Lower the Speed, Save a Life—Or Bury Another Neighbor

A 54-year-old woman crossing Broadway with the signal was struck by an SUV making a U-turn. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries, left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Broadway at West 80th Street in Manhattan. The driver of a 2015 SUV was making a U-turn and struck her with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. No safety equipment or contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667307 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A cyclist lies in critical condition after a crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street. Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out the city’s inaction. The intersection has claimed lives before. The community rallies, but danger remains. Cyclists keep dying. The city stalls.

On September 26, 2023, Councilmember Shahana Hanif (District 39) issued a statement following a severe crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street in Park Slope. The incident left Jacob Priley, a cyclist and advocate, critically injured. Hanif highlighted the intersection’s deadly history, referencing the 2021 death of Arcellie Muschamp. She pressed the Department of Transportation for urgent safety upgrades, saying, 'How many more crashes until the DOT pays attention?' Hanif noted the recent completion of a protected bike lane on Ninth Street but stressed that more action is needed. She thanked neighbors for their support and vowed to work with the DOT. So far in 2023, 3,702 cyclists have been injured and 22 killed on New York City streets. The city’s pace on safety remains too slow for those at risk.

• Brooklyn rallies behind biker critically injured in Park Slope crash, raises funds for medical bills, amny.com, Published 2023-09-26

City Council passed a battery buy-back bill. Delivery workers can swap unsafe batteries for certified ones. New rules target deadly lithium-ion fires. Lawmakers demand delivery companies step up. Fourteen dead, over 100 hurt this year. Enforcement on uncertified sales begins soon.

"My bill will make sure the situation changes." -- Gale A. Brewer

On September 14, 2023, the New York City Council passed a package of bills to fight lithium-ion battery fires. The main bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, creates a city-funded buy-back program for delivery workers to exchange faulty batteries and devices for safe, certified ones. The matter summary states the program aims to address the high cost of certified batteries, which can be prohibitive for low-paid workers. Council Members Oswald Feliz and Gale Brewer sponsored additional bills: Feliz's requires safe bikes and batteries for deliveries, while Brewer's mandates delivery apps provide safety training and equipment. Brewer also called for the Department of Transportation to update its safety course. Powers said, "We will provide them the opportunity to surrender that unsafe equipment and receive a safe replacement." The Council's action follows 180 battery fire incidents, 14 deaths, and over 100 injuries this year. Lawmakers push for delivery companies to take responsibility for worker safety and equipment standards. Enforcement against uncertified battery sales will begin soon.

• Council Passes Battery ‘Buy-Back’ Program and Other Bills to Curb Lithium-Ion Fires, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-14

A 67-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV on West 86 Street near Central Park West. The rider suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound at impact.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male bicyclist wearing a helmet was injured when his e-bike collided head-on with a 2022 SUV traveling east on West 86 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The SUV's front center end struck the e-bike's front center end while both were going straight ahead. No other safety equipment or signals were noted. The bicyclist's injury severity was classified as serious but he remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Pickup slammed into sedan’s rear on Henry Hudson Parkway. Sedan driver, 27, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite following too closely. Both vehicles damaged. No other factors listed.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man driving a sedan was injured when a pickup truck struck his car from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling north and going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The pickup hit the sedan’s left rear bumper, damaging both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A USPS mail truck collided with a sedan at West 96 Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. Three men inside the sedan were injured, suffering upper arm, knee, and neck injuries. All occupants were restrained and none were ejected.

According to the police report, a USPS mail truck traveling north struck a sedan heading east on West 96 Street. The point of impact was the mail truck's left front quarter panel and the sedan's right front bumper. Three male occupants in the sedan were injured: a 25-year-old passenger with shoulder and upper arm injuries, a 47-year-old driver with knee and lower leg injuries, and a 62-year-old driver with neck injuries. All were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for the passenger and one driver, while the other driver’s contributing factors are unspecified. No pedestrian involvement or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657454 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

A Ford SUV struck a Honda sedan from behind on Henry Hudson Parkway. The SUV overturned. Two men inside the sedan were injured, including a trapped driver and a front passenger with neck abrasions. Driver distraction and unsafe speed caused the crash.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway rear-ended a Honda sedan that was merging. The impact caused the SUV to overturn. The sedan carried three occupants; the 59-year-old male driver was trapped and sustained contusions to his knee and lower leg. The 17-year-old male front passenger suffered neck abrasions. Both were conscious and injured. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The sedan driver was unlicensed. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 49-year-old man on an e-scooter was ejected and suffered head injuries after an SUV struck him on West End Avenue. The driver was semiconscious and injured. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured and ejected in a collision with a 2015 Nissan SUV on West End Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV was traveling south, going straight ahead, and struck the e-scooter driver, who was traveling west. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end. The injured man suffered head injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The e-scooter driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle. No damage was reported to the e-scooter.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A bus and flatbed truck collided on Amsterdam Avenue. The bus’s left front bumper struck the truck’s right rear bumper. A 73-year-old female bus passenger suffered bruises and arm injuries. Driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2021 New Flyer bus and a 2015 Ford flatbed truck, both traveling north on Amsterdam Avenue, collided when the bus’s left front bumper hit the truck’s right rear bumper. The bus carried 10 occupants, including a 73-year-old female passenger who sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Outside Car Distraction" as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction played a role. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans crashed on West 96 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers suffered bruises and contusions. Impact hit left side doors and front bumper. Driver distraction and tinted windows contributed. Both men conscious and injured, no ejections reported.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on West 96 Street near Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. Both drivers, aged 32 and 34, were injured with contusions and bruises to the elbow, lower arm, hand, and back. The collision involved impact to the left side doors of one vehicle and the front bumper of the other. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Tinted Windows' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicle. The crash caused moderate injuries but both drivers remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

A 40-year-old man on a bike was hit on Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The SUV made a left turn and collided with the bicyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered bruises and an elbow injury. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 2019 SUV traveling south on Riverside Drive made a left turn and struck a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with contusions and an elbow-lower-arm-hand injury but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights driver error in failing to maintain attention during a left turn, resulting in a collision with a vulnerable road user traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped traveling east struck a parked SUV on West 82 Street in Manhattan. The moped driver was ejected and suffered a head injury with minor bleeding. The driver was unconscious at the scene. Unsafe speed was a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east on West 82 Street collided with a parked Ford SUV. The moped driver, a 37-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a head injury with minor bleeding. He was unconscious at the scene. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact. No other occupants were involved. The moped's front center end struck the left front bumper of the SUV. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash occurred in Manhattan's 6th council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646936 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Taxi drivers rallied at MTA headquarters. They demanded exemption from new congestion tolls. Council Member Gale Brewer backed their call. Drivers said another fee would crush them. The protest spotlighted the fight over who pays for safer, less crowded streets.

On July 18, 2023, taxi drivers with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance protested outside MTA headquarters. The demonstration targeted the Manhattan congestion pricing plan, which aims to raise $15 billion for the MTA and cut traffic. Drivers argued they already pay hefty surcharges and cannot survive another fee. Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) supported the cabbies, both in a letter to MTA chairman Janno Lieber and at the rally. Brewer said, 'I support the concept, but my main topic was not to charge yellow cabs, period. Not even once.' The protest called for a full exemption for yellow and green cab drivers. The MTA has proposed tolls from $9 to $23, but drivers say even a once-a-day charge would threaten their survival. The event underscored the tension between funding transit and protecting workers who keep the city moving.

• Taxi drivers protest ahead of MTA congestion pricing meeting, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-07-18

Cops seized mopeds from Brooklyn delivery workers. Police claim safety, but data show cars and trucks cause most harm. App companies profit. Immigrant workers pay. Advocates say crackdowns punish the vulnerable, not the reckless. The city misses the real threat.

On July 14, 2023, NYPD officers from Brooklyn’s 78th Precinct seized illegal mopeds from delivery workers outside fast-food chains. The enforcement action follows years of crackdowns dating back to Mayor Bloomberg, ramped up under Mayor de Blasio. Police say the seizures make streets safer, but city crash data show cars and trucks—not e-bikes or mopeds—cause most pedestrian injuries. Delivery worker Roziev Akmal warned, 'Livelihoods will be ruined because of the seizure.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called it 'another example where you see deliveristas being economically impacted.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Council Member Gale Brewer cited constituent complaints, but advocates and legal experts argue enforcement targets workers, not the root causes. The crackdown leaves low-paid, mostly immigrant workers exposed to fines, lost income, and road danger, while app companies escape responsibility.

• Latest Cop Crackdown on Deliveristas Misses the Point: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-14

Cops seized mopeds from Brooklyn delivery workers. Police claim safety, but data show cars and trucks cause most harm. App companies profit. Immigrant workers pay. Advocates say crackdowns punish the vulnerable, not the reckless. The city misses the real threat.

On July 14, 2023, NYPD officers from Brooklyn’s 78th Precinct seized illegal mopeds from delivery workers outside fast-food chains. The enforcement action follows years of crackdowns dating back to Mayor Bloomberg, ramped up under Mayor de Blasio. Police say the seizures make streets safer, but city crash data show cars and trucks—not e-bikes or mopeds—cause most pedestrian injuries. Delivery worker Roziev Akmal warned, 'Livelihoods will be ruined because of the seizure.' Ligia Guallpa of the Worker’s Justice Project called it 'another example where you see deliveristas being economically impacted.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Council Member Gale Brewer cited constituent complaints, but advocates and legal experts argue enforcement targets workers, not the root causes. The crackdown leaves low-paid, mostly immigrant workers exposed to fines, lost income, and road danger, while app companies escape responsibility.

• Latest Cop Crackdown on Deliveristas Misses the Point: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-14

Tempers flared on W. 103rd Street. Council Member Gale Brewer called in a mediator. Residents clashed over keeping the Open Street. Pedestrians and children gained space. Drivers lost parking. DOT pressed on. Community split. Safety, inclusion, and slow traffic hung in the balance.

On July 11, 2023, Council Member Gale Brewer intervened in a fierce dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street, Upper West Side. The matter, described as a 'heated debate,' forced Brewer to bring in mediator Ayanna Behin for a community meeting. Community Board 7 had already voted 38-1 to support DOT’s plan for permanent safety upgrades—planters, neckdowns, and traffic calming. The project, according to supporters, is 'inclusive, safe,' and will make 'intersections a lot safer.' Opponents cited lost parking and process concerns. Brewer acknowledged the deep divides: generational, class, and car-ownership. DOT will proceed, weighing community feedback. The fight spotlights the city’s struggle to prioritize vulnerable road users over cars.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-11

Councilmember Lincoln Restler stepped in as tempers flared over the fate of W. 103rd Street’s Open Street. Residents clashed over safety, parking, and public space. Despite mediation, the street’s future remains uncertain. DOT plans safety upgrades, but divisions run deep.

On July 11, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) intervened in a heated Upper West Side dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street. The matter, titled 'Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator,' saw Restler mentioned as a mediator in a conflict marked by sharp divides. Community Board 7 had previously voted 38-1 to make the Open Street permanent, with DOT planning safety improvements like planters and neckdowns. The meeting, facilitated by Ayanna Behin, exposed generational and class rifts. Supporters cited safety and inclusion for pedestrians and youth. Opponents focused on lost parking and process. Despite the mediation, the Department of Transportation intends to move forward, adjusting plans based on feedback. Vulnerable road users remain at the center of the debate, as the city weighs public space against car dominance.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-11