The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Jan 9 - The Adams administration built just 11.95 of 20 mandated bus lane miles in 2022. Riders wait. Buses crawl. The city shrugs. Council’s law goes unmet. Advocates demand urgency. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price for political inaction and empty promises.

In 2019, the City Council passed the Streets Plan, requiring 20 miles of new protected bus lanes in 2022. By January 9, 2023, the Adams administration had delivered only 11.95 miles—67 percent of the mandate. The Department of Transportation already signaled it cannot meet future targets. The matter title reads: 'Adams Administration’s Failure to Reach Bus Lane Requirement Angers Bus Riders.' Council members and advocates, including Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein, criticized the administration’s slow pace and lack of urgency. Bus riders like Holly and Frank voiced frustration at stagnant speeds and unmet promises. The Council has not set consequences for missing the requirement. The mayor’s office touts other safety efforts but sidesteps the bus lane shortfall. Riders and advocates demand real investment and action to protect vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on buses.

• ‘Disgraceful’: Adams Administration’s Failure to Reach Bus Lane Requirement Angers Bus Riders, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-09

Dec 30 - Brooklynites want Grand Army Plaza to serve people, not cars. Hundreds called for car-free space, protected bike lanes, and safer crossings. The plaza’s chaotic traffic traps pedestrians. The city’s paint-and-plastic fixes have failed. Residents demand bold change. The city must listen.

On December 30, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released survey results on the future of Grand Army Plaza. The public consultation, held in November, drew 1,270 in-person responses. The DOT summarized: 'the majority of respondents were interested in options to unify the public spaces.' Council members are not directly named, but city officials like Terra Ishee, DOT Pedestrian Unit Director, acknowledged the limits of past efforts: 'We really need to bump it up and make it a full blown capital project.' Brooklyn organizer Kathy Park-Price of Transportation Alternatives said, 'After decades of car-centric planning, it's time to return Grand Army Plaza to people.' Residents’ top demands: more protected pedestrian space, protected bike lanes, and overhauled traffic operations. The DOT plans a capital project design in fall 2023. The survey shows clear public support for bold, systemic safety improvements for vulnerable road users.

• Survey Says: Make Grand Army Plaza a <I>Great</I> Army Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-30

Dec 30 - A reckless driver crashed an Audi SUV through a barrier onto LIRR tracks in Brooklyn. One man died. His passenger suffered critical injuries. The SUV had 13 speeding tickets. Police blamed a 'medical episode,' but witnesses saw a u-turn and high speed.

On December 30, 2022, a fatal crash occurred when a driver steered an Audi SUV from Vanderbilt Avenue onto the Long Island Rail Road tracks at Atlantic Avenue. The incident, reported by Streetsblog NYC, involved a 70-year-old man who died and a critically injured passenger. Witnesses described the SUV smashing through a concrete barrier and fence before falling onto the tracks, estimating speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The NYPD initially suggested a 'medical episode' but later dropped this claim, despite a pattern of police blaming unexplained crashes on health issues. The vehicle’s license plate had 13 speeding violations since 2019, including four in the past year. No council bill or committee action is attached to this event. The case highlights systemic failures: weak enforcement against repeat reckless drivers, barriers that fail to protect, and police narratives that obscure driver responsibility.

• SUV Plummets onto LIRR Tracks in Brooklyn, Killing One, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-30

Dec 28 - A pickup driver with 17 school-zone speeding tickets killed Gerardo Cielo Ahuatl on a Williamsburg corner known for danger. The truck, owned by JCDecaux, kept rolling despite 30 violations. No charges. Paint and plastic flappers offered no shield. Concrete came too late.

On December 28, 2022, in Brooklyn’s 34th Council District, a pickup truck driver with 17 school-zone speeding tickets fatally struck moped rider Gerardo Cielo Ahuatl at Grand Street and Graham Avenue. The truck, owned by JCDecaux, had racked up 30 violations since 2017. Despite this, the driver escaped charges, and the vehicle never triggered the city’s Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which requires safety courses for drivers with repeated violations. The intersection had only paint and plastic flappers—ignored by drivers—until officials added some concrete barriers in the fall. Local council members had pushed for stronger protection. The DOT said it would review safety practices with JCDecaux. The 34th District has one of Brooklyn’s highest truck-related fatality rates. Vulnerable road users remain exposed by weak enforcement and flimsy infrastructure.

• Driver of Truck With 17 Speeding Tickets Fatally Hits Moped Rider In Williamsburg, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-28

Dec 28 - The Streetsie Awards spotlight films that show how cities can save lives. Eckerson’s camera finds danger and hope. Protected bike lanes, open streets, and car-free living get the focus. Jersey City and Hoboken show what’s possible: zero deaths. New York lags. The films demand better.

On December 28, 2022, Streetsblog launched the Streetsie Awards, inviting the public to vote for the year’s best Streetfilm. The event, titled 'The Streetsie Awards: Vote for Your Favorite Streetfilm of the Year!', showcases Clarence Eckerson Jr.’s work documenting the fight for safer streets. The films cover cargo bikes, school streets, women’s rides, and international comparisons. They highlight how protected bike lanes and open streets reduce danger for children and families. Jersey City and Hoboken, featured in one film, have reached zero road deaths by redesigning streets for people, not cars. Council action is not involved, but the advocacy is clear: safer infrastructure saves lives. The films make the case—New York can do better for its most vulnerable.

• The Streetsie Awards: Vote for Your Favorite Streetfilm of the Year!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-28

Dec 27 - DOT failed to build required bike and bus lanes in 2022. Riders and advocates condemned the shortfall. Staff shortages fueled the lapse. City Council demanded action. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The city’s promise to protect them remains unkept.

On December 27, 2022, the Department of Transportation confirmed it would not meet the legal mandate to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes and 20 miles of dedicated bus lanes, as required by the Streets Plan. The agency completed only 25 miles of bike lanes and 11.95 miles of bus lanes. The matter, titled 'DOT Will Not Reach Required Bike and Bus Lane Requirements This Year,' drew sharp criticism from Riders Alliance and Transportation Alternatives. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance said, 'The Adams administration is many miles wide of the mark when it comes to complying with the Streets Plan and keeping the mayor's promise to millions of riders.' Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives added, 'The city needs to meet these goals without delay or excuse and stop leaving New Yorkers who walk, bike, and bus behind.' A City Council spokesperson blamed staff shortages and unfilled vacancies, calling the situation 'unacceptable.' The Council urged the administration to fill key roles and meet legal requirements. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders—bear the brunt of these failures.

• BREAKING: DOT Will Not Reach Required Bike and Bus Lane Requirements This Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-27

Dec 27 - Pedestrian deaths hit a forty-year high in 2021. SUVs kill more walkers, especially children. Vehicle-into-building crashes devastate. Autonomous cars fail to solve the crisis. Marginalized communities bear the brunt. The car culture’s toll grows. The numbers are grim. The danger is real.

The Streetsie Awards 2022, published December 27, 2022 by Streetsblog NYC, highlights the year’s worst setbacks for vulnerable road users. The commentary notes, 'the stats on 2021's pedestrian death crisis came out not too long ago, and they were awful. As in, the-worst-they-been-in-40-years awful.' No council bill or vote is attached, but the piece draws on federal data and expert analysis. It singles out SUVs as a main threat: drivers are four times more likely to strike pedestrians while turning, and children hit by SUVs are eight times more likely to die than if struck by smaller cars. The article also exposes the frequency and devastation of vehicle-into-building crashes and the false promise of autonomous vehicles. It underscores how car culture’s burdens fall hardest on marginalized communities. The message is clear: systemic danger persists, and the most vulnerable pay the price.

• The Streetsie Awards 2022: The Biggest Bummers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-27

Dec 22 - Congress set aside $45 million for bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails. The sum falls short. Advocates wanted more. Only big projects qualify. Most communities see nothing. Lawmakers call it a start. The need is vast. The money is not.

The 2022 federal funding bill, part of the $1.7-trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, allocates $45 million to the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. The bill awaits final passage to avoid a government shutdown. The measure aims to 'address gaps in bike lane, sidewalk, and multi-use trail networks.' Brandi Horton of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy called it 'a major victory' but stressed the need for more funding. Congress authorized up to $200 million per year, but only $45 million was delivered for 2023—less than 10 percent of what advocates requested. Projects must cost over $15 million to qualify, leaving most communities behind. A survey found $7 billion in unmet needs for active transportation. Lawmakers included $1.6 billion in transportation earmarks, but most funds still go to highways. Vulnerable road users remain underserved.

• Federal Funding Bill Contains $45M for New Active Transportation Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

Dec 22 - MTA leaders warn: no new money, no full service. Peak hour cuts, longer waits. Riders and workers brace for frustration. Advocates and lawmakers push Albany to fill the gap. The board’s budget opens the door to fare hikes and more pain.

""In order to ensure New Yorkers have a transit system that works for them, we have to fill the MTA's financial shortfall and ensure against service cuts and or fare hikes. We have to fix the rot at the heart of the transit system, which means we have to pass the package of bills known as the 'Fix the MTA.'"" -- Charles Fall

On December 22, 2022, MTA leaders announced that without recurring state funding, service cuts are inevitable. The MTA Board approved a 2023 budget allowing fare hikes and service changes, pending Albany’s action. Chairman Janno Lieber said, "All good things can happen if people are willing to pay for them, or help figure out recurring funding sources, which is what MTA needs to achieve fiscal stability." New York City Transit President Richard Davey explained that peak hour service would be trimmed, with modest increases in wait times, while some weekend service would expand. Transit advocates and union leaders, including Richard Davis, condemned the cuts, warning of increased rider frustration and assaults on workers. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani urged passage of bills to freeze fares and fill the MTA’s fiscal gap, stating, "We have to fix the rot at the heart of the transit system." No formal safety analyst assessment was provided, but the debate centers on the risk to riders and workers if service shrinks.

• MTA Bosses Say Albany Can Pay to Keep Full Service Five Days Per Week, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

Dec 20 - For decades, Albany has siphoned nearly $5 billion from the MTA. The state calls transit taxes its own contribution, shortchanging riders. Lawmakers and watchdogs demand an end to the shell game. The governor stalls. Riders pay the price in service and safety.

This state budgetary action, revealed December 20, 2022, exposes New York’s long-running diversion of dedicated transit funds from the MTA. Under the 1975 18-b law, the state must match local funding for public transit. Instead, since 1995, Albany has counted regional transit taxes as its own share, leaving a $4.9 billion shortfall. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli criticizes the practice: 'the state has used a portion of these resources... rather than using General Fund revenues as originally intended.' Assembly Member Amy Paulin, chair of the Corporations Committee, insists, 'we don’t have to justify funding the MTA adequately. It is very justified.' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany calls for an end to 'raiding dedicated funds.' The governor’s office has not pledged to stop. The result: less money for transit, more danger for those who rely on it.

• Revealed: State Pols Underfund Transit With Underhanded Move, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-20

Dec 16 - A 23-year-old woman was struck while crossing Pearl Street with the signal. The driver, traveling south, failed to pay attention. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries and shock. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Pearl Street and Wall Street in Manhattan. The 23-year-old woman was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, traveling straight south, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her hip and upper leg, resulting in shock. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - Researchers urge cities to fix automated enforcement. Place cameras where crashes happen. Scale fines to income. Spend revenue on safer streets, not police. Use clear messaging. These steps cut danger for people walking and biking. Cameras alone are not enough.

This policy analysis, published December 14, 2022, reviews recommendations for automated enforcement programs. The study, titled "Four Ways To Build A Better Automated Enforcement Program," surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults about traffic cameras. Researchers, including Kelcie Ralph, urge cities to use data-driven camera placement, scale fines to income, and spend revenue on self-enforcing infrastructure like road narrowing. They warn against using cameras as cash cows or funding police and private contractors. The report states: "The purpose of [automated enforcement] is to improve safety, not catch unsuspecting drivers." Ralph adds, "They need to be in places with known safety risks, and it should be a data driven process." The analysis calls for shifting control to transportation departments and removing jail time for unpaid fines. These changes aim to protect vulnerable road users and make streets safer for all.

• Four Ways To Build A Better Automated Enforcement Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 14 - Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 13 - The Public Design Commission calls for streets built for people, not cars. Their report highlights how open streets and community-led design boost health and reclaim space. The city’s past favored cars. The future, they say, must center wellness and equity.

On December 13, 2022, the New York City Public Design Commission released a policy advocacy statement titled, "Opinion: We Must Put Wellness at the Center of Public Space Design." The report, "Designing New York: Streetscapes for Wellness," urges a shift from car-centric planning to public spaces that serve people. The statement notes, "streets are arguably one of the city’s most readily accessed and underutilized public resources." The Commission, in collaboration with city agencies and advocacy groups, showcases case studies where open streets and community-driven design improved health and access. The report criticizes decades of planning that prioritized cars and blocked communities from vital spaces. It calls for equity, local engagement, and innovation in street design. No council member is named; this is a commission-led initiative. The statement supports reallocating street space and opposes car-first planning, pushing for a city where wellness and safety come first.

• Opinion: We Must Put Wellness at the Center of Public Space Design, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-13

Dec 13 - The Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now has a tough, weatherproof cover. Cyclists no longer risk slipping or punctured tires on metal grates. Council Member Julie Won joined DOT and others to push the project. Riders get a safer, smoother crossing.

"It was very important for people to have access to greenspace, especially during the pandemic this project will allow bikers to ride in ease and comfort, you no longer have to worry that you might slip off the bridge and fall into the river." -- Charles Fall

On December 13, 2022, Council Member Julie Won (District 26) joined city officials to mark the completion of a DOT pilot project covering the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane. The project, coordinated with Council Member Julie Menin, used fiber-reinforced polymer panels to shield riders from the bridge’s hazardous metal grating. The official matter: 'Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride.' Won praised the project’s quick finish and its promise of safer, more comfortable biking. DOT and community leaders noted the new surface prevents slips and flats, separating cyclists from traffic. The $100,000 upgrade, never before used in New York, aims to keep vulnerable road users out of harm’s way.

• Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride, amny.com, Published 2022-12-13

Dec 12 - DOT will not meet the law’s bus lane goals. Staff shortages and budget cuts choke progress. Riders wait. Commutes crawl. Promises break. The city’s most vulnerable—bus riders—are left stranded by inaction and empty pledges.

The Streets Plan law, passed by the City Council in 2019, requires DOT to build 20 miles of new bus lanes in 2022 and 30 miles each year for the next four years. As of December 2022, DOT had built only 7.7 miles, with 4.2 miles of new camera-enforced lanes and 7.3 miles under construction. The agency cites staff shortages and budget cuts as the main obstacles. Council members and advocates, including Riders Alliance and the City Council, have condemned the delays and called staff shortages 'unacceptable.' Mayor Adams’s administration has revised its promise, now counting 'enhanced' lanes, not just new ones. DOT spokesman Vin Barone insists the agency intends to meet 2023 goals, but specifics are lacking. The law has no enforcement provision. The city’s one million daily bus riders, many low-income and people of color, continue to suffer slow, unreliable service.

• DOT Expects to Miss Targets for New Bus Lanes, Sources Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12

Dec 1 - A 47-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing Albany Street with the signal. The driver made a right turn and hit her with the vehicle’s right front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Albany Street at an intersection with the signal. The driver, operating a 2017 Toyota SUV, was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected from the scene. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A sedan hit a 38-year-old woman crossing Broadway at Dey Street. The driver failed to yield. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, leg, and foot. The car's left front struck her. No damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old woman was crossing Broadway at Dey Street with the signal when a sedan traveling southwest struck her. The impact came from the vehicle's left front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and sustained moderate injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587481 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 25 - MTA’s customer survey skews results. Riders forced to rate safety based on homelessness and erratic behavior. Biased questions fuel false narratives. Real safety data lost. Riders left unheard. Subway danger misunderstood. Systemic flaws persist. Riders pay the price.

On November 25, 2022, a public critique targeted the MTA’s Customers Count Survey. The survey, administered by WBA Research, asked riders to rate satisfaction with conditions like panhandling and homelessness, but gave no room for context. The matter summary states, 'the survey was flawed and would produce biased results.' The critique opposes the narrative that subway danger comes from vulnerable people, and warns that these results justify more police, not real safety. No council bill or committee is involved; this is a public challenge to MTA’s data practices. The author notes, 'the authority is failing to collect key data that it can use to actually improve people’s experience using transit.' Riders’ voices are lost. The system’s real dangers remain unaddressed.

• Survey Says: Here’s Why the MTA Thinks You Don’t Feel Safe on the Subway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 25 - Council debates curbside space. Experts push for parklets, not just parking. Merchants and groups could claim street edges for public use. DOT urged to oversee, not DCWP. Council Member Velazquez leads but stays silent. The fight is for safer, shared streets.

""For us, it's a no-brainer to put it under DOT so that we can push the program to be a little more holistic, and start thinking about these other opportunities for the curb. If we end up seeing the program fall under DWCP, you're going to lose the opportunity to evolve it."" -- Charles Fall

This proposal, now before the City Council, seeks to expand the Open Restaurant program by allowing curbside space to become 'community parklets.' The bill is led by Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, though she declined comment as the process continues. The matter, as described by the Regional Plan Association and partners, aims to 'enable merchants or organized groups to tap into the Open Restaurant program and its legal infrastructure, giving new mixed-use space to programs that benefit their communities.' The Alfresco NYC Coalition and advocates like Maulin Mehta support shifting oversight to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a broader, safer approach to curb use. The bill is under active debate, with hearings showing strong support for reclaiming curb space for public benefit, not just cars or restaurants.

• GREEN CURBS: Open Restaurant Supporters Want Some ‘Parking’ Spots for Parklets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25