Inwood Burns While Leaders Stall: Deadly Streets, Broken Promises

DOT revives its student contest to push street safety and walking. Kids make PSAs. Winners get cash. Council Member Narcisse backs the move. The city wants young voices to remind drivers: streets are for people, not just cars.

On February 3, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the return of the 'We're Walking Here' competition. This program, paused during the pandemic, targets K-12 students across New York City. The contest runs March 6-31, with students creating public-service announcements to promote walking and traffic safety. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, representing District 46, voiced support: 'I am happy to support the NYC DOT's relaunch of their "We're Walking Here" campaign to raise awareness of our collective responsibility to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries.' The contest partners with the 'Hip Hop 50' campaign, blending street safety with city culture. Winners receive prizes from The Safe Streets Fund. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called students 'some of our most vulnerable pedestrians.' The program aims to put safety in the hands of those most at risk.

• DOT brings back student competition that promotes health and street safety, amny.com, Published 2023-02-03

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

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

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

A 31-year-old man crossing Sherman Avenue was struck by a left-turning SUV. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The driver held a learner's permit and showed inexperience.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Sherman Avenue at an intersection. The driver, operating a 2015 SUV, was making a left turn and struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The driver held a learner's permit at the time of the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected from the scene. No safety equipment or pedestrian signaling was noted as factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604192 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

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

An SUV sped north on Broadway and struck two pedestrians off the roadway. Both suffered broken bones and dislocations. The driver and a passenger were also hurt. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield.

According to the police report, a 2018 Toyota SUV traveling north on Broadway struck two pedestrians who were not in the roadway. The pedestrians, a 10-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman, suffered fractures and dislocations to their abdomen, pelvis, knee, and lower leg. The driver, a 31-year-old man, and a 31-year-old female passenger were also injured. The report lists unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as driver errors contributing to the crash. The driver and passenger were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596684 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 30-year-old man was hit by an SUV at Seaman Avenue. He suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The driver was distracted and alcohol was involved. The pedestrian was conscious but injured at the scene.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Seaman Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm after being struck by the right front bumper of a southbound SUV. The report lists driver inattention and alcohol involvement as contributing factors. The SUV was traveling straight when it hit the pedestrian, who was in the roadway. Two other parked sedans were nearby, one with minor damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights driver errors including distraction and impairment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597028 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

SUV crashed into sedan’s rear on slick Manhattan street. Three people hurt. Driver followed too close. Knees and heads struck. Metal twisted, glass broke. All stayed conscious. Danger came fast and hard.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV rear-ended a Toyota sedan on West 202 Street in Manhattan. The SUV driver, a 26-year-old woman, followed too closely on slippery pavement. Three people were injured: the SUV driver suffered knee abrasions, while the sedan’s front passengers—a 26-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman—sustained head whiplash and knee injuries. All were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash left the SUV’s front and the sedan’s rear badly damaged. Driver inexperience and following too closely were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

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 48-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured on Sherman Avenue. Fractures and dislocations tore through his lower leg and foot. Traffic control was disregarded. Impact was sudden. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured while making a left turn on Sherman Avenue at Isham Street in Manhattan. The rider suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved the bicyclist and another vehicle traveling straight westbound. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A man was hit by an SUV on Isham Street. He was crossing against the signal. The impact struck the pedestrian’s head, leaving him semiconscious with a concussion. The driver was going straight and hit the pedestrian center front. Injuries were severe.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a Nissan SUV traveling south on Isham Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The SUV’s center front end impacted the pedestrian’s head, causing a concussion and semiconscious state. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were listed in the report. The pedestrian’s action of crossing against the signal was noted, but no contributing factors were assigned to the driver. The pedestrian suffered serious head injuries but was not ejected from the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596107 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Two SUVs and a sedan crashed head-on and side-on at West 207 Street in Manhattan. A 29-year-old male passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved unsafe speed and aggressive driving. The passenger was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 207 Street in Manhattan involving two SUVs and a sedan. The vehicles were traveling straight ahead when they collided, with impacts at the center front end and right front bumper. A 29-year-old male passenger in one SUV was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage as contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16