No More Blood on Canal Street: Demand Safer Roads Now

Jun 16 - A 39-year-old female bicyclist suffered a head contusion after colliding with a sedan in Manhattan. The sedan was parked at the time. The bicyclist was conscious and wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:35 in Manhattan near Division Street. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old woman, was riding west and was struck by a sedan that was parked. The report notes the bicyclist sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was conscious at the scene. The sedan showed no damage, and the point of impact was the center front end of the bicycle. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no contributing factors related to victim behavior were cited. The data highlights the vulnerability of bicyclists even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - A 77-year-old man driving a sedan suffered a head contusion after a crash on Catherine Street in Manhattan. The collision involved multiple vehicles, with police citing illness as a contributing factor. The driver remained conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Catherine Street in Manhattan at 17:45. The injured party was a 77-year-old male driver of a sedan who sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a possible medical condition affecting the driver's ability. Multiple vehicles were involved, including sedans and an SUV, with damage noted on right rear quarter panels and front bumpers. The injured driver was not ejected from the vehicle. No other driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited in the report. The focus remains on the driver's medical condition as a critical factor in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A 78-year-old woman crossing Grand Street with the light was struck in the head by a southbound cyclist. Blood pooled on the crosswalk. The rider did not stop. She remained conscious, injured and bleeding, as the bike rolled away.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old pedestrian was crossing Grand Street at Chrystie Street in Manhattan when she was struck in the head by a southbound cyclist. The incident occurred at 10:03 a.m. The report states the woman was crossing with the signal when the collision happened. Severe bleeding was noted, but she remained conscious at the scene. The cyclist did not stop and continued southbound, leaving the injured woman behind. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist's failure to remain at the scene and the cited inattention underscore the dangers faced by pedestrians, even when crossing with the light. The report does not identify any victim behavior as a contributing factor beyond her lawful crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - Taxi cut across Grand Street, failed to yield. Struck a westbound cyclist. The rider flew from his bike. He hit the ground, scraped his arm. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

According to the police report, a taxi entered a parked position on Grand Street in Manhattan at 21:33. The driver failed to yield and struck a 34-year-old male bicyclist traveling west. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s error. The taxi’s right front bumper hit the bike. The cyclist wore a helmet, but the crash was caused by the taxi’s failure to yield. No victim actions contributed, per the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731962 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 4 - Two sedans traveling east on Canal Street collided in Manhattan. The driver of one vehicle suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited following too closely and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling eastbound on Canal Street in Manhattan when the collision occurred at 19:08. The driver of one sedan, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Unsafe Lane Changing," which contributed to the crash. Both vehicles sustained no damage despite the impact occurring at the left front bumpers. No other occupants were reported injured. The report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior, focusing solely on driver errors that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731495 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 13 - A 36-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after colliding with an SUV on Canal Street in Manhattan. The impact struck the bike’s center front end and the SUV’s right rear bumper. The cyclist suffered lower leg injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 10:08 AM on Canal Street in Manhattan involving a bicyclist and an SUV. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike after the impact. The bike’s center front end struck the right rear bumper of the SUV, which was traveling eastbound alongside the bike. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any fault or error by the bicyclist. The collision highlights the danger posed by vehicle interactions with vulnerable road users in shared travel directions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724266 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - A bicyclist riding east on Grand Street suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a sedan making a left turn struck him on the bike’s left side. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, remained conscious but bruised from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:33 on Grand Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the left side doors of the bike and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The bicyclist, a 49-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The driver’s error in yielding created the conditions for this collision, resulting in significant injury to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717595 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 7 - Steel slammed steel on Grand Street. A truck and sedan collided head-on. The 27-year-old driver, conscious but bleeding from the head, was pinned in the wreck. Distraction steered disaster. Sirens chased silence down Eldridge.

A head-on collision between a truck and a sedan unfolded at Grand Street and Eldridge Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash left a 27-year-old male driver injured, suffering crush injuries and bleeding from the head, but conscious at the scene. The police report attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact, with the truck moving north and the sedan heading west. The report details that steel met steel as the two vehicles collided, emphasizing the force of the impact. No contributing factors are listed for the victim beyond the cited driver inattention. The data underscores distraction behind the wheel as the critical factor in this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - Two motorcycles tore south on FDR Drive. One struck a Honda SUV’s rear. Metal shattered. A 28-year-old rider flew headfirst onto the asphalt, bleeding but awake. A 12-year-old passenger was ejected and fractured. Unsafe speed ruled the crash.

According to the police report, two motorcycles sped southbound on FDR Drive near the Manhattan Bridge. Both were changing lanes at unsafe speeds. One motorcycle, operated by an unlicensed 28-year-old man, slammed into the left rear bumper of a Honda SUV. The rider was ejected, suffering severe head injuries and bleeding, with no helmet listed as safety equipment. A 12-year-old passenger was also ejected and suffered fractures. Both motorcycles were cited for 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV driver was proceeding straight and was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash left the motorcycles demolished and the SUV damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 31 - A 30-year-old man crossing with the signal suffered bruises and arm injuries after a cyclist struck him at a Manhattan intersection. The cyclist failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:19 on Division Street in Manhattan. A 30-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was struck by a cyclist traveling east. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the cyclist. The cyclist's point of impact was the center front end of the bike, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted cyclists failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 15 - A 30-year-old woman crossing with signal on Chrystie Street was struck by a sedan backing unsafely. The vehicle hit her at the center back end, causing abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. Unsafe speed contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Chrystie Street and Grand Street in Manhattan around 4:55 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2017 BMW sedan traveling north backed unsafely, striking her at the center back end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The vehicle was damaged at the center back end. The driver’s failure to yield while backing created a hazardous condition that led to the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Two SUVs slammed together on FDR Drive. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police blamed unsafe speed. Metal twisted. The road stayed open. The danger did not end.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on FDR Drive at 10:35 AM. Both vehicles were traveling north, going straight, when they struck front quarter to front quarter. The male driver of a 2011 SUV, age 51, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt. Police cited 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage. No other contributing factors or victim actions were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19