Hell’s Kitchen Bleeds: City Stalls, Bodies Fall

Council bill targets private car permits. Only elected officials, disabled drivers, and union contracts keep parking perks. Streets may clear. Danger shifts. Committee weighs next step.

Int 0411-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after its February 28, 2024 introduction. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won, Lincoln Restler, Gale Brewer, Christopher Marte, Erik Bottcher, Alexa Avilés, and the Brooklyn Borough President, aims to 'prohibit any city agency from issuing parking permits to private vehicles that do not have an elected official license plate, and would provide for the revocation of such parking permits.' Exemptions remain for people with disabilities and collective bargaining agreements. The bill seeks to cut back on private car privileges, a move that could reshape curb space and city streets.

• File Int 0411-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill would pay up to $1,000 for tips that help catch hit-and-run drivers who injure or kill. Police and city workers are barred from rewards. The measure targets unsolved crashes that leave victims behind.

Int 0143-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced February 28, 2024. The bill states: 'establishing a reward for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who seriously injures or kills another individual in a hit-and-run accident.' Council Member Rita C. Joseph leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Vernikov, Louis, Bottcher, Hudson, Gennaro, and Williams. The bill excludes law enforcement and city employees from eligibility. The aim is to mobilize the public to help solve hit-and-run cases, many of which remain unsolved, and bring justice for victims.

• File Int 0143-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council urges Albany to pass SAFE Streets Act. Lower speed limits. Rights for crash victims. Safe passing for cyclists. Complete streets. City demands action as deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. Lawmakers must act.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls on the state to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The matter title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422... allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Nurse, and others. The resolution demands lower speed limits, crash victim rights, safe passing for cyclists, and complete street design. It cites rising traffic deaths and the failure of current measures. The Council wants Albany to give the city real power to protect people on its streets.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Senate bill S 8658 orders $90 million for faster, more reliable buses and fare-free rides. Sponsors push MTA to act. Riders wait for relief. Streets choke on traffic. The city holds its breath.

Senate bill S 8658, introduced on February 27, 2024, sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'get congestion pricing right act,' directs the MTA to spend $45 million to boost bus frequency and reliability, and another $45 million to expand fare-free bus pilots in New York City. Senators Michael Gianaris (primary sponsor), Jabari Brisport, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Julia Salazar back the measure. The bill demands reporting on these investments. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 8658, Open States, Published 2024-02-27

More delivery workers now register their mopeds. Police crackdowns and ticket threats push them to comply. Advocates step in, guiding new immigrants through red tape. Sellers rarely warn buyers about legal requirements. Workers pay steep fees to keep earning and avoid losing their rides.

This report, published February 21, 2024, details the surge in moped registrations among New York City delivery workers. DMV data show ZIP codes with many deliveristas now lead in registered mopeds. The article quotes workers like Junior Pichardo, who says, 'If you have plates, [the police] won’t summons you.' Eric Macario and William Medina, both delivery workers, highlight confusion and lack of information about registration and insurance. Medina blames sellers for failing to inform buyers. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Alex Bores have introduced a bill to require sellers to register mopeds before sale, but it remains pending. For now, advocates help workers navigate the system. Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project says many only learn the rules after police seize their mopeds or issue tickets. The crackdown exposes systemic gaps, leaving vulnerable workers to bear the cost and risk.

• Data Dive: More Delivery Workers are Registering Their Mopeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-21

A 39-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan made a right turn and struck her at an intersection on West 57 Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and was left in shock, complaining of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a right turn on West 57 Street in Manhattan when it struck a 39-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury and was reported to be in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver's action of making a right turn while the pedestrian was crossing with the signal highlights a failure to yield or lack of adequate caution by the driver. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 26-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and injured with contusions and lower leg trauma after a sedan struck him on Manhattan’s 8th Avenue. The sedan driver was changing lanes, impacting the bike’s front end and causing serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:49 on 8th Avenue in Manhattan. A 26-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike was traveling north when a 2016 Toyota sedan, also heading north, was changing lanes. The sedan’s right rear bumper struck the e-bike’s center front end. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists the sedan driver’s action of changing lanes as a critical factor in the collision. No other contributing factors were specified. The impact and driver error highlight the dangers of lane changes in dense urban traffic, especially for vulnerable road users like e-bike riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704028 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 22-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV changed lanes unsafely and failed to yield right-of-way. The collision struck the bike’s right side and the SUV’s left side doors, causing moderate injury in Midtown Manhattan.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:45 near West 42 Street in Manhattan. A 2021 Mercedes SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was changing lanes eastbound when it collided with a 22-year-old male bicyclist also traveling eastbound. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. The bicyclist was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as moderate injury severity. The impact occurred on the left side doors of the SUV and the right side doors of the bike. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The report focuses on driver errors leading to the collision, without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704266 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A bus making a right turn struck a pedestrian crossing West 42 Street with the signal. The 33-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite the bus driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, a bus traveling northwest on West 42 Street was making a right turn when it struck a 33-year-old male pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The point of impact was the bus's right front bumper, which also sustained damage. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the bus driver as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed in New Jersey and operating the 2017 bus at the time. This incident highlights the systemic danger posed by driver errors in yielding to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704917 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Pickup truck turned left on 9th Avenue. Struck a 24-year-old man crossing with the signal. Pedestrian suffered knee and leg injuries. No damage to the truck. The street left him hurt.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male pedestrian was crossing 9 Avenue at West 53 Street in Manhattan with the signal when a southbound Ford pickup truck made a left turn and struck him with the center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The truck showed no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite any pedestrian errors. The driver was making a left turn while the pedestrian crossed, a maneuver that often demands caution.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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 2024-02-13

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 2024-02-13

A 22-year-old male bicyclist suffered a severe arm fracture after a collision on 11 Avenue. The cyclist was unhelmeted and injured but conscious. The motorist was unlicensed, traveling southbound, and struck the cyclist’s right front quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:50 on 11 Avenue near West 51 Street in Manhattan. A 22-year-old male bicyclist, traveling southbound without a helmet, was injured with a fractured elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The collision involved a vehicle traveling straight ahead southbound that impacted the bicyclist on the vehicle’s right front quarter panel. The driver of the vehicle was unlicensed in New York, indicating a critical driver error contributing to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. The bicyclist’s lack of helmet use was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The report highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A moped rider crashed headfirst into a parked SUV on Ninth Avenue. Blood pooled beneath his helmet. He stayed conscious, wounded and dazed, as streetlights flickered onto the cold Manhattan night.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old moped rider traveling south on 9th Avenue near West 58th Street struck the left side doors of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A moped struck a parked SUV. The rider, 29, hit headfirst. Blood seeped from his helmet. He stayed conscious.' The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor, indicating the moped rider responded to another vehicle's actions before the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time, with no damage reported. The injured rider suffered severe head bleeding but remained conscious. The police report notes the use of a helmet by the rider. No driver errors from the parked SUV are cited; the focus remains on the chain of events triggered by traffic conditions and the presence of large, stationary vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 76-year-old woman suffered facial contusions when an SUV backing south on West 44th Street hit her. The driver’s unsafe backing and limited view caused the collision. The pedestrian remained conscious but injured in Manhattan’s busy streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:01 on West 44th Street in Manhattan. A 2009 Hyundai SUV, driven by a licensed female driver from New Jersey, was backing south when it struck a 76-year-old female pedestrian. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained facial contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicle. No vehicle damage was reported. The collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors during backing maneuvers in crowded urban environments, especially when visibility is compromised.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A van backing east collided with a westbound bicyclist on West 53rd Street in Manhattan. The 25-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved confusion or error by the bicyclist, according to police.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:15 on West 53rd Street in Manhattan. A 2013 van was backing east when it struck a 25-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, indicating the cyclist's actions played a role. The van's point of impact was the center back end, confirming it was backing at the time of collision. The driver held a valid New York license. The report does not assign fault to the bicyclist but highlights the van driver's backing maneuver and the bicyclist's confusion as central to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A male cyclist traveling east on West 43rd Street struck a 58-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered an upper arm injury. The bike showed no damage. Contributing factors remain unspecified according to the police report.

According to the police report, a licensed male cyclist riding a bike eastbound on West 43rd Street collided with a 58-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining an upper arm injury classified as internal and moderate severity. The point of impact was the center front end of the bike. The bike sustained no damage. The report lists contributing factors for the pedestrian as unspecified, and no driver errors or violations are explicitly cited. The pedestrian’s location and actions are marked as not applicable, and no safety equipment or behavioral factors are noted. The report focuses on the collision details without attributing fault or specifying driver errors such as failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06