The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Aug 17 - Senator Blumenthal demands federal action on deadly frontover crashes. He calls for better data, more transparency, and front cameras on giant cars. But cameras alone won’t shrink vehicles or save enough lives. The real fix: fewer, smaller cars on the road.

On August 17, 2022, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address frontover crashes—fatal incidents where large vehicles strike unseen children in front. The senator’s letter called for annual injury and fatality data, improved data collection, and efforts to prevent future deaths. He stated, 'Safety is not—and should never be—a premium feature only available to those who can afford it; it should be the default.' Blumenthal’s push follows a demonstration showing ten children hidden in a single SUV’s blind spot. The bill’s focus is on mandating front cameras, but experts and advocates warn this won’t fix the core problem: cars are too big, too tall, too deadly. As noted, 'The most effective way to reduce tragic frontover deaths is to have fewer cars in American driveways.' Cameras help, but shrinking vehicles and reducing car dependency would save more lives.

• Senator Calls on Feds to Mandate ‘Frontover’ Cameras on Huge Cars — But It Won’t Save Enough Lives, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-17

Aug 16 - Turning parking into greenspace means fewer floods, safer streets. Asphalt traps water. Storms turn roads into rivers. Bioswales and trees soak up rain, protect homes, keep subways dry. The city must swap pavement for life. Action saves lives, not parking.

On August 16, 2022, the Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, discussed flood prevention. An opinion from a Transportation Alternatives staffer urged the Council to 'transform impervious driving lanes into green climate solutions.' The piece calls for bioswales and greenspace in place of parking, citing the deadly floods after Hurricane Ida. It highlights that 72 percent of city land is impervious, worsening flash floods. The author presses city leaders, including Mayor Eric Adams, to repurpose street space for climate resilience, referencing the NYC 25x25 challenge. The message is clear: 'Our streets can become the solution to climate change and flooding.' No council vote occurred, but the advocacy pushes for urgent, systemic change to protect New Yorkers from future storms.

• OPINION: Want to Prevent Flooding? Turn ‘Parking’ Into Greenspace, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-16

Aug 8 - A box truck struck a 32-year-old male bicyclist on Fulton Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage. The crash involved improper lane usage by the truck.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Fulton Street in Manhattan collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The 32-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The truck was parked before the crash and impacted the left side doors of the bike. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the truck operator. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck showed no damage, while the bike was damaged at the center front end. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' but does not specify further.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A 38-year-old woman riding a bike north on Battery Place was injured when a westbound SUV hit her. The bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries. The crash involved driver distraction. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female bicyclist traveling north on Battery Place was struck by a westbound 2016 Toyota SUV. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, yet no vehicle damage was recorded. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the bicyclist's part.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - Senate nears a climate deal. Bill pours billions into electric cars, skips bikes and transit. Big SUVs get a boost. No new money for high-speed rail. Advocates warn: heavy vehicles mean danger. Vulnerable road users left in the cold.

The Senate’s climate bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, is close to passage as of July 29, 2022. It allocates $369 billion to decarbonize sectors like power plants and HVAC, aiming for a 40% emissions cut by 2030. The bill continues the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and adds a $4,000 credit for used EVs, but omits dedicated funding for electric transit, freight, or e-bikes. Advocates like Yonah Freemark, David Zipper, and Noa Banayan criticize the focus on large electric SUVs and trucks, calling them dangerous for people outside cars. Zipper says, “We’re actually inducing people to buy heavier, more dangerous electric automobiles.” The bill introduces a $3.4 billion Neighborhood Equity and Access Grant, but skips high-speed rail and transit. Advocates urge more action, warning that the bill leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• What’s in the New ‘Climate’ Deal for Sustainable Transport — And What’s Not, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-29

Jul 26 - A 21-year-old woman was struck at an intersection on South Street in Manhattan. She was crossing with the signal when a southbound sedan hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered a back contusion and was injured. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection on South Street in Manhattan. The collision involved a 2019 sedan traveling south, which struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and was classified with injury severity level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no contributing factors for the driver. The sedan showed no damage. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - The MTA faces a $4 billion shortfall as ridership stalls. Without new state funding, service cuts or fare hikes loom. Advocates slam the gas-tax holiday for boosting driving. Riders, especially those without cars, stand to lose the most.

This event details the MTA's looming fiscal crisis, as described in the July 26, 2022 Streetsblog NYC report. The agency projects only 74% of pre-pandemic riders will return by 2024, leaving a $4 billion revenue gap through 2026. The matter summary warns, 'Without a new funding stream, the MTA faces a fiscal cliff after 2023.' MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens urged state legislators to act, saying, 'If we start working together and start solving the deficit by 2023, we can lower the fiscal cliff by a billion dollars a year.' Advocates like Rachael Fauss criticized the state's gas-tax holiday, arguing it incentivized driving over transit funding. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli warned of looming service changes. The bill is not tied to a specific council number or committee, but the call for recurring, dedicated state revenue is clear. Without intervention, vulnerable transit riders face reduced service and higher fares, deepening the city's transportation divide.

• Without New Funding, the MTA Faces a Fiscal Cliff After 2023, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-26

Jul 22 - Elon Musk’s promises on self-driving cars and tunnels ring hollow. Crashes mount. Safety claims collapse. Planners and officials keep buying the hype. The toll grows. Vulnerable road users pay the price. It’s time to stop believing and start questioning.

This opinion piece, published July 22, 2022, by Kea Wilson in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Elon Musk’s record on transportation technology. The article, titled 'Opinion: Stop Trusting Elon Musk on Tunnels, on Teslas, on Everything,' cites damning crash data and exposes false safety claims around Tesla’s 'Full Self-Driving' feature. At least 273 crashes have been linked to the technology, contradicting Musk’s public statements. The piece urges planners and policymakers to reject Musk’s unproven solutions, including the Boring Company and Hyperloop, and instead focus on reducing vehicle miles traveled. The author warns that uncritical adoption of these technologies endangers vulnerable road users and worsens congestion and pollution. No council bill or vote is involved, but the message is clear: stop trusting tech hype that puts lives at risk.

• Opinion: Stop Trusting Elon Musk — on Tunnels, on Teslas, on Everything, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-22

Jul 21 - MTA ridership lags. Budget gaps loom. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli rejects service cuts. He urges smarter, flexible schedules. The MTA drags its feet. Riders wait. Transit remains a lifeline. Without change, the city’s most vulnerable face longer waits and harsher streets.

On July 21, 2022, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a policy report warning of an existential crisis for the MTA. The report, reviewed by the relevant state oversight committees, states: "the MTA doesn't actually have to cut service to find its footing, and instead has to get creative with service patterns and get serious with riders about what new service could look like." DiNapoli opposes service cuts and supports realigning schedules to match shifting demand, especially off-peak and weekends. MTA Chief External Relations John McCarthy echoed the need for a post-COVID plan. The report stresses that mass transit is essential for New Yorkers. No council members are directly involved, but the recommendations push the MTA to act. The agency’s slow response leaves vulnerable riders exposed to longer waits and increased danger on city streets.

• Nausea: The MTA Is Facing An Existential Crisis, Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-21

Jul 20 - A 31-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after colliding with a sedan on West Street. The e-bike struck the sedan’s front center as it made a left turn on red. The rider suffered full-body injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike was injured after colliding with a sedan traveling north on West Street. The e-bike was making a left turn on red when it struck the sedan’s center front end. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered injuries to his entire body, experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor. The sedan showed no damage, while the e-bike sustained damage to its left front bumper. The bicyclist was wearing a motorcycle helmet, but no other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - Bus driver shortages choke transit. Agencies slash service. Low pay, abuse, brutal hours, and neglect drive workers away. Riders wait longer. Streets grow more dangerous for those on foot and bike. Solutions exist. Agencies must act. Lives depend on it.

On July 20, 2022, Streetsblog NYC published a report titled 'Four Factors Driving the Bus Operator Shortage (And What to Do About Them).' The analysis highlights that over 90% of transit agencies struggle to hire bus drivers, forcing 71% to cut or delay service. The report cites low pay, workplace assaults, harsh schedules, and lack of basic facilities as root causes. It urges agencies to raise pay, cut hiring barriers, protect drivers, and provide humane schedules and facilities. The article states, 'Bus driver shortages are undermining transit agencies' efforts to recover from the pandemic and become the front-line mobility option that American cities need.' The report does not name specific council members or legislative actions, but it calls for systemic change to protect workers and restore reliable service for vulnerable road users.

• Four Factors Driving the Bus Operator Shortage (And What to Do About Them), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-20

Jul 20 - Steel-and-bamboo trash bins in Times Square leak, overflow, and attract rats. Doors stay unlocked. Garbage juice pools on sidewalks. The $1.3 million Clean Curbs pilot strains under heavy use. Sanitation vows more cleaning, better maintenance, and fixes. Streets stay cluttered.

The Clean Curbs pilot, launched by the Sanitation Department and Times Square Alliance, rolled out steel-and-bamboo trash enclosures at Eighth Avenue and 43rd Street in April 2022. By July 20, bins showed leaks, unlocked doors, and garbage overflow. The pilot, costing $1.3 million, aims to 'test methods for getting garbage bags off the streets.' Sanitation spokesman Vincent Gragnani promised daily cleaning and improved maintenance, saying, 'If this is a recurring issue, it will be taken into account as we expand the program.' CITIBIN owner Liz Picarazzi admitted the bins are over-capacity and need more frequent cleaning. Critics call the pilot too small for New York’s scale. Streets remain hazardous for walkers, who still dodge trash and puddles.

• GROSS: ‘Clean Curbs’ Bins Show Growing Pains in Times Square, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-20

Jul 20 - Gas prices rise. Driving falls. State fuel tax receipts show a sharp drop. Fewer cars on the road mean less danger for those on foot or bike. The link is clear. Pricing shapes streets. The numbers do not lie.

This editorial, published July 20, 2022, by Charles Komanoff in Streetsblog NYC, examines the effect of high gas prices on driving in New York State. Komanoff, a longtime advocate for congestion pricing and carbon taxes, analyzes state motor fuel tax receipts from 2019 to 2022. He finds a 16 percent drop in fuel sales, with April 2022 showing a stark 40 percent decline compared to April 2019. The piece, titled 'High Gas Prices Are Reducing Driving!', challenges claims that Americans are immune to price signals. Komanoff writes, 'Pricing has power. Changes in the prices of goods and services affect demand for those items.' No council bill or vote is involved. The analysis underscores that fewer cars mean safer streets for vulnerable road users, though no formal safety assessment is provided.

• KOMANOFF: High Gas Prices <i>Are</i> Reducing Driving!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-20

Jul 19 - Doyers Street in Chinatown will close to cars and become a permanent pedestrian plaza. The city will add gravel, markings, and planters. The move follows years of temporary closures. Locals and businesses welcome the change. Streets once deadly for walkers now belong to them.

On July 19, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation announced the full pedestrianization of Doyers Street in Chinatown, formalizing its status as a car-free plaza. The project builds on the success of Covid-era open streets and seasonal closures. DOT spokesman Vin Barone said, "DOT is proud to build on the success of our Open Streets with proposals to formalize spaces like the Doyers Open Street as a permanent pedestrian plaza." Wellington Chen, executive director of the Chinatown Partnership, praised the move, calling it "healthier and safer for both shopkeepers and customers." The plan includes new plaza features and changes to nearby parking for commercial loading. The effort is part of a broader city push, with BIDs leading similar projects across New York. The conversion gives crowded Chinatown a rare, needed refuge for pedestrians and local businesses.

• Chinatown’s Doyers Open Street to Become a Car-Free Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-19

Jul 15 - Amtrak killed bike service on the Maple Leaf line. Cyclists lost a vital link to upstate trails. Riders scrambled. Advocates fumed. Officials demanded action. Amtrak blamed equipment. No timeline for return. Cyclists now face fewer options, higher costs, and more barriers.

On July 1, 2022, Amtrak abruptly ended bike service on its Maple Leaf line from New York to Toronto. The move left cyclists without a key route to upstate destinations and the Empire State Trail. The matter, described as 'an unexpected blow to cyclists statewide,' drew sharp criticism. Senator Tim Kennedy, chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee, urged Amtrak to reverse the decision and expand bike services. Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt called the cut symptomatic of a national failure to support sustainable transit. Amtrak cited equipment needs for longer trips but gave no date for restoring service. Cyclists now face fewer travel options, higher costs, and new barriers to safe, car-free mobility.

• Amtrak Abruptly Stops Bike Service on ‘Maple Leaf’ to Upstate and Canada, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 14 - New Yorkers keep driving. Gas use climbs. May 2022 saw 235 million gallons burned. The state’s gas tax holiday cuts revenue, hides true fuel use. More driving means more death, more congestion, more poison in the air. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

This report, published July 14, 2022, highlights the impact of New York State’s gas tax holiday, which started June 1 and runs through year’s end. The article states: 'New York State residents continued to drive heavily despite high gas prices, with fuel consumption increasing from March to May 2022.' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance slams the tax holiday as 'an outrageous windfall for oil profiteers' and warns it deprives New Yorkers of essential services. The article ties increased driving to sprawl and transit neglect, noting, 'Decades of sprawl planning and disinvestment in transit has made it more difficult to get around without a car—at a cost of our lungs, our bodies and our planet.' The surge in driving means more road deaths, more congestion, and more pollution. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—face greater danger as car dependency deepens.

• Update: New Yorkers are Still Driving Like Crazy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-14

Jul 12 - Manhattan’s leaders want Broadway closed to cars. They cite 429 injuries and four deaths from 14th to 42nd streets. They demand a real plan, not piecemeal fixes. The city’s slow pace angers them. Victims wait. Traffic keeps killing.

On July 12, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Council Members Carlina Rivera, Erik Bottcher, and Keith Powers urged the Department of Transportation to declare Broadway from 14th to 34th streets a 'limited access open street.' They called for a comprehensive pedestrianization plan, referencing 429 injuries and four pedestrian deaths along the corridor since 2011. Their letter states, 'This stretch of Broadway needs to be made safer, and we believe pedestrianization... could be a way to positively transform the area.' The officials want a tangible plan by fall and concrete actions by early 2023. Business leaders, including Dan Biederman, now support the move, citing economic benefits. The recent taxi crash at Broadway and 29th, injuring six, has fueled urgency. The city’s Broadway Vision plan promises pedestrianization from Union Square to Columbus Circle, but advocates and victims’ families demand more, faster.

• ANALYSIS: Electeds Seek Much More than Piecemeal Pedestrianization on Broadway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-12

Jul 12 - Council Member Keith Powers and allies demand Broadway’s full pedestrianization. They cite 429 injuries, four deaths. They want a corridor-wide plan, not scattered fixes. Business leaders now back the move. Recent crashes fuel urgency. The city promises action.

On July 12, 2022, Council Member Keith Powers (District 4) joined Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Council Members Carlina Rivera and Erik Bottcher to urge the Department of Transportation to pedestrianize Broadway from 14th to 34th streets, with plans to extend up to 42nd Street. Their letter cites 429 injuries and four pedestrian deaths along Broadway between August 2011 and May 2022. The officials wrote, 'This stretch of Broadway needs to be made safer, and we believe pedestrianization, with limited necessary entries for vehicles that must access certain points along Broadway, could be a way to positively transform the area and benefit all New Yorkers.' Business leaders, including Dan Biederman of the 34th Street Partnership, now support the plan, calling it good for economic development. The push follows a recent taxi crash at Broadway and 29th Street that injured six. The city’s Broadway Vision plan promises to pedestrianize much of the corridor from Union Square to Columbus Circle.

• ANALYSIS: Electeds Seek Much More than Piecemeal Pedestrianization on Broadway, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-07-12

Jul 11 - A 34-year-old man was hit by a northbound van on Water Street. He was crossing against the signal at the intersection. The impact fractured and dislocated his lower leg and foot. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Water Street in Manhattan while crossing against the signal. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved a northbound 2013 Ford van, which struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were listed in the report. The pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal was noted, but no contributing driver factors were specified. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545564 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - Financial District streets choke on cars and placards. City drags its feet. Council set aside funds. DOT stalls. Pedestrians and cyclists wait. Business objections ring hollow. The mayor ignores the crisis. The call is clear: clear the streets for people, not cars.

This is an opinion piece published July 11, 2022, titled 'Pedestrianize the Financial District Now!' It urges immediate action on the 'Make Way for Lower Manhattan' plan, which would turn streets below Chambers into shared spaces for walkers and cyclists. The Financial District Neighborhood Association backs the plan. Former Council Member Margaret Chin allocated $500,000 for early work in 2019. The Department of Transportation has not moved forward. The piece states, 'Any pedestrianization plan worth its salt will curtail the space for government-subsidized 'free' car storage.' The author slams the mayor for ignoring placard abuse and calls business objections a smokescreen. The plan’s delay keeps narrow, dangerous streets clogged with government vehicles, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• OPINION: Pedestrianize the Financial District Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-11