No More Waiting—Lower the Speed, Save a Life

Councilmember Gale Brewer stands with Upper West Siders against a new 96th Street bus lane. Residents rally. DOT wants faster buses. Brewer demands alternatives. The fight pits transit speed against curb access. DOT vows to move forward. Riders wait.

On September 5, 2024, Councilmember Gale A. Brewer (District 6) joined Upper West Side residents to oppose the Department of Transportation’s plan for dedicated bus lanes on 96th Street. The proposal, announced in May, would convert a traffic lane in each direction to bus-only use between First and West End avenues, aiming to speed up the M96 and M106 routes. Brewer, who previously supported bus lanes elsewhere, told the crowd, 'There are concerns that we have. I think that you have to look at alternatives to making the bus go faster.' The matter, titled by Gothamist as 'Yet another NYC bus lane plan faces big fight, this time from angry Upper West Siders,' highlights tension between transit improvements and local access. DOT officials say the lanes will help over 15,000 daily bus riders. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• Yet another NYC bus lane plan faces big fight, this time from angry Upper West Siders, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-05

Upper West Side residents and Council Member Shaun Abreu push back on a 96th Street bus lane. DOT aims to speed up slow buses for 15,000 daily riders. Locals cite residential concerns. Debate pits transit needs against curb access. No clear resolution.

On September 5, 2024, Council Member Shaun Abreu of District 7 joined Upper West Side residents in questioning the Department of Transportation's plan for a 24/7 offset bus lane on 96th Street. The DOT proposal, intended to speed up the M96 bus for 15,000 daily riders, would repurpose a travel lane in each direction while preserving curb parking. Abreu stated, "I wouldn’t say I’m opposed or in favor at this point," but called for more clarity and adjustments from DOT. The matter, described as a push to 'torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street,' has drawn support from East Side's Community Board 8 and opposition from West Side locals and Council Member Gale Brewer, who suggested alternatives like bus signal priority. The debate centers on balancing transit improvements with residential curb access. No formal committee action or safety analysis has been reported.

• Upper West Side locals seek to torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street, amny.com, Published 2024-09-05

A taxi making a right turn collided with a southbound e-bike on Central Park West. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage by the taxi driver, according to the police report.

At 6:09 AM on Central Park West near West 65 Street in Manhattan, a taxi driver made a right turn and struck a southbound e-bike, according to the police report. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 55-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver's error. The bicyclist's helmet use is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The taxi was occupied by a licensed male driver. This collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage during turning maneuvers in dense urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three new elevators now run at 14th Street. Riders with disabilities can reach platforms once blocked. The overhaul cost $300 million. More elevators are coming. But 23 other stations wait, stalled by lost congestion pricing funds. Access remains uneven. Riders pay the price.

On August 22, 2024, construction finished on three new elevators at the 14th Street subway complex, serving the F, M, and L lines, with connections to the 1, 2, and 3. The project, a $300 million overhaul, is part of ongoing MTA accessibility efforts. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who represents District 47, praised the work: "There is a fundamental right to access mass transit. And today we are taking an important step forward in making that right real to all New Yorkers." The upgrades will make the complex fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Still, 23 other stations remain on hold after congestion pricing was paused, freezing $15 billion in planned improvements. Only 30% of stations are accessible. The future for vulnerable riders is uncertain without new funding.

• Construction finished on three new elevators at 14th Street subway complex, amny.com, Published 2024-08-22

State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal stands firm. He says New York needs congestion pricing. The governor paused the $15 toll. Lawmakers debate lower fees and exemptions. The MTA’s future hangs in the balance. Vulnerable road users wait for action. Streets stay dangerous.

On August 22, 2024, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) joined the debate over New York’s congestion pricing plan. The original $15 toll was paused by Governor Hochul in June. Now, officials consider a lower toll or alternatives to fund the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'we need congestion pricing.' The matter, titled 'MTA boss ‘thrilled’ Kathy Hochul eyeing lower congestion toll after NY gov indefinitely paused controversial scheme,' highlights the urgency of MTA financing. Assemblywoman Deborah Glick noted Hochul’s commitment to a replacement plan. The bill’s status remains in flux, with no committee or vote recorded. The safety impact for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—was not assessed. The city’s most at-risk remain exposed as leaders argue over dollars and cars.

• MTA boss ‘thrilled’ Kathy Hochul eyeing lower congestion toll after NY gov indefinitely paused controversial scheme, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-22

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A 68-year-old woman suffered full-body abrasions after a moped traveling south on Columbus Avenue hit her at the intersection with West 72 Street. The driver’s unsafe speed and inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a moped traveling southbound on Columbus Avenue struck a 68-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with West 72 Street around 12:55 PM. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained abrasions over her entire body and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the moped driver's unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors in the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped, which was going straight ahead at the time. The pedestrian's crossing against the signal is noted but the primary causes cited are the driver's unsafe speed and inattention, emphasizing the systemic danger posed by driver errors in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi making a left turn hit a 38-year-old woman crossing West 60th Street at a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered lower arm injuries and shock. Police cite the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Broadway was making a left turn onto West 60th Street around 10 p.m. when it struck a 38-year-old female pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the taxi’s left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain and nausea. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor to the crash. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian’s crossing without a signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The driver’s error in yielding created a dangerous situation resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit sedan from behind on Columbus Avenue. Two women in the sedan hurt. Both suffered abrasions. Impact crushed metal. Driver reacted to another vehicle. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, at 17:32 on Columbus Avenue near West 59th Street in Manhattan, a southbound Ford SUV rear-ended a Genesis sedan. The SUV driver reacted to an uninvolved vehicle, causing the crash. Two female passengers in the sedan were injured: one with head abrasions, the other with abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the primary contributing factor. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Chevy SUV hit a 31-year-old woman at West End Avenue and West 64th Street. She fell, blood pooling beneath her head. The front grill bore the mark. The street held her silence. Shock widened her eyes as sirens approached.

A 31-year-old woman was struck by a Chevy SUV while in the crosswalk at West End Avenue and West 64th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report describes the woman lying in shock, bleeding from the head, with severe lacerations. The SUV's center front end bore visible damage. Police note the pedestrian was at the intersection, engaged in 'other actions in roadway.' The driver was traveling straight ahead in an eastbound direction. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further details on driver behavior. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of the pedestrian, who suffered significant head injuries. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior are cited beyond her presence in the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Speaker Adams wavers on using new power to lower speed limits. She calls for district input. Advocates warn: patchwork rules endanger lives. Uniform 20 mph limit saves people. Council delays action as streets stay deadly.

On July 19, 2024, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams addressed the Council’s authority under Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City lower its speed limit. The matter, discussed in Streetsblog, quotes Adams: “Each Council member is going to have to weigh in on how they feel it should be enacted or should not be enacted in their district.” Adams hesitated to commit to a citywide 20 mph limit, instead suggesting community-by-community decisions. Eric McClure of StreetsPAC called this approach “chaotic and dangerous,” pushing for a uniform 20 mph limit to save lives. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged a comprehensive, data-driven plan. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Brad Hoylman-Sigal pressed the Council to use its new powers. The Department of Transportation clarified its limited authority. The Council’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Speaker Adams: Council May Not Use its ‘Sammy’s Law’ Power to Lower Speed Limits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-19

A cyclist, distracted and speeding, struck a 51-year-old woman crossing West 61 Street with the signal. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. The crash exposes the danger of inattention on Manhattan streets.

According to the police report, a cyclist traveling south on West 61 Street collided with a 51-year-old woman who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered contusions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The cyclist's bike was damaged at the center front end, marking the point of impact. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The report highlights the cyclist's inattention and speed as the direct causes of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739922 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

New state law forces moped and e-bike sellers to register vehicles, educate buyers, and ban unsafe batteries. Lawmakers say this closes loopholes, shifts blame from workers, and aims to cut rising crashes. Streets see more mopeds, more injuries, more tension.

On July 12, 2024, Governor Hochul signed a package of eight bills into law, including new moped and e-bike safety regulations. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Alex Bores, requires retailers to register mopeds at the point of sale, provide safety information, and prohibit the sale of substandard lithium-ion batteries. The law also mandates crash reporting and new safety training for first responders. Hoylman-Sigal said, 'I've received more complaints about the hazards these mopeds cause than just about any other issue.' Bores added, 'By requiring the registration of mopeds at point of sale and the collection of e-bike collision data, we are making our streets safer and increasing accountability.' The law shifts accountability to retailers, aiming to improve street safety without penalizing delivery workers. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and State Senator Liz Kruger also voiced support, highlighting the dangers of unregistered mopeds and the need for better buyer education. The law responds to a sharp rise in moped-related injuries and community complaints across New York City.

• Moped and E-Bike Safety Legislation Becomes State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-12

A 23-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her at a Manhattan intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and West 61 Street in Manhattan around 3 PM. The report states the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2019 Audi sedan, traveling northeast and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The driver, a licensed male, failed to yield right-of-way, which is cited as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report explicitly attributes the crash to the driver's failure to yield, with no contributing factors assigned to the pedestrian beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV rear-ends pickup in Manhattan. Driver, 27, suffers back injury and whiplash. Noon crash. Police cite following too closely. Both vehicles headed south. Pickup undamaged. SUV takes the hit.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man driving a Hyundai SUV rear-ended a pickup truck on Columbus Avenue near West 66th Street at noon. The SUV driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both vehicles were traveling straight south when the crash happened. The pickup truck was not damaged. The SUV driver was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741736 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

Two e-scooters slammed together on Riverside Boulevard. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood pooled on the pavement. He was conscious, wounded, and young. Unsafe speed tore through the afternoon. The city’s danger cut deep.

According to the police report, two e-scooters collided at speed near Riverside Boulevard and West 61st Street in Manhattan. The crash left a 14-year-old boy injured, bleeding from the face but conscious. The report states, 'Two e-scooters collided at speed. A 14-year-old boy hit face-first. Blood on the pavement.' The listed contributing factor is 'Unsafe Speed.' No helmet use was recorded for the injured boy. The data shows both vehicles were going straight ahead before impact, and the severity of the injury was high. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the threat posed by unsafe speed on city streets, especially for young and vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a northbound cyclist on West 65th. The rider, 42, was thrown and suffered facial abrasions. Police cited driver distraction. No vehicle damage. The cyclist was conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 65 Street near Central Park West struck a northbound bicyclist at 13:05 in Manhattan. The 42-year-old male cyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his face. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan’s right front quarter panel hit the center front end of the bike. Neither vehicle was damaged. The cyclist was conscious and injured. The driver was licensed in New York. No cyclist actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 62-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision with an SUV on West 72 Street. The SUV driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash, leaving the cyclist incoherent with minor bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 72 Street in Manhattan at 13:43. A 62-year-old male bicyclist traveling west was merging when his bike’s left front quarter panel collided with the right front quarter panel of a westbound SUV. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to merge correctly. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike, sustained head injuries, and was incoherent with minor bleeding. The SUV, a 2009 Honda SUV registered in New Jersey, had no reported damage. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior or safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane usage by motor vehicle drivers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04