Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

Assembly bill A 3180 demands complete street design on state and federally funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. The bill calls for public guidance. Streets must serve people, not just cars.

Assembly Bill A 3180 was introduced on February 2, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to think of people first. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note is available, but the bill’s intent is clear: streets must protect all users, not just drivers.

• File A 3180, Open States, Published 2023-02-02

Assembly bill A 2610 targets bus lane cheaters. Sponsors back cameras and owner liability. The goal: keep bus lanes clear, speed up buses, cut crashes. No votes yet. The fight for safer streets rolls on.

Assembly bill A 2610, now in sponsorship, aims to extend bus rapid transit camera enforcement. The bill, titled "Relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions," was introduced January 26, 2023. Primary sponsor Alicia Hyndman leads, joined by Deborah Glick, Sarahana Shrestha, Manny De Los Santos, Zohran Mamdani, and others. The bill would hold vehicle owners liable for bus lane violations and expand photo enforcement. No votes have been recorded. The measure seeks to keep bus lanes clear, speed up transit, and reduce risk for those outside cars.

• File A 2610, Open States, Published 2023-01-26

DOT keeps school street safety spending secret. Councilmember Rita Joseph demands answers. Streets with schools see more crashes, more injuries. The agency refuses to break out costs or salaries. Families and advocates call for transparency. Children remain at risk.

On January 25, 2023, the City Council, led by Education Committee Chair Rita Joseph (District 40), pressed the Department of Transportation for transparency on school street safety spending. The matter, titled 'How Much Does DOT Spend to Keep Kids Safe Outside of Schools? The Agency Won’t Say,' exposes DOT’s refusal to disclose project costs or School Safety Unit salaries. Joseph expressed disappointment: 'New Yorkers deserve to know how the DOT is working to make school streets safer.' Councilmember Shahana Hanif also criticized DOT’s inability to track safety projects. Despite Commissioner Rodriguez’s promise of 100 safety projects, the agency denied a FOIL request, claiming costs are not tracked. Advocates and families condemned the lack of accountability. The Department of Education also refused to comment. The city’s silence leaves children exposed on dangerous streets.

• How Much Does DOT Spend to Keep Kids Safe Outside of Schools? The Agency Won’t Say., streetsblog.org, Published 2023-01-25

Two SUVs crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway. One driver fractured her elbow and lower arm. Impact hit right and left side doors. Police cite following too closely as cause. Both drivers were licensed and conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. The driver of one SUV, a 55-year-old woman, suffered a fractured elbow and lower arm. The crash involved impact on the right side doors of one vehicle and the left side doors of the other. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling south. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The crash occurred while one vehicle was slowing or stopping and the other was going straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

DOT poured new sidewalk, cut a bus detour, and painted red bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park. Riders now move straighter, faster, safer. Crosswalks grew. Concrete replaced chaos. Thousands of Bronx commuters feel the change underfoot and in the ride.

On January 24, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced sidewalk expansion and new contraflow bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park station in the East Bronx. The project, begun in September 2021 and finished last fall, added 1,285 square feet of sidewalk, a new median, and red bus-only lanes on Westchester Avenue. The DOT worked with the MTA to cut a circuitous bus detour, giving Bx12 and other riders a direct path. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'DOT’s work at Pelham Bay Park... may be only one-10th of a mile, but the impact for thousands of riders will be gigantic.' New York City Transit President Richard Davey added, 'Bus lanes don't have to be miles long to deliver a huge impact.' The changes serve 64,000 daily riders, expanding space for pedestrians and shortening bus trips. More crosswalks now connect the busy transfer point, making the area less hostile for those on foot.

• DOT Widens Sidewalk, Adds Contraflow Bus Lane to Help East Bronx Commuters, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-24

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A 24-year-old man was hit at Dyckman Street. He suffered broken bones in his knee, leg, and foot. No details on the driver or vehicle. Police listed no driver errors. The pedestrian was the only one hurt.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male pedestrian was struck and injured at the intersection of Dyckman Street in Manhattan. He sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious at the scene. The report does not specify the vehicle type, driver actions, or any contributing factors. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were listed. No mention of helmet or safety equipment was made. The pedestrian was the sole injured party. The lack of vehicle and driver information limits understanding of the crash circumstances.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Cyclists lay down on Ninth Street where a truck killed Sarah Schick. Their bodies blocked traffic. The city finally promised a redesign. DOT will add signal changes now. For years, officials ignored calls to fix this deadly stretch. Now, pressure mounts.

On January 20, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to redesign the unprotected portion of Ninth Street after a fatal crash. The action followed a 'die-in' protest by cyclists at the site where a truck driver killed Sarah Schick. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'We are making immediate signal adjustments to improve safety in this area. We are also committed to delivering a design solution that makes this stretch of Ninth Street safer for cyclists.' Council Member Shahana Hanif added, 'We know that this corridor has been unsafe for far too long and promises had been made after death after death almost the last 20 years.' The city will unveil a redesign in the coming months and adjust signals now. Advocates blame years of inaction for repeated deaths. The matter remains urgent for all who use Ninth Street.

• FINALLY: DOT Says it Will Redesign Unprotected Portion of Ninth St. as Cyclists Stage ‘Die-In’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-20

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

A 60-year-old woman suffered chest injuries after a sedan struck her on West 181 Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. The driver was making a left turn. No vehicle damage was reported. The victim was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2017 sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, struck her on West 181 Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the time of the collision. The driver was making a left turn and the point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained chest injuries and was in shock. The vehicle showed no damage. The report does not assign blame to the pedestrian but notes her crossing against the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599378 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Bike New York will collect and refurbish bikes for asylum seekers. DOT will supply Vision Zero helmets. The program aims to break isolation and connect new arrivals to the city. Bikes mean freedom, access, and hope for those left on the margins.

On January 12, 2023, Bike New York announced an initiative to provide free refurbished bicycles and equipment to asylum seekers in New York City. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will supply Vision Zero helmets to recipients. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised cycling’s power to connect working-class communities and boost life expectancy, saying, "It's about increasing life expectancy, and it's about connecting the working class community." Bike New York CEO Ken Podziba called the program "a transformational power of cycling" to help immigrants acclimate and thrive. The effort responds to the isolation and transportation barriers faced by asylum seekers. Bike donations are accepted at locations in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. No formal council bill or vote is attached to this announcement.

• Bike New York Seeks Your Bike to Help Struggling Asylum Seekers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-12

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A taxi struck multiple parked vehicles on Audubon Avenue. The taxi driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. She was trapped in the vehicle but conscious. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Audubon Avenue collided with several parked vehicles, including sedans. The taxi driver, a 30-year-old female occupant, was injured with a fractured and dislocated shoulder and was trapped inside the vehicle. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash. The taxi sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. Multiple parked cars were struck, damaging their left rear and center back ends. The driver was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious after the crash. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

NYC DOT’s 2022 projects hit hard. Speed cameras, open streets, and protected bike lanes cut crashes and deaths. Pedestrians and cyclists gained ground. Streets changed. Lives saved. Some locals pushed back, but the city pressed forward. The numbers show progress.

Streetsblog NYC’s 'Streetsies 2022' roundup, published December 27, 2022, highlights major NYC DOT projects that reshaped city streets. The article celebrates a 7% drop in traffic fatalities and fewer pedestrian deaths, crediting street redesigns. Projects include 24-7-365 speed cameras, Paseo Park’s permanent open street, Schermerhorn Street’s two-way protected bike lane, Fifth Avenue’s car-free Sundays, Apolline’s Garden intersection redesign, and Emmons Avenue’s new bike lane. Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez pushed for speed cameras everywhere crashes happen, stating, 'we should have speed cameras everywhere there are crashes.' Despite some local resistance, the city removed parking and created public space, especially after fatal crashes. These changes, backed by council support and public demand, show clear safety gains for vulnerable road users.

• Streetsies 2022: Vote for The Best Project of the Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-27

A 17-year-old male pedestrian was struck while crossing Wadsworth Avenue at West 184 Street. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The teen suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Wadsworth Avenue at the intersection with West 184 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound Honda SUV struck him. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The driver was going straight ahead and had no passengers. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595288 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

City officials push Albany to drop the drunk driving threshold from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. The bill lingers in committee. Drunk drivers killed 42 New Yorkers last year. Messaging still centers on not drinking, not on not driving.

Senate Bill sponsored by John Liu and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon seeks to lower New York’s DWI blood-alcohol threshold from 0.08% to 0.05%. The bill, re-submitted in the last legislative session, remains stuck in committee. At a December 22, 2022 press conference, DOT Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione said, 'There is not really a safe level of drinking and driving, but the law suggests there is.' Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and NYPD’s Kim Royster also spoke, focusing on enforcement and urging drivers to avoid drinking before driving. Advocates like Alisa McMorris of Mothers Against Drunk Driving called for stronger messaging: 'We want people to make choices before they leave their home.' Despite evidence that lowering the threshold could cut traffic deaths by 10%, city messaging still stops short of telling people not to drive to events where they plan to drink.

• How to Cut Drunk Driving — Discourage the Drinking … Or the Driving?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

City and state officials want to drop the legal blood-alcohol limit to 0.05. The bill sits in committee. Drunk drivers killed 42 people last year. Officials talk tough but focus on drinking, not driving. The danger remains for those outside the car.

Senate and Assembly bill, sponsored by Sen. John Liu and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, seeks to lower New York’s drunk driving threshold from 0.08 to 0.05 percent BAC. Announced at a December 22, 2022 press conference, the bill has stalled in committee for years. The matter aims to redefine DWI: 'driving while intoxicated would be defined as anything above a blood-alcohol content of 0.05 percent.' Simon and Liu back the measure; city DOT and NYPD leaders joined them. DOT Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione said, 'There is not really a safe level of drinking and driving, but the law suggests there is.' In 2021, 42 people died in drunk driving crashes, up 60 percent from previous years. Officials promise enforcement and education, but their messaging targets drinking, not the act of driving. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while the law lags.

• How to Cut Drunk Driving — Discourage the Drinking … Or the Driving?, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-12-22

A 25-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing Dyckman Street outside an intersection. The impact fractured his knee and lower leg. The driver was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling east on Dyckman Street struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The crash occurred in Manhattan's 10th Council District near 104 Dyckman Street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588685 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08