The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Jul 5 - DOT plans to turn Underhill Avenue into a bike boulevard and add traffic-calming on Vanderbilt. The city will close blocks, add bike lanes, and carve out more space for people. Locals pushed for safer streets. Construction may start this fall.

On July 5, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a proposal to overhaul Underhill and Vanderbilt Avenues in Prospect Heights. The plan, described as a 'traffic network and public realm plan,' aims to convert Underhill Avenue into a bike boulevard and upgrade Vanderbilt Avenue with new bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and traffic-calming features. The proposal follows community workshops where residents demanded safer, people-first streets and dedicated loading zones. DOT will close the northern-most block of Underhill to cars, add two-way bike lanes, and install pinch-points to slow drivers. On Vanderbilt, sharrows become painted bike lanes, and new pedestrian islands and turn lanes will protect cyclists and walkers. DOT hopes to begin construction in the fall and is reviewing the neighborhood for further changes. Gib Veconi, a local advocate, said, 'The changes will help force drivers to slow down 24/7.'

• City Proposes Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades to Two Prospect Heights Avenues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-05

Jul 1 - Advocates want Lower Manhattan streets safer for people, not cars. DOT drags its feet. Residents and business owners clash over urgency. The plan sits in study. Cyclists and pedestrians wait. The city’s slow pace keeps danger alive on narrow streets.

This update covers the 'Make Way for Lower Manhattan' shared streets proposal, discussed July 1, 2022. The Department of Transportation (DOT) briefed Manhattan Community Board 1 on the plan, which aims to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists in the Financial District. The project, funded by $500,000 from then-Council Member Margaret Chin, remains in the study phase, delayed by the pandemic. DOT Project Manager Jenny Leung said the city is updating conditions and planning stakeholder engagement. Community Board 1 and the Financial District Neighborhood Association (FDNA) have backed the plan since 2015 and 2016, respectively. FDNA Board Member Catherine Hughes pressed for urgency, saying, 'It's time for a pilot project now.' Business leader Jessica Lappin voiced logistical concerns. The plan envisions shared streets with 5 mph speed limits and a future pedestrian plaza. Progress is slow. The city’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• FiDi Shared Streets Advocates Press DOT to Show ‘Urgency’ on Neighborhood Makeover, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-01

Jul 1 - DOT and MTA start work on Flatbush Avenue. Seven miles of danger for walkers and cyclists. Bus lanes, signals, and bold changes on the table. Community split. Businesses fear lost parking. Advocates push for safety. No fixes before 2023.

On July 1, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and MTA kicked off a public process to overhaul bus service and pedestrian safety along Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue. The project, part of the Streets Master Plan, faces committee review and community outreach through summer and fall, with implementation not expected before 2023. DOT Director of Bus Priority Kyle Gebhart said, “Everything is on the table.” The agency’s data shows slow buses and high rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries. The plan divides the corridor into three segments for tailored solutions, including curbside and center-running bus lanes, transit signal priority, and busways. Some business groups voiced anger over possible parking loss, but transit advocates countered that most shoppers do not drive. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein said, “Busways are great for business, bringing more customers from more neighborhoods more efficiently and affordably.” The project’s outcome will shape safety for thousands who walk, bike, and ride.

• DOT Begins Flatbush Ave. Bus Improvement Project With Everything on the Table, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-01

Jun 28 - Over 2,500 neighbors demand a safer McGuinness Boulevard. The petition calls for fewer lanes, wider sidewalks, and a protected bike lane. Community anger follows deadly crashes. The city’s DOT faces pressure to act. The street remains a danger zone.

On June 28, 2022, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and over 2,500 residents backed a petition urging a full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation will present its draft plan to Brooklyn Community Board 1’s Transportation Committee on June 30. The petition, described as a call for 'wider sidewalks and a wider median, a protected bike lane, and eliminating one lane of traffic in each direction,' follows the hit-and-run death of teacher Matthew Jensen. Gallagher stated, 'Our community is speaking loud and clear: no more deaths on McGuinness.' The campaign has support from Councilmember Lincoln Restler and Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The street, a busy four-lane truck route, has seen dozens of crashes and injuries in recent years. Organizers and residents demand urgent action to end the deadly toll on vulnerable road users.

• EXCLUSIVE: More than 2,500 sign petition supporting McGuinness Boulevard redesign ahead of DOT presentation, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-06-28

Jun 27 - City rolls out Clean Curbs pilot in Hells Kitchen. Trash bins take curb space once reserved for cars. Bags move off sidewalks. Pedestrians get room to walk. Rats lose cover. Some drivers grumble. Council Member Bottcher calls it progress. Streets change. Safety follows.

On June 27, 2022, the city launched the Clean Curbs residential pilot on West 45th Street between Ninth and Tenth avenues in Hells Kitchen. The Department of Sanitation will install several dozen rat-proof trash bins for building managers and superintendents to store garbage and recycling, moving bags off sidewalks and into curbside street lanes. The matter summary reads: 'Testing a rat-proof trash container... instead of on the sidewalk.' Council Member Erik Bottcher said he is 'thrilled that our district was the first to be chosen for this exciting advance,' calling it 'another important step.' The pilot takes parking space for bins, sparking complaints from drivers but clearing pedestrian paths. The city plans to expand the $1.3-million program to all five boroughs. Critics note the bins are small and collection methods unchanged, limiting scale. Still, the move marks a shift: less sidewalk trash, more space for people.

• EXCLUSIVE: ‘Clean Curbs’ Residential Bins To Launch in Hells Kitchen, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-27

Jun 26 - Three dead. Seven injured. Brooklyn streets ran red this weekend. Drivers struck, dragged, and killed. Victims included a child and an elder. Officials spoke. Promises made. The toll climbs. Vision Zero falters. Blood on the asphalt. The crisis deepens.

On June 26, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez issued a joint statement after a weekend of deadly crashes in Brooklyn. The statement followed a spate of violence: 'Car drivers killed at least three people and injured seven others, including an 11-year-old boy.' The carnage included hit-and-runs, reckless driving, and unlicensed operators. Adams and Rodriguez said they are 'working every day to deliver true public safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone who uses our streets.' They acknowledged recent progress but warned, 'the disturbing incidents we've seen in recent weeks and the last 48 hours remind us just how fragile those positive steps are and how much more work remains.' The city faces one of its most violent years since Vision Zero began. The numbers: 106 killed citywide in the first half of 2022, surpassing 2015. The crisis is not over. The danger remains.

• Weekend Road Carnage Kills Three, Injures at Least Seven, as Bad Old Days Return, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-26

Jun 23 - DOT’s plan adds nine miles of protected bike lanes in Eastern Queens. Activists say it falls short. Gaps remain. Cyclists still risk death. Community Board 11 debates. Some call it progress. Others demand more. The fight for safe streets continues.

The Department of Transportation’s proposal for a protected bike-lane network in Eastern Queens, updated after Community Board 11 feedback, now includes about nine miles of protected lanes. The plan, described as 'crucial for providing protected access to parks and greenways,' faces criticism from activists and residents who say it lacks key connections and leaves cyclists exposed. CB11 member John Kelly, speaking personally, voiced fear for his child’s safety and called for a shift in car culture. Victor Dadras, chair of the CB11 Transportation Committee, called the plan 'a step in the right direction' but admitted it is incomplete. The committee will discuss the proposal further, with a full board vote expected in September. DOT may begin marking lanes in the fall. Activists cite recent cyclist deaths and demand a stronger, safer network.

• City’s Proposed Eastern Queens Bike Network Needs Work, Activists Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-23

Jun 22 - Staten Island buses vanish from schedules more than any in New York. Riders wait. They miss work. They give up. The MTA blames a driver shortage. Service lags behind the rest of the city. The fix is slow. The danger grows.

On June 22, 2022, Streetsblog NYC reported that Staten Island buses are canceled more than any other borough’s, citing MTA data. The matter highlights that 'Staten Island has the city's lowest rate of Service Delivered.' Riders like Kayla and Brandon Grada spoke of constant cancellations and unreliable schedules. Janno Lieber, MTA Chairman and CEO, said hiring is underway to address the shortage. Staten Island’s service delivery rate was 92 percent in April, compared to 97 percent citywide. The MTA’s hiring freeze and pandemic losses hit Staten Island hardest. Riders report missed work and abandoning transit. The MTA promises improvement, but for now, vulnerable road users face longer waits and greater risk.

• Staten Island’s Buses are the Most-Canceled in New York City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-22

Jun 22 - City workers behind the wheel keep hitting people. Taxpayers bleed. In 2021, New York paid $138.5 million to settle 4,143 crash claims. Cops, sanitation, fire, and transit agencies drive the toll. The city’s own cars are a menace. Victims pay the price.

On June 22, 2022, the city Comptroller released the annual Claims Report, revealing that in fiscal year 2021, New York City paid $138.5 million to settle 4,143 cases involving city workers crashing city-owned vehicles. The report states: 'City-owned motor vehicles cause the largest share of personal injury and property damage settlements.' Comptroller Brad Lander sounded the alarm, saying, 'These payouts cost over a hundred of million dollars a year, and can never account for the damage to traffic victims and their families. Traffic violence has a price NYC cannot afford.' The NYPD, Department of Sanitation, FDNY, Department of Environmental Protection, and DOT accounted for nearly all payouts. Only Sanitation and DOT responded to the report. The city’s own fleet remains a threat to vulnerable road users. The cost is measured in blood and dollars.

• Crashes By City Workers — Especially Cops — Are Still Costing Taxpayers Dearly, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-22

Jun 22 - MTA chief Janno Lieber drew a hard line. No congestion pricing means no new subway, no e-buses, no ADA fixes. The $15 billion gap looms. Advocates say there’s no backup plan. Riders and vulnerable users wait, exposed, as funding stalls.

""It's going to be the ... Second Avenue subway. It's a lot of ADA [accessibility improvements to] stations. It's a lot of zero emissions buses. It's a lot of state-of-good-repair to make sure our system continues to function well and doesn't fall apart. We need that $15 billion."" -- Charles Fall

On June 22, 2022, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber issued a stark warning about the fate of the agency’s capital plan. Speaking publicly, Lieber said, "If it doesn't happen, at some point we can't award contracts that are dependent on having capital, the cash a couple of years later." The matter centers on congestion pricing, which Lieber and advocates call the largest, most environmentally beneficial funding source for the MTA. Projects at risk include the Second Avenue Subway, ADA accessibility improvements, and zero-emissions buses. Lieber opposes broad exemptions, arguing carve-outs weaken the plan. Rachel Fauss, a transit advocate, stressed, "There is no other source to fill that $15 billion hole." The MTA’s five-year capital plan remains stalled, leaving vulnerable riders—especially those needing accessible stations—at risk as the city waits for action.

• MTA CEO Puts it in Blunt Terms: ‘Without Congestion Pricing, Forget 2nd Ave. Subway, E-Buses or ADA Work’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-22

Jun 17 - A Ford SUV hit a stopped KIA near 20 Pine Street. Metal tore. The KIA’s side caved in. A 39-year-old man’s arm was crushed. Heat shimmered. Silence hung over the wreck. The city kept moving.

A Ford SUV struck a stopped KIA sedan from behind near 20 Pine Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'a Ford struck a stopped KIA from behind. Metal split. The KIA’s side crumpled inward.' A 39-year-old man in the KIA suffered crush injuries to his arm and remained conscious at the scene. The SUV’s point of impact was the right rear bumper, while the KIA’s left side doors were heavily damaged. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4539282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - StreetsPAC backs challengers and some incumbents in the 2022 Assembly primaries. The group slams officials who ignore street safety. They praise candidates who push for bike lanes, better buses, and less car dominance. Endorsements target real change for vulnerable road users.

""She will make upgrading public transit a priority, especially improving bus service and subway accessibility on the Lower East Side, and she's also interested in reforming the MTA board and making sure the agency is focused on enhancing service."" -- Grace Lee

On June 17, 2022, StreetsPAC, a political action committee for safer streets, released endorsements for the 2022 New York State Assembly primary season. The guide, titled 'DECISION 2022: The StreetsPAC Guide to the Assembly Primary Season,' highlights support for expanding bike lanes, improving bus service, and reducing car culture. StreetsPAC criticizes incumbents who fail on street safety and uplifts new candidates who promise safer streets and better transit. Endorsed candidates include Juan Ardilla, Grace Lee, Tony Simone, Anthony Andrews, and Ryder Kessler, all praised for prioritizing vulnerable road users. StreetsPAC calls for reforms like protected bike lanes, dedicated busways, and DMV accountability. Their endorsements aim to shift city policy toward pedestrian and cyclist safety, away from car-centric streets.

• DECISION 2022: The StreetsPAC Guide to the Assembly Primary Season, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-17

Jun 16 - Two vehicles crashed on Broadway in Manhattan. The SUV and sedan struck front bumpers. The SUV driver, a 34-year-old man, suffered a head abrasion but was conscious and restrained. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Broadway involving a 2016 SUV and a 2014 sedan. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when they collided front-to-front. The SUV driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with a head abrasion but remained conscious and was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The impact damaged the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. The injured party was the SUV driver; no pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - Cycling slashes emissions faster than electric cars. Swapping car trips for bike rides cuts carbon now. Active travel means cleaner air, fewer cars, safer streets. The study shows: pedal power outpaces battery power in the race against climate disaster.

This policy analysis, released June 3, 2022, reviews global transport emissions and the impact of cycling versus electric cars. The report, titled 'Study: Cycling is 10x More Important Than Electric Cars For Reaching Net Zero,' finds that 'tackling the climate and air pollution crises requires curbing all motorised transport, particularly private cars, as quickly as possible.' No council members are named; this is a research-driven analysis, not a legislative action. The study tracked 4,000 urban residents across Europe, showing daily cyclists had 84% lower travel emissions than non-cyclists. It argues that active travel—cycling, walking, e-biking—cuts emissions faster than waiting for electric cars to replace gas vehicles. The findings highlight the urgent need to reduce car use, not just electrify it, to protect vulnerable road users and the environment.

• Study: Cycling is 10x More Important Than Electric Cars For Reaching Net Zero, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-03

Jun 2 - Assemblyman Mamdani and Senator Hoylman push for cameras in 50 protected bike lanes. Drivers who block lanes face $50 fines. DOT backs the plan. Lawmakers say enforcement is needed. Cyclists face danger daily. Cameras promise real consequences for reckless drivers.

Assembly Bill, proposed June 2, 2022, by Zohran Mamdani (District 36) and co-sponsored by Brad Hoylman, seeks to deploy automated enforcement cameras at 50 protected bike lanes. The bill aims to fine drivers $50 for each infraction, targeting those who block or drive in bike lanes. The matter summary states: 'NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes.' Mamdani and Hoylman argue that enforcement is critical, with Mamdani stating, 'You consistently see cars driving in the bike lane. We know that these cameras work to deter drivers from breaking the law.' DOT supports the measure, calling it 'life-saving automated enforcement technology.' The bill awaits City Council approval, with Mamdani pledging to advance it through the summer and fall.

• NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-02

Jun 2 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Jun 1 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

May 31 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

May 27 - D.C. council hiked registration fees for heavy SUVs. Owners of 6,000-pound behemoths now pay $500, up from $155. The city aims to fund safer streets and fix battered roads. Councilmember Mary Cheh says it’s a step to offset harm from oversized vehicles.

On May 27, 2022, the D.C. Council passed a bill to increase registration fees for large SUVs. The measure, led by Transportation Committee Chairwoman Mary Cheh, boosts fees to $500 for vehicles over 6,000 pounds, $250 for 5,000–6,000 pounds, and $175 for 3,500–5,000 pounds. The bill summary states, 'the larger a vehicle, the worse it is for the environment, the more damage it causes to our roads, and the more dangerous to others using the roadway.' Cheh, who wrote the proposal, said, 'drivers who pick these larger vehicles will now need to pay a bit more to compensate for that additional damage.' The council expects the new fees to raise $40 million over five years, funding street safety projects and road repairs. Cheh admits the policy is not a cure-all for traffic violence but calls it a step forward to recoup costs from oversized vehicles.

• D.C. SUV Owners Will Finally Pay Much More to Drive Such Behemoths, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-27

May 25 - A cyclist struck a stopped Toyota on Maiden Lane. His arm split open. Blood pooled on the pavement. The car stood still, untouched. The cyclist stayed awake, clutching his torn flesh. The street held its silence. Metal and flesh collided. Pain lingered.

A cyclist riding west on Maiden Lane crashed into the right side of a stopped Toyota sedan near Water Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A cyclist hit the side of a stopped Toyota. His arm split open on impact. Blood on the pavement. The car stood still, unmarked. He stayed awake, holding his torn flesh.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his arm. No injuries were reported for the car’s occupants. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors or vehicle violations are noted in the data. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4531215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19