Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

A 21-year-old bicyclist suffered a severe arm injury after an SUV struck him on Broadway in Manhattan. The crash involved improper lane usage and driver distraction, causing a fractured and dislocated elbow. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Broadway near Hillside Avenue in Manhattan at 10:30 AM. A 2013 Ford SUV, traveling north and initially parked, struck a 21-year-old male bicyclist also traveling north. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, categorized as injury severity 3, and remained conscious without ejection. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper lane discipline and was distracted. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or safety equipment were noted. The SUV driver was licensed in New York and alone in the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 50-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after an SUV made a right turn and struck her at an intersection. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Riverside Drive near Broadway. The SUV, traveling south and making a right turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but the driver showed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way,' both cited as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765651 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Work started on a new 96th Street bus lane. The city will cut car lanes for buses. Council Member Gale Brewer stands with opponents. DOT says most locals don’t drive. The bus lane aims to speed up slow, crowded crosstown rides.

On October 1, 2024, construction began on a dedicated bus lane along 96th Street in Manhattan. The project, not tied to a specific bill number, is led by the Department of Transportation and replaces a traffic lane in each direction between West End Avenue and 2nd Avenue. The matter aims to 'speed up crosstown buses like the M96 and M106.' Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, has sided with residents opposing the change, though she did not comment for the record. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez claims the new lane will make commutes 'faster, more reliable, and safer for everyone.' The bus lane will operate 24/7, except for a short eastbound stretch. DOT notes that 74% of 96th Street residents do not own cars, and most commute by transit, bike, or foot. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Construction begins on new 96th Street bus lane in Manhattan, amny.com, Published 2024-10-01

DOT broke ground on new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street. The redesign will stretch 1.7 miles. Councilmember Gale Brewer raised curb space concerns. Officials say the project will speed up buses and slow down cars. Work finishes later this year.

On September 30, 2024, the Department of Transportation began construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, a project stretching from West End to Second Avenue. The matter, titled 'DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street,' aims to improve service for 15,500 weekday riders. Councilmember Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, held a rally earlier in the month expressing concerns about lost curb space and pushed for alternative solutions. Brewer sent a letter to DOT on behalf of residents, stating, 'All I can say is that I did what I did to represent them.' DOT officials countered that the redesign will reduce congestion and retain curb access. The project includes dedicated bus lanes, left-turn bays, and treatments to slow drivers. Most residents in the area rely on transit, walking, or cycling. The city expects the redesign to make commutes faster and safer for all road users.

• DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-30

A 21-year-old male driver overturned his SUV while making a right turn on Henry Hudson Parkway. The driver suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body. Police cite driver inexperience and unsafe speed as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male driver operating a 2024 BMW SUV overturned the vehicle while making a right turn on Henry Hudson Parkway at 11:30. The driver, who was licensed in New York, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious after the crash. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The vehicle overturned upon impact, causing significant damage. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers operating vehicles at unsafe speeds, resulting in loss of control and severe injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Streetsblog sues DOT for stonewalling public records. Six-month delays block data on deaths, projects, and official emails. The suit says DOT’s blanket stalling breaks the law and hides vital safety information from the public. DOT stays silent.

On September 17, 2024, Streetsblog filed a lawsuit against the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), alleging systematic violations of the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The suit, brought with the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic, targets DOT’s practice of imposing uniform six-month delays on nearly all journalist information requests. Streetsblog’s complaint states: “DOT consistently violates the state's Freedom of Information Law by delaying for six months nearly all of the requests for public information from journalists.” The delays affect at least 33 Streetsblog requests since June 2021, including data on pedestrian fatalities and DOT project records. Michael Martin Linhorst, Streetsblog’s attorney, aims to set a precedent to end these blanket delays. DOT declined to comment. The case highlights how bureaucratic stonewalling keeps critical safety data from the public, undermining transparency and accountability for vulnerable road users.

• Streetsblog to DOT: We’ll See You in Court — Again!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Washington Bridge now has bus and protected bike lanes. Jersey barriers shield cyclists. Pedestrians get their own path. Councilmember De La Rosa calls old bridge an accident waiting to happen. Upgrades separate people from cars. Danger drops. City promises more safety fixes.

On September 16, 2024, the Washington Bridge connecting Manhattan and the Bronx received major upgrades: a dedicated bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane. The project, supported by Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa (District 10), was announced by the NYC Department of Transportation. The matter summary states, 'The improvements... aim to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists and provide faster bus service.' De La Rosa, who represents the area, said, 'I've never been so afraid to walk a bridge on foot... it was an accident waiting to happen.' The overhaul separates cyclists and pedestrians from cars with jersey barriers and fences, and adds protected pedestrian paths. Automated cameras will enforce the bus lane. The DOT plans further safety measures, including a leading pedestrian interval at crossings. These changes target long-standing dangers for vulnerable road users on the bridge.

• Washington Bridge between Manhattan and Bronx gets bus and protected bike lanes, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-16

City hunts for a vendor to install stop-arm cameras on school buses. The move comes after years of delay. Drivers who pass stopped buses will face fines. Advocates cheer the step. Children remain at risk as deaths rise citywide.

On September 12, 2024, the city issued a request for proposals to deploy stop-arm enforcement cameras on school buses. The Department of Transportation seeks a contractor to install technology that fines drivers who pass stopped buses. The state legalized these cameras in 2019. The City Council, led by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, passed a law in early 2022 for a six-month pilot and required annual reporting. The city enacted automated fine rules in November. Advocates, including Transportation Alternatives, praised the move: 'We know changes like this can save lives.' Suffolk County saw a 42-percent drop in violations after similar cameras. The Adams administration questioned the program's impact, noting no deaths from bus arm violations since 2014. The city has not published pilot results. The state law enabling cameras runs through 2029.

• City Seeks Contractor for School Bus ‘Stop Arm’ Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

A new protected bike lane will run 1.5 miles on Bedford Avenue. Barriers will shield cyclists from traffic. Pedestrian islands and medians will slow cars. The city moves after years of crashes, deaths, and delays. Ossé calls it overdue. Work starts now.

On September 11, 2024, Council Member Chi Ossé (District 36) and the Department of Transportation announced a protected bike lane for Bedford Avenue. The project, not a council bill but a city action, follows years of advocacy and delay. The DOT will convert a painted, often-blocked bike lane between Dean Street and Flushing Avenue into a protected corridor. The official summary states: 'The addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will create a critical cycling link...while making the road safer for everyone.' Ossé, who previously criticized DOT delays, said, 'This project is a win for everyone.' The lane will address a Vision Zero Priority Corridor with five pedestrian deaths and nearly 400 crashes since 2019. New medians, pedestrian islands, and traffic-calming measures will target deadly intersections. Advocates call it critical safety infrastructure, the first of its kind in the district.

• Protected bike lanes are coming to Bedford Avenue, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-09-11

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

A protected bike lane will soon run on Bedford Avenue, replacing paint with concrete and flex-posts. Five pedestrians died here since 2020. The new lane shields cyclists from traffic, narrows crossings for walkers, and marks a hard-won step for safety advocates.

On September 10, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced the installation of a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue, a Vision Zero priority corridor. The project, first proposed in spring 2023, will run northbound from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "The addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will create a critical cycling link in an area where bicycle ridership is booming, while making the road safer for everyone." City Council Member Chi Oss, who criticized delays, now calls the project "a win for everyone." The plan uses concrete barriers, flex-posts, and painted pedestrian islands to shield vulnerable users. Since 2020, five pedestrians have died on this stretch. The project responds to years of advocacy and high crash rates, aiming to protect walkers and cyclists in a busy, dangerous corridor.

• Wow, The Bedford Avenue Protected Bike Lane Is Really Happening, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-10

Federal grant sends $12 million to New York City. The money will build a single crash database. Multiple agencies will share data. AI will analyze patterns. City officials say this will save lives. Advocates have demanded this for years. The city finally acts.

On September 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded New York City $12 million for post-crash data integration. The grant funds a new database merging crash findings from police, ambulance, hospitals, DMV, and DOT. The city will use AI to analyze patterns and improve safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the grant, saying, 'This grant will help us save lives by better harnessing new advances in AI technology and more comprehensively analyzing crashes.' $2.4 million will equip city fleet vehicles with 360-degree cameras and AI. Street safety advocates have long called for this comprehensive, public health approach. The city’s Health Department has not updated serious injury or fatality data since 2017, but this grant aims to change that by integrating data across agencies and improving outcomes for vulnerable road users.

• Huge Grant: Feds Send City $12M to Improve Post-Crash Analyses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-06

A 45-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV making a left turn hit his e-bike. The crash happened at 7:44 a.m. on West 180 Street in Manhattan. Unsafe speed and improper lane usage by the bicyclist contributed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:44 a.m. on West 180 Street near Broadway in Manhattan. A 45-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike northbound was struck by a southbound 2021 Chevrolet SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear bumper and the e-bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3, with contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors attributed to the bicyclist. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report highlights the bicyclist's unsafe speed and improper lane usage as key factors in the collision, with no mention of victim fault or helmet use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Another school year. No stop-arm cameras. City Council passed the law years ago. Mayor Adams stalls. Children cross streets. Drivers ignore bus signs. Other cities act. New York waits. Danger lingers at the curb. Twelve kids dead this year. No change.

The City Council authorized automated school bus stop-arm cameras nearly three years ago, with then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez sponsoring the law. The measure aimed to catch drivers who ignore bus stop signs, fining them up to $300 per violation. Despite the law, New York City has not implemented the cameras. A six-month pilot on 30 buses ended without public results. Mayor Adams has delayed action, with City Hall offering no timeline. Other New York counties have issued thousands of violations and seen drops in illegal passing. Advocates like Alexa Sledge of Transportation Alternatives call the cameras 'essential' to protect children, noting twelve have died in traffic this year. The city’s inaction leaves kids exposed while other jurisdictions move ahead.

• City School Year to Start Without Promised Bus Stop Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03

A 24-year-old woman suffered full-body contusions after a sedan struck her at an intersection on West 183 Street. The driver, making a right turn, failed to yield and was distracted, causing the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northeast on West 183 Street made a right turn and struck a 24-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report identifies the driver's errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body, including contusions and bruises, and was in shock at the scene. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, which also sustained damage. The driver’s failure to yield and distraction directly contributed to the crash, highlighting systemic dangers at this intersection in Manhattan's 10033 zip code.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754628 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

New York will close 71 streets to cars outside schools this fall. The city adds more car-free zones for kids. Streets once deadly will now be safer for walking, play, and learning. The move targets neighborhoods hit hardest by crashes.

""Through our Open Streets program, we have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children to safely learn, develop new skills, and make pick-ups and drop-offs much easier for parents and guardians."" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a record 71 school streets will close to cars this fall. The expansion, not tied to a specific council bill, builds on the Open Streets program, made permanent in 2021. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said, 'We have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children.' Councilwoman Vickie Paladino celebrated the new open street at PS 129, calling it a win for safe pick-up, drop-off, and play. Funding comes from the Public Space Equity Program, with $30 million focused on under-resourced areas. Street Lab will provide programming and street furniture. The program responds to past investigations showing higher crash and injury rates outside schools, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The city will directly fund management and operations starting in 2025, aiming to make these safety gains permanent.

• More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-29

City plans to widen Park Avenue medians north of Grand Central. Officials promise greenery and safety. No commitment yet on protected bike lanes. Advocates push for cycling space. Public input will follow. The corridor remains dangerous for riders and walkers.

On August 27, 2024, the city announced a plan to redesign and widen Park Avenue medians between 46th and 57th Streets. The project, not yet assigned a bill number, is led by Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. The plan aims to make Park Avenue 'greener, safer and more welcoming,' but leaves out key details: 'All ideas are welcome,' Rodriguez said, refusing to commit to a protected bike lane. Rep. Jerry Nadler voiced support for sustainable transit, including Citi Bike. Advocates like Jon Orcutt highlighted the lack of bike lanes in the area, calling for urgent action. The Request for Proposals is open for four weeks to women and minority-owned firms, with public input to follow. The absence of a protected bike lane keeps vulnerable road users at risk.

• City Will Put the ‘Park’ Back in Park Ave., But Details (Bike Lane? Road Diet?) Are Left Out, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-27

A 16-year-old bicyclist suffered head abrasions after an SUV made a right turn and struck him on West 184 Street in Manhattan. The collision caused right side damage to the SUV and injured the cyclist, who remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:13 on West 184 Street in Manhattan. A 16-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2017 SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck him. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist sustained head abrasions and was conscious after the collision. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors, indicating driver errors by the SUV operator. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not noted to have any contributing behaviors. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to yield, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 78-year-old woman was injured at a Manhattan intersection when an SUV making a left turn hit her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Police cited driver failure to yield and inattention as causes.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at the intersection of West 188 Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The incident occurred at 16:15 when a 2018 Ford SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but the driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The report explicitly identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but his errors caused harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749413 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07