Blood on the Asphalt: NYC Streets Still Killing

Council Member Bottcher and colleagues launched ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They admit cars are the main killers. Five died in Bottcher’s district last year—three were pedestrians hit by drivers. The campaign runs citywide.

On January 19, 2024, Council Member Erik Bottcher unveiled the ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ campaign. The effort, joined by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Tony Simone, aims to remind cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks. Bottcher’s district saw 2,215 crashes last year, injuring 267 pedestrians and 218 cyclists; three of five fatalities were pedestrians killed by drivers. Bottcher said, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Simone highlighted delivery app pressure on workers to break laws. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project noted delivery workers face daily risks and exploitation. The campaign, first in English and Spanish, will expand citywide. The focus remains: cars are the real threat, but all street users must be considered.

• Electeds Roll Out ‘Bike Safe’ Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-19

Electeds launched 'Bike Safe' to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They named cars as the main killers. Delivery workers face pressure from apps. The campaign puts blame where it belongs: on reckless drivers and the systems that push workers to risk lives.

On January 19, 2024, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Council Member Erik Bottcher launched the 'Bike Safe' public safety campaign in Council District 47. The campaign, titled 'Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll,' urges cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks, but Bottcher stressed, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Bottcher and Hoylman-Sigal both called out reckless drivers as the real threat. Assembly Member Tony Simone joined, pushing for statewide laws to curb dangerous delivery app practices. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project highlighted how apps force delivery workers into risky behavior, but noted that new minimum pay rates help slow things down. The campaign focuses on education, not punishment, and centers the voices of workers and vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Electeds Roll Out 'Bike Safe' Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-19

Council Member Bottcher and colleagues launched ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ to urge cyclists to respect pedestrians. They admit cars are the main killers. Five died in Bottcher’s district last year—three were pedestrians hit by drivers. The campaign runs citywide.

On January 19, 2024, Council Member Erik Bottcher unveiled the ‘Slow Your Roll, Respect The Stroll’ campaign. The effort, joined by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Tony Simone, aims to remind cyclists to stop at red lights and avoid sidewalks. Bottcher’s district saw 2,215 crashes last year, injuring 267 pedestrians and 218 cyclists; three of five fatalities were pedestrians killed by drivers. Bottcher said, 'the vast majority of deaths and injuries are caused by cars.' Simone highlighted delivery app pressure on workers to break laws. Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project noted delivery workers face daily risks and exploitation. The campaign, first in English and Spanish, will expand citywide. The focus remains: cars are the real threat, but all street users must be considered.

• Electeds Roll Out ‘Bike Safe’ Campaign While Admitting Cars are the Real Source of Danger, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-19

Four occupants suffered injuries in a multi-vehicle crash involving three SUVs traveling north on West 29 Street. Impact points included rear quarter panels and a front bumper. All injured were in shock, wearing lap belts, and reported pain or nausea.

According to the police report, at 4:16 AM on West 29 Street in Manhattan, three SUVs collided while traveling northbound. The vehicles impacted each other at the left rear quarter panel, right rear quarter panel, and right front bumper. Four occupants were injured: two drivers and two passengers, all wearing lap belts and experiencing shock. Injuries ranged from head and chest trauma to entire body pain, with all complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the injured occupants were marked as 'Unspecified.' The crash highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle collisions involving SUVs in dense urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 24-year-old woman was injured when an SUV making a left turn failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection on 9 Avenue. Impact to the pedestrian’s hip and upper leg caused contusions and bruises.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai SUV traveling east on 9 Avenue was making a left turn at 12:15 a.m. when it struck a 24-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the danger posed by driver errors in yielding at intersections, placing vulnerable pedestrians at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694894 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A motorcycle stopped in traffic was struck from behind by a sedan on 10th Avenue in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, partially ejected and wearing a helmet, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:04 on 10th Avenue near West 31st Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling north, starting in traffic, struck a motorcycle also traveling north but stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the motorcycle's center back end. The motorcyclist, a 53-year-old male, was partially ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in contusions and bruises. He was conscious at the scene and was wearing a helmet. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Subway derailments hit a decade high. Five crashes since January 2023. Two dozen hurt in one. Assemblyman Tony Simone demands hearings. Riders lose trust. MTA claims safety, but investigations mount. Danger rides the rails. Riders wait for answers.

On January 11, 2024, Assemblyman Tony Simone (District 75) responded to a surge in NYC subway derailments—five incidents from January 2023 to January 2024, the most since 2011. Simone called for hearings into MTA safety, saying, 'At this point, I’ve got concerns about the MTA’s ability to build the public trust in their system.' The incidents include a Bronx work train derailment, an F train crash in Brooklyn, and a No. 1 line collision that injured two dozen. Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein warned, 'each derailment has repercussions across the entire system.' The MTA, led by Transit President Rich Davey, denies systemic failure but faces probes from the NTSB after recent accidents and a track worker’s death. Simone’s push for oversight comes as congestion pricing nears, raising the stakes for public safety and trust.

• Troubling Post analysis reveals NYC subway derailments are at a decade-high, with three in just the last month, nypost.com, Published 2024-01-11

Council calls for state action on Sammy’s Law and SAFE Streets Act. The bills would let New York City lower speed limits and give crash victims new rights. Lawmakers push to curb deadly driving and protect those on foot and bike.

Resolution 0549-2023, filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The resolution, introduced April 11, 2023, and filed December 31, 2023, calls for 'allowing New York City to establish a lower speed limit, and enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led sponsorship, joined by Gutiérrez, Restler, and others. The package aims to cut speeds, redesign streets, and support crash victims. It would let the city set safer limits, require safe passing for cyclists, and mandate complete street design. The council’s action spotlights the urgent need to protect people walking, biking, and riding in New York.

• File Res 0549-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-31

A 73-year-old man was struck while crossing West 20 Street. The driver, a woman, was distracted. He suffered a hip injury. The impact was severe. Emergency services responded quickly.

A pedestrian, 73, was injured while crossing West 20 Street with the signal. According to the police report, the driver, a licensed woman, was making a left turn when she struck him. The crash was attributed to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian sustained a hip injury and reported pain and nausea. The driver was traveling east in a sedan at the time of the incident. No safety equipment was noted as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 74-year-old man was struck by a taxi making a left turn on West 24 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver impacted the left front bumper.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on West 24 Street in Manhattan made a left turn and struck a 74-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the driver or pedestrian, but the taxi's maneuver of making a left turn while the pedestrian was crossing indicates a failure to yield or inadequate caution by the driver. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No safety equipment or other factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Upper West Side’s board voted 8-1 to demand crackdowns on unregistered mopeds. The resolution urges city and state to punish illegal dealers, enforce laws, and back Albany’s registration bill. Lawmakers say loopholes fuel chaos. Immigrants often misled. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 14, 2023, Community Board 7’s transportation committee passed a resolution, 8-1, demanding action against unregistered mopeds. The board called on the Department of Motor Vehicles to impose civil penalties on unregistered dealers and urged city and state officials to enforce laws against selling non-street-legal mopeds. The resolution also asks the city to consider a buy-back program for gas-powered mopeds. The matter, titled 'Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds,' supports Albany legislation requiring sellers to register mopeds with the DMV before sale. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores sponsor the bill. Bores said, 'We need to cut off the flow of these vehicles before they get onto these streets.' The board’s move aims to close loopholes, protect vulnerable road users, and address the chaos caused by unregistered mopeds.

• Upper West Side Panel Backs Resolution to Rein in Dangerous Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

Pick-up truck slams into sedan’s rear on West 42 Street. Sedan driver, 39, suffers chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles head south. Metal crumples. No driver errors listed. Pain and fear linger.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling south on West 42 Street struck the rear right bumper of a sedan moving in the same direction. The sedan’s 39-year-old male driver suffered chest injuries and shock. He wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not name any driver errors or violations. Both vehicles sustained bumper damage. No other injuries or violations are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 28-year-old man was struck on West 34 Street by an eastbound SUV. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. He suffered internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. The driver hit the pedestrian with the vehicle’s center front end.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing West 34 Street at an intersection in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when he was struck by a 2019 Chevrolet SUV traveling east. The vehicle’s center front end made impact. The pedestrian sustained internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis and remained conscious. The driver was licensed and starting in traffic at the time. The report lists no specific driver errors but notes the pedestrian’s action of crossing against the signal. No helmet or signaling factors were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A taxi driver distracted by inattention struck a bicyclist traveling north on 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries. The rider was incoherent and unhelmeted at the scene. The taxi was parked before impact.

According to the police report, a taxi driver, distracted and inattentive, collided with a bicyclist traveling northbound on 8th Avenue near 481 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected from the bike and sustained serious head injuries, resulting in incoherence at the scene. The taxi was initially parked and struck the cyclist on its left side doors, damaging the left front quarter panel. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 40-year-old man was hit by a taxi making a right turn on West 30 Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The impact injured his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on West 30 Street struck a pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian, a 40-year-old man, was crossing with the signal when the taxi made a right turn. The collision caused injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in contusions and bruises. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor by the driver. The taxi showed no damage from the impact. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 33-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on 10 Avenue near West 34 Street. She suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 10 Avenue at West 34 Street with the signal. The crash involved a 2023 BMW SUV making a left turn northwestbound. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained a contusion to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle properly but failed to notice the pedestrian. There was no damage to the vehicle. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing lawfully.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686594 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A moped slammed into the back of a stopped sedan on 9 Avenue. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Police cited following too closely as the cause. The sedan driver was unhurt. Both vehicles damaged front and rear.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on 9 Avenue rear-ended a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The moped driver, a 25-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, indicating the moped driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan driver was not injured. The moped's front end and the sedan's rear end both sustained damage. The moped driver was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683346 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A moped struck the left side of a parked taxi on West 35 Street in Manhattan. The female passenger on the moped suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash caused shock but no visible complaints. Unsafe lane changing was a factor.

According to the police report, a moped traveling west collided with the left side doors of a parked taxi on West 35 Street in Manhattan. The moped driver was going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The female passenger on the moped, age 33, was injured with damage to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was not ejected but experienced shock. The report lists unsafe lane changing as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The taxi had no occupants at the time and sustained damage to its left side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A moped collided with the right rear quarter panel of an SUV on Avenue of the Americas. The 31-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered a head contusion. The SUV driver was licensed; the moped driver was not.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on Avenue of the Americas struck the right rear quarter panel of a northbound SUV. The moped driver, a 31-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained a head injury described as a contusion. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error on the moped or SUV operator's part. The moped driver was unlicensed, while the SUV driver was licensed. The moped driver wore a helmet. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Albany lawmakers move to force moped registration before sale. The bill aims to block illegal, unregistered mopeds from city streets. Dealers, not riders, would handle paperwork. Advocates say this targets bad actors and protects pedestrians from rogue machines.

On October 23, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill in Albany to require moped dealers to register vehicles with the DMV before buyers leave the shop. The bill, supported by Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Upper East Side), seeks to close a loophole that lets illegal mopeds flood city streets. The matter summary states: 'New legislation in Albany seeks to eliminate the use of illegal mopeds by requiring sellers to register them with the DMV before buyers can take them out of the shop.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This common-sense bill would simply ensure that the registration happens at the point of sale, before someone rides out of the shop.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project backs the move, stressing manufacturer responsibility. Attorney Daniel Flanzig says the law could clear streets of unregistered, dangerous vehicles. The bill is not yet law, but enforcement actions against illegal mopeds are already underway.

• State Lawmaker Seeks to Close Moped-Registration Loophole, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23