Central Park Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Tempers flared on W. 103rd Street. Council Member Gale Brewer called in a mediator. Residents clashed over keeping the Open Street. Pedestrians and children gained space. Drivers lost parking. DOT pressed on. Community split. Safety, inclusion, and slow traffic hung in the balance.

On July 11, 2023, Council Member Gale Brewer intervened in a fierce dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street, Upper West Side. The matter, described as a 'heated debate,' forced Brewer to bring in mediator Ayanna Behin for a community meeting. Community Board 7 had already voted 38-1 to support DOT’s plan for permanent safety upgrades—planters, neckdowns, and traffic calming. The project, according to supporters, is 'inclusive, safe,' and will make 'intersections a lot safer.' Opponents cited lost parking and process concerns. Brewer acknowledged the deep divides: generational, class, and car-ownership. DOT will proceed, weighing community feedback. The fight spotlights the city’s struggle to prioritize vulnerable road users over cars.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-11

Councilmember Lincoln Restler stepped in as tempers flared over the fate of W. 103rd Street’s Open Street. Residents clashed over safety, parking, and public space. Despite mediation, the street’s future remains uncertain. DOT plans safety upgrades, but divisions run deep.

On July 11, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) intervened in a heated Upper West Side dispute over the Open Streets program on W. 103rd Street. The matter, titled 'Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator,' saw Restler mentioned as a mediator in a conflict marked by sharp divides. Community Board 7 had previously voted 38-1 to make the Open Street permanent, with DOT planning safety improvements like planters and neckdowns. The meeting, facilitated by Ayanna Behin, exposed generational and class rifts. Supporters cited safety and inclusion for pedestrians and youth. Opponents focused on lost parking and process. Despite the mediation, the Department of Transportation intends to move forward, adjusting plans based on feedback. Vulnerable road users remain at the center of the debate, as the city weighs public space against car dominance.

• Fight Over a Single UWS Open Street is So Bitter, Council Member Called in a Mediator, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-11

A moped struck the right rear quarter panel of an SUV on West 96 Street. The moped driver, helmeted but unlicensed, was ejected and suffered head abrasions. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male moped driver collided with a 2019 SUV traveling east on West 96 Street. The moped struck the SUV's right rear quarter panel. The moped driver was ejected and sustained head abrasions but remained conscious. The driver was wearing a helmet. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Paris rips out parking. Sidewalks widen. Intersections clear. Mayor Anne Hidalgo puts pedestrians first. No crackdown on e-bikes. Cars, not cyclists, face the squeeze. Advocates say New York should follow. Fewer cars, more space for people. The numbers demand it.

""Hoylman-Sigal did say that banning privately owned e-bikes was 'going too far,' the paper reported, but he also did not focus the safety concerns on drivers and on the city's failure to widen sidewalks, create new micromobility lanes or daylight intersections."" -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On June 30, 2023, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced a sweeping policy shift: the new 'Street Code.' The plan, described as giving 'absolute priority for pedestrians,' will remove 70,000 parking spaces by 2026, daylight all intersections, widen sidewalks, and expand bike lanes. Hidalgo rejects harsh measures against e-bikes, focusing instead on reducing car dominance and discouraging SUVs through progressive parking fees. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, District 6, is mentioned in the context of New York’s contrasting approach, where enforcement often targets e-bikes rather than cars. Advocates highlight that cars and trucks cause most pedestrian injuries and deaths. They urge New York to emulate Paris—reclaiming street space from cars, not blaming micromobility. The data is clear: fewer cars mean safer streets for all.

• Paris Mayor Enters Fray Between E-Bikes and Pedestrians — By Fighting Drivers, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-30

Lynn Schulman calls for a public referendum to end NYC’s carriage horse trade. She slams council inaction and union power. Streets remain deadly for horses and people. The city’s leaders stall. The public demands change. The fight continues.

On June 27, 2023, Council Member Lynn Schulman (District 29) published an editorial urging a public referendum to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The editorial, titled "With politicians fearful of the TWU, a public referendum is the answer," criticizes the City Council’s failure to act on a bill that would replace horses with electric carriages. Schulman highlights that only 18 of 51 council members sponsor the bill, despite strong public support and past campaign promises. She names Justin Brennan, Gale Brewer, Julie Menin, and herself among those who have not advanced the legislation. Schulman blames union influence for the council’s inaction, citing 115 accidents and 27 horse deaths over decades. She calls for a citizen ballot initiative to bypass political gridlock and protect both horses and the public from ongoing street danger.

• With politicians fearful of the TWU, a public referendum is the answer, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-27

A 34-year-old female bicyclist was injured on West 96 Street. A pick-up truck made a right turn and struck her bike’s front center. She suffered a head abrasion and remained conscious. The truck driver was distracted at the time of collision.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female bicyclist traveling north on West 96 Street was struck by a northbound pick-up truck making a right turn. The truck hit the center front end of the bike, causing a head abrasion to the bicyclist, who was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck sustained no damage. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council grilled city plans for curbside car chargers. Advocates warned: car plugs block bike lanes, trap the curb. Brewer said delivery workers need e-bike charging, not car stations. No e-bike chargers installed yet. The fight for street space rages on.

On June 26, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The session, led by Council Member Gale Brewer, focused on the matter: 'Charging Ahead? The City Needs Plugs for E-Bikes, Not Cars.' Brewer emphasized, 'I don't hear people calling me up, saying, I need a charging station for my electric car.' Advocates Jackson Chabot and Samir Lavingia argued that curbside EV chargers for cars would 'lock in' car use and block future bike lanes or outdoor dining. Eric McClure of StreetsPAC warned against re-privatizing the curb for car owners. Both Chabot and Lavingia backed Council Member Justin Brannan's bill to require EV-ready parking in garages. Despite city plans, no e-bike charging stations have been installed yet. The hearing spotlighted the urgent need to prioritize vulnerable road users over private cars.

• Charging Ahead? The City Needs Plugs for E-Bikes, Not Cars, Advocates and Pols Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-26

Albany keeps the keys. The Assembly refused to vote on Sammy’s Law. The city stays locked out of lowering its own speed limits. Advocates rage. Another year, another failure. Streets remain fast. Vulnerable New Yorkers stay exposed.

Sammy’s Law, blocked again. The bill—named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a van at age 12—would let New York City set its own speed limits, dropping the default to 20 mph and some streets to 10 mph. The Senate passed it 55-7, but the Assembly ended its June 22, 2023 session without a vote. Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal said, 'We just can't be deterred.' Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the failure 'heartbreaking.' Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring it to the floor. Advocates say the city’s hands are tied while deaths and injuries mount. The Council and Mayor Adams support the bill. For the third year, Albany blocks local control. Streets stay dangerous. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Sammy’s Law advocates angry after push to give NYC power over its speed limit fails in Assembly, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-22

Sammy’s Law hit a wall in Albany. The bill would let New York City set its own speed limits. It passed the Senate but died in the Assembly. Advocates and families mourn another delay. Streets stay fast. Vulnerable lives remain at risk.

Sammy’s Law, a bill to let New York City set and lower its speed limits, stalled in the Assembly on June 19, 2023. The bill passed the state Senate but did not reach a vote in the Assembly, blocked by Speaker Carl Heastie and opposition from outerborough members. The City Council, including Councilwoman Jennifer Gutiérrez, supported the measure with a home rule message. The bill’s summary: 'allow New York City to set speed limits as low as 10 mph on some streets and 20 mph citywide.' Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal sponsored the bill in the Assembly. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams both backed it. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal called it 'common sense.' Advocates, including Amy Cohen, mother of the bill’s namesake, vow to keep fighting. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill’s failure leaves city streets unchanged and vulnerable road users exposed.

• Sammy’s Law bill to let NYC set speed limit falters, supporters hoping special Assembly session will finally push it through, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-19

A 16-year-old girl on a bike hit an SUV’s side doors on West 110th. Pavement defects and driver distraction played a role. She suffered bruises to her knee and leg. The street failed her. The SUV kept going.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female bicyclist was injured when she struck the right side doors of a westbound SUV on West 110 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered contusions to her knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Pavement Defective' as a contributing factor. No driver errors were specified in the data. The SUV was traveling straight ahead, and the bicyclist was avoiding an object in the roadway before impact. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash underscores the danger of defective pavement for people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal wants OMNY to work with Citi Bike. He calls for a unified payment system to break down barriers for riders. The move could make bike-share easier, but fractured agencies and costly upgrades stand in the way.

On June 8, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Midtown West) urged the MTA and Lyft to integrate OMNY, the city’s contactless fare system, with Citi Bike. In a letter, Hoylman-Sigal wrote, "We urge you to create a unified payment system as expeditiously as possible." The proposal aims to remove barriers for would-be Citi Bike users and address issues like vandalized QR codes. The bill is a policy proposal, not yet in committee or up for a vote. Hoylman-Sigal’s push highlights the fractured nature of New York’s fare systems, with separate payments for subways, bikes, ferries, and regional trains. While OMNY integration could streamline access, technical and financial hurdles remain. The MTA and Cubic, OMNY’s contractor, say they are reviewing expansion opportunities. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Manhattan Pol Wants OMNY to Work With Citi Bike, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Two SUVs slammed front to front on Transverse Road Number Three. Both drivers were alone. The male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries and whiplash. The female driver lost consciousness. Both vehicles bore heavy front-end damage.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on on Transverse Road Number Three in Manhattan. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The male driver, age 48, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and complained of whiplash. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The female driver lost consciousness during the crash. Both vehicles sustained center front-end damage. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other contributing factors were identified. The crash involved no pedestrians or cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636022 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Two mothers starve for justice. Their children killed by reckless drivers. They demand lawmakers let New York City set its own speed limits. The Assembly stalls. Grief and anger fill the halls. No more excuses. They want action. Now.

On June 6, 2023, two mothers began a hunger strike at the State Capitol, demanding action on Sammy’s Law. The bill, first introduced in 2020 by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and carried in the Assembly by Linda Rosenthal, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. The City Council backed the measure with a 'home rule' message last month. But Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has not brought it to a vote. The matter title: 'Sammy’s Law.' Amy Cohen, whose son Sammy was killed in 2013, and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, whose son Bryan was killed in 2006, lead the protest. Mendieta-Cuapio says, 'We need to pass Sammy's Law today, no more excuses.' Lawmakers hide behind closed doors. The mothers refuse to let their children’s deaths be ignored.

• ‘Sammy’s Law’ Hunger Strike Begins at State Capitol, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-06

Two mothers starve for justice at the State Capitol. Their children were killed by reckless drivers. They demand lawmakers pass Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City set lower speed limits. Assembly leaders stall. Grief meets gridlock.

On June 6, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and advocates launched a hunger strike at the State Capitol for Sammy’s Law. The bill, introduced by Hoylman-Sigal and carried in the Assembly by Linda Rosenthal, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. The official summary states it 'would authorize NYC to set speed limits below 25 mph but would not automatically change them.' Amy Cohen and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, mothers whose children were killed by drivers, lead the protest. Despite majority City Council support and a home rule message, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refuses to bring the bill to a vote. Advocates accuse lawmakers of hiding and demand transparency. The hunger strike exposes the human cost of legislative inaction.

• ‘Sammy’s Law’ Hunger Strike Begins at State Capitol, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-06