2023, the Federal Highway Administration released the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the first update since 2009. This federal document, over 1,000 pages, sets the standards for road markings, signals, and signs nationwide. The update, described as 'important steps toward a safer, more people-focused transportation system,' modernizes speed zone setting and allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and red transit lanes. But it still falls short. The MUTCD expects pedestrians and cyclists to act 'alertly and attentively,' ignoring human error and the diversity of street users. It keeps high barriers for pedestrian signals and prioritizes car movement over safety. The new section on autonomous vehicles raises concerns about streets being built for machines, not people. No council members are named; this is a federal action. Advocates and cities submitted over 25,000 comments demanding stronger reforms. The next update is due by December 2027.

• The 1,000-Page Document That Decides Your Street Designs Just Got a Refresh, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-11

Oct 3 - Transit union boss John Samuelsen turned against congestion pricing. He blasted the MTA for failing to boost service before tolls hit. His opposition helped stall a plan meant to cut traffic and fund transit. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On October 3, 2024, John Samuelsen, president of TWU Local 100 and TWU International, publicly opposed New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, details Samuelsen’s resignation from the Traffic Mobility Review Board on November 30, 2023, the day tolling recommendations were released. He argued, 'Congestion pricing alone will not reduce traffic to its fullest potential. Central business district tolling should absolutely be coupled with massive increases and improvements in public transit service.' Samuelsen criticized the MTA for not expanding service and called the toll 'classist.' His stance shifted from earlier support in 2019 to strong opposition, citing unmet promises and risks to transit funding. No council bill or committee action is noted. The union’s move leaves vulnerable road users facing the same old dangers: crowded streets, slow buses, and stalled safety reforms.

• Stop Making Sense: TWU’s Head-Scratching Opposition to Congestion Pricing Doesn’t Add Up, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-03

Oct 2 - City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

Sep 30 - A bicyclist suffered back contusions and shock after an SUV struck him on Liberty Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The SUV was parked at impact, with no reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male bicyclist traveling east on Liberty Street in Manhattan was injured when a 2024 Ford SUV, registered in New Jersey and parked at the time, struck him on the left side doors. The bicyclist sustained back contusions and was in shock but was not ejected from his bike. The report notes no damage to either vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The police report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The SUV driver was licensed and stationary before the crash. The collision highlights the dangers posed by parked vehicles and their interactions with cyclists in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760172 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 28 - A bus swung wide for a U-turn. It struck a sedan moving straight. Both drivers hurt. Metal twisted. Shock set in. Battery Place bore the scars. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a bus making a U-turn on Battery Place in Manhattan collided with a sedan traveling straight eastbound. The crash happened at 5:00 PM. The bus’s left front bumper hit the sedan’s right front bumper. Both drivers, men aged 59 and 45, suffered injuries and shock. The sedan driver wore a lap belt; the passenger had no safety equipment. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. The bus driver’s U-turn directly led to the collision. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - Columbus Avenue shuts out cars every Sunday. Stores fill up. Foot traffic surges. Shopkeepers call it a game-changer. Customers linger, spend, and smile. Lawsuits and car complaints fade against the buzz of busy sidewalks. Open Streets means safety, commerce, and life.

The Columbus Avenue Open Streets program closes the avenue to cars between 68th and 77th streets every Sunday through October 27, 2024. The initiative, described as 'an absolute game-changer' by Martin Johnson of 67 Gourmet, boosts business and draws crowds on foot. Irene Kalogrias of Celso de Lemos says, 'Open street days are the busiest days for our store.' Vinni Schroeder of J.Jill urges expansion. Despite a lawsuit from some residents, business owners support the program. The matter, titled 'Tables of Success: Columbus Ave. Businesses Love the Open Street,' highlights how car-free streets bring safety and commerce. No formal council bill or vote is noted. The program stands as a testament to the power of reclaiming streets for people, not cars.

• Tables of Success: Columbus Ave. Businesses Love the Open Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-27

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 22 - A new bike lane in Long Island City pits safety against business. Five killed, 170 injured in five years. Councilwoman Julie Won backs the plan. Truckers and owners protest. DOT pushes forward. Streets stay deadly. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price.

The controversy centers on a planned bike lane in Queens’ District 26, championed by Councilwoman Julie Won. The city aims to connect the Pulaski and Kosciuszko bridges via Borden, Starr, and Review avenues. The project, requested by local civic groups and the community board, follows five deaths—including two cyclists—and over 170 injuries on these roads in five years. Won stated, 'We need to do everything we can to ensure we don’t lose another life to a preventable death.' Thirty-two business owners petitioned DOT to halt the project, citing truck maneuvering dangers. DOT representative Vincent Barone called the route 'a critical gap' in the bike network and promised 'much-needed safety improvements.' The plan will take up to 15 feet from Review Avenue for a two-way bike path and buffer, leaving 22 feet for traffic. The fight underscores the city’s struggle to protect vulnerable road users in truck-heavy corridors.

• Planned new bike lane in industrial NYC neighborhood has business owners fuming: ‘Just not safe’, nypost.com, Published 2024-09-22

Sep 20 - A man riding south on Broadway was thrown from his bike. He hit hard. His hip and leg took the blow. The crash left him scraped and hurting. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured while riding south on Broadway near Rector Street in Manhattan at 21:10. The bicyclist, driving the bike, suffered abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg. The injury severity was rated as moderate. The report does not cite any driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle involved was a bike, traveling straight ahead, with damage and point of impact listed as 'Other.' No other vehicles or road users were involved. The police report lists no explicit driver actions or failures. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 20 - Governor Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA lost billions. Subway and bus riders face crumbling service. Republicans claim victory. Democrats gain nothing. The city’s lifeline bleeds. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price while drivers dodge the toll.

On June 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul unilaterally paused New York’s congestion pricing law, first enacted in 2019 to fund the MTA’s $55 billion capital plan. The move slashed $15 billion from transit budgets, threatening repairs and upgrades. Hochul claimed to act for cost-of-living relief, but polling shows her approval at a record low. Republicans seized credit for the pause, while Democrats saw no political gain. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein called it sabotage: 'Governor Kathy Hochul took a gamble when she sabotaged our public transit system for political gain and she lost dearly.' The MTA now faces a $33 billion shortfall for its next plan. No new revenue source is in place. The legislature, as Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany notes, already did its job by passing the law. The pause leaves transit riders stranded, while car traffic and systemic danger persist.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Tanked Her Polling, Hurt the MTA and Did Zilch for Democrats, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-20

Sep 20 - Transit agencies slash service. Riders lose lifelines. Streets fill with cars. Congestion rises. Pedestrians and cyclists face more danger. New York’s MTA repair plans gutted after congestion pricing dies. Leaders stall. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

This report, published September 20, 2024, details a wave of transit funding crises nationwide, with New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at the center. The article, titled '‘Doom Loop’ Alert: Transit Systems are Suffering — And Too Many Are Cutting Service,' chronicles how pandemic relief funds are running dry, ridership lags, and costs soar. Governor Kathy Hochul killed congestion pricing, stripping the MTA of $1 billion a year. Now, the agency slashes repair programs. Streetsblog quotes transit leaders warning that service cuts mean crowded buses, more cars, and lost productivity. Council members and mayors in cities like Miami and Philadelphia face similar choices. The story makes clear: when transit fails, vulnerable road users—those who walk, bike, or rely on buses—face greater risk. The systemic danger grows as public transportation falters and streets fill with traffic.

• ‘Doom Loop’ Alert: Transit Systems are Suffering — And Too Many Are Cutting Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-20

Sep 12 - Car miles in New York City jumped 14 percent since 2019. Congestion is up. The city lags on bus and bike lanes. Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing leaves streets clogged. Vulnerable road users face rising danger as cars reclaim the city.

A new Streetlight Data report, released September 12, 2024, shows car miles traveled in the New York City metro area rose 14 percent over five years. The report singles out New York: 'where congestion pricing was paused, stands out as the urban core with the biggest increase in both congestion and VMT among the top 25.' Governor Hochul’s decision to halt congestion pricing drew sharp criticism from advocates. Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans, called the move 'disastrous,' warning that abandoning congestion pricing is a 'dereliction of duty' on street safety. The report blames city inaction on bus and bike lanes for worsening gridlock. As driving surges, vulnerable road users face greater risk. The city’s failure to curb car use puts lives on the line.

• Report Shows Double-Digit Increase in Post-Pandemic Driving, Counter to Regional Goal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 10 - A sedan traveling south rear-ended a stopped bus and motorcycle on Vesey Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver, partially ejected and injured, suffered abrasions and upper arm trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, at 6:55 AM on Vesey Street in Manhattan, a sedan traveling south struck the left rear bumpers of a stopped bus and motorcycle. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old male, was partially ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and upper arm injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The bus and motorcycle were stopped in traffic when the sedan struck them from behind. The sedan's front center end was damaged, indicating the point of impact. The driver was conscious but injured, highlighting the severity of the collision caused by failure to observe traffic controls and distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755192 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 8 - A parked taxi driver, distracted, struck a westbound cyclist on Chambers Street. The rider took a blow to the face but stayed conscious. Driver inattention caused the crash. The street stayed dangerous for those outside the car.

According to the police report, a taxi driver parked on Chambers Street in Manhattan struck a 35-year-old male bicyclist traveling west. The crash happened at 2:45 p.m. The cyclist suffered facial contusions but remained conscious. The point of impact was the taxi’s left side doors. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors, showing the taxi driver failed to pay attention. The cyclist was not ejected and was not wearing safety equipment, but lack of equipment was not a contributing factor. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers, even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 4 - Eighteen out of twenty-four trees died on Sunset Park’s greenway. The city failed to maintain them. Agencies blamed each other. Residents suffer. No shade. No care. The greenway, meant for safety and respite, stands bare. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

This report details the collapse of tree maintenance along the Sunset Park Greenway, a project completed in 2022 on Second Avenue between 58th and 65th streets. The Department of Design and Construction managed the seven-year build, but its maintenance agreement with the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative expired in 2018. Since then, city agencies have passed responsibility back and forth. The Parks Department, now tasked with care, cites budget cuts and overworked staff. Mayor Adams slashed $20 million from the Parks budget, worsening the crisis. Katherine Walsh, Community Board 7 Transportation Committee chair, calls the neglect an equity issue, highlighting Sunset Park’s high pollution and health risks. Brian Hedden of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative urges a citywide fix. The matter title: 'Dead Trees Highlight Multiple City Failures on Sunset Park Greenway.' No council bill number or formal vote is attached, but the story exposes systemic failure and its toll on vulnerable New Yorkers.

• Dead Trees Highlight Multiple City Failures on Sunset Park Greenway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-04

Sep 3 - Night on Pearl Street. A Tesla plows into a parked taxi. Steel folds. The cab driver, thirty-five, is pinned and crushed. Sirens echo, but the street holds its breath. Metal groans. Nothing moves except the memory of impact.

A violent collision unfolded on Pearl Street near Broad in Manhattan when a Tesla sedan struck a parked taxi, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 9:30 p.m. The report describes, 'A Tesla slammed into a parked taxi. Steel crumpled. The 35-year-old driver was trapped, crushed in the cab.' Emergency responders arrived as the street stood silent, pierced only by sirens and the sound of twisted metal. The taxi driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered crush injuries and was not ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the taxi was parked and the Tesla was traveling straight ahead before the impact. No driver errors are explicitly named in the report, but the sequence of events centers on the moving vehicle colliding with a stationary one, leaving the vulnerable driver trapped in the aftermath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757148 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 30 - Hundreds will rally for subway elevators on September 8. Advocates blame Gov. Hochul’s congestion pricing pause for stalling $2 billion in accessibility upgrades. Riders and organizers will canvass stations, demanding funding and warning of deep cuts to ADA projects citywide.

On August 30, 2024, advocates announced a citywide protest and canvassing event for subway accessibility, set for September 8. The action responds to Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause on congestion pricing, which threatens $2 billion in elevator projects at 23 stations. Organizers cite the MTA’s legal mandate to make 95 percent of the subway accessible by 2055 and warn of a 30 percent cut to ADA spending without congestion pricing funds. Jeff Peters of the Center for Independence of the Disabled NY said, 'Congestion pricing would be used for just this situation.' Danna Dennis of Riders Alliance and Jessica Murray of Elevator Action Group joined calls for action. The protest highlights the direct link between transit funding and safe, accessible passage for all New Yorkers.

• They Want YOU: Massive Protest for Subway Elevators on Sept. 8, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-30

Aug 29 - New York will close 71 streets to cars outside schools this fall. The city adds more car-free zones for kids. Streets once deadly will now be safer for walking, play, and learning. The move targets neighborhoods hit hardest by crashes.

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a record 71 school streets will close to cars this fall. The expansion, not tied to a specific council bill, builds on the Open Streets program, made permanent in 2021. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said, 'We have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children.' Councilwoman Vickie Paladino celebrated the new open street at PS 129, calling it a win for safe pick-up, drop-off, and play. Funding comes from the Public Space Equity Program, with $30 million focused on under-resourced areas. Street Lab will provide programming and street furniture. The program responds to past investigations showing higher crash and injury rates outside schools, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The city will directly fund management and operations starting in 2025, aiming to make these safety gains permanent.

• More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-29

Aug 27 - Two vehicles collided while making right turns on Chambers Street in Manhattan. The taxi driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper turning and lane usage as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors behind the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:20 AM on Chambers Street in Manhattan. A 41-year-old male taxi driver was injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash. The report identifies 'Turning Improperly' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles—a 2018 Chevrolet sedan and a 2023 Toyota taxi—were traveling north and making right turns when the crash happened. The taxi's left front bumper and the sedan's right front quarter panel were the points of impact. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The report explicitly notes driver errors related to improper turning maneuvers and lane usage, without attributing fault to any other party. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754260 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - A 66-year-old woman suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries after a collision with a southbound cyclist at the Broadway intersection. The cyclist struck her center front, causing injury without vehicle damage. Contributing factors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway in Manhattan at 13:24. The collision involved a southbound cyclist who was traveling straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian at the center front end of the bike. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate (3). The cyclist’s bike showed no damage. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless behavior are cited. The cyclist was licensed and operating the bike legally. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face at intersections even when vehicle damage is absent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19