Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

The city missed legal targets for new bus and bike lanes. Officials dodged questions. Council grilled DOT. Advocates tracked the shortfall. Political meddling blocks safer streets. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait. Progress stalls. Danger stays.

On September 13, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s progress toward mandated bus and bike lane construction. The hearing, led by Transportation Committee chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for answers. The law requires 150 miles of protected bus lanes and 250 miles of protected bike lanes by 2026. In 2022, the city built only 4.4 miles of bus lanes and 26.3 miles of bike lanes, far short of the legal benchmarks. Councilmember Lincoln Restler criticized political interference, saying, 'We're at a point where it's all politics all the time, and we're failing to execute.' Advocacy groups confirmed the city lags behind. The administration’s refusal to track or disclose progress leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city’s failure to act keeps streets dangerous.

• City fails to monitor bus and bike lane construction progress after falling short of mandates last year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-13

Councilmember Brooks-Powers slammed DOT for missing legal targets on bus and bike lanes. DOT leaders dodged numbers, citing delays and staff shortages. The hearing exposed deep rifts over accountability. Vulnerable road users wait as city agencies stall and argue.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) compliance with the Streets Master Plan under Local Law 195. Brooks-Powers demanded specifics: 'DOT has struggled to meet its legal mandate. In 2021, DOT installed just 4.4 miles of bus lane—well below 20-mile requirement.' DOT officials, including Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, refused to provide current figures, promising data next year. Brooks-Powers called this 'unacceptable.' She stressed, 'The 30 miles of bus lane and 50 miles of bike lanes is not a goal—it’s legal mandate.' The exchange revealed ongoing tension over DOT’s slow rollout and lack of transparency. Staffing shortages and council opposition to projects were cited as obstacles. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooks-Powers and DOT Exchange Testiness Over Agency’s Alleged ‘Master Plan’ Shortfalls, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-12

Council grilled DOT for stalling on bus and bike lanes. Law demands these lanes. Streets stay deadly. Commissioner Rodriguez faced anger. Restler and others demanded answers. Riders and walkers pay the price for delay.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s failure to deliver required bus and bike lanes. The hearing, led by the Committee on Transportation, featured testimony from DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and others criticized the agency for 'continuously falling behind on legally required bus and bike lanes.' The matter title reads: 'NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog.' Restler’s action was to publicly challenge DOT’s delays. No safety analyst note was provided, but the council’s frustration highlights the risk: every missed lane leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-09-12

Serious injuries from traffic crashes surged nearly 10 percent in spring 2023. Pedestrians and cyclists bore the brunt. The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan saw the worst rates. City law forced new data into the open. The carnage continues. Bold action is demanded.

A new report released September 11, 2023, shows a sharp rise in serious traffic injuries in New York City. The data, analyzed by Transportation Alternatives, covers 4,224 severe injuries from January 2022 to June 2023. In the second quarter of 2023 alone, 784 people—192 pedestrians and 124 cyclists among them—were seriously hurt, up from 718 the year before. The law requiring this data was sponsored by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. The report’s title calls this a 'preventable public health crisis.' Philip Miatkowski of Transportation Alternatives blames decades of policy that 'prioritize cars over people and leave behind our most vulnerable.' The data shows the Bronx had 23 percent more serious injuries per capita than the city average, Brooklyn 27 percent more, and Manhattan’s cyclist injuries were 77 percent higher per capita. The city’s DOT claims safety redesigns are underway, but the toll on vulnerable road users keeps climbing.

• Serious Traffic Crash Injuries on the Rise: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-11

The city promised bollards at schools and intersections. The Department of Transportation stalled. No new barriers since 2020. Council’s mandate faded to paperwork. Streets stay exposed. Children and pedestrians wait. The city’s promise sits unkept. Danger lingers at the curb.

In 2017, the City Council passed a bill—drafted by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez—requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install safety bollards at 50 schools and 20 intersections each year. The bill’s final version only mandated annual reporting, not installation. According to agency reports, DOT has not installed a single bollard under this law since July 1, 2020. Rodriguez called bollards 'the only tool that we have in our hands' to protect pedestrians. The DOT claims its reporting obligation covers only installations by the Security Infrastructure Working Group, which has done nothing since 2020. The Council’s law did not mention this group. The city’s failure leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as the original safety promise remains unmet.

• City ‘Security Group’ is Not Installing Safety Bollards at Intersections, Schools, Plazas as Council Once Sought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-08

DOT wants wider, four-wheeled cargo bikes on city streets. The agency says more cargo bikes mean fewer trucks, less danger, cleaner air. Commissioner Rodriguez pushes back on critics. The rules are open for public comment. Streets change. Trucks lose ground.

On September 7, 2023, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez issued a policy statement on proposed cargo bike regulations. The rules, now open for public comment, would allow pedal-assist cargo bikes up to 48 inches wide and with four wheels, expanding from the current 36-inch, three-wheel limit. Rodriguez writes, 'we proposed rules that would expand low or no-emission options for freight deliveries.' He stresses the goal: fewer trucks, safer streets, and more sustainable freight. The statement rebuts industry claims about throttle bans and powered trailer restrictions, clarifying that state law governs those issues. Rodriguez invites public feedback, promising DOT will review all comments before adopting any rule. The move signals a shift: more space for cargo bikes, less for trucks, and a step toward safer, cleaner streets for everyone outside a car.

• DOT Commish: We Want to Get the Rules Right for Cargo Bikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

A sedan making a left turn struck a moped going straight on West 185 Street. Two men, driver and passenger in the sedan, suffered head contusions. The driver showed signs of distraction and followed too closely. Both were conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a 2019 Honda sedan making a left turn on West 185 Street collided with a moped traveling north. The sedan carried two male occupants, a 22-year-old driver and a 17-year-old front passenger. Both sustained head injuries described as contusions and bruises but were conscious and not ejected. The driver’s contributing factors included driver inattention or distraction and following too closely. The moped also carried two occupants, but no injuries or details were reported for them. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper and the moped’s center front end. No safety equipment was noted for the sedan occupants. The crash highlights driver errors without implicating the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660519 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

DOT will break ground on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign next week. The Calyer Compromise brings protected bike lanes, fewer car lanes south of Calyer, and offset crossings. It follows years of deadly crashes. Advocates call it a step forward. Some say it falls short.

On August 29, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced work will begin on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign, known as the 'Calyer Compromise.' The plan, shaped by controversy and negotiation, keeps two lanes of car and truck traffic in both directions from the Pulaski Bridge to Calyer Street during the day, with a flex lane for parking at night. South of Calyer, the road narrows to one lane each way, with protected bike lanes, loading zones, and offset crossings. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the compromise will 'save lives and make this corridor much easier to navigate for everyone, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.' He thanked Mayor Adams, elected officials, and the community for their support. Supporters call it the biggest safety change since Robert Moses widened the road. Opponents, like Keep McGuinness Moving, say it ignores community concerns. The redesign comes after years of advocacy following multiple deaths and injuries on the corridor.

• DOT: McGuinness Fixes Will Start Next Week, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-29

Speed cameras now run all day in New York. Violations dropped 30 percent in a year. Streets once deadly see fewer crashes. But injuries still rise for cyclists. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stands against city control of speed limits. The fight continues.

This policy outcome report, published August 28, 2023, covers the first year of 24/7 speed camera enforcement in New York City. The Department of Transportation reports a 30 percent drop in violations since cameras began operating around the clock on August 1, 2022. The report states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is mentioned for opposing city control over speed limits, a move sought by Families for Safe Streets after continued traffic deaths and injuries. Key corridors saw sharp drops in speeding and injuries, but cyclist injuries remain high. The expanded camera program replaced limited weekday enforcement, shifting the burden from NYPD to automated systems. The data shows cameras work, but the fight for safer streets—especially for cyclists—remains unfinished.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-08-28

Speed cameras now run all day, every day. Violations dropped 30 percent in one year. Streets once deadly saw sharp falls in speeding and injuries. Cameras outpaced cops, issuing millions of tickets. Still, cyclist injuries climb. The fight for safer streets continues.

This report details the outcome of New York City's 24/7 speed camera enforcement, launched August 1, 2022. The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a 30 percent drop in violations on enforced corridors. The matter summary states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the expanded enforcement 'a highly effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe.' Key corridors saw dramatic reductions: 96 percent on Houston Street, 74 percent on North Conduit Boulevard, 68 percent on Bruckner Boulevard. Injuries fell at high-crash sites—45 percent on Tremont Avenue, 33 percent on Kings Highway, 16 percent on Queens Boulevard, 19 percent on Hylan Boulevard. Automated cameras issued over 3.7 million tickets, dwarfing police efforts. Despite progress, cyclist injuries are on pace for a record high, and advocates now push for city control over speed limits.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-28

A Jeep cut across Sherman Avenue. A Suzuki motorcycle kept straight. Metal slammed metal. The rider, forty-five, crashed. His head split open. Blood spread on the street. He lay trapped, conscious, waiting for help.

A crash unfolded on Sherman Avenue near Arden Street in Manhattan. A Jeep SUV swerved while changing lanes. A Suzuki motorcycle continued straight. The vehicles collided. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The motorcycle rider, a 45-year-old man, suffered severe head injuries and was trapped but conscious at the scene. He wore no helmet. The report states: 'A Jeep swerved. A Suzuki held course. Steel kissed steel. The rider, 45, hit the ground hard. No helmet. Head split. Blood pooled on blacktop. Sirens rose. He lay trapped, conscious, waiting.' The listed driver error was improper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

DOT will widen bike lanes to 10 feet on 11 blocks of 10th Avenue. The move gives cyclists and walkers more space. Most road space stays with cars. Pedestrian islands and turn signals aim to cut crashes. Advocates call for stronger barriers.

On August 24, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a project to install double-wide, 10-foot protected bike lanes on 11 blocks of 10th Avenue, from W. 14th to W. 52nd Streets, through Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen. The plan, not tied to a council bill but a DOT initiative, expands northbound bike lanes from eight to ten feet on the upper section. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, “This project will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to the Hell’s Kitchen corridor and help support more efficient transportation options.” Local advocate Christine Berthet praised the wider lanes, noting the old design could not safely carry regular bikes alongside cargo and e-bikes. The project adds pedestrian islands, dedicated left-turn lanes, and leading pedestrian intervals at key intersections. Berthet urged the city to install flex posts to keep drivers out of bike and pedestrian spaces, citing problems on nearby 11th Avenue. The changes aim to protect vulnerable road users but leave most space for cars.

• Double-Wide Bike Lanes Coming to 10th Ave in Hells Kitchen, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-24

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound e-scooter on West 186 Street. The e-scooter driver, a 33-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered hip and upper leg injuries. Unsafe speed was cited as a factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south made a left turn and collided with a northbound e-scooter on West 186 Street. The e-scooter driver, a 33-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, with minor bleeding reported. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The sedan's point of impact was its right front bumper, while the e-scooter was hit at its center front end. The sedan had two occupants, and its driver was licensed in New York. The e-scooter driver was in shock following the crash. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Chassis cab slammed into a sedan’s rear on the Cross Bronx Expressway. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were moving west. Impact was forceful and sudden.

According to the police report, a chassis cab traveling west on the Cross Bronx Expressway struck the left rear bumper of a sedan, also heading west. The sedan’s 57-year-old driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The sedan’s center back end and the chassis cab’s right front bumper were damaged. Both drivers were licensed. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash left the sedan driver hurt but not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

SUV struck sedan from behind on West 181 Street. Rear passenger, woman, 55, suffered head injury and whiplash. Police cite driver distraction. Impact was forceful. No other errors listed.

According to the police report, a 2020 SUV traveling west on West 181 Street rear-ended a 2002 sedan moving in the same direction. The SUV hit the sedan's center rear, damaging both vehicles. A 55-year-old woman in the sedan's left rear seat suffered head trauma and whiplash. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

DOT moves to allow four-wheeled, 48-inch-wide cargo bikes. The rule aims to cut truck traffic, clear space for people, and speed up deliveries. Commissioner Rodriguez says cargo bikes mean fewer deadly trucks. Public hearing set for September 13.

On August 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a rulemaking to permit four-wheeled, pedal-assist cargo bikes up to 48 inches wide—up from the current three wheels and 36 inches. The proposal, published in the City Record, responds to stalled state legislation and rising delivery demand. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, 'Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets.' Rodriguez added, 'Just two cargo bikes can replace one box truck, increasing safety and reducing CO2 emission by 14 tons per year.' The public comment period runs 30 days, with a hearing on September 13. The rule targets safer streets by shrinking the footprint of freight vehicles and clearing the way for vulnerable road users.

• City Moves to Allow Wider Cargo Bikes; Is a Delivery Revolution Next?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-14

A 23-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured in a violent crash on Saint Nicholas Avenue. The moped struck the left side of an SUV. The driver was unconscious with internal injuries. Police cited traffic control disregard as a factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Saint Nicholas Avenue involving a moped and a sport utility vehicle. The 23-year-old moped driver, who was unlicensed, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered injuries to his entire body, resulting in unconsciousness. The SUV was traveling east, and the moped south, both going straight ahead when the crash happened. The point of impact was the left side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the moped. The police identified 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the crash. The moped driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 55-year-old woman driving a sedan was injured in a crash on Henry Hudson Parkway. The vehicle was hit on its right rear quarter panel. The driver suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female driver was operating a 2018 Chevrolet sedan northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway when the vehicle was struck on the right rear quarter panel. The driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained head injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and properly restrained with a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any specific driver errors. The collision caused damage to the right rear quarter panel of the sedan. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Two SUVs smashed on Broadway. One failed to yield. A 52-year-old woman walking nearby took the hit. She suffered bruises to her shoulder and arm. The street bore the scars. Driver error cut through the evening.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Broadway. One driver was making a left turn while the other was going straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. A 52-year-old female pedestrian was struck and injured, suffering contusions and bruises to her shoulder and upper arm. She remained conscious after the crash. The vehicles sustained damage to the left front bumper and left rear quarter panel. The police report does not list any contributing factors from the pedestrian. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 13-year-old boy was hit by an SUV on Broadway in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle failed to yield. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver struck the boy head-on.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2023 Honda SUV traveling south on Broadway near West 196 Street in Manhattan. The boy was crossing the street with the signal at an intersection when the SUV hit him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor on the driver's part. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08