Blood on the Pavement, Silence in City Hall

A 27-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a Manhattan crash. The SUV made a left turn and struck the sedan’s left front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver was conscious and restrained. Both vehicles traveled northeast at impact.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female driver of a 2018 sedan was injured when a 2019 SUV made a left turn and collided with her vehicle’s left front quarter panel on East 37 Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The SUV was traveling northeast and making a left turn, while the sedan was going straight ahead in the same direction. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not specify driver errors. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Keith Powers and other Manhattan leaders demand Mayor Adams close streets near Rockefeller Center for the holidays. They cite crushing crowds and danger. Tourists spill into traffic. The city stalls. Pedestrian safety hangs in the balance.

On November 10, 2022, Councilman Keith Powers (District 4) and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for Mayor Eric Adams to reinstate holiday street closures around Rockefeller Center. The push follows prior years when two crosstown blocks were closed to cars to protect pedestrians. The matter, described as 'NYC pols push Eric Adams to bring back Rockefeller Center holiday street closures,' highlights the risk: 'The crowds are just enormous... it’s frankly unsafe to have tourists pushed off the sidewalk and stepping into traffic.' Powers and Levine sent a letter on November 1 but received no response. Powers said, 'The crowds are crushing and demand is overflowing.' Both officials support making the closures permanent to prevent pedestrians from being forced into traffic during peak tourist season.

• NYC pols push Eric Adams to bring back Rockefeller Center holiday street closures, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-10

A distracted driver struck a 28-year-old male bicyclist on 1 Avenue near East 26 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver showed inattention, causing the crash.

According to the police report, a car traveling west on 1 Avenue collided with a northbound bicyclist at the right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 28-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver was going straight ahead but failed to maintain attention, leading to the impact. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from his bike. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585315 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A taxi struck the right rear bumper of a sedan changing lanes on 3 Avenue. The sedan carried four occupants. A 53-year-old female passenger suffered a head contusion. The crash happened at night. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on 3 Avenue rear-ended a sedan also heading north. The sedan was changing lanes when the taxi hit its right rear bumper. The taxi driver was inattentive and distracted, contributing to the crash. Four people were in the sedan. A 53-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed. The taxi's left front bumper and the sedan's right rear bumper were damaged. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A taxi struck the back of an SUV traveling south on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage.

According to the police report, a taxi collided with the rear center of a 2021 SUV on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The crash occurred while both vehicles were traveling southbound. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The taxi’s front center and the SUV’s rear center were damaged. No ejections occurred. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim or safety equipment beyond the lap belt. The incident highlights a failure in driver attention leading to a rear-end collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

City plans to carve out bus and bike lanes on deadly Third Avenue. Advocates and officials back the move but call it timid. No wider sidewalks. No hardened protection. Paint and plastic mark the limits. Pedestrians and cyclists still face risk.

On October 18, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation presented a redesign for Third Avenue, reviewed by Community Board 8's Transportation Committee. The plan, echoing a 2010 First Avenue project, repurposes 23 feet for cyclists and bus riders between E. 59th and E. 96th streets. Council Member Keith Powers and Borough President Mark Levine endorsed the proposal, with Levine stating, 'The redesign’s commitment to expanded protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes will turn this particularly dangerous stretch of the roadway into a safer, more efficient, and forward-thinking artery.' Still, Levine and advocates like Anna Melendez (Transportation Alternatives) pressed for more: wider sidewalks, hardened pedestrian islands, and real physical protection. The plan uses only paint and plastic, leaving pedestrians exposed. The proposal faces a full board vote on October 19, 2022. The city calls it a start, but the danger remains.

• Advocates Like (But Don’t Love) the DOT’s Third Ave. Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-18

DOT plans to rip out car lanes on Third Ave. Buses, bikes, and people get space. Six pedestrians and one cyclist died here since 2016. Councilmember Powers backs the plan. The board votes yes. Locals want more. The city promises action in 2023.

On October 13, 2022, the Department of Transportation unveiled a sweeping redesign for Third Avenue between 59th and 96th streets. The plan, discussed in the Board’s Transportation Committee, would convert two of five northbound car lanes into a dedicated bus lane and a parking-protected bike lane, with new pedestrian islands and signal priority. The committee voted 12-1 in favor. Councilmember Keith Powers, representing District 4, supports the overhaul. A spokesperson said, 'This project will expedite commute times, improve pedestrian safety, increase spaces for bikes, and ensure that cars, buses, and bikes can share the road in harmony.' Third Avenue is a Vision Zero priority corridor, scarred by six pedestrian and one cyclist death since 2016. Hundreds of cyclists ride here daily, despite no bike lane. Residents urged swift, bold action. DOT aims to install improvements in 2023.

• City proposes complete redesign of Third Ave on Upper East Side, amny.com, Published 2022-10-13

A 27-year-old man was struck on 3 Avenue near East 28 Street. He suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated head injury. The pedestrian was found unconscious. No driver errors or contributing factors were recorded in the report.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured on 3 Avenue near East 28 Street in Manhattan. He sustained a severe head injury described as fracture, distortion, and dislocation, and was found unconscious at the scene. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle condition were provided. The pedestrian's location and actions before the crash remain unknown. No safety equipment or other factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575572 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Two sedans crashed on East 38th Street in Manhattan. Both vehicles were traveling south when one struck the other’s rear quarter panel. A 20-year-old male driver suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on East 38th Street near FDR Drive in Manhattan. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead southbound when the front left bumper of one sedan struck the right rear quarter panel of the other. The 20-year-old male driver of the striking vehicle was injured, sustaining contusions to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice, indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A BMW hit a southbound cyclist at Lexington and East 36th. Her head struck the pavement. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious. The car’s front crumpled. The bike stood. Traffic moved. She bled while the city kept going.

A BMW sedan struck a 44-year-old woman riding a bike south on Lexington Avenue at East 36th Street. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a head injury and severe bleeding after her head hit the pavement. She was not wearing a helmet. The BMW’s front end was damaged. The crash report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the driver. No injuries were reported for the car’s occupants. The cyclist remained conscious at the scene. The report does not list any cyclist error as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A sedan turning left struck a 19-year-old bicyclist going straight on 1 Avenue. The cyclist suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver showed inattention and inexperience. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on 1 Avenue collided with a bicyclist traveling straight north. The 19-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage despite the impact to its center front end. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The driver was licensed, while the bicyclist was unlicensed. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers to vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A BMW SUV made a left turn in Manhattan and struck a 52-year-old male e-bike rider going straight. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Both drivers showed signs of inattention or distraction at the time of collision.

According to the police report, a 2020 BMW SUV driven by a licensed female driver from Connecticut was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound e-bike ridden by a 52-year-old male cyclist. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor for both the SUV driver and the cyclist. The SUV struck the e-bike on its left front quarter panel, while the e-bike was impacted at its center front end. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash occurred near 575 1 Avenue in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Manhattan’s Community Board 8 voted 38-3 for protected crosstown bike lanes and a two-way bikeway around Central Park. The move follows a cyclist’s death on E. 85th. Advocates demanded action. The board, once resistant, now shifts toward safety for riders.

On September 22, 2022, Manhattan Community Board 8 (CB8) voted 38-3 to request 'fully protected crosstown bike lanes approximately every 10 blocks between 60th and 110th streets on both sides of Central Park, and a two-way protected bikeway around Central Park.' The resolution had earlier cleared the Transportation Committee 12-2. The measure follows the killing of cyclist Carling Mott by a truck driver on E. 85th Street, where a bike lane had been rejected in 2016. Council Members Julie Menin and Keith Powers, along with Borough President Mark Levine, backed the push. Advocates, including Mott’s boyfriend and parents of student cyclists, spoke out for safety, condemning the board’s past inaction. Only one board member, Marco Tamayo, opposed the resolution. The vote marks a sharp turn for CB8, which had long resisted protected lanes, citing security fears and local opposition. Now, the board calls for comprehensive, protected infrastructure to shield vulnerable road users.

• Upper East Side Community Board Votes for Crosstown Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-22

Manhattan Community Board 8 voted 12-2 for protected crosstown bike lanes after a truck killed cyclist Carling Mott on E. 85th Street. The board demanded urgent action from DOT. Local councilmembers joined the call. The city now faces pressure to act.

On September 7, 2022, Manhattan Community Board 8's Transportation Committee passed a resolution by a 12-2 vote urging the Department of Transportation to install protected bike lanes on every 10 cross streets along Central Park and a two-way protected lane around the park. The resolution followed the death of 28-year-old cyclist Carling Mott, killed by a truck driver on E. 85th Street. The matter, described as a push to 'bring safe bike routes to the neighborhood,' saw support from councilmembers Keith Powers and Julie Menin, who called on DOT to revisit the 85th Street lane and improve safety infrastructure. Advocates and residents backed the plan, demanding action to prevent more deaths. DOT is reviewing the location for possible upgrades. The board's vote renews a fight stalled since 2016 by political opposition.

• Upper East Side Panel Supports Crosstown Bike Lanes — Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-12

City Hall stalls on a council-approved plan for school bus stop-arm cameras. Streets near schools stay dangerous. Children walk past risk. Council Member Keith Powers urges action. Advocates press for automated enforcement. The mayor keeps the tool unused.

On September 7, 2022, the Adams administration declined to implement a City Council-approved program allowing cameras on school bus stop arms to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. The bill, sponsored by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and co-sponsored by Keith Powers (District 4), aimed to protect children near schools. The matter summary states the law was 'an innovative way to further our goal of promoting street safety.' Powers urged the mayor and DOT to act. Despite evidence from other cities and strong support from advocates like StreetsPAC and Transportation Alternatives, City Hall cited a lack of recent deaths and continued to evaluate the program. The Council bill permitted, but did not require, the enforcement program. Advocates argue the city is missing a proven tool to hold reckless drivers accountable and keep children safe.

• As School Returns, Mayor Adams Keeps a Street Safety Tool in the Drawer, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-09-07

Mayor Adams shelved a council-approved plan for school bus stop-arm cameras. The law lets the city catch drivers who pass stopped buses. Streets near schools stay dangerous. Advocates push for action. City Hall stalls. Children remain exposed.

Bill number not specified. The City Council passed a law allowing a school bus stop-arm camera program. The measure, sponsored by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and co-sponsored by Keith Powers, empowers the city to install cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses. On September 7, 2022, Mayor Adams’s administration chose not to implement the program, citing ongoing evaluation and a lack of recent deaths from such incidents. Council Member Powers urged the mayor and DOT to use this tool, calling it 'an innovative way to further our goal of promoting street safety.' Activists from StreetsPAC and Transportation Alternatives criticized the delay, noting that streets near schools are especially dangerous for children, particularly in Black and brown neighborhoods. Evidence from other cities shows stop-arm cameras catch hundreds of violations quickly. The law leaves the program to mayoral discretion. City Hall supports speed cameras but has not acted on stop-arm enforcement.

• As School Returns, Mayor Adams Keeps a Street Safety Tool in the Drawer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-07

A 29-year-old man was struck while crossing Park Avenue with the signal. Two sedans collided as one made a left turn improperly. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to his lower leg and foot. The driver showed inexperience and distraction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Park Avenue near East 34th Street in Manhattan. A 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal. Two sedans collided; one was making a left turn improperly and the other was traveling straight. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including turning improperly, driver inattention, distraction, and driver inexperience. The impact point was the left front bumper of the turning sedan. The pedestrian was conscious and injured at the scene. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

A 59-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on 2 Avenue. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The crash left her conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2003 Jeep SUV making a left turn on 2 Avenue in Manhattan struck her at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in busy city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561276 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

The city tore down an award-winning outdoor dining space in Koreatown. Officials promised plazas or bike racks, not more parking. But the site became car storage. Council Member Powers wants something better. The city’s promise to reimagine public space rings hollow.

On August 25, 2022, New York City removed an unused outdoor dining structure in Koreatown. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, claimed, "the future of New York City is reimagining the use of public space." Mayor Eric Adams said he was open to plazas, bike racks, or curb extensions—anything but more car storage. Despite these statements, the site became street parking. Council Member Keith Powers, representing the district, said, "I would love something more interesting here than parking," and called for renewed discussion on a permanent outdoor dining program. The city’s action contradicts its stated vision. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• NYC Transforms Site of Award-Winning Outdoor Dining Space Into Street Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-25