Dec 12 - Two council members withdrew support for Intro 606 after a fierce hearing. Critics warned the bill would harm immigrants and delivery workers. DOT found no proof it would make streets safer. The bill still has 29 co-sponsors. Debate rages on.

Intro 606, a New York City Council bill requiring e-bike registration, lost support from Council Members Chi Ossé and Yusef Salaam after a divisive December 12, 2024 hearing in committee. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring registration of certain bicycles with electric assist,' drew sharp criticism. Ossé cited fears of increased police enforcement and harm to immigrant communities: 'The hearing demonstrated concerns about the bill to be right: Beyond its sweeping consequences for green transit and healthy urbanism, Intro 606 could spell disaster for immigrant communities.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez opposed the bill, stating it would burden delivery workers and lacks evidence for improving safety. Civil rights groups warned of racial bias and criminalization. Despite withdrawals, 29 council members still co-sponsor the bill. Another measure, Intro 1131, proposing a task force to study e-bikes, received broad support.

• Two Council Members Abandon E-Bike Registration Bill After Divisive Hearing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-12

Dec 11 - Two SUVs collided on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The impact struck the right side of one vehicle and the left side of the other. A front-seat passenger suffered a neck injury and shock. Driver errors contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:33 on Amsterdam Avenue near West 177th Street in Manhattan. Two SUVs, both traveling northbound, collided when one vehicle was merging and the other was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right side doors of the Ford SUV and the left side doors of the Honda SUV. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management. A 49-year-old female front passenger in one SUV was injured, sustaining a neck injury and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the side doors of both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783124 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 11 - DOT Commissioner Rodriguez shot down the Council’s e-bike registration bill. He said enforcement tools already exist. He pointed to street redesigns that save lives. Council Member Holden pressed for plates. Rodriguez stood firm: cars, not e-bikes, drive the city’s blood toll.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on Intro 606, a bill to require registration and license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Robert Holden, claims to address a 'public safety crisis.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez opposed the measure, stating, 'The administration already has the tools to enforce against illegal [cycling] behaviors; a license plate is not necessary for enforcement.' Rodriguez cited data: 105 pedestrians killed by cars this year, versus six by e-bikes, mopeds, and scooters combined. He argued that street redesigns, not new bureaucracy, cut deaths and injuries. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams echoed this, noting that registration backers often resist proven safety fixes like protected bike lanes. Rodriguez warned the bill would waste $19 million and slow adoption of sustainable transport. He called for holding delivery apps accountable and redesigning streets, not targeting vulnerable road users.

• DOT: Council E-Bike Registration Bill is Not Necessary to Make Streets Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-11

Dec 11 - Council grilled the Adams administration over a bill to license e-bikes and scooters. Supporters called it common sense. Critics warned it targets delivery workers. Tension ran high. Most deaths still come from cars, not bikes. The fight is far from over.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to require city-level licensing and registration for e-bikes and e-scooters not covered by state law. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden, claims to address 'the proliferation of these vehicles' and their impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, District 19, insisted, 'This is a safety issue.' Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez countered, 'We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams warned the bill would 'have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants.' A separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer supports licensing only for commercial e-bikes. The hearing exposed deep rifts over enforcement, equity, and the real sources of street danger.

• NYC Council, Adams admin spar over license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-11

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 4 - DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Nov 25 - 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

Nov 20 - 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

Nov 14 - A westbound SUV struck the left rear bumper of a bus on W 181 St in Manhattan. A 2-year-old passenger in the SUV suffered a head abrasion. The crash stemmed from the SUV driver's reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, causing impact and injury.

According to the police report, at 7:51 a.m. on W 181 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan, a 2015 SUV traveling westbound collided with the left rear bumper of a 2017 bus also traveling westbound. The report cites the SUV driver's contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating driver error in responding to conditions unrelated to the bus. The collision caused injury to a 2-year-old female occupant in the SUV, who sustained a head abrasion and was restrained in a child safety seat. The toddler was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The impact damaged the SUV's front center and the bus's left rear bumper. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 13 - 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

Nov 12 - 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

Oct 16 - 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

Oct 15 - A 27-year-old bicyclist suffered a neck injury and concussion after an SUV struck him from behind on W 181 St in Manhattan. The SUV driver was inattentive and speeding, causing the collision. The cyclist was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:43 PM on W 181 St near Washington Bridge in Manhattan. A 27-year-old male bicyclist traveling south was struck from behind by a southbound 2003 Chevrolet SUV. The bicyclist sustained a neck injury and concussion but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites the SUV driver's contributing factors as "Unsafe Speed" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but no victim behavior was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV showed no damage, while the bike was impacted at the center back end. This collision highlights driver errors—specifically distraction and speeding—that led to serious injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 13 - A sedan driver suffered upper leg injuries after colliding during a right turn on Washington Bridge. The crash involved a tractor truck also making a right turn. Driver inattention and improper turning caused the impact, leaving the driver in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:42 AM on Washington Bridge in Manhattan. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old male, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and experienced shock. The report states the driver was not ejected but complained of pain or nausea. The collision involved a 2023 sedan and a 2021 tractor truck, both making right turns. The sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper, while the truck showed no damage. The police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors for the sedan driver. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The incident highlights driver errors during turning maneuvers as the cause of injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 2 - A northbound SUV struck the left rear bumper of a parked SUV on Harlem River Drive. The front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper lane usage and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 5:46 AM on Harlem River Drive, a northbound 2023 Honda SUV collided with the left rear bumper of a parked 2007 Acura SUV. The impact injured a 41-year-old female front passenger in the moving vehicle, who sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the driver’s improper passing or lane usage and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the moving SUV and the left rear bumper of the parked SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 1 - 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

Sep 30 - 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

Sep 26 - 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

Sep 17 - 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

Sep 16 - 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