Blood on Broadway: Slow the Cars, Save the Living

A 25-year-old man flew from his multi-wheeled machine at West 178th and Wadsworth. No helmet. No belt. Head struck hard. Blood pooled. Driver inexperience and rage fueled the crash. Only the rider was hurt. The street stayed silent.

A 25-year-old man was ejected from a multi-wheeled vehicle while traveling north on West 178th Street at Wadsworth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the rider was thrown from the vehicle, suffering a severe head injury and heavy bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. No other vehicles or people were involved. The rider wore no helmet or seat belt, as noted in the report, but these are mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash left the vehicle undamaged, but the rider was left injured and conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Two SUVs crashed at West 159 Street in Manhattan. Three occupants suffered head and hip injuries. Driver distraction caused the crash. All were restrained but shocked, complaining of pain and nausea. Damage hit front and left side of vehicles.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on West 159 Street in Manhattan. The crash involved a 2019 Lexus SUV traveling west and a 2006 Chevrolet SUV traveling south. Three occupants were injured: a 21-year-old female front passenger and a 16-year-old female rear passenger both suffered head injuries, and the 22-year-old male driver of the Chevrolet SUV sustained hip and upper leg injuries. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Lexus SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper, while the Chevrolet SUV was damaged on its left front quarter panel and left side doors. The injured occupants experienced shock and complained of pain or nausea.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

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

A driver turned left and struck a southbound cyclist on Fort Washington Avenue. The cyclist, a 50-year-old man, suffered bruises to his arm. Police cited driver inattention and improper turning.

According to the police report, a vehicle making a left turn collided with a southbound bicyclist on Fort Washington Avenue at West 165 Street in Manhattan. The 50-year-old male cyclist was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and improper turning as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of both the vehicle and the bike. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash underscores the risk posed by inattentive drivers to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559281 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

A 30-year-old male driver in a 2021 Jeep SUV crashed on Broadway in Manhattan. The vehicle was demolished at the front center. The driver suffered head injuries and whiplash, experiencing shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male driver operating a 2021 Jeep SUV with a learner's permit crashed on Broadway in Manhattan. The vehicle sustained severe front-end damage. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was injured with head trauma and whiplash and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors. The driver was wearing a harness at the time. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

A sedan crashed into a parked SUV on Henry Hudson Parkway. Two men in the sedan were hurt. Police cite alcohol and speed. The SUV was stopped. Metal twisted. Injuries followed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Henry Hudson Parkway struck a parked SUV from behind. The sedan's left front bumper hit the SUV's right rear bumper. Two men in the sedan, ages 23 and 27, suffered neck and head injuries. Both were restrained and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact. No other contributing factors are noted beyond the driver's errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

A 23-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected after colliding with a vehicle on Broadway near West 162nd Street. The rider suffered head injuries and abrasions. The crash involved unsafe speed and damaged the left side of the bike and front of the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike northbound on Broadway collided with a vehicle traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the left side doors of the e-bike and the center front end of the vehicle. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained head injuries and abrasions. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The vehicle was occupied by no passengers, and the bicyclist was the sole occupant of the e-bike. No other contributing factors or safety equipment details were specified. The crash caused damage to the left side doors of the e-bike and the front end of the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555460 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse backs a dedicated bus lane on Flatbush Avenue. She joins Mayor Adams and others, pushing for faster, safer rides. Riders wait too long. Streets choke with traffic. The city moves to act, despite driver backlash and parking fears.

On August 9, 2022, Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse (District 46) endorsed the Flatbush Avenue dedicated bus lane proposal. The plan, a priority for the Adams administration and MTA, aims to speed up the B41 bus from Downtown Brooklyn to Marine Park. Narcisse and Councilmember Rita Joseph joined Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference, riding the B41 and speaking with riders. Narcisse said, “People are suffering waiting 30 minutes, 40 minutes, it’s unfair to the riders.” She stressed that better bus service could cut down on illegal dollar vans. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, has started community engagement. Some community boards worry about lost parking, but Rodriguez called their role advisory, saying, “we want to hear what the riders want.” Narcisse acknowledged driver backlash but insisted on the need for faster, reliable transit.

• Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal gains support of key electeds, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-08-09

Manhattan’s M102 crawls at 4.6 mph. Advocacy groups demand bus lanes, congestion pricing, and faster boarding. Council Member Marte calls for citywide busways. The mayor promises 150 new miles. Enforcement lags. Riders wait. Streets choke. Danger grows.

""We at DOT look forward to working with our MTA partners to build a safer and more efficient system, with more new and enhanced bus lanes, expanded automated enforcement, as well as new ways that our agencies will work together to improve access for the growing number of cyclists."" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On August 8, 2022, Council Member Christopher Marte responded to the Straphangers Campaign’s report naming Manhattan’s M102 as the city’s slowest major bus line. The report, titled 'Slow in the City: Straphangers Campaign reveals the most dawdling, unreliable NYC bus lines,' highlighted severe congestion and unreliable service. Marte urged the city to replicate the 14th Street busway model across Manhattan, stating, 'We don’t have to wait until congestion pricing to take action. We know what works.' The mayor pledged 150 miles of new bus lanes over four years. The MTA and DOT officials acknowledged the need for better enforcement and safer, more efficient bus infrastructure. The push for bus priority lanes and congestion pricing aims to clear streets, speed up transit, and protect vulnerable road users from the daily hazards of traffic and delay.

• Slow in the City: Straphangers Campaign reveals the most dawdling, unreliable NYC bus lines, amny.com, Published 2022-08-08

A 27-year-old woman driver suffered an elbow abrasion after her sedan was struck by another sedan making a right turn. The crash happened near 2320 Amsterdam Avenue. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a sedan driven by a licensed male driver was parked when it was struck on the left rear bumper by a second sedan making a right turn. The second vehicle was driven by an unlicensed female driver. The collision injured the female driver of the parked sedan, causing an abrasion to her elbow and lower arm. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash occurred near 2320 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. No other injuries or victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4554305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Sedan turned left. E-scooter kept straight. Metal struck flesh. Rider thrown, bruised, hurt head to toe. Failure to yield marked the moment. System failed the vulnerable again.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Amsterdam Avenue made a left turn and struck an e-scooter heading north. The e-scooter driver, a 35-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered injuries across his entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, showing the sedan driver did not yield. The sedan hit with its center front end; the e-scooter was struck on its left side. The injured e-scooter driver was conscious but wore no safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called on state DOT to take a lane from cars on the West Side Highway. He wants a two-way protected bike lane. The Greenway is packed. Delivery workers need space. Local boards and lawmakers back the move.

On August 1, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine demanded the state Department of Transportation repurpose a lane on the West Side Highway for a two-way protected bike lane. Levine wrote, 'The Hudson River Greenway is one of the most heavily used bike paths in the country... congestion has worsened significantly.' He sent his letter to state DOT Commissioner Therese Dominguez and city DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Local elected officials and Community Board 1, which voted 41-3 in May 2020 to support the change, also back the plan. State senators, assembly members, and council members signed a letter urging the same. Levine and supporters argue the new lane would ease crowding and give e-bike delivery workers—many of them immigrants—a safe, legal route. The state DOT has resisted, citing car congestion. Advocates say more space for cyclists is overdue.

• SEE IT! Manhattan BP to State: Take a Lane from Drivers on the West Side Highway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-01

A 99-year-old woman died after a driver struck her in a Riverdale crosswalk. The driver, uncharged, turned left through a stop sign. The intersection has a crash history. Officials and advocates demand action. Seniors remain at deadly risk on Bronx streets.

On July 29, 2022, Bernice Schwartz, age 99, was killed crossing Oxford Avenue in Riverdale. The driver, 53, made a left turn from West 235th Street, striking Schwartz in the crosswalk. The intersection is controlled only by stop signs. Police did not charge the driver. According to Streetsblog NYC, there have been 36 reported crashes near this intersection since 2019, injuring three pedestrians. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Fifty percent of those who are dying in intersections are seniors.' Irma Rosenblatt of Families for Safe Streets called for urgent action from Mayor Adams, DOT, and local officials: 'We need action today... How many more seniors have to die?' The Bronx faces a surge in road deaths. Vulnerable road users, especially seniors, remain exposed to unchecked traffic violence.

• ‘Whippersnapper’ Senior Citizen Run Down and Killed in Riverdale, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-29

A new crosswalk and four-way stop sign now stand at Surf Avenue and West 37th Street. Years of community pressure forced action. The intersection, deadly for seniors and pedestrians, finally gets protection. Council and DOT responded. Locals, especially elders, celebrate the change.

On July 26, 2022, Councilmember Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, joined Councilmember Ari Kagan and DOT officials at Surf Avenue and West 37th Street. The matter: 'Surf Avenue gets new crosswalk and four-way stop sign, creating a safer intersection for seniors.' Kagan’s office led the push, with Brooks-Powers elevating the issue. Kagan said, 'It was one of the most dangerous intersections in Coney Island, not just for pedestrians but for drivers as well.' The crossing serves the Scheuer House senior facility. Community Board 13 and local groups demanded action. Brooks-Powers praised the advocacy: 'Now, your residents will be able to cross the street safely!' The intersection, once life-threatening, now offers basic protection for the city’s most vulnerable.

• Surf Avenue gets new crosswalk and four-way stop sign, creating a safer intersection for seniors, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-07-26

A 32-year-old female bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. Both the bike and SUV were making right turns northwest on West 165 Street. No vehicle damage was reported. The bicyclist wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West 165 Street involving a bicyclist and a station wagon/SUV, both making right turns northwest. The 32-year-old female bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for either party. Both vehicles showed no damage. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No further details on fault or cause were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Council Member Oswald Feliz joined Bronx business leaders to oppose a proposed Fordham Road busway. They warned it could push car traffic onto side streets, snarling roads and endangering pedestrians. Most locals walk or ride transit, but opposition remains fierce.

On July 20, 2022, Council Member Oswald Feliz (District 15) publicly opposed a proposed busway for Fordham Road. The matter, described as an 'existential threat' by Bronx business leaders, questions the impact of restricting car traffic on the busy corridor. Feliz, in a letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, acknowledged slow bus speeds but echoed concerns about diverted traffic and business access. The statement reads: 'Closing any portion of Fordham Road to vehicular traffic will result in many negative consequences... creating endless gridlock and danger for pedestrians.' DOT proposals include full or partial busways, but local surveys show 86% of visitors already arrive by walking, bus, or train. Feliz called for a balanced plan, reflecting ongoing tension between business interests and safer, faster transit for vulnerable road users.

• Bronx business leaders: Fordham Road busway poses ‘existential threat’ to corridor, crainsnewyork.com, Published 2022-07-20

A 4-year-old boy was injured when a bike traveling south on West 158 Street struck him. The child suffered an eye contusion. The bike showed no damage. The driver was inattentive at the moment of impact.

According to the police report, a bike traveling south on West 158 Street struck a 4-year-old pedestrian. The child sustained an eye contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bike had no visible damage and was going straight ahead at the time of collision. The pedestrian's location and actions before the crash are unknown. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the part of the child. Driver inattention was the sole listed cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

A Volvo SUV turned right on Broadway. It hit a 74-year-old man. He was thrown. His arm was torn open. Blood pooled on the street. The driver failed to yield. The man was not in a crosswalk. The street stayed silent after.

A Volvo SUV struck a 74-year-old man near 3959 Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV turned right and hit the pedestrian, throwing him and causing severe lacerations to his arm. Blood pooled on the street. The man was not at a crosswalk when the crash happened. The police report states, 'The driver failed to yield.' The listed contributing factor is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' No other driver errors or factors are noted in the report. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries. The impact came from the center front end of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

A taxi struck a parked SUV on Audubon Avenue in Manhattan. The taxi’s left front bumper hit the SUV’s left rear bumper. The taxi driver, a 46-year-old man, suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited traffic control disregard as a factor.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on Audubon Avenue collided with a parked SUV. The point of impact was the taxi’s left front bumper against the SUV’s left rear bumper. The taxi driver, a 46-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was not ejected. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The crash involved multiple vehicles but only the taxi driver sustained injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-20

Council Members Holden and Borelli lash out at DOT for placing Citi Bike docks in curbside parking. They accuse DOT of ignoring drivers and local voices. Their words reveal a fight over street space. Pedestrians and cyclists are left out.

On July 12, 2022, Council Members Bob Holden and Joe Borelli publicly opposed DOT’s placement of Citi Bike docks in Queens. The dispute centers on Holden’s demand that DOT Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia be fired for using curbside parking for bike docks instead of sidewalks. Holden claims DOT ignores 'reasonable requests' and favors a 'fanatical anti-car movement.' Borelli criticizes DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for announcing a street safety redesign after a fatal crash, calling it 'shameless exploitation.' The article, titled 'Cycle of Rage: Pro-Car Council Members are the Ones Who Politicize DOT’s Work,' frames these council members as politicizing DOT’s efforts to reallocate street space from cars to bikes and pedestrians. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Cycle of Rage: Pro-Car Council Members are the Ones Who Politicize DOT’s Work, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-12