The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Dec 19 - Federal officials updated the MUTCD, touting flexibility for safer streets. Advocates wanted more. The new rules clarify design for human error and ease bike and transit features. But speed limit reforms are weak. Cities get tools, but danger remains entrenched.

On December 19, 2023, the Federal Highway Administration released a new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the first update since 2009. The policy, shaped by advocacy campaigns, was summarized as offering 'more flexibility to design roads safely,' but advocates say it is 'a transitional document; it’s not a transformational document.' FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt claimed the update empowers cities to prioritize active transportation, stating, 'The cities that are really thriving... are the ones who are really putting active transportation at the forefront.' However, advocates like Mike McGinn and Beth Osborne criticized the weak reforms to the 85th percentile speed rule and the lack of bold safety mandates. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law now requires updates every four years, giving hope for future, stronger reforms. For now, the MUTCD still leaves vulnerable road users at risk, with only incremental gains.

• Feds, Advocates Talk About What’s In The New MUTCD (And What Isn’t)!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-19

Dec 12 - MTA revealed its final Queens bus overhaul. Routes shift. Stops thin out. Riders brace for longer walks. Council Member Brooks-Powers warns of harm to her district. The city lags on bus lanes. Public review looms. Vulnerable riders face uncertainty.

On December 12, 2023, the MTA released its final proposal for the Queens bus network redesign. The plan, shaped by two years of outreach, proposes 121 routes—eight more than before—but cuts and combines stops, aiming for straighter lines and faster trips. The matter summary states the redesign seeks 'improved travel speed and reliability.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, voiced 'serious concerns about the proposal’s impact on her constituents, especially with the looming arrival of congestion pricing.' She called for an 'equitable and balanced' approach. The plan faces backlash over wider stop spacing and fewer stops, which could force longer walks for riders—many of them elderly or disabled. The city has failed to meet its legal mandate for new bus lanes, building only 18 miles this year. The proposal enters public review ahead of a 2025 rollout.

• MTA unveils final proposal for Queens bus network redesign, amny.com, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 12 - The MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment draws fire for playing it safe. Critics say it ignores bold transit expansion. The plan favors maintenance and minor tweaks. It leaves regional riders stranded. No real integration. No big moves. Just more of the same.

On December 12, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published a critique of the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment. The article, titled 'Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat,' argues the plan 'fails to accomplish its stated mission of bringing the New York region into the 21st century.' The critique highlights the lack of major expansion projects and the absence of a plan to fully integrate Penn Station into a regional rail network. The author calls for greater cooperation among the MTA, NJ Transit, Port Authority, Amtrak, and local bus operators. The piece urges leaders to deliver a world-class, interconnected transit system instead of isolated improvements. No council members are named; this is a policy critique, not a legislative action.

• Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 12 - Council Member Gale Brewer slams the MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment. She says it clings to old tracks and tired fixes. Expansion is missing. Integration is ignored. Brewer calls for bold, regional action. The city’s future rides on more than patchwork repairs.

On December 12, 2023, Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) publicly criticized the MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment. The critique, titled 'Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat,' argues the plan 'fails to accomplish its stated mission of bringing the New York region into the 21st century.' Brewer points out the assessment’s focus on maintenance over expansion, noting the lack of major projects and regional integration. She urges the MTA, NJ Transit, Amtrak, and others to cooperate for a seamless, world-class network. Brewer’s stance: the city needs more than cosmetic fixes and must aim for true transit growth. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 11 - Congress moves to set lithium-ion battery standards. Delivery workers still pay for safety. Sixteen dead, 253 fires this year. City backs the bill. Tech giants resist supplying safe batteries. Workers face high costs. Danger persists on city streets.

On December 11, 2023, a congressional panel advanced the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx). The bill, supported by the city and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create federal safety standards for micromobility batteries. The matter summary states the bill aims to 'protect against the risk of fires.' Torres and advocates like Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project pushed for app-based companies to supply certified batteries, but tech giants oppose this. Kavanagh said, 'A strong federal standard for lithium-ion batteries is required to ensure public safety.' Despite new laws, the cost of safe batteries—up to $5,000—still falls on low-paid delivery workers. Sixteen people have died in 253 battery fires this year. The city passed a buyback program for faulty batteries, but it has not started. The burden remains on the most vulnerable.

• Feds One Step Closer to Requiring Safety Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-11

Dec 8 - The MTA board locked in congestion pricing. Drivers face a $15 toll below 60th Street. Officials warn: change one piece, the plan unravels. Lawsuits loom. Public hearings are required, but major tweaks are off the table. Vulnerable road users wait.

On December 8, 2023, the MTA board approved its congestion pricing plan. The plan, now entering a 60-day public review, sets a $15 daytime toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The matter, titled 'Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review,' underscores the board's resistance to major changes. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'If you change one aspect – the whole thing starts to unravel or fall apart.' Council Member Robert F. Holden was mentioned in the discussion. The board is reconsidering tolls on school buses, but most exemptions are opposed. Lawsuits from New Jersey officials threaten delays. The plan’s fate hangs on legal and public scrutiny, but for now, the structure stands.

• Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review, gothamist.com, Published 2023-12-08

Nov 16 - Portland’s council slammed the brakes on the Gorham Connector. They demand transit options get a fair shot before bulldozers roll. Critics say the highway will fuel sprawl, worsen air, and ignore climate goals. The Turnpike Authority pushes ahead. Lives hang in the balance.

On November 16, 2023, the Portland City Council unanimously passed a resolution targeting the Gorham Connector highway project. The matter, described as a call to 'stop its work on the highway until rapid transit options have been properly examined,' urges the Maine Turnpike Authority to pause construction. Council members cited climate change and Maine’s emissions goals, demanding transit and land-use reforms come first. The council’s action follows a 2012 study warning that new roads alone won’t fix traffic. Local groups like GrowSmart Maine and businesses such as Smiling Hill Farm oppose the project, fearing it will worsen sprawl and pollution. Despite council opposition and federal funding for transit studies, the Turnpike Authority continues land acquisition and environmental reviews. Vulnerable road users face increased risk if the highway moves forward without transit alternatives.

• Highway Boondoggles 2023: The Pain in Maine Falls Mainly in … Gorham, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-16

Nov 14 - A 41-year-old man was struck at a Manhattan intersection. He suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian remained conscious. Details on the crash and driver actions are unspecified in the report.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West Street and Albany Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious after the crash. The report does not specify the vehicle type, driver actions, or contributing factors. No driver errors or violations are listed. The pedestrian's actions at the time of the crash are unknown. The report provides no information on safety equipment or helmet use. The crash occurred at 6:20 p.m. The lack of detailed data leaves the cause and circumstances unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679167 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - New York calls its buses rapid, but the lanes clog with cars. Riders wait. Promises break. Advocates demand real bus rapid transit: center lanes, fast boarding, tough enforcement. Without action, the city’s buses crawl. Vulnerable riders pay the price in time and danger.

This Streetsblog NYC analysis, published November 13, 2023, examines New York’s failure to deliver true Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The article, titled 'Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit,' criticizes Mayor Adams for not following through on campaign pledges to expand bus lanes and implement full BRT. Advocates like Annie Weinstock and JP Patafio argue that dedicated center-running lanes, off-board fare collection, and strict enforcement are needed to speed up buses and protect riders. The piece notes, 'Current bus lanes, like on Utica [Avenue], really it’s almost like a parking lot, because they cover the plates and there’s no enforcement.' The report highlights that without strong leadership and commitment, bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—remain exposed to slow service and street danger. No council bill number or committee is attached; this is a policy analysis and advocacy call to action.

• Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-13

Nov 12 - Brad Hoylman-Sigal calls for new laws on e-bikes. He says streets brim with fast machines. Pedestrians, especially elders and children, face rising risk. The council member demands action. He wants rules to protect those on foot. The city must not wait.

On November 12, 2023, Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) publicly called for legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, including e-bikes. The editorial, titled 'Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers,' stresses, 'the vulnerable pedestrian, especially seniors and kids, must remain king and queen. Do more to protect them.' Hoylman-Sigal is mentioned as a key advocate. The statement supports both regulation of e-bikes and greater protection for pedestrians. No formal bill has been introduced yet, and no committee has taken up the matter. The editorial highlights the urgent need for city action to shield those most at risk on New York’s streets.

• Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-11-12

Nov 9 - Older adults die first in disasters. Heat, floods, storms hit them hardest. The pattern is clear. The toll is high. No change in twenty years. The system fails them. The city looks away. The danger grows. The deaths mount.

On November 9, 2023, the Talking Headways Podcast spotlighted the deadly impact of climate emergencies on older adults. Danielle Arigoni, managing director at the National Housing Trust, discussed her book, 'Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation.' She said, 'time and time again, older adults are the majority of deaths in disasters.' The episode detailed how, from Hurricane Katrina to the Lahaina wildfires, seniors bear the brunt of heat, floods, and storms. Host Jeff Wood pressed on the need for policy that protects the vulnerable. The discussion made clear: the system ignores the predictable, mounting toll on older adults. No council bill or vote was involved, but the call for action was urgent. The city cannot keep looking away.

• Talking Headways Podcast: Aging Adults and Climate Emergencies, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-09

Nov 7 - A 35-year-old man was struck by a sedan making a right turn on Warren Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, distracted, hit him. He suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Warren Street at an intersection with the signal. The driver of a 2022 Ford sedan was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock after the crash. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southbound. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling by the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 2 - Council Member Chi Ossé condemned DOT for stalling the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The lane, long promised and long dangerous, remains unbuilt. Ossé demanded action. Cyclists keep dying. DOT offered no timeline. The city’s failure leaves lives at risk.

""The bike lane has strong community support, and its benefits are obvious. This failure is yet another glaring example of the administration falling far behind on its commitments to develop bicycle infrastructure in our city."" -- Charles Fall

On November 2, 2023, Council Member Chi Ossé publicly criticized the Department of Transportation for delaying the protected bike lane project on Bedford Avenue. The project, which was supposed to upgrade a painted lane to a parking-protected lane, has been pushed to at least next spring. Ossé wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, calling the delay 'unacceptable' and demanding a firm installation date. He stated, 'The Bedford Avenue bike lane has been unacceptably dangerous since it was first laid, and for years, the people of my district have been promised that it would be protected.' Advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives, echoed his frustration, citing record cyclist deaths and urgent need for safety. The DOT has not responded to requests for comment. The delay highlights the city’s repeated failures to deliver promised street safety improvements.

• Council Member Chi Ossé Blasts DOT For Delaying — And Maybe Killing — Bedford Ave Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-02

Nov 1 - Mayor Adams shrugged off legal targets for new bike and bus lanes. He told DOT staffers he cares more about community input than hard numbers. His stance leaves city law unmet. Advocates warn: vague promises, little accountability, danger for those outside cars.

On November 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams dismissed the city’s legal requirements to build 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year, as mandated by the Streets Master Plan. In a closed-door meeting with the Department of Transportation, Adams said, "My legacy is not how many bike miles I do. My legacy is not how many bus lanes I do." He signaled a shift from measurable safety benchmarks to a focus on community input, a move DOT staffers called "extremely micromanaged." Adams’s administration has failed to meet even the minimum legal standards for new lanes. A mayoral spokesman claimed the city still delivers "safe, efficient streets," but advocates say Adams’s approach relies on vague metrics and lacks accountability. No council members are directly involved; this is a mayoral policy stance. The result: fewer protected spaces for vulnerable road users, more risk on city streets.

• Adams Dismisses Bus, Bike Lane Mile Requirements At DOT Meeting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-01

Oct 28 - A 44-year-old male motorcycle driver was partially ejected on FDR Drive. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved driver inexperience. The rider was conscious but injured and unhelmeted.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male motorcycle driver traveling north on FDR Drive was partially ejected during the crash. He sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The motorcycle was going straight ahead at the time of impact, which occurred at an unspecified point. The driver was licensed in New York. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash resulted in serious injury but the rider remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A 42-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash in a nighttime crash on Vesey Street. His 2022 Dodge SUV hit an object head-on. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male driver operating a 2022 Dodge SUV was injured in a crash on Vesey Street in Manhattan at 11:25 p.m. The vehicle struck an object with its center front end. The driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained back injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. He was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash caused center front end damage to the SUV. No pedestrians or other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A 41-year-old man was struck emerging from behind a parked van at Liberty Street. The van was parked, the bus was moving east. The pedestrian suffered back injuries and shock. Limited view contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from behind a parked van at an intersection on Liberty Street in Manhattan. The van was stationary, and a bus traveling east struck the pedestrian. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the van and the right rear quarter panel of the bus. The pedestrian suffered back injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver's limited visibility played a role. No other driver errors were specified. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no safety equipment or signals were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 37-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Park Row. She suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious but injured at the scene.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Park Row and Beekman Street in Manhattan. The crash occurred when a 2020 GMC SUV, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her lower arm and hand. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's actions are unknown. No safety equipment or helmet use is noted. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and treated for serious arm injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 68-year-old woman died after an SUV ran her down in a chaotic Williamsburg intersection. Police blamed her for tripping. The driver, with a record of speeding and red-light violations, faced no charges. Blood stained the street. The system failed again.

On October 19, 2023, police responded to a fatal crash at Broadway and Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg. The NYPD said a 68-year-old woman 'tripped and fell in front of an SUV driver who then ran right over her, dragging her body across a notoriously treacherous intersection.' The driver, a 72-year-old woman, did not stop until witnesses intervened. Despite the Jeep’s record—two school-zone speeding tickets and a red-light violation since August—police let her go without charges. The NYPD blamed the victim, Aurora Soto, for her own death. Streetsblog reports this is part of a 'long and sordid history of victim-blaming.' The intersection has seen 197 crashes and 49 cyclist and pedestrian injuries since 2019. The Department of Transportation did not comment.

• Police Blame Woman for Her Own Death After She Trips in Front of SUV, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-19

Oct 17 - Mayor Adams slammed his own DOT’s outreach, stalling bike and bus lane projects. He says communities need more input. Advocates warn this lets small groups block life-saving changes. The city falls behind on safety targets. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On October 17, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams made a public statement criticizing the Department of Transportation’s community outreach for street redesigns. No council bill number applies; this is a mayoral policy stance. Adams said, “We have not done a good job of speaking to long-term residents on how they want the shaping of their streets to change.” He announced a new door-to-door engagement strategy on Underhill Avenue, after stalling a bike network project for over a year. Adams’s comments came as he defended delays and rollbacks of approved street safety improvements, citing the need for more community input. Advocates like Jon Orcutt (Bike New York) and Juan Restrepo (Transportation Alternatives) condemned the mayor’s approach, warning it gives veto power to small groups and leaves the city “rudderless” on street safety. DOT outreach has dropped to its lowest since Vision Zero began. The city is on pace to miss its bike and bus lane goals for the second year running. Vulnerable road users face continued danger as life-saving projects stall.

• Mayor Adams Blasts Mayor Adams’s DOT Community Outreach Efforts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-17