Chelsea’s Streets Bleed While City Hall Sleeps

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Sedan driver without license turned left, struck 83-year-old man crossing with signal. Pedestrian suffered whiplash, full-body injuries. Driver failed to yield on busy Manhattan street.

According to the police report, at 21:33 on W 24 St near 10 Ave in Manhattan, an unlicensed male driver in a 2012 Nissan sedan made a left turn and struck an 83-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, suggesting a low-speed impact but significant harm to the pedestrian. No blame is assigned to the pedestrian. The report highlights the danger of unlicensed drivers failing to yield in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785084 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1236 hits Albany. It targets drivers who block bike lanes. The bill adds a mandatory surcharge. Money goes to the court. Cyclists get no relief until cars clear the lane.

Assembly bill A 1236 was introduced on January 9, 2025. It sits at the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to violations and a mandatory surcharge for parking in a bicycle lane,' would require drivers who block bike lanes to pay a mandatory surcharge to the court that finds them liable. Jo Anne Simon (District 52) leads as primary sponsor, joined by Deborah Glick (District 66) and Tony Simone (District 75) as co-sponsors. The bill aims to penalize drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking bike lanes, but its impact depends on enforcement and driver behavior. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 1236, Open States, Published 2025-01-09

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 324 demands complete street design for state- and federally-funded projects. Sponsors push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars. Safety for all hangs in the balance.

Assembly Bill A 324 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers—when building or upgrading roads. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and many others. The bill also directs the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note yet, but the measure’s intent is clear: streets should protect the most vulnerable, not just move traffic.

• File A 324, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

A Cadillac SUV barreled south through the intersection at W 37th Street and 9th Avenue. The bumper struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She lay semiconscious, her body broken, the street marked by violence and disregard.

According to the police report, a Cadillac SUV drove south on 9th Avenue, proceeding straight through the intersection at W 37th Street. The vehicle struck a 61-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states, 'The bumper struck her. She lay crushed and semiconscious, her body broken across the pavement.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her entire body and was left semiconscious at the scene. The police report notes the woman was crossing with the signal, and no contributing factors were attributed to her actions. The report lists the contributing factor for the driver as 'Unspecified,' but the narrative makes clear the SUV 'drove south, straight through the light,' highlighting a failure to obey the traffic signal. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

A bicyclist was ejected and injured when a sedan making a right turn failed to yield right-of-way on West 34th Street. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries, highlighting driver failure and limited visibility as critical factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:20 on West 34th Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west was making a right turn when it struck a bicyclist going straight south. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The bicyclist, a 28-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan showed no damage, indicating a significant impact to the bicyclist. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New Jersey. No helmet or other safety equipment was reported on the bicyclist, but the police report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash underscores critical driver errors and systemic dangers posed by limited visibility and failure to yield in vehicle-bicycle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 16-year-old girl crossing with the signal suffered head abrasions after a vehicle struck her on West 27th Street. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, hitting the pedestrian with the left front bumper while going straight ahead.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 27th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan around 4 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The vehicle, traveling straight ahead, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. No other vehicle or driver details were provided. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to lawful pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781103 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Two taxis crashed on West 34th Street in Manhattan. The rear taxi struck the front taxi’s center back end. A 60-year-old passenger suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, two taxis collided near West 34th Street in Manhattan at 3:10 AM. The first taxi was stopped in traffic, and the second taxi, traveling eastbound, struck the center back end of the stopped vehicle. The impact caused injuries to a 60-year-old male passenger seated in the front middle seat of the rear taxi. He suffered back injuries and was in shock, with complaints of pain and nausea. Both vehicles sustained damage at the center front and center back ends. The report explicitly attributes the crash to "Driver Inattention/Distraction" for the striking vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The drivers were licensed and operating taxis at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A woman crossing with the signal at 11th Avenue was hit. She suffered a bruised upper arm but stayed conscious. The vehicle was unspecified. No driver errors or causes listed in the report.

According to the police report, a female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 311 and 11th Avenue in Manhattan at 21:14. She was crossing with the signal when an unspecified vehicle struck her. The impact left her with a contusion and an upper arm injury, but she remained conscious. The report lists the vehicle as unspecified, with damage and impact described as 'Other.' No driver errors or contributing factors are cited in the report. No victim actions are listed as contributing factors. The report documents a collision involving a pedestrian lawfully crossing and an unidentified vehicle, with no explicit driver fault recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A yellow cab turned left on 10th Avenue, its front end smashing into a teenage cyclist’s head. The boy collapsed, unconscious, under the streetlights. The cab kept moving. The city’s cold geometry drew blood again.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck and seriously injured by a yellow taxi at the corner of 10th Avenue and West 33rd Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 22:40, when the taxi, described as a 2023 Ford, made a left turn and its front end hit the cyclist’s head. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver, highlighting a critical error that led to the collision. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious at the scene. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but these are mentioned only after the primary driver error. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a taxi making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining bruises but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southwest on 7th Avenue made a left turn onto West 17th Street at 8:10 p.m. The driver failed to yield right-of-way to a 61-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The impact occurred at the taxi's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The report cites the driver's failure to yield and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The taxi showed no vehicle damage. The incident highlights critical driver errors in yielding and attention that resulted in harm to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 75-year-old man stood off West 18th Street. An e-bike slammed into him head-on. His leg split open. Blood pooled on the curb. The rider vanished, leaving pain and silence behind.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old pedestrian was standing off the roadway near 351 West 18th Street in Manhattan when an e-bike traveling west struck him head-on. The report states the impact tore open the man's leg, causing severe bleeding. The e-bike rider did not stop and left the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the collision, according to the report. The focus remains on the e-bike operator's failure to yield and lack of attention, which directly led to the violent injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 50-year-old male motorcycle driver sustained a severe leg injury after a collision on West 24th Street. The rider was conscious and not ejected but suffered a fractured knee and lower leg. The crash involved no other vehicles or pedestrians.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash at 17:02 on West 24th Street in Manhattan. The motorcycle, traveling westbound and going straight ahead, struck an unspecified object or surface with the center front end. The driver was not ejected and remained conscious but suffered a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of failure to yield or other driver errors. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. Vehicle damage was noted as 'other,' and no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver held a valid New York license.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771270 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04