Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

Council Member Restler and Greenpoint residents slammed City Hall for gutting the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The city scrapped protected lanes and a road diet. Crashes and near-misses persist. Locals demand real safety. The mayor wavers. DOT offers only half-measures.

On May 21, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined Greenpoint residents to protest the city’s retreat from the original McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The plan, developed over two years, promised to 'remove a lane of car traffic in each direction, add protected bike lanes, and shorten pedestrian crossings.' Mayor Eric Adams ordered DOT to scale it back after opposition, leaving only partial improvements. Restler accused the mayor of ignoring traffic experts and thousands of residents. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called the city’s response 'unacceptable' and 'irresponsible.' The Department of Transportation resumed limited work but has not finished its analysis for the southern half. Residents and advocates, including Make McGuinness Safe, cite ongoing crashes and dangerous crossings. The city’s compromise leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as the most effective safety measures remain unbuilt.

• ‘Irresponsible’: Locals criticize Adams, DOT as McGuinness Boulevard redesign falters, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-05-21

Five killed in Queens. A child, a young man, two moped riders, and another victim. Councilmember Vickie Paladino calls for debate, not action. City lags on protected lanes. Advocates say the toll is rising. Streets remain deadly for the vulnerable.

On May 20, 2024, Councilmember Vickie Paladino (District 19) was mentioned in a public debate following a deadly weekend on Queens streets. The event, covered by Gothamist, highlighted that 2024 is one of the deadliest years for Queens since Vision Zero began. The matter summary states, 'Five people were killed by cars over the weekend.' Paladino criticized DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and street safety advocates, calling for a 'robust, inclusive debate.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives condemned the city's failure to meet the 2019 NYC Streets Plan, which mandates 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year. The city has built only 72% of required bike lanes and 19% of bus lanes. Advocates point to rising deaths, especially among children, and blame delays and opposition from local officials. The debate underscores a systemic failure to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• Deadly weekend on Queens’ streets makes 2024 one of the worst, safety advocates say, gothamist.com, Published 2024-05-20

A taxi struck an e-bike traveling east on West 181 Street in Manhattan. The e-bike driver, a 58-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and bruising. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:09 on West 181 Street near Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan. A taxi traveling south struck the rear center of an eastbound e-bike. The e-bike driver, a 58-year-old man, sustained a neck injury and contusions but was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The taxi's right front bumper was the point of impact, indicating the taxi driver failed to maintain proper attention. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The e-bike driver was unlicensed, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in shared traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 32-year-old female bicyclist suffered a neck injury and concussion after losing control at unsafe speed on West 181 Street. The crash caused damage to the bike’s rear end. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 8:00 AM on West 181 Street involving a female bicyclist traveling north. The bicyclist was injured with a neck injury and concussion, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the rider’s speed led to the crash. The bike sustained damage to the center back end, while the other vehicle involved showed no damage. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report highlights the rider’s unsafe speed as the primary driver error causing the crash, with no mention of victim fault or other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729361 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Gov. Hochul backs renewing New York City’s small red light camera program. She stops short of supporting expansion. The city’s power over street safety grows, but Albany holds the reins. Vulnerable road users wait as lawmakers debate control and coverage.

On May 10, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul publicly supported reauthorizing New York City’s red light camera program, which is set to expire in December. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, would renew the program for six years and expand cameras from 150 to 1,325 intersections. Hochul, at a ceremony for 'Sammy’s Law,' said, 'local governments should be making these decisions,' but did not endorse the expansion. The Adams administration and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez have pushed for more cameras. Hochul’s stance signals support for local control over traffic enforcement, but leaves the fate of a broader camera rollout uncertain. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while Albany debates the city’s authority to protect its streets.

• Gov. Hochul Backs Red Light Camera Renewal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-10

City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.

At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.

• DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-09

Six electeds demand DOT fix Sixth Avenue’s deadly gap. Riders face twenty blocks of chaos—no protection, just trucks and speeding cars. Bottcher calls it danger. DOT promises action but offers no date. The city lags on its own bike lane goals.

On May 2, 2024, Councilmember Erik Bottcher and five other Manhattan officials called on the Department of Transportation to close the protected bike lane gap on Sixth Avenue. Their letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez urges the city to connect the missing stretch between Canal Street and West 8th Street, a span where cyclists must ride in open traffic. The letter states, 'The Department of Transportation should prioritize a new bike lane at this location, which has been a long standing request of the community.' Bottcher, representing District 3, said, 'You know you're going to be in danger, because you're going to have to be riding in the same lane as speeding traffic, cars and trucks.' DOT spokesperson Nick Benson acknowledged support for the expansion but gave no timeline. The city has installed only 1.1 miles of protected bike lanes this year, far behind the 50-mile annual target in the NYC Safety Street Plan.

• Manhattan officials call on DOT to close Sixth Avenue bike lane gap, gothamist.com, Published 2024-05-02

A new state bill would let New York City street sweepers use cameras to catch cars blocking cleaning routes. Repeat offenders rack up most tickets. Lawmakers say dirty streets and blocked drains endanger everyone. The law would sunset in 2029.

Assembly Bill (unnumbered) was introduced by Brooklyn Assembly Member Brian Cunningham on April 25, 2024. The bill is pending in the state legislature. It would allow New York City to mount enforcement cameras on street sweepers to ticket cars parked illegally during street cleaning hours. The bill summary states it 'fulfills the Sanitation Department's longstanding ask for help getting vehicles out of the way of road-cleaning operations.' Cunningham, who sponsors the bill, said, 'Dirty streets are totally unacceptable.' Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch supports the change, noting that state law must allow automated ticketing. Uptown Manhattan State Senator Robert Jackson introduced a similar Senate bill. The law would phase in after a year and expire by mid-2029, giving officials time to assess its impact. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Street Sweepers Could Nab Illegal Parking Under State Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-25

DOT will spend $11 million to push trucks off busy streets. The plan aims to cut peak-hour congestion and crashes. Small businesses get help for overnight deliveries. Officials say fewer trucks at rush hour means safer roads for people on foot and bike.

On April 25, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced an $11 million incentive program to shift truck deliveries out of peak hours. The policy, supported by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, uses federal and congestion pricing funds. The DOT aims to add 5,000 off-hour delivery sites by 2040, moving 62,000 trucks away from crowded streets. The official summary states the goal is to 'reduce peak-hour deliveries, aiming to decrease congestion and improve safety.' Rodriguez said, 'This incentive program will support local businesses and benefit all New Yorkers by reducing the number of delivery trucks on our roads during busy daytime hours.' Levine called it a move to prioritize 'safety, sustainability, and efficiency.' The plan targets small businesses, often unable to afford overnight staffing. Industry voices back the effort but worry about small business participation. Fewer trucks at rush hour means fewer deadly encounters for New York’s most vulnerable.

• DOT Will Spend $11M to Boost Off-Hour Deliveries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-25

A 19-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a distracted driver failed to yield at a Manhattan intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck, highlighting critical driver inattention and right-of-way violations.

According to the police report, at 20:44 on Wadsworth Avenue near West 185th Street in Manhattan, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal. The report identifies the driver’s contributing factors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type are provided. The pedestrian was conscious and located at the intersection when struck. The crash underscores driver errors—specifically distraction and failure to yield—that directly caused harm to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

DOT scrapped harsh limits. Now, longer cargo bikes roll legal. Four-wheelers, capped at 15 mph, can haul freight. Trucks choke streets and kill. Cargo bikes offer a safer, cleaner way. Industry pushed. DOT listened. Streets change. Pedestrians and cyclists breathe easier.

On March 27, 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation finalized new cargo bike rules after months of industry pushback. The rules, shaped by public comment, allow pedal-assist cargo bikes up to four feet wide and 192 inches long, with four wheels, and set a 15 mph speed cap. The original proposal would have banned most existing cargo bike-trailer setups with a 120-inch limit. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez promised to get it right. Mark Chiusano, CEO of Net Zero Logistics, praised the fix: "They did a really good job of fixing the original version and made good on their word." Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, "We are accommodating this change in consumer culture—encouraging environmental package delivery, away from cars and trucks." Ben Morris of Coaster Cycles warned the old cap would have wiped out the market. DOT's move aims to cut truck traffic, which causes 12% of pedestrian and 30% of cyclist deaths. The new rules create a legal path for safer, greener freight.

• Final Cargo Bike Rules are a Win For Safety and Sustainability: Experts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-27

A 45-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an inattentive SUV driver on West 181 Street. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The driver’s distraction caused the collision at a busy intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 181 Street in Manhattan at 3:57 PM. A 45-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was hit by a 2022 SUV traveling west. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, cited twice. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The SUV had no visible damage and was initially parked before the incident. The driver, a licensed male from New York, impacted the pedestrian at the center front end of the vehicle. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban intersections, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715313 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 29-year-old woman was struck by a bus on West 182 Street while walking outside an intersection. The bus driver failed to pay attention, hitting her with the right front bumper. She suffered facial bruising but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on West 182 Street struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian who was walking outside an intersection. The point of impact was the bus's right front bumper, causing contusions and bruising to the pedestrian's face. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash, highlighting a failure by the bus driver to maintain focus. The pedestrian's location was described as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' with 'Other Actions in Roadway' noted, but no pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The bus driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Red-light running kills. Twenty-nine dead last year. Highest ever. Reckless drivers surge post-pandemic. City report demands more cameras—jump from 150 to 1,325 intersections. Officials back the bill. Victims’ families demand action. Cameras cut crashes. But the most dangerous drivers remain loose.

On March 20, 2024, the Department of Transportation released a report urging passage of a bill to expand New York City’s red-light camera program. The bill, supported by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and sponsored by State Senator Andrew Goundardes, would boost camera coverage from 150 to 1,325 intersections—about 10% of the city’s 13,700 signals. The report states: “Expanding the number of intersections with red light cameras... could substantially enhance the deterrent effect of the program and return New York City to the consistently downward trend of red light-running behavior we had seen prior to the pandemic.” Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz also supports expansion, calling for cameras at every intersection. The DOT notes that cameras have slashed T-bone crashes by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% at monitored sites, but the statutory cap blocks broader safety gains. Relatives of crash victims joined the call, demanding the city confront driver negligence and protect the community.

• DOT Report: Rise in Red Light Running Shows Need for More Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-20

Councilmember Rajkumar pushes for e-bike insurance and registration. Delivery workers push back. City launches campaign after fatal crashes spike. The fight over who pays for safety lands on the street. Riders, not corporations, face new penalties.

On March 19, 2024, Councilmember Jenifer Rajkumar announced new legislation requiring e-bikes to be insured and registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill follows a surge in deadly e-bike crashes—23 deaths last year, up from nine in 2022. The city’s new campaign, 'get smart before you start,' aims to educate riders on safe operation. Rajkumar’s bill drew immediate opposition from delivery workers. Gustavo Ajche of Los Deliveristas Unidos said, 'We're deeply disappointed to see local and state leaders introduce legislation that would put the burden of penalty on delivery workers rather than trying to regulate the app companies.' The campaign and bill highlight a growing rift: who shoulders the cost of safety—workers or the corporations that profit from their labor?

• New campaign aims to stop deadly e-bike crashes in NYC, gothamist.com, Published 2024-03-19

A sedan turned right on Dyckman. Glare blinded the driver. He struck a 27-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She stayed conscious. Hip and leg scraped. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old woman was crossing Dyckman Street at Broadway with the signal when a northbound sedan made a right turn and struck her. The report lists glare as a contributing factor, noting the driver’s vision was impaired. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious after the crash. No pedestrian errors were cited. The sedan, a 2021 Chevrolet, showed no damage. The driver was licensed. The report highlights the danger when drivers fail to respond to visual hazards like glare.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 4-year-old girl was injured crossing West 187 Street with the signal. A sedan making a left turn failed to yield right-of-way, striking her at the intersection. The child suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on West 187 Street was making a left turn at 18:07 when it failed to yield right-of-way to a 4-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal. The child, a female pedestrian at the intersection, sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions beyond crossing with the signal. The incident highlights a critical driver error in yielding to a vulnerable road user at an intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710503 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07