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

Central Park’s loop is chaos. Pedestrians dodge bikes. Cyclists swerve around joggers. Confusion reigns. The Conservancy revives a safety study. Complaints mount. Injuries rise. No timeline. No details. The park waits for action. Vulnerable users pay the price.

On November 10, 2022, the Central Park Conservancy announced a revived study to address safety on Central Park’s loop. The study, first commissioned in 2018, follows a near-fatal crash between a cyclist and a jogger. The park’s roadways, once for leisure, now see daily conflict among cyclists, pedestrians, horse carriages, and pedicabs. Council Member Gale Brewer reported, 'I get complaints from people, they're no longer using Central Park, they're afraid of getting hit.' Advocates and users cite confusion, poor signage, and unclear lane markings. Suggestions include brighter lines and reducing car space citywide. The Conservancy has not released details on the study’s scope or timeline. Collisions and injuries persist. The park remains dangerous for those outside a car.

• Central Park Conservancy Studying Ways to Make Park Loop Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-10

A moped hit a 40-year-old man on Amsterdam Avenue. The unlicensed driver struck the pedestrian outside an intersection. The victim suffered hip and leg injuries. Shock followed. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a northbound moped on Amsterdam Avenue struck a 40-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway and was described as confused. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his hip and upper leg and was in shock. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed and was traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No damage was reported to the moped. The pedestrian was not ejected and wore no safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 71-year-old woman was injured crossing a marked crosswalk on West 87 Street. A taxi backing unsafely struck her, causing head contusions. The driver caused the crash by reversing without caution. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old female pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk on West 87 Street when a taxi backing unsafely struck her. The pedestrian suffered head injuries classified as contusions and was injured but not ejected. The taxi driver, a licensed male, was traveling west and was backing at the time of the crash. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage, and there were no occupants in the taxi at the time. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Mayor Adams claimed over 1,200 intersections got safety upgrades. Most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists say data is murky. Deadly crashes persist. City missed targets for protected bike and bus lanes. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference to announce his administration exceeded its promise to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The event, attended by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Gale Brewer, highlighted a major redesign at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street. The city claims upgrades like leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and raised crosswalks. But activists and Council Member Brewer questioned the data, noting most changes were minor signal tweaks, not physical redesigns. The Department of Transportation declined to release full details, making verification impossible. Adams said, "Promise made, promise kept." Rodriguez stressed the need for a culture shift and pointed to 24/7 speed cameras. But activists warn the city lags on protected bike and bus lane goals. Traffic deaths remain high. The lack of transparency leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams claimed victory on intersection safety, boasting 1,200 upgrades. But most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists saw missing data, empty promises, and little for cyclists or bus riders. Council Member Brewer vowed to dig deeper.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street to announce his administration surpassed its pledge to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The effort included leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and some street redesigns. Adams declared, "Promise made, promise kept," but activists and Transportation Alternatives criticized the lack of physical upgrades and transparency. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, promised to investigate the data issues. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez acknowledged ongoing fatalities but highlighted fewer pedestrian deaths and the launch of 24/7 speed cameras. Critics noted most Vision Zero priority intersections were untouched, and the city lags on protected bike and bus lane targets. The lack of detailed, user-friendly data clouds the true impact for vulnerable road users.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ zoning plan aims to cut parking minimums. Lincoln Restler backs the move. The proposal would free space for homes, not cars. Advocates say it means safer, cheaper streets. Council Speaker stays cautious. The fight is on.

On October 13, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) supported Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ zoning proposal. The plan, discussed in committee, seeks to reduce or eliminate parking minimums for new developments. The matter summary states the proposal will 'prioritize people over parking, aiming to make streets safer and reduce parking requirements to enable more housing and amenities.' Restler said, 'In urban hubs like Lower Manhattan, the heart of the South Bronx, Downtown Brooklyn or Downtown Jamaica, we need affordable housing, economic development with good jobs, and dynamic mixed use buildings, not more parking.' The bill has drawn support from advocates and developers, who argue that parking mandates drive up housing costs and disrupt pedestrian-friendly streets. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remained noncommittal, focusing on the housing crisis and bureaucracy. The proposal’s fate will shape the city’s streets and who they serve.

• Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Proposal Will Take on Parking Minimums (But How Seriously?), streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-13

Mayor Adams moves to cut parking mandates. The plan aims to put people before cars. Advocates say this will clear streets, lower rents, and open space for homes. Some council members back the change. Others hesitate. The fight over parking heats up.

""I don't think parking spaces are a worthwhile use of valuable space when we have the worst housing crisis."" -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On October 13, 2022, Mayor Adams unveiled the 'City of Yes' zoning proposal. The measure, now under council review, seeks to eliminate or reduce parking minimums citywide. The proposal’s summary states it will 'prioritize people over parking,' aiming to make streets safer and housing more affordable. Council Member Lincoln Restler supports the move, saying, 'we need affordable housing, economic development... not more parking.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman calls parking spaces a poor use of land amid a housing crisis. Advocates like Sara Lind urge full elimination, citing pollution and congestion. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remains noncommittal, focusing on the housing crisis and open to review. The proposal is in early stages, with state legislation also in play. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users has been published.

• Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Proposal Will Take on Parking Minimums (But How Seriously?), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-13

Council Member Gale Brewer challenges DOT’s street safety boasts. She questions claims of 750 redesigned intersections. Public data shows far less. Most fixes are signal timing, not real protection. Advocates want proof, not promises. Road deaths remain high. Brewer vows investigation.

On October 5, 2022, Council Member Gale Brewer, chair of the Council's oversight committee, announced plans to investigate the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) street safety claims. Brewer questioned DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez’s assertion that 750 of 1,000 intersections were redesigned, citing public data showing fewer than 400. Brewer said, “I love the idea of using her committee's investigatory power to explore whether the Adams administration has indeed redesigned 750 of the promised 1,000 intersections... or whether it done fewer than that, as the agency's own public data shows.” She confirmed her intent to use committee investigators and hold an oversight hearing. The matter, titled “City Council oversight inquiry into DOT street safety implementation and data transparency,” highlights DOT’s lack of documentation and reliance on signal retiming over physical improvements. Advocates and Brewer demand full transparency and real progress. Road deaths remain high, and the city lags on legal mandates for bus and bike lanes.

• CM Brewer: ‘I’ll Hold DOT Accountable on Promises and Data’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05

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.

"Andrew Rosenthal said that Mott 'was killed because of the inaction of this community board.'" -- Linda Rosenthal

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

A 61-year-old man was struck while crossing Amsterdam Avenue. He suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Amsterdam Avenue outside an intersection. He sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The vehicle involved was traveling west, going straight ahead, and showed no damage upon impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian's injury. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The vehicle had one occupant and no damage was recorded at the point of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Council Member Avilés rejects NYCHA’s blanket e-bike ban. She calls for battery safety rules, not sweeping crackdowns. Her plan shields delivery workers and seniors. Bronx and Manhattan council members back tighter battery standards. NYCHA reviews feedback. No comment yet.

On September 16, 2022, Council Member Alexa Avilés challenged NYCHA’s proposed blanket ban on e-bikes across public housing. In a letter to NYCHA CEO Greg Russ, Avilés urged targeted battery safety rules instead of a broad ban, warning, 'NYCHA's all-out ban could hurt workers and residents more.' She offered eight recommendations, including federal study, safe battery storage, and clear rules for mobility devices. Bronx Council Member Oswald Feliz announced plans for legislation requiring certified batteries, while Manhattan’s Gale Brewer is drafting a ban on second-hand batteries and pushing for delivery app accountability. The matter is under review after the comment period closed September 6. NYCHA declined to comment. Avilés’s stance centers on protecting delivery workers and vulnerable residents while addressing real fire risks from faulty batteries.

• Pol Pitches More Options to a Blanket E-Bike Ban on NYCHA Property, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-16

A 16-year-old boy on a bike was ejected after a collision with an SUV on West 85 Street. The boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. The SUV hit the bike head-on, damaging its front end.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected in a crash involving a 2015 SUV traveling north on West 85 Street. The SUV struck the bike, which was traveling east and starting in traffic, at the center front end. The bicyclist suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was wearing a helmet. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end and the bike's left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565769 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 44-year-old man crossing Broadway with the signal was struck by a northbound e-scooter. The rider failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and remained conscious. The scooter's front center end was damaged on impact.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian, age 44, was crossing Broadway at an intersection with the signal when an e-scooter traveling north struck him. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious after the collision. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The e-scooter was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with its center front end, causing damage to the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Council Members push a bill to swap wailing sirens for hi-lo tones and vibrating tech. The aim: less noise, fewer health harms. Sirens will still clear streets, but without the shriek. The city’s nights could finally quiet down.

On September 13, 2022, Council Member Carlina Rivera, joined by Gale Brewer and seven others, sponsored a bill to mandate hi-lo, 'two-tone' sirens for emergency vehicles. The bill, discussed in committee, would cap siren volume at 90 decibels and encourage use of vibrating, low-frequency siren technology. The matter title calls for 'mandating the use of hi-lo, "two-tone" sirens by emergency response vehicles.' Brewer wrote, 'the city should mandate that emergency responders use hi-lo as their default siren and cap sirens at 90 decibels—as required by the proposed legislation—and scale up their use of vibrating siren technology.' The bill seeks to cut the health harms of constant siren noise, which studies link to hypertension and heart disease. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was noted.

• OPINION: Let’s Turn Down the Noise on Sirens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-13

A taxi struck an e-scooter traveling north on West 75 Street. The e-scooter driver was ejected and injured, suffering bruises and arm injuries. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on West 75 Street collided with an e-scooter going straight north. The e-scooter driver, a 31-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The e-scooter sustained front-end damage, and the taxi was damaged on its left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4567472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 35-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a vehicle backing unsafely near West 76th Street in Manhattan. She suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion and was left in shock. The driver’s unsafe backing caused the crash.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured when a vehicle backed unsafely near West 76th Street in Manhattan. The 35-year-old woman was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle struck her. She sustained a contusion to her shoulder and upper arm and was reported to be in shock. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following the traffic signal at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Senator Hoylman’s bill targets deadly speed and blind spots. It demands speed governors in new cars and direct visibility for heavy SUVs. The measure aims to cut traffic deaths and force safer vehicles onto New York streets. Oversized cars face new scrutiny.

On August 12, 2022, Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced a bill in the New York State Senate. The bill would require all new cars registered in the state to have speed-limiting technology by 2024. It also directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to set visibility rules for vehicles over 3,000 pounds, like SUVs and pickups, to ensure drivers can see pedestrians and cyclists. The bill summary states: 'A new bill in the New York State Senate would require all new cars registered in the state to have speed-limiting technology by 2024.' Senator Hoylman sponsored the bill, citing the 'failure of the promise of Vision Zero.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives praised the measure, calling it 'common-sense.' The bill comes as pedestrian deaths hit a 40-year high. If passed, it would force automakers to include safety tech and could make some monster trucks illegal on city streets.

• New Bill Would Mandate Speed Governors and Set Limits on Huge SUVs on NY Streets by 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-22

The MTA’s study crushes the myth. No flood of drivers will hunt for parking outside the toll zone. Vehicle miles drop. Transit use rises. Officials once wary now accept the data. Community concerns linger, but the danger to walkers and cyclists shrinks.

On August 18, 2022, the MTA released an environmental assessment on congestion pricing. The report, discussed by the City Council and local officials, found no evidence that neighborhoods north of Manhattan’s 60th Street would be swamped by drivers seeking free parking. The MTA wrote, 'any increase in parking-seeking traffic would be short-lived.' Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who had pushed for residential permits, said, 'I am pleasantly surprised.' Council Member Gale Brewer, who commissioned a parking study, remains cautious and plans to consult with the community. The matter’s summary states, 'reduced travel demand inside the CBD could lead to a parking surplus just south of 60th Street.' Studies from London and Stockholm back the findings. The analysis points to less driving, less danger for vulnerable road users, and a shift toward transit.

• Mythbuster: Congestion Pricing Study Shows Neighborhoods Won’t Be Flooded With Desperate Parkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-18

Council Member Brewer and advocates reject NYCHA’s e-bike ban. They push for safer batteries, charging stations, and delivery app accountability. Bans threaten jobs and homes but do not stop fires. Federal funds and new laws aim to protect workers and tenants.

On August 17, 2022, Council Member Gale Brewer began drafting legislation to counter a proposed New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) ban on e-bikes. The bill, not yet numbered, is in early stages. Brewer’s proposal would ban second-hand or refurbished batteries, boost Fire Department outreach, and require delivery apps like Uber and DoorDash to pay for safer batteries. The matter summary warns that a blanket ban 'would worsen the city’s homelessness crisis by forcing residents to choose between a roof over their head and a job, and still not solve the problem of lithium-ion batteries catching fire.' Council Member Alexa Avilés called for a citywide approach. Tenant leader Cynthia Tibbs and Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas/Workers Justice Project also oppose the ban, urging secure charging hubs. Senator Chuck Schumer highlighted federal funding for safer infrastructure. The public can comment on the NYCHA policy until September 6. Advocates argue that bans punish workers and tenants without fixing systemic battery dangers.

• Pols and Advocates Pushing E-Bike Battery Fix Beyond Blanket Bans, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-17

Two sedans collided on West 96 Street. A sedan traveling west rear-ended a stopped sedan. The striking driver, 60, suffered chest injuries and shock. Air bags deployed. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 96 Street rear-ended a stopped sedan. The driver of the striking vehicle, a 60-year-old man, was injured with chest trauma and experienced shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage at the center front and center back ends respectively. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and protected by an air bag that deployed during the collision. No other persons were reported injured. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and sudden stops in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4556668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08