Inwood Burns While Leaders Stall: Deadly Streets, Broken Promises

Advocates fought City Hall’s pro-car moves all year. Bus lanes were canceled. Bike lanes were scaled back. Council Member Oswald Feliz sided with powerful interests to block Fordham Road’s busway. Riders Alliance called the mayor’s transit policy a betrayal.

The 2023 review, published December 27, spotlights fierce advocacy for safer streets and better transit. The article details how Council Member Oswald Feliz (District 15) joined U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat to oppose the Fordham Road busway, leading Mayor Adams to cancel the project. The matter title asks, 'Who is the Activist of the Year?' and highlights setbacks: 'City Hall canceled bus lanes, scaled back bike lanes and stalled open streets.' Feliz’s opposition helped powerful interests defeat the busway, leaving only more enforcement cameras. Riders Alliance, once supportive of the mayor, revoked his 'bus mayor' title, calling his administration’s transit policy 'a betrayal.' The piece underscores how advocates, not politicians, drove progress for vulnerable road users, even as official actions fell short.

• 2023 in Review: Who is the Activist of the Year?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-12-27

Third Avenue’s new bike lane cuts through 37 blocks. Two car lanes become space for bikes and buses. But cars still rule the street. Advocates call it a start, not a finish. Pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders remain boxed in by traffic and steel.

On December 8, 2023, the city unveiled a redesign of Third Avenue, repurposing two of seven lanes for a protected bike lane and an offset bus lane. The project, led by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, was described as 'transformative' and aimed at safety for all users. The official summary states: 'The city's redesign of Third Avenue adds a wide protected bike lane and an offset bus lane over 37 blocks.' Despite these changes, advocates and local politicians criticized the plan for leaving three moving lanes and two parking lanes for cars, calling for more sidewalk space and loading zones. The redesign ends at 96th Street, where the old, car-focused layout returns. Advocates say the city must 'aim higher' to truly protect vulnerable road users.

• Third Ave. ‘Complete Street’ Adds Wide Bike Lane, But Still Keeps Too Much Space for Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-08

Paint and signs do not stop cars. At NYC intersections, daylighting zones without barriers become illegal parking lots. City vehicles ignore the rules. Pedestrians lose ground. Advocates demand real protection—bike racks, boulders, planters. Paint alone is empty promise. Lives remain at risk.

This report covers the ongoing debate over New York City’s daylighting policy, highlighted in a December 5, 2023 Streetsblog NYC article. Mayor Adams pledged to clear parking near 1,000 intersections yearly to improve visibility and reduce crashes. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, told the City Council that daylighting 'must be implemented with physical infrastructure in the newly opened space to prevent vehicles from turning more quickly.' Advocacy Director Jon Orcutt of Bike New York dismissed paint-only solutions: 'If it’s just paint in 2023, forget about it.' The article documents rampant illegal parking in painted daylighting zones, often by city vehicles. Advocates argue that only physical barriers—bike racks, boulders, planters—can keep cars out and protect pedestrians. Without them, daylighting is a hollow gesture. The city’s current approach leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Eyes on the Street: ‘Daylighting’ NYC Intersections Needs More Than Paint and Signs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-05

Steel met steel on 10th Avenue. A left turn ran the light. Fire tore through the wreck. In the front seat, a young woman died, burned and broken. The street glowed with flame and loss.

A deadly crash unfolded at 10th Avenue and West 213th Street in Manhattan. Two vehicles collided after one made a left turn and disregarded a traffic signal. According to the police report, 'A left turn ignored the signal. Steel struck steel. Fire bloomed.' The front passenger, a 21-year-old woman, suffered fatal burns and died at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors are noted for the drivers. The victim was a passenger and played no role in the crash. The police report does not specify if safety equipment was used.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 19-year-old motorcyclist struck a parked sedan on Broadway. The rider suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened while the motorcycle traveled north. Driver inattention caused the collision. No damage was reported to vehicles.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on Broadway collided with a parked sedan. The motorcyclist, a 19-year-old male driver, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The motorcycle had no damage, and the sedan was stationary with no damage. The rider was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment was noted. The sedan had no occupants at the time. The collision occurred at the center front end of the motorcycle and the center back end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Mayor Adams will ban parking near 1,000 intersections each year. The city aims to clear corners, boost sightlines, and protect people on foot. Advocates pushed for this. The plan outpaces current law but leaves thousands of corners untouched for decades.

On December 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new executive policy: New York City will remove car parking near 1,000 intersections annually, far exceeding the 100 intersections required by recent Council law. The effort, known as daylighting, aims to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. Adams said, 'Protecting New Yorkers is my most sacred responsibility as mayor.' Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers praised daylighting as 'a proven safety measure.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stressed that daylighting must include physical infrastructure to prevent reckless turns. The Department of Transportation will also add raised crosswalks, extended sidewalks, and leading pedestrian signals at 1,000 intersections next year. The city will expand speed restriction technology in its fleet and increase data transparency. Advocates and community boards have long called for these changes. With nearly 47,000 intersections citywide, the plan will take decades to reach every corner.

• Adams Says He’ll Ban Parking Near 1,000 Intersections Every Year To Make Corners Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-01

City leaders cut ribbon on new protected bike lanes in Long Island City. Concrete curbs and daylighting shield cyclists from cars. Gaps persist at key intersections and bridge connections. Advocates demand more links and stronger barriers. Progress, but not enough.

On November 30, 2023, city officials unveiled new protected bike lanes along 11th Street, 44th Drive, and Jackson Avenue in Long Island City. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, called the lanes 'life-saving' and said they fill a critical gap, connecting cyclists to the Queensboro and Pulaski bridges. The project follows years of advocacy, including a 2019 push by then-Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. Laura Shepard of Transportation Alternatives praised the concrete curbs and daylighting but warned that gaps remain—especially at confusing intersections and near truck routes. Shepard urged DOT to add more physical barriers and expand the network, noting, 'It’s exciting, but we still need a lot more.' The new lanes mark progress, but the area’s vulnerable road users still face danger from incomplete connections and blocked paths.

• Eyes on the Street: Long Island City Bike Lanes Are a Good Start — But More Needed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-30

A sedan hit a 60-year-old man at West 207 Street and Sherman Avenue. The driver made a left turn at unsafe speed and failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered full-body injuries and shock, complaining of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 207 Street struck a pedestrian at the intersection with Sherman Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian, a 60-year-old man, was injured across his entire body and experienced shock, reporting pain and nausea. The driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred. Contributing factors listed include unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way by the driver. The vehicle sustained damage to its left side doors. No safety equipment or pedestrian actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682994 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Two sedans crashed on 9 Avenue at 2:30 a.m. One driver made a left turn, ignoring traffic control. The other went straight. A 40-year-old female passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Defective headlights worsened the crash impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 9 Avenue at 2:30 a.m. One driver was making a left turn while the other was traveling straight. The crash involved a 40-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear of one vehicle. She sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. Additionally, defective headlights on one vehicle contributed to the crash. The impact occurred at the center front end of the turning vehicle and the left front quarter panel of the other. The passenger was not wearing any safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683059 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 32-year-old woman was hit by a northbound sedan on West 203 Street near 10 Avenue. The impact struck her knee and lower leg. She suffered injuries and shock. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2018 Jaguar sedan traveling north on West 203 Street struck her at an intersection near 10 Avenue. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, hitting the pedestrian's knee and lower leg. The pedestrian was in the roadway performing other actions when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. No other driver errors or victim factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The pedestrian was not visibly injured beyond the specified bodily harm but was in shock following the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Council Member Chi Ossé condemned DOT for stalling the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The lane, long promised and long dangerous, remains unbuilt. Ossé demanded action. Cyclists keep dying. DOT offered no timeline. The city’s failure leaves lives at risk.

On November 2, 2023, Council Member Chi Ossé publicly criticized the Department of Transportation for delaying the protected bike lane project on Bedford Avenue. The project, which was supposed to upgrade a painted lane to a parking-protected lane, has been pushed to at least next spring. Ossé wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, calling the delay 'unacceptable' and demanding a firm installation date. He stated, 'The Bedford Avenue bike lane has been unacceptably dangerous since it was first laid, and for years, the people of my district have been promised that it would be protected.' Advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives, echoed his frustration, citing record cyclist deaths and urgent need for safety. The DOT has not responded to requests for comment. The delay highlights the city’s repeated failures to deliver promised street safety improvements.

• Council Member Chi Ossé Blasts DOT For Delaying — And Maybe Killing — Bedford Ave Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-02

DOT will expand e-scooter sharing to eastern Queens next year. Bronx rollout saw millions of rides, no deaths. Advocates back the move but demand real safety infrastructure. City officials tout equity and climate benefits. Riders wait for safer streets.

On October 13, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the expansion of its e-scooter share program to eastern Queens. The program, which launched in the Bronx in 2021, logged nearly 3 million trips with zero fatalities and few serious injuries in its first year. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Shared e-scooter service can play an important role in providing sustainable options to connect eastern Queens commuters to transit hubs, commercial corridors, and other neighborhood destinations." Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards both voiced support, highlighting the program's focus on underserved communities and environmental benefits. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged the city to pair the expansion with protected infrastructure, warning that safe streets must come with new mobility. The DOT will continue outreach ahead of the launch, expected in the second half of 2024.

• DOT: Eastern Queens E-Scooter Expansion Will Launch Next Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

Brooklyn Community Board 6 called on Mayor Adams to ban parking near intersections. The board passed a resolution urging daylighting at all possible crossings. Members cited blocked sightlines and deadly crashes. The vote was overwhelming: 33 to 3. Action now, not after tragedy.

On October 12, 2023, Brooklyn Community Board 6, representing Park Slope, Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook, passed a resolution demanding Mayor Adams and the Department of Transportation end the city’s exemption that allows cars to park up to crosswalks. The resolution urges the city to daylight 'all possible' intersections with physical barriers, quoting: 'We don’t want to wait for tragedy, we know what works and we want to get it done.' Board co-chair Doug Gordon and member Marc Torrence led the push, highlighting the danger of blocked sightlines. The board also backed a new city law requiring daylighting at 100 intersections per year starting in 2025. The measure passed 33-3. The board’s action follows deadly crashes and echoes similar calls from Queens and Manhattan boards. Daylighting is proven to reduce crashes and protect pedestrians.

• Brooklyn Board Wants Adams to Stop Letting Cars Dangerously Block Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-12

Cyclists mourn 26 dead. They blame City Hall. The mayor shrugs. Advocates ride in protest. Councilmember Brooks-Powers calls DOT’s failure to track bike lane progress 'unacceptable.' The city falls short on protected lanes. Streets stay deadly. Anger grows.

"DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said his agency isn’t even keeping track of its progress on Streets Plan compliance, which also requires the construction of 30 miles of bus lanes annually, a situation described as 'unacceptable' by Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers." -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On October 11, 2023, Councilmember Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31) criticized the Department of Transportation’s oversight during a council hearing on bike infrastructure. The matter, described as 'Cycling safety advocacy and protest; criticism of mayoral transportation policy; city council oversight of bike infrastructure implementation,' centers on a record 26 cyclist deaths so far in 2023—the highest since Vision Zero began. Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called DOT’s lack of progress tracking on the Streets Plan 'unacceptable.' The city has built only 13.5 of the required 50 miles of protected bike lanes this year. Advocates accuse Mayor Adams of abandoning cyclists and failing to meet legal safety obligations. Protesters rode from Union Square to City Hall, demanding action as the death toll climbs.

• Cyclists decry record fatalities on NYC streets this year, amny.com, Published 2023-10-11

Two SUVs collided on 10 Avenue. Both drivers were women. One suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash followed improper turns. Impact struck bumpers and quarter panels. No pedestrians or cyclists were hurt.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on 10 Avenue at West 204 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers, women, were making turns when they collided. The 24-year-old Audi driver suffered neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as a contributing factor. The Audi's right front bumper and the Chevrolet's left front quarter panel took the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both drivers were licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

City Hall moves to ban vendors from every bridge. Officials cite crowding, safety, and strain on old spans. Police already sweep Brooklyn Bridge. Vendors protest. The rule targets carts, tables, and generators. DOT will hold a hearing November 15.

On October 6, 2023, the city proposed a sweeping ban on all street vendors from the pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and approaches of New York’s 789 bridges. The Department of Transportation (DOT) published the rule, citing 'overcrowding on the Brooklyn Bridge' and concerns about 'impediments to safety and pedestrian mobility.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'These proposed rules would make it safer and easier for pedestrians to enjoy the Brooklyn Bridge.' Police have already begun enforcement, removing vendors at Mayor Adams’s direction. Mohamed Attia of the Street Vendor Project called the move 'disappointing,' arguing that helping vendors comply with siting rules would be safer. A virtual hearing is set for November 15. The proposal is not yet law and awaits public input.

• City Seeks All-Out Ban on Vendors on Every Bridge, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-06

Two SUVs crashed head-on and side-on at West 207 Street. Both vehicles struck each other with force. Two male passengers suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Drivers distracted. Both vehicles damaged on right side and front end.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on West 207 Street. The first SUV, traveling north, was struck on its right side doors by the second SUV, which was traveling west and impacted with its center front end. Two male passengers, ages 51 and 20, were injured with neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both vehicles. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash caused damage to the right side doors of the first vehicle and the front end of the second vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A motorcycle and sedan collided on Sherman Avenue. The motorcyclist was ejected, suffering head injuries and internal trauma. The driver was semiconscious and unhelmeted. Police cited improper turning as the cause. Both vehicles traveled south at impact.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and a sedan collided on Sherman Avenue in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained head injuries and internal trauma. He was semiconscious at the scene and was not wearing a helmet. The sedan driver, also male, was traveling straight south when the crash occurred. The police identified "Turning Improperly" as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle struck the right front quarter panel of the sedan, damaging both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669364 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

The Bronx has no DOT borough commissioner. Crashes rise. Council Member Salamanca demands answers. Leadership is missing. Accountability is thin. Other boroughs have commissioners. The Bronx waits. Streets stay dangerous. DOT promises a hire. The clock ticks.

On September 13, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s leadership and street safety in the Bronx. Council Member Rafael Salamanca (D-Concourse Village) pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, stating, "There is no borough commissioner in the borough of the Bronx." The Bronx has lacked a permanent commissioner since November 2021. Salamanca demanded a timeline for filling the role, arguing, "There needs to be a level of accountability and our level of accountability is reaching out to that borough commissioner. Please speed it up." DOT responded that street safety projects are not planned or implemented by borough commissioners, but Salamanca insisted the vacancy leaves the Bronx exposed as crashes and injuries rise. All other boroughs have commissioners. The Bronx waits for leadership as danger mounts.

• Amid Rash of Crashes, DOT Has No Bronx Borough Commissioner, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-13

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