No More Blood on Canal Street: Demand Safer Roads Now

Sep 7 - A 46-year-old female bicyclist was injured at Essex Street in Manhattan. The bike and a parked sedan collided. The cyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries. The sedan showed no damage. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female bicyclist traveling south collided with a parked sedan on Essex Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan, occupied by a licensed male driver, showed no damage. The bicyclist was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors. The impact occurred on the left side doors of the sedan. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of her vehicle, traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 4 - A 43-year-old woman was struck by a sedan turning right on Division Street in Manhattan. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered bruises and an elbow injury. The impact hit the vehicle's right front bumper. The victim was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Division Street in Manhattan made a right turn and struck a 43-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The driver was licensed and operating a 2018 Nissan sedan. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - Senator Brian Kavanagh calls out city and state leaders for failing basement tenants. He slams piecemeal fixes and urges full legalization and safety upgrades. Storms kill. Inaction kills. Kavanagh says: bring these homes into the light, or more will die.

On September 1, 2022, Senator Brian Kavanagh (District 27) published an editorial demanding urgent action to legalize and regulate basement apartments. The piece, titled 'Basement apartments shouldn’t be death traps,' criticizes government inaction after deadly floods from Hurricane Ida and Sandy. Kavanagh, a sponsor of recent state legislation, writes: 'New York City needs to immediately move to legalize and regulate basement apartments to ensure the safety of their tens of thousands of tenants.' He condemns defunded pilot programs and failed bills, calling for a full-scale mobilization to prevent more deaths. Kavanagh’s editorial highlights the deadly consequences of neglect and urges leaders to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants living in basement units.

• Basement apartments shouldn’t be death traps, nydailynews.com, Published 2022-09-01

Aug 22 - A 22-year-old man was hit by a northbound sedan on South Street. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body. The sedan’s right front bumper struck him. The victim remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a northbound sedan on South Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or signal when the collision occurred. The sedan, a 2010 Mercedes, impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing abrasions and injuries to the pedestrian's entire body. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - Sedan merged on FDR Drive, struck motorcycle. Rider ejected, hit hard, neck bruised. Police cite driver inattention. Motorcycle demolished. Rider wore helmet. Streets stayed loud. Danger did not blink.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male motorcyclist was injured when a sedan merged southbound on FDR Drive and struck the motorcycle’s right front quarter panel. The impact ejected the rider, leaving him with neck contusions. Police list driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The motorcycle was demolished. The motorcyclist wore a helmet at the time of the crash. Both vehicles were traveling south. The rider remained conscious despite his injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A 31-year-old woman was injured crossing East Broadway against the signal. A northbound cyclist failed to yield right-of-way, striking her at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East Broadway at an intersection in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when a northbound cyclist struck her. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor by the cyclist. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The cyclist was traveling straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the bike. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4554254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A sedan backing on East Broadway hit a 35-year-old woman crossing in a marked crosswalk. She suffered injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian was in shock but showed no visible complaints.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East Broadway in a marked crosswalk. The crash occurred when a sedan, traveling east and backing up, struck her at the center back end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow and lower arm and was in shock at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage. No other contributing factors such as pedestrian error or safety equipment were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers during backing maneuvers in busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552656 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - A sedan struck a 21-year-old bicyclist making a left turn on Chrystie Street. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. A passenger in the sedan also sustained neck whiplash. Driver inattention and unsafe lane changing caused the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Chrystie Street collided with a southbound bicyclist making a left turn. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan carried two occupants; a 21-year-old female passenger suffered neck whiplash. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. The sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's right front bumper were damaged. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552245 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A 42-year-old man was struck while working in the roadway on East Broadway in Manhattan. The sedan’s right front quarter panel made impact. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries and was left in shock. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on East Broadway in Manhattan struck a 42-year-old male pedestrian who was working in the roadway. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Honda sedan. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A 21-year-old male motorscooter driver was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan on Grand Street in Manhattan. The scooter struck the sedan’s right front bumper. The rider suffered back contusions and bruises. The sedan was unoccupied.

According to the police report, a motorscooter traveling east collided with a westbound sedan at Grand Street in Manhattan. The motorscooter driver, a 21-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained back injuries described as contusions and bruises. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. The motorscooter driver was unlicensed. The sedan was unoccupied and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The point of impact was the right front bumper on both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549182 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 16 - A sedan struck a 62-year-old cyclist on South Street. The man flew from his bike. Blood ran from his face. The driver’s view was blocked. Distraction played a part. The cyclist wore a helmet. He stayed conscious in the dark.

A 62-year-old man riding north on his bike was hit by a sedan traveling east on South Street near Catherine Slip in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A 62-year-old man, helmeted, was thrown from his bike. His face bled into the dark. A Honda's right side crumpled. The driver didn’t see him. The view was blocked. He was conscious.' The cyclist suffered facial injuries and severe bleeding but remained conscious. The sedan’s right side was damaged. Police list 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers cannot see vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549179 - 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

Jul 1 - A 71-year-old man was injured by a northbound pickup truck on Pearl Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when struck. He suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage on impact.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Pearl Street in Manhattan after being struck by a northbound 2018 Ford pickup truck. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The truck's point of impact was the left front bumper, but it sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian's injuries were classified as moderate, with no mention of helmet or signaling factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

Jun 27 - A 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with an SUV on Canal Street in Manhattan. The SUV struck the bike’s front end with its right front bumper. The cyclist suffered abrasions and leg injuries, wearing a helmet at the time.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2011 Honda SUV traveling west on Canal Street collided with him. The bicyclist was making a left turn while the SUV was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was wearing a helmet. The report lists driver errors including driver inattention and distraction, as well as following too closely. The SUV driver was licensed in New Jersey. The bicyclist was not ejected but was in shock after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4541468 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 27 - Three SUVs collided on Worth Street in Manhattan. One passenger suffered facial bruising. The crash involved a left turn on red and driver inexperience. Vehicles stopped in traffic before impact. Damage focused on left front panels and bumpers.

According to the police report, three SUVs collided on Worth Street in Manhattan. A 32-year-old male passenger in the rear of one SUV was injured, sustaining a facial contusion and bruising. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. One vehicle was making a left turn on red, while the others were stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel and bumpers of the involved vehicles. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The drivers were licensed and traveling east and west. The crash caused damage to the left front sections of the vehicles. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4541467 - 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 - A cyclist slammed hard on Essex. Unsafe speed sent him flying. He hit the ground, unconscious. Blood on the street. Bike mangled. The city’s danger showed its teeth again.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured while making a left turn on Essex Street at Canal Street in Manhattan. The crash involved a collision with another vehicle traveling west. The report lists unsafe speed and improper lane usage as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was found unconscious at the scene. The bike’s front end and the other vehicle’s right front quarter panel were damaged. No helmet or signaling issues were noted in the report. Unsafe speed and lane misuse played a central role in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A 33-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered full-body injuries after a collision with an SUV on South Street in Manhattan. The SUV hit the bike’s left front quarter panel with its right front bumper. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected in a crash involving a 2003 SUV on South Street, Manhattan. The SUV was traveling east and struck the bicyclist on the left front quarter panel with its right front bumper. The bicyclist suffered fractures and dislocations to his entire body. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536991 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - A 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on Madison Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered head abrasions. A Honda SUV and the bike collided head-on. The bicyclist remained conscious despite the severity of the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Madison Street involving a Honda SUV and a bicycle. The 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained head injuries classified as abrasions. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. Both vehicles were traveling westbound, with the SUV impacting the center front end and the bike the center back end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not identify any driver errors or violations for the SUV driver. The bicyclist held a permit license from New York. No safety equipment status was confirmed. The crash resulted in injury severity level 3 for the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536103 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19