Inwood Burns While Leaders Stall: Deadly Streets, Broken Promises

Bus riders gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall. They demanded City Hall and the MTA keep their promises. Advocates want more bus lanes, better enforcement, and faster reforms. Progress is slow. Promises remain unfulfilled. Riders wait. Danger lingers on crowded streets.

""We have worked closely with the MTA, advocates, and community residents to significantly improve bus speeds, but there is much more work to do – that’s why Mayor Adams and I have a bold plan to create 150 miles of new busways and bus lanes across the city, speeding up buses and reducing wait times for New Yorkers," Rodriguez said in a statement issued after the rally." -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On February 28, 2022, advocates rallied at Brooklyn Borough Hall, pressing City Hall and the MTA to fulfill overdue bus service reforms. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted demands for more bus lanes, all-door boarding, and borough-wide route redesigns. The Bus Turnaround Coalition, including Riders Alliance and TransitCenter, called for specifics on bus lane locations and stronger DOT resources. Ben Fried of TransitCenter said, 'We want to see where they are going to put the bus lanes, how they're going to provide the resources to the bus program at DOT, how they're going to keep bus lanes clear.' TransitCenter’s Tabitha Decker noted that most recommended reforms remain unimplemented. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor Adams claim bold plans, but advocates see little concrete action. The rally underscored frustration: promises made, but not kept. Vulnerable road users—bus riders, pedestrians—remain at risk as the city delays real change.

• Advocates: The City and the MTA Must Deliver What They’ve Promised for Bus Riders, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-28

Restler and city leaders stood at Brooklyn Borough Hall. They demanded faster buses, more lanes, and real enforcement. Riders choke on slow service. Cars clog bus lanes. The call: redesign routes, expand service, and put riders first. No more stalling.

On February 28, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined borough presidents and advocates at Brooklyn Borough Hall to demand urgent action on New York City’s bus system. The event, titled 'Borough beeps join city transit advocates for better bus service,' spotlighted stalled promises and called for Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul to deliver. Restler and others backed the Bus Turnaround Coalition’s push for network redesigns, expanded and more frequent service, all-door boarding, and tougher enforcement in bus lanes. Comptroller Brad Lander stressed that 'expanded bus routes must also match 21st century travel patterns.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso linked better buses to less car dependence and climate action. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez pledged 150 new miles of busways and lanes. The campaign aims to speed up buses, cut car dominance, and put vulnerable road users first.

• Borough beeps join city transit advocates for better bus service, gothamist.com, Published 2022-02-28

A pedestrian was crushed three times at a deadly Queens crossing. DOT chief Rodriguez vowed swift action: raised crosswalks, new signals, lane changes. Council Member Holden demanded more time to cross, enforcement, and real protection. Residents called it traffic violence.

On February 23, 2022, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez pledged immediate safety improvements at a notorious Queens intersection, after a pedestrian was run over three times by two drivers. The agency cited 'raised crosswalks, pedestrian-only signal timing, new lane markings and other lane redesigns' as part of its response. Council Member Bob Holden, speaking at the scene, pressed for longer crossing times, raised crosswalks, and enforcement against illegal parking and reckless driving. Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar called the situation 'traffic violence,' demanding stronger city control over speed limits and cameras. The redesign is part of Mayor Adams's plan to fix 1,000 dangerous intersections. Residents and advocates highlighted the ongoing threat from large vehicles and a culture of reckless driving. DOT has already installed a pedestrian-only signal phase at the site.

• DOT Commish Promises Safety Improvements at Queens Intersection Where Pedestrian Was Run Over Three Times, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-23

DOT will turn a Brooklyn street into Apolline's Garden, a car-free plaza. The move comes after a reckless driver killed a baby and injured her mother. Officials and neighbors pushed for this change. Cars lose space. Pedestrians gain safety.

On February 22, 2022, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez confirmed the conversion of Gates Avenue’s stub end into 'Apolline's Garden,' a pedestrian plaza. The announcement followed a virtual Vanderbilt Avenue Block Association meeting. The plaza honors Apolline Mong-Guillemin, a 3-month-old killed by a wrong-way driver on September 11, 2021. Rodriguez stated, 'Traffic violence is a solvable crisis and I'm committed to carrying out Mayor's Adams's safety vision [by] expanding pedestrian plazas and open streets.' Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte called for unity, saying, 'There is no doubt that the creation of Apolline's Garden is the appropriate answer to honor the short life of this 3-month-old baby.' The plan aligns with the NYC 25X25 initiative to reclaim street space for pedestrians and cyclists. Community leaders and officials support the plaza as a step to prevent future tragedy.

• ‘Apolline’s Garden’ is a Go, DOT Commissioner Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-22

A sedan turning right struck a northbound bicyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, wearing a helmet. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the bike’s left side doors.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight north on West 206 Street. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage as contributing factors. The sedan's left front bumper struck the left side doors of the bike. The cyclist was not ejected but was in shock. The sedan was occupied by one person, and the bicyclist was unlicensed. The crash highlights driver errors including unsafe speed and aggressive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507028 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Willoughby Avenue’s open street vanished, then returned. Mayor Adams denied giving the removal order. DOT blamed miscommunication. NYPD cited emergency access worries. Community members were left confused and upset. The street, popular and busy, was restored the same day.

On February 11, 2022, Mayor Adams addressed the sudden removal of the Willoughby Avenue open street in Fort Greene. The Department of Transportation (DOT) removed the open street, later calling it a 'miscommunication.' Adams stated, 'I called [DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez] and I stated, is this something [the neighborhood's] Councilwoman wants? And once I was told no, I was very clear, put that street back.' Officer Evita Poole of the NYPD’s 88th Precinct raised concerns about emergency vehicle access but denied lobbying for removal. Council Member Carlina Rivera, author of the permanent open streets law, tweeted support. Council Member Crystal Hudson promised a community meeting. The open street was restored the same day, but the incident left residents shaken and highlighted the fragility of safe space for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Mayor Adams Says He Didn’t Give the Order to Erase Fort Greene Open Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-11

Council grilled city officials on permanent outdoor dining and curbside fees. Advocates demanded fair use of public space. Council Member Julie Menin raised noise and garbage concerns. The hearing exposed the fight over who controls the curb—and who pays.

On February 9, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on making the Open Restaurants program permanent and charging fees for curbside dining. The matter, titled 'Hearing Day: Could Fees for Outdoor Dining Lead to Proper Pricing of City’s Curbs?', was discussed in committee. Council Member Julie Menin, representing District 5, participated and voiced concerns about noise, garbage, and parking loss. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez explained that fees would depend on location and space size. Advocates like Sara Lind and Marco Conner DiAquoi argued for equity, noting, 'Seventy-five percent of our public curb space is devoted to the movement and storage of vehicles.' The hearing highlighted calls for better public space management and a dedicated oversight office. Community boards remained divided, citing nightlife and local control issues. The debate centered on reclaiming curb space from cars and making the city safer and fairer for all.

• Hearing Day: Could Fees for Outdoor Dining Lead to Proper Pricing of City’s Curbs?, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-02-09

Council grilled city officials on outdoor dining fees. Activists demanded fair curb pricing. Motorists get free space; restaurants must pay. Some council members griped about noise and trash. Consensus: city must manage public space better. No mention of direct safety impact.

On February 9, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on making the Open Restaurants program permanent. The matter, titled 'Could Fees for Outdoor Dining Lead to Proper Pricing of City’s Curbs?', focused on charging restaurants for curbside space. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez explained fees would depend on location and size, starting at $1,050. Council members Julie Menin and Christopher Marte raised concerns about noise, garbage, and parking loss. Livable streets groups, including Open Plans and Transportation Alternatives, supported curbside fees and called for an Office of Public Space Management. Marco Conner DiAquoi of Transportation Alternatives noted, 'Seventy-five percent of our public curb space is devoted to the movement and storage of vehicles.' The hearing showed broad support for better public space management, but the safety impact for vulnerable road users was not addressed.

• Hearing Day: Could Fees for Outdoor Dining Lead to Proper Pricing of City’s Curbs?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-09

A sedan struck the rear of a left-turning car on Post Avenue in Manhattan. The driver of the left-turning vehicle, a 31-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The crash happened at 4:45 a.m. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan was making a left turn on Post Avenue when it was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling straight south. The driver of the left-turning vehicle, a 31-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her knee and lower leg. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The point of impact was the center back end of the left-turning vehicle. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors. The crash caused moderate injury to the occupant of the left-turning sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4500432 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 68-year-old man crossing Broadway at West 204 Street was struck by a southbound SUV. The driver was speeding and distracted. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg. The crash left the man injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Broadway at West 204 Street with the signal. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved a southbound 2007 Honda SUV traveling straight ahead. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle striking the pedestrian. The driver was licensed in New York. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The pedestrian was not at fault; the crash was caused by the driver's unsafe speed and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4500434 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A school bus driver cut off and killed April Reign, a 32-year-old moped rider, on Eastern Parkway. The driver turned sharply, struck Reign, ran her over, and left the scene. Brooklyn’s wide roads and chaotic intersections remain deadly for vulnerable road users.

On February 4, 2022, a deadly crash unfolded on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. A yellow school bus, driven by a 48-year-old man, struck and killed April Reign, a 32-year-old moped rider, near St. Marks Avenue. The driver made a sharp right turn, cut off Reign, knocked her down, and ran her over. He left the scene but later returned after a bystander intervened. No charges were filed at the time. The intersection is notorious for danger, with 487 crashes and 241 injuries reported on this stretch in 2021 alone. Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, called Brooklyn streets 'horrifically deadly for pedestrians and cyclists' and demanded immediate action. Promised safety upgrades—protected bike lanes, intersection redesigns—remain unfulfilled. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• UPDATE: Brooklyn Moped Rider is Killed by a School Bus Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-04

City drags its feet on cyclist-friendly rules. DOT stalls on right-on-red and T-intersection reforms. Meanwhile, NYPD cracks down on cyclists at crosswalks. Advocates slam delays. Riders face more tickets, more danger. City promises review, but action lags.

On February 3, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) delayed two key cyclist-friendly rule changes from its 2021 regulatory agenda. These would allow cyclists to make right turns on red after stopping and to roll through red lights or stop signs at T-intersections when safe. No public hearings are scheduled. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams announced NYPD enforcement of a rule requiring cyclists and drivers to stop and wait for pedestrians at unsignalized crosswalks. Advocates, including Eric McClure of StreetsPAC and Jon Orcutt of Bike New York, criticized the delays. McClure called the changes 'common-sense' and 'safe,' urging DOT to act. The new enforcement rule is seen as targeting cyclists. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the rule would be reconsidered if enforcement is abused. Vulnerable road users face continued risk as reforms stall.

• THE SLOW WALK: What Happened to Those Cyclist-Friendly Rules?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-03

City delays Queensboro Bridge safety fix. Cyclists and walkers stay cramped on a narrow path. Cars keep nine lanes. Councilmember Julie Won urges action. DOT says repairs come first. Vulnerable road users wait. Danger lingers. Comfort for drivers wins again.

On February 3, 2022, Councilmember Julie Won (District 26) and others responded to the city's decision to delay the Queensboro Bridge bike and pedestrian lane project. The Department of Transportation postponed converting the south outer roadway to a pedestrian-only path until December 2023, citing ongoing upper deck repairs. The matter, titled 'City punts fix for ‘treacherous’ Queensboro Bridge bike and pedestrian path by another year,' leaves cyclists and pedestrians sharing a dangerously tight path for another year. Councilmembers Julie Won and Julie Menin urged DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to speed up the process, calling the delay a safety concern. Cycling advocate Laura Shepard criticized the city for prioritizing drivers' comfort over vulnerable road users. DOT insists repairs must finish first. The delay keeps walkers and cyclists at risk, forced to share space while cars keep most of the bridge.

• City punts fix for ‘treacherous’ Queensboro Bridge bike and pedestrian path by another year, amny.com, Published 2022-02-03

DOT delays Queensboro Bridge safety upgrades, forcing cyclists and walkers to share a cramped lane for two more years. Council Members Menin and Won demand answers. Advocates call the delay dangerous. Nine lanes for cars, none safe for the rest.

On February 3, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a year-long delay in safety improvements for the Queensboro Bridge. The project, which would create a dedicated pedestrian path on the bridge’s south outer roadway, is now postponed until the end of 2023 due to deck fabrication issues. Council Members Julie Menin and Julie Won, responding to the delay, stated, 'At least two more years of a shared pedestrian and bike path is not the best outcome for our constituents.' Both called for a meeting with DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who reaffirmed his commitment to the project but offered no clear reason for the holdup. Advocates and community members condemned the delay as a threat to non-car users, citing frequent crashes and near-misses on the narrow shared path. They criticized the city’s prioritization of nine car lanes over the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

• Queensboro Bridge Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Delayed a Full Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-03

A sedan traveling south hit a 9-year-old boy outside an intersection on 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The child suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was speeding and passed too closely, causing the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 9th Avenue struck a 9-year-old pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The child sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists driver errors including unsafe speed and passing too closely as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The pedestrian was performing other actions in the roadway when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4498474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Mayor Adams launched a new Vision Zero push. The plan targets drivers and cyclists at crosswalks. NYPD vows strict enforcement. Advocates fear bias against cyclists. The city promises safer intersections, raised crosswalks, and more bike corrals. Warnings end. Tickets begin.

On January 19, 2022, Mayor Adams announced a new Vision Zero enforcement effort. The initiative, not a council bill but a citywide policy, requires all drivers and cyclists to stop for pedestrians at unsignalized crosswalks. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, a former council member, claims the rule protects pedestrians: 'Pedestrians are the ones that we are so committed to protecting in this particular initiative.' Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Sewell stressed enforcement: warnings will end, compliance will be enforced. Advocates like George Calderaro and Jon Orcutt warn of NYPD bias and a crackdown on cyclists. The plan includes engineering fixes at 1,000 intersections, raised crosswalks, more bike corrals, and a public awareness campaign. Advocacy groups back infrastructure but demand fair enforcement, not targeting cyclists. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• Mayor Adams’s ‘Turbo-Charged’ Vision Zero Includes a Back Door to Massive NYPD Crackdown on Cyclists, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-19

Ydanis Rodriguez faced the press. He promised more protected bike lanes. He backed Citi Bike growth in poor neighborhoods. He stayed vague on speed limits and price hikes. He pledged equity, but details were thin. Riders wait for action.

On January 19, 2022, Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez held his first press conference since taking over the $1.3-billion agency. Rodriguez reaffirmed support for expanding Citi Bike, especially in underserved communities, and for strengthening protected bike lanes. He also voiced support for local control over speed limits and speed cameras, echoing the Crash Victims Rights & Safety Act. Rodriguez said, 'expanding Citi Bike to the underserved community is critical,' but offered few specifics, citing the need for internal review and consultation with the mayor. He acknowledged a 3 percent budget cut but maintained commitment to bike lane protection. Rodriguez's stance signals intent to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, but concrete plans remain unclear. The press and public await firmer commitments and timelines.

• Ydanis Rodriguez Meets the Press: What a Nice Guy (Who Didn’t Say Much), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-19

A sedan driver lost control on West 202 Street after losing consciousness. Her car struck another sedan and a parked bus. She suffered a head injury and concussion. Medical condition listed as cause.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old woman driving a sedan on West 202 Street in Manhattan lost consciousness while making a right turn. Her vehicle collided with another sedan and struck a parked bus. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the contributing factor. The driver suffered a head injury and concussion but was not ejected from the car. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited in the report. The crash involved three vehicles. The primary cause, as stated, was the driver's sudden medical episode.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4494994 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Bike New York blasts DOT for weak bike lanes and empty mileage targets. Advocates demand real protection, more concrete, and fewer painted lanes. They call for action, not excuses. The city’s cyclists face danger. The city must do better.

On January 7, 2022, Bike New York sent a letter to new DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. The advocacy group declared, "The DOT bike program you inherit today is no longer a global leader or effective innovator." They criticized the agency for chasing mileage targets over safety and for letting police, film crews, and city vehicles block bike lanes. Bike New York called for physically protected lanes, more concrete, and an end to painted lanes and community board vetoes. Director Jon Orcutt said, "Bike lanes that are merely paint are obsolete and mostly useless to New Yorkers on bicycles in today’s city." DOT spokesman Seth Stein said Rodriguez agrees that a world-class protected bike lane network is key to safer streets and will consider the recommendations. The push is clear: vulnerable cyclists need real protection, not empty promises.

• Bike NY to DOT: The City’s Cycling Program is No Longer a World Leader, So Fix It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-12

Fifth Avenue stays dangerous. DOT stalls on promised redesign. Bike lane, busway, and pedestrian fixes remain on paper. Local business pressure blocks progress. Community Board 5 approved. Crashes and injuries mount. Council Member Powers urges action. Vulnerable road users wait.

"Powers reiterated that he’s supported the entirety of the plan on Fifth Avenue from the beginning, and wants the Adams administration – and new DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez – to move forward with the bike lane immediately." -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

The Fifth Avenue redesign, announced in 2020 under former Mayor de Blasio, remains stalled as of January 10, 2022. The project, once a bold car-free busway, was scaled back to a protected bike lane and minor pedestrian upgrades. No new bus lane. Community Board 5 approved the plan, but DOT has not started work. Council Member Keith Powers supports the full plan and calls for immediate action on the bike lane, urging the Adams administration and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to move forward. Local business interests, led by the Fifth Avenue Association, oppose the project, citing pandemic recovery concerns. Transportation Alternatives’ Cory Epstein says, 'Busways and bike lanes are good for the economy, good for our climate, and good for our Vision Zero goals.' Since the project’s announcement, crashes and injuries continue on the corridor. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as the city delays.

• Despite End of Holiday Season, DOT Has No Update on Long-Stalled Fifth Ave. Project, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-10