Inwood Burns While Leaders Stall: Deadly Streets, Broken Promises

DOT’s e-bike charging pilot slashed risky home charging for delivery workers. Battery swaps doubled. Fewer spare batteries on the street. City eyes 173 new hubs near public housing. Federal money fuels the push. Officials hail safety gains. Expansion looms.

On November 25, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced results from its e-bike charging pilot. The program, launched in March, ran for six months and involved 118 delivery workers. According to DOT, 'the pilot illustrated the strong demand for safe and accessible outdoor e-bike charging.' Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, 'Safer charging practices are integral to a cleaner and more sustainable future.' The pilot cut home charging by 35% and halved spare battery use. DOT will expand the program with 173 new charging hubs near 53 NYCHA complexes, funded by a $25 million federal grant. The next phase will open facilities to NYCHA residents and the public, aiming for up to 1,000 battery-swap stations in two years. Activists and company leaders praised the safety improvements for delivery workers.

• DOT E-Bike Charging Pilot is a Success as City Plans More, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-25

Central Park Conservancy urges protected bike lanes on all crosstown transverses. The study calls for fewer car lanes, more space for cyclists, and safer crossings. Advocates cite deadly crashes. City DOT backs the plan. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

""These recommendations will update the park's drives to prioritize pedestrian safety while also better accommodating cyclists and legal e-mobility options both traveling within the park or through it across Manhattan,"" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On November 20, 2024, the Central Park Conservancy released a study proposing protected bike lanes on the park’s four crosstown transverses—66th, 79th, 86th, and 96th Streets—starting with both directions on 86th. The study, endorsed by the Conservancy and supported by the Department of Transportation, recommends reducing vehicle lanes to expand space for cyclists. The matter title reads: "Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses." The report also suggests a two-way protected lane on Fifth Avenue, converting Central Park West’s lane to two-way, and adding protected crosstown lanes on 59th and 110th. Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "These recommendations will update the park's drives to prioritize pedestrian safety while also better accommodating cyclists and legal e-mobility options." Advocates and city officials point to past deaths, like Daniel Cammerman’s in 2019, as evidence of urgent need. The plan aims to shield the most vulnerable from harm.

• Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-20

A 47-year-old female SUV driver suffered a head injury and lost consciousness after colliding with another SUV while making an improper turn. The crash occurred on 10 Avenue in Manhattan, highlighting driver inattention and turning errors as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:20 on 10 Avenue near West 201 Street in Manhattan. A 47-year-old female driver of a 2020 Honda SUV was making a U-turn when she collided with a northbound 2022 Mercedes SUV. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Honda and the left front bumper of the Mercedes. The injured driver was unconscious with a head injury and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision underscores the dangers of improper turning maneuvers and driver distraction in Manhattan traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771778 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Queens Boulevard, once the Boulevard of Death, now boasts protected bike lanes and safer crossings. Pedestrian injuries dropped 35 percent. Traffic deaths fell 68 percent. Cyclists fill the lanes. Concrete upgrades loom, but mountable curbs may let cars intrude.

On November 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation celebrated a decade of safety improvements on Queens Boulevard. The event marked the completion of protected bike lanes along nearly the entire corridor, except for one block. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Several elements of this redesign aim at enhancing safety for all road users: Curbside bike lanes to enhance cyclist safety, pedestrian islands to shorten crossing distances while encouraging slower, safe turns, and additional adjustments to traffic signal timing to allow more time for pedestrians to cross before the lights turn green." The project, begun in 2015 under Mayor Bill de Blasio, faced local opposition and political delays but persisted. The city reports a 68 percent drop in traffic fatalities and a 35 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries since the redesign began. Cyclist numbers surged by 450 percent. DOT plans to upgrade bike lanes with concrete, but mountable curbs could leave lanes exposed to cars. Families for Safe Streets activist Lizi Rahman called the redesign a model for dangerous roads everywhere.

• DOT Celebrates A Decade of Safety Improvements on Queens Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-13

DOT finished the Queens Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and new signals now line seven miles. Fatalities dropped 68 percent. Injuries fell 35 percent. Julie Won helped fund the next phase. Concrete upgrades will harden safety. Streets remember every life.

On November 12, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced the completion of the final phase of the Queens Boulevard Redesign. The project, part of Vision Zero, was celebrated in Council District 26 with Council Member Julie Won present and helping secure $1.5 million for future upgrades. The redesign stretches from Queens Plaza to Hillside Avenue, creating the city’s longest protected bike lane. The DOT reports a 68% drop in fatalities and a 35% reduction in injuries since 2015. The redesign adds parking-protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and improved signals. The next phase, funded in part by Won, will replace painted lanes with concrete, add raised medians, and increase accessibility. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called it a milestone, saying, 'Queens Boulevard is not the Boulevard of Death anymore, but the Boulevard of Life.'

• A ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation: DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, amny.com, Published 2024-11-12

A sedan stopped in traffic on 10 Ave took a hit. Driver and rear passenger injured. Both in shock. No pedestrians involved. Police list unspecified factors. Impact to left front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 2023 Honda sedan was stopped in traffic on 10 Ave in Manhattan when it was struck by another vehicle. The sedan's left front quarter panel took the impact. The 50-year-old male driver and a 35-year-old male rear passenger both suffered injuries—neck and lower leg, respectively—and were reported in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited in the report. The second vehicle's details remain unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A chain-reaction collision involving multiple SUVs and a sedan snarled westbound traffic on W 207 St. Driver inattention triggered rear-end impacts. One driver suffered a concussion and full-body injuries, conscious but severely hurt in the pileup.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:09 AM on W 207 St in Manhattan. Multiple vehicles, including several SUVs and a sedan, were involved in a chain-reaction collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. One driver, a 50-year-old male occupant, was injured with a concussion and injuries to the entire body, classified as injury severity level 3. He was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The vehicles were traveling westbound, with some stopped in traffic and others slowing or stopping before impact. The collision points were predominantly center back end, indicating rear-end impacts. The data highlights driver error—specifically inattention—as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured driver or other road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan traveling south on Broadway struck a 28-year-old bicyclist, ejecting him and causing an elbow injury. The cyclist wore a helmet but suffered minor bleeding and shock. Improper lane usage by the sedan contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Broadway near West 204 Street in Manhattan at 16:10. The sedan was traveling straight south when it struck the bicyclist, who was also going straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 28-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor on the part of the sedan driver. The bicyclist's confusion is noted as a secondary contributing factor, but the primary driver error was the sedan's improper lane usage. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The focus remains on the sedan driver's failure to maintain proper lane discipline, which led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

The Adams administration gutted a safety plan for Ashland Place. Cyclists now face chaos and injury on a block left out of the protected bike lane network. Crashes rose after the compromise. Activists demand the city finish the job before winter sets in.

No bill number exists for this matter; it is an advocacy campaign sparked by the Adams administration’s 2023 decision to water down the Department of Transportation’s Ashland Place safety project. The city left the southernmost block, between Hanson Place and Lafayette Avenue, without a protected bike lane. As activists from Transportation Alternatives wrote, this block 'does not work for anyone on the street and is the missing link in an otherwise protected bike lane.' Council members are not named, but the campaign targets Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Residents supported the full plan, but the city caved to real estate and institutional pressure, keeping two-way car traffic and exposing cyclists to danger. Crash data shows injuries persist. Activists urge the city to close the gap before the painting season ends.

• The Mayor’s Ashland Pl. Compromise Remains a Safety Menace, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-16

An e-scooter rider was violently ejected and suffered head injuries in a collision with a sedan on West 204 Street. The scooter driver was conscious but bruised, with no safety equipment used. Pavement defects contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:05 AM on West 204 Street in Manhattan involving a sedan and an e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 28-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained head injuries described as contusions and bruises. He was conscious at the scene but was not using any safety equipment. The sedan was traveling east, and the e-scooter west, both going straight ahead when the collision occurred at the left front bumper of the sedan and the center front end of the scooter. The report cites 'Pavement Defective' as a contributing factor, indicating road conditions played a role. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were specified, but the pavement defect represents a systemic danger contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan traveling west on West 207 Street struck a 35-year-old man playing in the roadway. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg abrasions. The driver impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle’s left front bumper, causing injury but no ejection.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling west on West 207 Street in Manhattan at 9:35 PM. The vehicle's left front bumper was the point of impact. The pedestrian was playing in the roadway outside of an intersection when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to the hip and upper leg and remained conscious. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan making a left turn hit a 38-year-old man crossing West 205 Street at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was semiconscious. Police cited the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, at 17:36 on West 205 Street in Manhattan, a sedan traveling south made a left turn and struck a 38-year-old male pedestrian crossing the intersection. The pedestrian was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was found semiconscious at the scene. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report explicitly identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the driver as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Cadillac sedan. The crash caused significant vehicle front-end damage. No victim fault was indicated in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Three vehicles collided in a westbound chain-reaction crash on West 207 Street. The SUV driver suffered facial injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause, highlighting the dangers of tailgating in dense traffic.

According to the police report, at 9:28 AM on West 207 Street in Manhattan, a chain-reaction collision involved three vehicles traveling westbound: a 2017 sedan, a 2022 SUV, and a 2007 sedan. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicles, indicating rear-end collisions. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old female, was injured with facial trauma and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash, attributed to multiple vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The report emphasizes driver error in maintaining unsafe distances, which led to the multi-vehicle impact and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Work started on a new 96th Street bus lane. The city will cut car lanes for buses. Council Member Gale Brewer stands with opponents. DOT says most locals don’t drive. The bus lane aims to speed up slow, crowded crosstown rides.

On October 1, 2024, construction began on a dedicated bus lane along 96th Street in Manhattan. The project, not tied to a specific bill number, is led by the Department of Transportation and replaces a traffic lane in each direction between West End Avenue and 2nd Avenue. The matter aims to 'speed up crosstown buses like the M96 and M106.' Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, has sided with residents opposing the change, though she did not comment for the record. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez claims the new lane will make commutes 'faster, more reliable, and safer for everyone.' The bus lane will operate 24/7, except for a short eastbound stretch. DOT notes that 74% of 96th Street residents do not own cars, and most commute by transit, bike, or foot. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Construction begins on new 96th Street bus lane in Manhattan, amny.com, Published 2024-10-01

DOT broke ground on new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street. The redesign will stretch 1.7 miles. Councilmember Gale Brewer raised curb space concerns. Officials say the project will speed up buses and slow down cars. Work finishes later this year.

On September 30, 2024, the Department of Transportation began construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, a project stretching from West End to Second Avenue. The matter, titled 'DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street,' aims to improve service for 15,500 weekday riders. Councilmember Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, held a rally earlier in the month expressing concerns about lost curb space and pushed for alternative solutions. Brewer sent a letter to DOT on behalf of residents, stating, 'All I can say is that I did what I did to represent them.' DOT officials countered that the redesign will reduce congestion and retain curb access. The project includes dedicated bus lanes, left-turn bays, and treatments to slow drivers. Most residents in the area rely on transit, walking, or cycling. The city expects the redesign to make commutes faster and safer for all road users.

• DOT begins construction of new bus lanes along Manhattan’s 96th Street, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-30

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Streetsblog sues DOT for stonewalling public records. Six-month delays block data on deaths, projects, and official emails. The suit says DOT’s blanket stalling breaks the law and hides vital safety information from the public. DOT stays silent.

On September 17, 2024, Streetsblog filed a lawsuit against the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), alleging systematic violations of the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The suit, brought with the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic, targets DOT’s practice of imposing uniform six-month delays on nearly all journalist information requests. Streetsblog’s complaint states: “DOT consistently violates the state's Freedom of Information Law by delaying for six months nearly all of the requests for public information from journalists.” The delays affect at least 33 Streetsblog requests since June 2021, including data on pedestrian fatalities and DOT project records. Michael Martin Linhorst, Streetsblog’s attorney, aims to set a precedent to end these blanket delays. DOT declined to comment. The case highlights how bureaucratic stonewalling keeps critical safety data from the public, undermining transparency and accountability for vulnerable road users.

• Streetsblog to DOT: We’ll See You in Court — Again!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

A BMW sedan struck a man crossing 10th Avenue with the signal. The car tore away his arm. He stayed conscious. The driver failed to see him. The street did not stop. Blood marked the intersection in Manhattan.

A 34-year-old man crossing 10th Avenue at West 207th Street in Manhattan was struck by a BMW sedan, according to the police report. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle hit him, resulting in a traumatic amputation of his arm. The report states the driver was inattentive and distracted, and also cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The narrative confirms the driver 'didn’t see him.' The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision. The police report makes no mention of any pedestrian error or unsafe behavior, emphasizing instead the role of driver inattention and speed. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield and remain alert at intersections, especially when pedestrians have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756627 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Washington Bridge now has bus and protected bike lanes. Jersey barriers shield cyclists. Pedestrians get their own path. Councilmember De La Rosa calls old bridge an accident waiting to happen. Upgrades separate people from cars. Danger drops. City promises more safety fixes.

On September 16, 2024, the Washington Bridge connecting Manhattan and the Bronx received major upgrades: a dedicated bus lane and a two-way protected bike lane. The project, supported by Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa (District 10), was announced by the NYC Department of Transportation. The matter summary states, 'The improvements... aim to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists and provide faster bus service.' De La Rosa, who represents the area, said, 'I've never been so afraid to walk a bridge on foot... it was an accident waiting to happen.' The overhaul separates cyclists and pedestrians from cars with jersey barriers and fences, and adds protected pedestrian paths. Automated cameras will enforce the bus lane. The DOT plans further safety measures, including a leading pedestrian interval at crossings. These changes target long-standing dangers for vulnerable road users on the bridge.

• Washington Bridge between Manhattan and Bronx gets bus and protected bike lanes, gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-16

City hunts for a vendor to install stop-arm cameras on school buses. The move comes after years of delay. Drivers who pass stopped buses will face fines. Advocates cheer the step. Children remain at risk as deaths rise citywide.

On September 12, 2024, the city issued a request for proposals to deploy stop-arm enforcement cameras on school buses. The Department of Transportation seeks a contractor to install technology that fines drivers who pass stopped buses. The state legalized these cameras in 2019. The City Council, led by then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, passed a law in early 2022 for a six-month pilot and required annual reporting. The city enacted automated fine rules in November. Advocates, including Transportation Alternatives, praised the move: 'We know changes like this can save lives.' Suffolk County saw a 42-percent drop in violations after similar cameras. The Adams administration questioned the program's impact, noting no deaths from bus arm violations since 2014. The city has not published pilot results. The state law enabling cameras runs through 2029.

• City Seeks Contractor for School Bus ‘Stop Arm’ Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12