Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

Power and money stalled safety on McGuinness Boulevard. A teacher died. Eleven pedestrians and three cyclists killed since 1995. City Hall caved to donors. Bike lanes and road diets delayed. Vulnerable road users paid the price. The fight continues.

This controversy centers on the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign, with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (District 42) mentioned at a pivotal June 15, 2023, town hall. The saga unfolded as City Hall, under pressure from Broadway Stages and its donors, repeatedly stalled or watered down the Department of Transportation’s plan to calm the deadly Brooklyn roadway. The matter’s summary: 'Under pressure from Broadway Stages, Mayor Adams abandoned his own Department of Transportation's plan to calm the notoriously dangerous Brooklyn roadway.' Despite neighborhood support and a history of fatal crashes, City Hall intervened, delaying life-saving changes. Bichotte Hermelyn appeared alongside DOT Commissioner Rodriguez at a meeting dominated by project opponents. The watered-down redesign, installed north of Calyer Street, did 'nothing' for pedestrian safety, according to local officials. The pattern: political influence trumped safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• The Lewis-Martin Probe and McGuinness Blvd.: What We Know, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-12-17

Gale Brewer backs tougher rules for delivery apps, not blanket e-bike crackdowns. She calls for speed limits, tracking, and safer batteries. Brewer rejects citywide licensing, focusing on big companies. Pedestrians stay at risk while apps dodge responsibility.

On December 15, 2024, Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) took a public stance in an editorial titled, "NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps." Brewer opposes citywide licensing and registration of all e-bikes, a measure supported by Councilman Bob Holden, calling it impractical. Instead, she urges the City Council to target commercial e-bike use by requiring delivery giants like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Amazon to track their contractors’ speed, direction, and sidewalk riding, and report violations to city regulators. Brewer also proposes a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and mandates running lights for visibility. She highlights the danger of unsafe lithium-ion batteries and calls for stricter oversight. Brewer’s approach shifts responsibility from individual riders to the corporations profiting from delivery, aiming to protect the city’s 8 million pedestrians from reckless riding and battery fires.

• NYC must curb the e-bikes: Regulations should be on the delivery apps, nydailynews.com, Published 2024-12-15

Two council members withdrew support for Intro 606 after a fierce hearing. Critics warned the bill would harm immigrants and delivery workers. DOT found no proof it would make streets safer. The bill still has 29 co-sponsors. Debate rages on.

Intro 606, a New York City Council bill requiring e-bike registration, lost support from Council Members Chi Ossé and Yusef Salaam after a divisive December 12, 2024 hearing in committee. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring registration of certain bicycles with electric assist,' drew sharp criticism. Ossé cited fears of increased police enforcement and harm to immigrant communities: 'The hearing demonstrated concerns about the bill to be right: Beyond its sweeping consequences for green transit and healthy urbanism, Intro 606 could spell disaster for immigrant communities.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez opposed the bill, stating it would burden delivery workers and lacks evidence for improving safety. Civil rights groups warned of racial bias and criminalization. Despite withdrawals, 29 council members still co-sponsor the bill. Another measure, Intro 1131, proposing a task force to study e-bikes, received broad support.

• Two Council Members Abandon E-Bike Registration Bill After Divisive Hearing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-12

DOT Commissioner Rodriguez shot down the Council’s e-bike registration bill. He said enforcement tools already exist. He pointed to street redesigns that save lives. Council Member Holden pressed for plates. Rodriguez stood firm: cars, not e-bikes, drive the city’s blood toll.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on Intro 606, a bill to require registration and license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Robert Holden, claims to address a 'public safety crisis.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez opposed the measure, stating, 'The administration already has the tools to enforce against illegal [cycling] behaviors; a license plate is not necessary for enforcement.' Rodriguez cited data: 105 pedestrians killed by cars this year, versus six by e-bikes, mopeds, and scooters combined. He argued that street redesigns, not new bureaucracy, cut deaths and injuries. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams echoed this, noting that registration backers often resist proven safety fixes like protected bike lanes. Rodriguez warned the bill would waste $19 million and slow adoption of sustainable transport. He called for holding delivery apps accountable and redesigning streets, not targeting vulnerable road users.

• DOT: Council E-Bike Registration Bill is Not Necessary to Make Streets Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-11

Council grilled the Adams administration over a bill to license e-bikes and scooters. Supporters called it common sense. Critics warned it targets delivery workers. Tension ran high. Most deaths still come from cars, not bikes. The fight is far from over.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to require city-level licensing and registration for e-bikes and e-scooters not covered by state law. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden, claims to address 'the proliferation of these vehicles' and their impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, District 19, insisted, 'This is a safety issue.' Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez countered, 'We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams warned the bill would 'have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants.' A separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer supports licensing only for commercial e-bikes. The hearing exposed deep rifts over enforcement, equity, and the real sources of street danger.

• NYC Council, Adams admin spar over license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-11

A 76-year-old woman crossing with the signal was injured when a southbound bike failed to yield right-of-way. She suffered lower arm injuries and shock. The crash exposed critical driver errors and intersection dangers in Manhattan.

According to the police report, a 76-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of St Nicholas Ave and W 181 St in Manhattan around 2 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a southbound bike struck her at the center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the bike rider as a primary contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary fault lies with the bike operator's failure to yield. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections, especially involving vulnerable pedestrians following crossing signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

DOT’s e-bike charging pilot slashed risky home charging for delivery workers. Battery swaps doubled. Fewer spare batteries on the street. City eyes 173 new hubs near public housing. Federal money fuels the push. Officials hail safety gains. Expansion looms.

On November 25, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced results from its e-bike charging pilot. The program, launched in March, ran for six months and involved 118 delivery workers. According to DOT, 'the pilot illustrated the strong demand for safe and accessible outdoor e-bike charging.' Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, 'Safer charging practices are integral to a cleaner and more sustainable future.' The pilot cut home charging by 35% and halved spare battery use. DOT will expand the program with 173 new charging hubs near 53 NYCHA complexes, funded by a $25 million federal grant. The next phase will open facilities to NYCHA residents and the public, aiming for up to 1,000 battery-swap stations in two years. Activists and company leaders praised the safety improvements for delivery workers.

• DOT E-Bike Charging Pilot is a Success as City Plans More, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-25

A moped driver suffered upper arm injuries after a collision with a sedan on Broadway. The crash involved improper lane usage by the moped driver. The driver, conscious and helmeted, was not ejected but sustained bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:35 on Broadway near Nagle Avenue. A 23-year-old male moped driver, who was wearing a helmet, collided with a 2016 Audi sedan traveling south. The moped driver was injured with a shoulder and upper arm contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor, attributed to the moped driver. The sedan had damage to its center front end, while the moped sustained damage to its left front bumper. The moped driver was unlicensed, which is noted in the report but not listed as a contributing factor. No pedestrian or cyclist victims were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 78-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a taxi making a right turn on W 183 St. The impact caused upper leg and hip injuries, leaving her in shock. The taxi showed no damage despite the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on W 183 St made a right turn and struck a 78-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the part of the taxi driver. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, yet the taxi sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but did not contribute to the crash. This incident underscores the danger posed by driver failure to yield, directly causing injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774118 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Central Park Conservancy urges protected bike lanes on all crosstown transverses. The study calls for fewer car lanes, more space for cyclists, and safer crossings. Advocates cite deadly crashes. City DOT backs the plan. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

""These recommendations will update the park's drives to prioritize pedestrian safety while also better accommodating cyclists and legal e-mobility options both traveling within the park or through it across Manhattan,"" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On November 20, 2024, the Central Park Conservancy released a study proposing protected bike lanes on the park’s four crosstown transverses—66th, 79th, 86th, and 96th Streets—starting with both directions on 86th. The study, endorsed by the Conservancy and supported by the Department of Transportation, recommends reducing vehicle lanes to expand space for cyclists. The matter title reads: "Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses." The report also suggests a two-way protected lane on Fifth Avenue, converting Central Park West’s lane to two-way, and adding protected crosstown lanes on 59th and 110th. Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "These recommendations will update the park's drives to prioritize pedestrian safety while also better accommodating cyclists and legal e-mobility options." Advocates and city officials point to past deaths, like Daniel Cammerman’s in 2019, as evidence of urgent need. The plan aims to shield the most vulnerable from harm.

• Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-20

An e-bike traveling south on W 181 St ignored traffic controls and struck a 58-year-old man crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Aggressive driving contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling south on W 181 St in Manhattan disregarded traffic control devices and collided with a 58-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate (3). The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors that led to the collision. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and was located at the intersection when struck. No mention of pedestrian fault or helmet use is made in the report. The crash underscores the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic signals and engaging in aggressive behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Queens Boulevard, once the Boulevard of Death, now boasts protected bike lanes and safer crossings. Pedestrian injuries dropped 35 percent. Traffic deaths fell 68 percent. Cyclists fill the lanes. Concrete upgrades loom, but mountable curbs may let cars intrude.

On November 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation celebrated a decade of safety improvements on Queens Boulevard. The event marked the completion of protected bike lanes along nearly the entire corridor, except for one block. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Several elements of this redesign aim at enhancing safety for all road users: Curbside bike lanes to enhance cyclist safety, pedestrian islands to shorten crossing distances while encouraging slower, safe turns, and additional adjustments to traffic signal timing to allow more time for pedestrians to cross before the lights turn green." The project, begun in 2015 under Mayor Bill de Blasio, faced local opposition and political delays but persisted. The city reports a 68 percent drop in traffic fatalities and a 35 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries since the redesign began. Cyclist numbers surged by 450 percent. DOT plans to upgrade bike lanes with concrete, but mountable curbs could leave lanes exposed to cars. Families for Safe Streets activist Lizi Rahman called the redesign a model for dangerous roads everywhere.

• DOT Celebrates A Decade of Safety Improvements on Queens Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-13

DOT finished the Queens Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and new signals now line seven miles. Fatalities dropped 68 percent. Injuries fell 35 percent. Julie Won helped fund the next phase. Concrete upgrades will harden safety. Streets remember every life.

On November 12, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced the completion of the final phase of the Queens Boulevard Redesign. The project, part of Vision Zero, was celebrated in Council District 26 with Council Member Julie Won present and helping secure $1.5 million for future upgrades. The redesign stretches from Queens Plaza to Hillside Avenue, creating the city’s longest protected bike lane. The DOT reports a 68% drop in fatalities and a 35% reduction in injuries since 2015. The redesign adds parking-protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and improved signals. The next phase, funded in part by Won, will replace painted lanes with concrete, add raised medians, and increase accessibility. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called it a milestone, saying, 'Queens Boulevard is not the Boulevard of Death anymore, but the Boulevard of Life.'

• A ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation: DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, amny.com, Published 2024-11-12

A sedan making a left turn struck an 89-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal on Pinehurst Avenue. The pedestrian suffered lower arm injuries and shock. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision and injury.

According to the police report, at 12:37 PM on Pinehurst Avenue near West 183rd Street in Manhattan, a sedan driven by a licensed female driver was making a left turn when it collided with an 89-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its center front end but sustained no damage. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian were noted. This incident highlights the critical danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769739 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped rider was injured and ejected after a collision with an SUV in Manhattan. The crash involved a failure to obey traffic controls. The rider suffered lower leg injuries and shock, highlighting driver disregard for traffic signals.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:17 on W 180 St near Fort Washington Ave in Manhattan. A moped traveling east collided with an SUV heading north. The moped driver, a 34-year-old male, was ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure by one or both drivers to obey traffic signals or signs. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, while the moped driver was also going straight ahead. The point of impact was the moped's right side doors and the SUV's center front end. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing on driver errors and systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

SUV driver raged down West 190. He struck a southbound motorcycle. The rider flew from his bike. Bones broke. Joints twisted. The street bore witness to reckless force.

According to the police report, at 22:04 on West 190 Street near Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan, an SUV traveling east collided with a southbound motorcycle. The SUV driver engaged in aggressive driving and disregarded traffic controls. The motorcyclist, a 35-year-old man, was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. No contributing factors were attributed to the motorcyclist. The crash highlights the danger of aggressive driving and failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

The Adams administration gutted a safety plan for Ashland Place. Cyclists now face chaos and injury on a block left out of the protected bike lane network. Crashes rose after the compromise. Activists demand the city finish the job before winter sets in.

No bill number exists for this matter; it is an advocacy campaign sparked by the Adams administration’s 2023 decision to water down the Department of Transportation’s Ashland Place safety project. The city left the southernmost block, between Hanson Place and Lafayette Avenue, without a protected bike lane. As activists from Transportation Alternatives wrote, this block 'does not work for anyone on the street and is the missing link in an otherwise protected bike lane.' Council members are not named, but the campaign targets Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Residents supported the full plan, but the city caved to real estate and institutional pressure, keeping two-way car traffic and exposing cyclists to danger. Crash data shows injuries persist. Activists urge the city to close the gap before the painting season ends.

• The Mayor’s Ashland Pl. Compromise Remains a Safety Menace, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-16

Honda SUV rear-ended a vehicle on West 178 Street. Three men inside suffered back injuries. All were conscious. Police cite unspecified driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 2009 Honda SUV traveling east on West 178 Street in Manhattan struck the center back end of another vehicle. Three male occupants, ages 36, 25, and 27, were injured with back and internal injuries, including whiplash. All were conscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver, indicating driver error but does not detail the cause. Each occupant wore a lap belt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash impact and damage were at the SUV's center back end, confirming a rear-end collision. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763036 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07