The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

May 25 - 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 2022-05-25

May 23 - Brooklyn’s Shore Parkway Greenway will close for a year. Parks Department cannot promise a safe detour for cyclists or pedestrians. Advocates demand action. City officials talk coordination, but no plan exists. Riders face risk. Repairs come, but safety lags.

On May 23, 2022, the Parks Department presented plans to close the Shore Parkway Greenway between the Verrazzano Bridge and Bay Parkway for a year-long repair in 2024. The matter, discussed at Brooklyn Community Boards 10 and 11, aims to fix potholes, resurface the path, and repair the seawall. The presentation, however, lacked any guarantee of a safe alternate route for cyclists and pedestrians. Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher admitted, 'I can't make any promises.' Council Member Carlina Rivera’s office noted her bill would require protections for cyclists around work zones, highlighting the gap in current planning. Executive Director Terri Carta of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative said, 'NYC Parks and DOT need to provide a safe alternative for greenway users during construction.' Despite DOT’s willingness to help, no concrete detour exists. The city’s failure to plan puts vulnerable road users at risk during the closure.

• Parks Department Can’t Guarantee Safe Alternate Route During Year-Long Brooklyn Greenway Repair, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-23

May 23 - 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 2022-05-23

May 23 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

May 16 - Drivers keep burning gas. Streets stay clogged. Death and pollution hold steady. The state’s gas tax holiday cuts prices, not crashes. Transit ridership lags. Oil giants profit. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The city breathes fumes and fear.

On May 16, 2022, Streetsblog NYC reported that New Yorkers’ gasoline use remains nearly unchanged since before the pandemic. State gas tax revenue shows only a 7.5 percent dip from March 2020 to March 2022. The upcoming gas tax holiday, set for June 1, will drop pump prices by 16 cents per gallon. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance called the holiday 'an outrageous windfall for oil profiteers' and demanded Governor Hochul cancel highway expansions and invest in frequent public transit. The bill is not before a council committee, but the advocacy statement highlights the ongoing threat to vulnerable road users: steady car traffic means steady danger. Pollution, congestion, and road death remain constant. The state’s policy props up driving, not safety.

• QUICK HIT: New Yorkers Are Still Burning Gasoline Like There’s No Tomorrow, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-16

May 16 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

May 16 - Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

May 13 - Mayor Adams promised 150 miles of bus lanes. As painting season starts, only three projects move forward. Riders wait. Advocates demand action. DOT offers few details. Bus speeds crawl. The city falls behind its own plan. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

This report, dated May 13, 2022, tracks the Adams administration’s progress on bus lane expansion under the Streets Master Plan. The plan requires 20 miles of new bus lanes in 2022 and 150 miles by 2026. The article states: 'Mayor Eric Adams has only presented three bus lane projects totaling about 14.6 miles as the painting season begins.' Only three out of 22 locations have timelines. Advocates like Riders Alliance and Ashley Pryce voice frustration: 'Mayor Adams promised 150 miles of new bus lanes. So far, he's at 0.' DOT claims support but offers no concrete schedule. Council members are not directly named, but the pressure comes from advocacy groups demanding urgent action. The lack of progress leaves bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—waiting in slow traffic, exposed to danger and delay.

• Adams Administration Has Just Three Bus Lane Projects as Painting Season Starts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-13

May 2 - Council and advocates demand action. Delays in commercial waste zones keep deadly trucks on city streets. Overlapping routes, reckless haulers, and missing side guards kill and injure. Reform stalls while lives hang in the balance. Urgency grows. No more excuses.

On May 2, 2022, the City Council’s Sanitation Committee, chaired by Council Member Sandy Nurse, held a hearing on the delayed implementation of commercial waste zones, a reform established by a 2019 law. The matter, titled 'Advocates Warn Against Further Delays on Commercial Waste Zones,' drew sharp criticism after the Department of Sanitation granted private carters a three-month extension to comply with new requirements. Nurse stated, 'Our communities cannot afford any more delays.' Advocates and Families for Safe Streets highlighted the deadly toll: reckless commercial haulers have killed more than two dozen people in recent years. The reform aims to cut truck traffic, reduce pollution, and require life-saving side guards on heavy trucks by 2024. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, said, 'Commercial waste zone reform can not come fast enough.' The hearing underscored that every delay keeps vulnerable New Yorkers at risk.

• TRASH TALK: Advocates Warn Against Further Delays on Commercial Waste Zones, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-02

Apr 29 - Design Trust’s new toolkit targets city red tape. It aims to shift public space from car storage to people. The guide lists steps for plazas, parklets, and open streets. It pushes city agencies to cut barriers and back community-led, pedestrian-focused spaces.

On April 29, 2022, the Design Trust for Public Space released its 'Neighborhood Commons' toolkit. This policy report, not a council bill, urges city agencies to overhaul how New York manages public space. The toolkit, described as a guide for 'city approvals needed for plazas, sidewalk furniture, parklets, open streets and other amenities that enable successful pedestrianization and placemaking,' calls for unified permits, sliding fees, and an inter-agency Public Realm Working Group. Matthew Clarke, executive director, said, 'Public spaces and the small businesses that define them are critical for the livelihood of our neighborhoods.' Jackson Chabot of Open Plans added, 'These systemic changes will foster safe streets, commerce, and community.' The report highlights decades of city neglect, favoring car storage over people. The toolkit’s recommendations aim to make streets safer and more vibrant for everyone.

• Design Trust Releases Public Space Management ‘Toolkit’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-29

Apr 26 - Queens Boulevard remains a danger zone. The city’s plan keeps eight car lanes, weak bike protection, and slow buses. Cyclists dodge cars. Bus riders wait. Drivers rule. Real safety demands fewer car lanes, center bus lanes, and true bike barriers.

This opinion piece, published April 26, 2022, calls out the Department of Transportation’s plan for Queens Boulevard. The plan, part of the 'Great Streets' project, keeps eight car lanes and installs only lightly protected bike lanes with mountable curbs. Samuel Santaella, the author, writes: 'the department has discriminated against thousands of bikers and 13,630 pre-pandemic daily bus riders in order to privilege the needs of 40,000 daily motorists.' Santaella opposes the current DOT plan and urges a redesign: reduce car lanes to four, add center-running bus lanes, fully separated bikeways, and wider sidewalks. He warns that mountable curbs let drivers invade bike lanes, putting cyclists at risk. Bus riders see little benefit, still stuck behind double-parked cars. The piece demands the city stop favoring drivers and start protecting vulnerable road users.

• OPINION: Swap Out Car Lanes for a Center-Running Bus Lane, Better Bike Facilities on Queens Boulevard, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-26

Apr 23 - Mayor Adams pledged $900 million for protected bike and bus lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it a dramatic step for street safety. The sum falls short of Council’s ask, but promises hardened lanes and real barriers for cyclists and bus riders.

On April 23, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a $900 million budget proposal for street safety infrastructure. The plan, part of ongoing budget talks, aims to fund hundreds of miles of protected bike and bus lanes, plus concrete barriers. Council Member Lincoln Restler of District 33, a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, praised the move as 'a very clear commitment to addressing street safety across the five boroughs.' The proposal supports the Streets Master Plan, which mandates 250 miles of protected bike lanes and 150 miles of protected bus lanes in five years. Restler emphasized that the funding will harden bike lanes, replacing paint with physical barriers to keep cars out and protect cyclists. The Council had requested $3.1 billion, but Restler called the $900 million a dramatic investment. The budget must be finalized by June 30.

• Mayor Adams pledges more than $900 million to enhancing traffic safety, gothamist.com, Published 2022-04-23

Apr 22 - City Hall adds 21 new Open Streets but offers little funding. Volunteers still shoulder the burden. Mayor Adams calls his commitment 'steadfast.' Car owners protest. Residents and businesses cling to rare safe space. Equity promised, but city support remains thin.

On April 22, 2022, the city announced an expansion of the Open Streets program, adding 21 new locations to the existing 156. Mayor Adams, in a statement, called his commitment to the program 'steadfast.' The announcement pledges up to $20,000 per site for non-profits to cover costs like barriers and signage. The program, launched during the pandemic, lets residents walk and gather in streets closed to cars. Council action is not specified, but the mayor's office leads. The city promises to focus on underserved neighborhoods, aiming for equity. Still, most operations rely on volunteers, not city workers. Car owners protest the loss of parking. The Horticultural Society of New York will assist with management and upkeep. The city’s support is real but limited. Vulnerable road users get space, but the system leans on unpaid labor.

• City Announces New Open Streets Coming This Summer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-22

Apr 20 - More cars do not mean faster commutes for Black workers. Decades of rising car ownership brought longer, not shorter, trips. Streets stay dangerous. Pollution and risk fall hardest on communities of color. The answer is not more cars. It is safer streets.

This policy analysis, released April 20, 2022, reviews a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The report, titled 'Study: Car Ownership Doesn’t Always Cut Black Workers’ Commutes,' finds that despite an increase in car ownership among Black workers—from 76% in 1980 to 85% in 2019—average commute times grew longer, not shorter. The study states, 'it may not be possible to speed up city commutes with automotive strategies alone.' The gap in commute times between Black and White workers persists, especially in large, segregated cities. The article warns that subsidizing driving will make streets more polluted and dangerous, with the heaviest toll on communities of color. It calls for investment in bus rapid transit, trains, and active transportation, and for building communities where jobs and housing are close. No council member is named; this is a research release, not a legislative action.

• Study: Car Ownership Doesn’t Always Cut Black Workers’ Commutes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-20

Apr 7 - Councilmember Rita Joseph opens the door. Residents in District 40 and four other Brooklyn districts can vote on local projects. Ballots close April 10. The process funds parks, schools, and public spaces. The city lets people decide. Streets may change.

Participatory Budgeting voting opened in Brooklyn District 40 on April 7, 2022. Councilmember Rita Joseph announced the cycle, which runs until April 10. The process lets residents as young as 11 vote on capital and expense projects. The official matter title: 'Voting for Participatory Budgeting is open in five Brooklyn districts until April 10.' Joseph, along with councilmembers Jennifer Gutiérrez (34), Chi Ossé (36), Alexa Avilés (38), and Shahana Hanif (39), offers in-person and online voting. Projects range from park upgrades to school improvements. Final results will be announced the week of April 17. Participatory Budgeting shapes how public money is spent, but the safety impact for vulnerable road users depends on which projects win. No direct safety assessment was provided.

• Voting for Participatory Budgeting is open in five Brooklyn districts until April 10, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-04-07

Apr 6 - Yankee Stadium blocks cyclists. No bike racks. No protected lanes. Helmets banned inside. Painted lanes blocked by cars. The last stretch is a gauntlet. The team pushes trains, ignores bikes. Cyclists left exposed, unwelcome, and at risk.

This media commentary, published April 6, 2022, by Streetsblog NYC, exposes the lack of safe bike access at Yankee Stadium. The article states: 'The Bombers do nothing to promote—and, in fact, discourage—fans from visiting Yankee Stadium by bicycle.' There are no bike racks at the stadium. Helmets are banned inside. Painted bike lanes are blocked by double-parked cars. No protected bike lanes exist near the stadium. The Macombs Dam Bridge approach is hazardous. The Yankees promote transit but ignore cycling. No council members are directly involved. The piece highlights systemic neglect and danger for cyclists, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and unsupported.

• Streetsblog’s Annual MLB Opening Day Preview! Yankee Stadium Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-06

Apr 3 - Council Speaker Adrienne Adams demands $3.1 billion for bike lanes, bus lanes, and car-free busways. The plan dwarfs past efforts. It would rip out car space, open streets to people, and speed up buses. The mayor’s budget cuts face fierce resistance.

On April 3, 2022, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams led the City Council in calling for a $3.1 billion investment in street redesign. The proposal, part of the council’s response to the mayor’s $98.5 billion preliminary budget, seeks to expand protected bike lanes to 500 miles, bus lanes to 500 miles, and add 38 million feet of pedestrian space. The council’s plan also introduces 40 miles of car-free busways, a benchmark not found in the mayor’s plan or previous legislation. Adams and other council leaders argue this funding is vital, stating, 'To secure an equitable recovery for our city and improve public safety, we must focus on robust investments.' Transit advocates back the plan, urging the mayor to support safer, more accessible streets for all New Yorkers.

• Council calls for 'unprecedented' $3.1 billion streets plan commitment, gothamist.com, Published 2022-04-03

Mar 28 - E-bike incentives spread as Congress stalls. States and cities move ahead with rebates. Local action grows as federal tax credits shrink. Car trips remain king. Streets stay deadly for walkers and riders. Lawmakers talk, but danger endures.

This policy analysis, published March 28, 2022, reviews the E-BIKE Act and related state bills. The E-BIKE Act, once part of the Build Back Better Act, proposed a federal tax credit for e-bike buyers. Congress reduced the credit from $1,500 to $900 and limited eligibility, stalling progress. The article states, 'By replacing car trips, e-bikes can simultaneously lower emissions, improve street safety, and boost riders' health.' John MacArthur, a transportation program manager, notes that local and state lawmakers now lead with rebates and incentives. Council members and legislators in Vermont, Colorado, California, Washington, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma have introduced or supported bills for e-bike rebates. Despite the momentum, no current state proposal pairs incentives with new bike infrastructure. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians and cyclists—remain at risk as car dominance continues and federal action lags.

• Electric Bicycle Incentives Go Local, But Feds Can Do More, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-28

Mar 21 - DOT unveiled three plans for Fordham Road. Two would ban cars on key stretches. Bus riders suffer slow trips. Most shoppers walk or ride transit. Advocates back a full busway. Businesses worry about lost drivers. DOT will refine designs by fall.

On March 21, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced three proposals to improve bus service on Fordham Road, the Bronx’s main transit artery. The plans include painted bus lanes, a partial car-free busway, and a full car-free busway between Morris and Webster avenues. DOT aims to finalize designs by early fall and implement changes by mid-fall 2022. The matter summary states, 'Bus speeds are among the slowest in the city.' Council members are not named, but transit advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance and Juan Restrepo of Transportation Alternatives support the full busway, citing faster buses and safer streets for the majority who walk or ride. Local businesses fear losing car customers. DOT will study traffic impacts before moving forward.

• DOT Offers Three Proposals to Finally Improve Bus Service on Fordham Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-21

Mar 9 - Canal Street is chaos. Cars rule, people dodge. Pedestrians make up most users, but get little space. Council Member Marte calls for urgent fixes. Residents want wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and real enforcement. The city stalls. Danger grows. Action cannot wait.

"Council Member Marte spoke at the end. He acknowledged the time is long overdue to take action in response to the dire conditions of Canal Street. He pledged his support to take action." -- Christopher Marte

On March 9, 2022, a public statement titled 'It’s Time for Immediate Action on Canal Street' spotlighted the deadly imbalance on Canal Street. The Department of Transportation and Council Member Chris Marte faced residents at a design workshop. The matter: 'What is to be done about traffic and safety on Canal Street?' Marte pledged support for urgent changes. The op-ed notes that pedestrians are 65% of users but get as little as 10% of street space. Residents demand widened sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and enforcement against double-parking and crosswalk invasions. The call is clear: shift space from cars to people. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at daily risk. The time for talk is over. The street must change now.

• Op-Ed: It’s Time for Immediate Action on Canal Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-09