Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

DOT delays Fourth Avenue’s ‘Great Street’ project, pushing Phase I to August 2025. Cyclists face erased bike lanes and forced merges with traffic. Community demands safety, but DOT waives protections. Illegal parking chokes lanes. Promised upgrades stall. Danger lingers.

The Fourth Avenue ‘Great Street’ capital project, first announced in 2017, faces another setback. The Department of Transportation (DOT) told Community Board 7 that Phase I, meant to bolster medians and add plantings, will now finish in August 2025—over a year late. Phase II, which would add concrete to painted bike zones, won’t start until 2026. DOT erased protected bike lanes during construction, forcing cyclists into traffic. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez admitted waiving Local Law 124, which requires temporary bike lanes, citing traffic concerns. Community Board 7, led by Katherine Walsh, called out DOT’s failure to address illegal parking and equity. Advocates like Jon Orcutt and John Tomac condemned the agency’s logic and lack of safety measures. Despite the $60-million Vision Zero promise, Brooklyn’s vulnerable road users remain exposed as the city delays real protection.

• Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave. ‘Great Street’ Delayed … Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-16

MTA leaders blasted the city for killing Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. Paint and ticket blitzes failed. Bus speeds barely moved. Riders remain stuck in traffic. Cars clog lanes. Promised fixes scrapped. Advocates demand real action. The city stalls. Riders suffer.

On August 16, 2024, MTA officials sent a scathing letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, criticizing the city’s decision to abandon plans to upgrade Fordham Road’s curbside bus lanes to offset bus lanes. The letter, signed by outgoing NYCT President Richard Davey and interim successor Demetrius Crichlow, called the city’s paint-and-enforcement approach a 'total bust.' The MTA cited new data showing bus speeds increased just 2–4 percent since October 2022—far below the 15 percent target. The matter summary reads: 'The Fordham Road project enjoys widespread support from transit advocacy groups, and Fordham Road bus riders, who have been enduring slow service for decades.' Council involvement is not specified, but the MTA’s letter and Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein both demand stronger measures. The city’s inaction leaves Bronx bus riders stranded in slow traffic, with vulnerable road users paying the price for political compromise.

• FOIL’D: MTA Leadership Assailed DOT for Failing to Boost Fordham Road Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-16

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Adams and the Council cut roadside dining to a sliver. Outdoor tables now fill just 0.09 percent of parking spots. Most sheds will vanish. The city’s car-first streets return. Small businesses and advocates call the rollback a loss for public space.

On August 5, 2024, the Adams administration finalized its new outdoor dining policy, shrinking the pandemic-era program. The city now allows roadside dining only from April to November, with just 1,315 restaurants applying for street setups. Another 1,277 sought year-round sidewalk cafes. The matter, described as a 'massive scaleback,' drew criticism from advocates and business owners. Jackson Chabot of Open Plans said, 'It’s mind boggling that New York City is actually regressing back to more car-centered streets.' Restaurateurs like Charlotta Janssen and Robert Sanfiz warned that new seasonal rules and costly storage will force many to abandon outdoor dining. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the program 'the largest and best in America,' but critics say the city missed a chance to reclaim space from cars and support vulnerable road users.

• SPLAT: Adams Administration’s Squeeze on Roadside Dining is Complete, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-05

A sedan making a left turn struck a westbound moped on Dyckman Street in Manhattan. The moped driver was ejected, suffering back abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Dyckman Street in Manhattan involving a sedan and a moped. The sedan was making a left turn eastbound when it collided with a westbound moped. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained back abrasions, classified as injury severity 3. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a failure on the part of the sedan driver. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

City Council and Mayor Adams cut outdoor dining. Only 1,300 restaurants applied—down from 12,500 at the pandemic’s peak. New rules force seasonal setups, tough for small owners. Roadway dining nearly vanishes. Public space returns to cars. Advocates call it a missed chance.

On July 30, 2024, New York City’s outdoor dining program faced a sharp drop. Only 1,300 restaurants applied for permits, compared to 12,500 during the pandemic. The City Council and Mayor Adams changed the law, allowing roadway dining only seasonally. Eateries must set up each March and tear down by December, a heavy lift for small businesses. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, issued a 'last call' for applications. Rodriguez said, 'Outdoor dining enriches our communities, and we're excited to make it a permanent feature of New York City streets.' Yet, only 23 roadway setups are pending approval. Advocates like Jackson Chabot of Open Plans argue the city should allow year-round use, calling the decline a missed opportunity for public space and safety. The new design rules—no roofs or sides—leave some owners feeling exposed and unsafe. The city’s move shifts space back to cars, shrinking safe zones for pedestrians and diners.

• About 1,300 Restaurants Apply For Outdoor Dining — 90% Drop From Pandemic’s Height, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-30

A young man on a KTM motorcycle crashed into two parked SUVs on Fort George Avenue. Ejected, he suffered fatal head trauma. Blood pooled beneath the streetlights. The police report cites driver inexperience. He died there, alone, on the summer night.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old man riding a KTM motorcycle northbound on Fort George Avenue near Audubon Avenue struck two parked SUVs. The collision occurred at 21:44. The report states the rider was ejected on impact and suffered severe head trauma, with blood found on the pavement. He died at the scene. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the crash. The narrative notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary driver error. The parked SUVs were unoccupied and stationary at the time of the collision. The report provides no evidence of any contributing factors beyond those attributed to the motorcycle operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743277 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

A moped driver traveling north on West 181 Street was struck by an SUV making an improper U-turn. The impact ejected the moped operator, causing lower leg injuries and shock. The crash highlights driver error in turning maneuvers on busy Manhattan streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:10 on West 181 Street in Manhattan. The SUV was making a U-turn when it collided with a moped traveling straight ahead northbound. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the moped. The moped driver, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver's failure to execute a lawful turn. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but no contributing factors related to the victim were noted. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver errors in turning on city streets, placing vulnerable riders at severe risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two 14-year-old boys were injured when an unlicensed moped driver lost control on Saint Nicholas Avenue. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed caused the crash. Both boys suffered abrasions and limb trauma. Both remained conscious.

According to the police report, a moped carrying two 14-year-old males crashed on Saint Nicholas Avenue at 17:29. The unlicensed male driver was cited for 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The moped, initially parked, struck at the center front end. Both the driver and passenger were injured, suffering abrasions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, foot, elbow, and lower arm. Neither wore safety equipment. Both boys remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists reckless driving and speed as the primary causes. This crash highlights the danger of aggressive, unlicensed moped operation on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

DOT wants a new contractor for its camera enforcement program. The current vendor, Verra, missed reckless drivers with hidden plates. Over 40% of photos were tossed. The city lost millions. DOT aims for better tech and oversight to catch more violators.

On July 11, 2024, the Department of Transportation issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new five-year automated traffic enforcement contract. The program, managed by DOT, is the largest in the nation for speeding, red light, and bus lane violations. The RFP follows a city comptroller report showing Verra Mobility, the current contractor, rejected 41.5% of photos—often due to obscured or defaced license plates—costing the city over $100 million in lost fines. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the automated enforcement programs 'key to our Vision Zero efforts to save lives on our streets.' The RFP seeks to leverage new camera technology to address the surge in hidden plates and ensure stronger oversight. New equipment is expected by August 2025. Verra may reapply, but DOT wants a vendor who can catch more dangerous drivers and keep enforcement strong.

• DOT Seeks New Camera Enforcement Contract to Better Catch Obscured License Plates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

A taxi and moped collided on Vermilyea Avenue in Manhattan at midnight. The moped driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cite the taxi driver's disregard of traffic control as the cause. Both vehicles were making right turns at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Vermilyea Avenue near Dyckman Street in Manhattan around midnight. The collision involved a 2016 Honda taxi and a 2023 moped, both traveling northwest and making right turns. The point of impact was the taxi's right front bumper and the moped's left front quarter panel. The moped driver, a 21-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The taxi driver was licensed and operating legally, but the failure to yield or obey traffic control led to this collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A GMC SUV struck a 46-year-old woman on Wadsworth Avenue before dawn. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The unlicensed driver fled south. The car showed no damage. The street stood silent, danger unbroken.

According to the police report, a 2023 GMC SUV traveling south on Wadsworth Avenue at 2:40 a.m. struck a 46-year-old woman in the roadway. The impact caused severe bleeding from her head, though she remained conscious at the scene. The report notes that the driver was unlicensed and fled south after the collision, leaving the vehicle undamaged. Police cite 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and is listed as performing 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' also recorded as a contributing factor, but only after the primary driver error. The event underscores the systemic danger posed by unlicensed and inexperienced drivers operating large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council Member Stevens doubts Citi Bike demand in the Bronx. She sees full docks, asks if they should shrink. Experts fire back: full docks mean high use. Ridership surges. DOT stands firm. Bike-share stays. Riders keep moving.

At a May 8, 2024, City Council oversight hearing, Council Member Althea Stevens questioned the need for a Citi Bike dock in her South Bronx district. She said, "If we're seeing that these stations aren't being used adequately ... is there another option, can we make the docks smaller?" The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, defended the current system. Bike-share experts like David Eddington countered that full docks signal popularity, not neglect. Citi Bike General Manager Patrick Knoth explained that point-in-time observations mislead, as ridership is strong and docks are planned based on trends. Citi Bike usage in Stevens's district rose 48 percent from 2022 to 2023, with most riders using reduced fares. The hearing highlighted the need for a comprehensive, accessible bike-share network, especially as e-bikes make hilly areas more reachable.

• Explainer: Why a Full Citi Bike Dock Doesn’t Mean No One’s Using It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-04

A motorcycle rider was ejected and injured after a sedan passed too closely on Henry Hudson Parkway. The crash caused severe damage to both vehicles. The rider suffered lower leg injuries and shock, highlighting the dangers of unsafe passing maneuvers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near Henry Hudson Parkway at 11:56 PM. A motorcycle traveling north collided with a sedan also heading north. The point of impact was the motorcycle's left front bumper striking the sedan's right rear quarter panel. The report cites "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The motorcycle driver, a 40-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. This collision underscores the risks posed by drivers passing motorcycles without adequate clearance, leading to severe injuries for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A Toyota SUV struck a sedan from behind on West 189 Street at 11:45 AM. Both drivers suffered injuries to their entire bodies, experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV driver’s unsafe speed caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:45 AM on West 189 Street when a 2014 Toyota SUV traveling north rear-ended a sedan also traveling north. The SUV's point of impact was the center back end, striking the sedan’s center front end. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old male, was cited for unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. Both the SUV driver and the sedan’s front passenger, a 52-year-old female, were injured with bodily trauma affecting their entire bodies and reported complaints of pain or nausea. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and were not ejected. The report highlights the SUV driver’s failure to control speed as the primary cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon pushes a bill to ban parking near intersections citywide. The move targets deadly corners where cars block sightlines. Sixteen community boards and dozens of officials back it. DOT drags its feet. Advocates demand action.

Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon introduced a bill to end New York City's exemption from the state law banning parking within 20 feet of intersections. The bill, now under consideration, has strong support: sixteen community boards and over three dozen elected officials have signed on. The measure aims to remove parked cars from corners, a practice called 'daylighting,' to improve visibility and cut intersection crashes. Simon called it a 'no-brainer,' saying, 'people feel a lot safer crossing those intersections.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez has voiced concerns that daylighting could lead to faster, more dangerous turns, but advocates like Sara Lind of Open Plans counter that daylighting is 'proven and widely popular.' The DOT missed a deadline for a daylighting safety study but claims it will daylight 1,000 intersections this year. Advocates urge the city to follow the law and protect vulnerable road users at every intersection.

• ‘No-Brainer’: State Pol Seeks Citywide Parking Ban Near Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Congestion pricing would have cut cars, cleared streets, and opened space for people. Stockholm did it. Manhattan could have. Hochul stopped it. Pedestrians and cyclists lost. The city stays loud, crowded, and dangerous. The promise of safer streets remains unkept.

This media commentary, published June 24, 2024, examines the halted launch of congestion pricing in Manhattan. The article, titled 'Hey, Gov. Hochul, Here’s How Congestion Pricing Would Have Remade Manhattan,' draws a sharp contrast between New York and Stockholm, where a similar policy removed 20 percent of cars and reclaimed public space for people. The piece criticizes Governor Hochul’s decision to cancel congestion pricing, arguing it denies New Yorkers the safety and freedom seen in Stockholm’s pedestrianized, business-friendly streets. The commentary features voices like Clarence Eckerson and Lars Strömgren, highlighting the benefits for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and children—who thrive when cars are fewer. The article underscores the lost opportunity for safer, calmer streets and improved transit, with no council member or bill number attached, but a clear call for systemic change.

• Hey, Gov. Hochul, Here’s How Congestion Pricing Would Have Remade Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-24

A sedan struck a moped on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan late at night. The moped driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered elbow and arm injuries and was semiconscious. The sedan driver disregarded traffic control, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:10 on Saint Nicholas Avenue near West 182 Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west collided with a southbound moped. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the moped's left front bumper. The moped driver, a 23-year-old male, was injured with elbow, lower arm, and hand trauma and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The sedan driver was licensed; the moped driver was unlicensed. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and serious injury to the vulnerable moped rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07