Who Bleeds Next? Harlem’s Streets Won’t Wait

Mar 18 - A sedan struck a southbound cyclist at Lenox and West 120th. The twenty-two-year-old flew, landed headfirst, skull crushed. Shock set in. The car kept going. The street stopped him. Blood on the asphalt. Another life broken by inattention.

A sedan collided with a southbound cyclist at the corner of Lenox Avenue and West 120th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The cyclist, a 22-year-old man, was ejected from his bike, landing headfirst and suffering severe crush injuries to his skull. The report states, 'He flew, landed headfirst. Skull crushed. Shock set in.' The driver of the sedan continued without stopping. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The cyclist was left in shock, with life-altering injuries. The data does not list any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The violence of the impact and the driver's failure to remain at the scene underscore the systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - A box truck barreled through traffic control on Manhattan Avenue. It struck a 31-year-old man riding an e-bike head-on. His helmet could not save him. He was thrown, skull crushed. He died alone in the street, before dawn.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on Manhattan Avenue disregarded traffic control and struck a 31-year-old man riding an e-bike head-on. The crash occurred in the early morning, at 6:03 a.m. The report states the box truck 'ran the control,' directly leading to the fatal collision. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, suffered catastrophic head injuries and was ejected from his bike. He died at the scene. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, highlighting the truck driver's failure to obey signals. The victim's helmet use is noted in the report, but only after the driver's error is cited. No evidence suggests any action by the cyclist contributed to the crash. The deadly impact underscores the danger posed when large vehicles ignore basic traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 9 - A sedan turning left struck a 60-year-old woman crossing with the signal on West 122 Street. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention and improper turning caused the collision late at night in Manhattan.

According to the police report, at 11:20 p.m. on West 122 Street near Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan, a sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a 60-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a fractured knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, classified as injury severity 3. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper, with damage to the vehicle’s center front end. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Turning Improperly" as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and injured at the scene. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted beyond crossing with the signal. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers making improper turns in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Council moves to force DOT to post clear bus lane signs on every block. Riders and walkers need to know when cars must stay out. The bill demands public, block-by-block rules. No more guessing. Streets reveal their rules.

Int 0647-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on March 7, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to bus lane restrictions," orders DOT to post signs on each block with bus lane rules and to publish hours online. Sponsors include Althea V. Stevens (primary), Chris Banks, Chi A. Ossé, Nantasha M. Williams, Carmen N. De La Rosa, Amanda Farías, Yusef Salaam, and Kevin C. Riley. The measure aims to end confusion and make bus lane rules plain for all. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0647-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 28 - A sedan driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a westbound cyclist on West 125th Street. The cyclist was thrown, suffering head injuries and shock. Metal and flesh met. The street bore witness.

According to the police report, a sedan parked on West 125th Street in Manhattan was struck by a westbound bicyclist. The cyclist, a 32-year-old man, was partially ejected from his bike and suffered head injuries, including contusions and bruises, and was left in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and parked at the time of the crash. The impact damaged the bicycle's front end and the sedan's left side doors. The police report highlights the sedan driver's lack of attention, which led to the crash and left the cyclist injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Two SUVs collided on West 115th Street in Manhattan. A moving SUV struck a parked SUV’s rear. Three occupants suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash unfolded just after midnight, leaving all parties conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:10 a.m. on West 115th Street near Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. A 2018 Ford SUV traveling west struck the right rear quarter panel of a parked 2007 Jeep SUV. The impact caused neck injuries with whiplash to three occupants: the Ford’s female driver and front passenger, both 26 years old, and a 44-year-old male driver of a third SUV involved. All victims were conscious and wearing seat belts or harnesses, with no ejections reported. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, but the collision with a stationary vehicle indicates a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the moving Ford SUV driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The damage was localized to the right rear quarter panel of the moving vehicle and the center back end of the parked vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708044 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to form a board on school crossing guard deployment. NYPD, DOT, and DOE must report twice a year. The aim: more eyes on street danger where kids cross.

Bill Int 0448-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to an advisory board on crossing guard deployment," calls for NYPD, DOT, and DOE to join an advisory board. The board must send biannual reports on crossing guard needs to the Mayor, Council Speaker, and Police Commissioner. Council Member Kamillah Hanks leads as primary sponsor, joined by Stevens, Schulman, Salaam, and others. The Bronx Borough President requested the bill. The board’s reports could spotlight gaps and push for better protection at dangerous crossings.

• File Int 0448-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill pushes demand-based parking in crowded boroughs. DOT must set rates, tweak with notice. Exempt vehicles dodge new fees. Streets may shift. Pedestrians and cyclists watch the curb.

Int 0474-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Williams, Restler, Salaam, Bottcher, Riley, Brewer, Farías, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill orders DOT to create at least one dynamic parking zone per borough, with rates rising or falling by real-time demand. DOT must set the range before launch and give a week’s notice for changes. Vehicles with special permits stay exempt. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing dynamic parking zones.' No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0474-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. Cyclists need steel and concrete, not paint. The bill sits in committee. Streets could change. Lives hang in the balance.

Int 0271-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Rivera, Louis, Hanif, Ossé, Brewer, Cabán, Nurse, Hudson, Salaam, Bottcher, Gutiérrez, Feliz, Won, and Joseph. The bill demands the Department of Transportation install 100 miles of protected bike lanes per year for six years. The aim: real protection for cyclists and a safer city grid.

• File Int 0271-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders DOT to probe crashes. Expands what counts as serious. Sets tight deadlines. Demands detailed reports. Pushes city to face the wreckage, not hide it.

Int 0263-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Lincoln Restler (primary), Joseph, Feliz, Louis, Won, Salaam, Riley, and Banks. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions,' expands the definition of serious crashes, forces DOT to start investigations within a week, finish in a month, and publish detailed findings. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It aims to expose the facts behind every deadly impact, demanding the city account for the toll on streets.

• File Int 0263-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to create a DOT parking squad. The bill targets illegal parking. Sponsors say it will enforce rules. Streets choke on blocked lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price.

Bill Int 0264-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it would require the Department of Transportation to form a unit focused on parking violations. The matter title reads: 'Establishment of a parking enforcement unit within the department of transportation.' Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Crystal Hudson, Erik D. Bottcher, and others. The bill aims to crack down on illegal parking, a known threat to people on foot and bike. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but blocked lanes endanger all who travel outside a car.

• File Int 0264-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 22 - A bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury after a vehicle making a U-turn struck him on Lenox Avenue. The crash, caused by driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way, left the cyclist bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Lenox Avenue at 18:40. A vehicle traveling south was making a U-turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. The report cites driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the center front end of both the vehicle and the bike. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but injured. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or safety equipment. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 19 - A 66-year-old man was injured crossing West 120 Street in Manhattan when a taxi struck him at the right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash stemmed from driver inattention and passing too closely.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on West 120 Street struck a 66-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection near Lenox Avenue. The pedestrian was located in the roadway and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the taxi's right rear quarter panel, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but no other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and unsafe passing maneuvers in Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 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

Feb 8 - 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

Jan 18 - Unlicensed man crashed into two parked sedans on 8 Avenue. Drugs cited. Driver suffered facial wounds. Parked cars struck hard. System failed to stop impaired, unlicensed driving.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old unlicensed man drove a 2003 Honda sedan north on 8 Avenue near West 123 Street and crashed into two parked sedans. The driver suffered facial injuries and was incoherent at the scene. Police listed illegal drug use as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver errors: operating without a valid license and drug impairment. Both parked sedans were struck on the left front quarter panels. No injuries were reported to others. The report attributes no fault to the parked vehicles or other parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696235 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19