Central Park Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A 24-year-old man on an e-scooter was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries after colliding with a sedan on West 96 Street. The sedan struck the scooter’s front end. The scooter driver was left in shock with fractures and dislocations.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West 96 Street involving a 2017 Audi sedan and an e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan, traveling east, struck the scooter’s center front end with its left front bumper. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The e-scooter driver was not using any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash caused serious injury to the vulnerable scooter rider, who was left in shock at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592772 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Governor Hochul killed a bill to let New Yorkers sue over helicopter noise. The veto blocks a ban on non-essential flights from W. 30th Street. Noise complaints keep rising. Lawmakers and advocates slam the move. Relief for battered West Siders stalls again.

On December 16, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill from State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Dick Gottfried. The bill, which passed the legislature, would have allowed New Yorkers to sue helicopter companies for 'unreasonable and sustained noise' and banned non-essential flights from the W. 30th Street heliport. Hochul argued the measure conflicted with federal law, writing, 'Certain elements of this legislation run counter to the federal scheme regulating New York's airports and airspace.' Hoylman, the bill's sponsor, pushed back, citing a surge in noise complaints and calling the effort 'worth pursuing.' Andrew Rosenthal of Stop the Chop NY/NJ criticized Hochul's deference to federal preemption. The veto leaves West Side residents exposed to relentless helicopter noise, with no new legal tools or flight restrictions.

• Hochul Vetoes Bill Letting New Yorkers Sue For Helicopter Noise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-16

A 56-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on East 96 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. She suffered facial contusions and bruises. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The vehicle’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2020 Ford SUV struck her at the intersection of East 96 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the SUV, traveling southeast and making a left turn, hit her with its center front end. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained facial contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The SUV was occupied by a single licensed female driver and sustained damage to its center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights. Noise and fumes choke neighborhoods. Lawmakers cite climate justice, but federal rules block action. Complaints soar. The city’s deal fails. Residents and activists demand relief. The sky remains loud.

"If you want to be an administration that is responsive to New Yorkers, you would end those non-essential helicopter flights. People are beside themselves." -- Gale A. Brewer

On December 12, 2022, the New York City Council, led by Council Member Lincoln Restler, introduced a bill to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city heliports. The bill, discussed in oversight hearings, remains stalled. The matter summary states: 'Noise complaints from helicopters over New York City have soared in recent years, but lawmakers at city, state, and federal levels have failed to significantly reduce non-essential helicopter flights.' Restler declared, 'This isn't just a quality of life issue — it's about climate justice. 1 helicopter idling is the equivalent of 40 cars!' Council Member Gale Brewer and State Senator Brad Hoylman joined calls for action. Despite advocacy and testimony from residents, significant policy changes have not passed. The Federal Aviation Administration’s authority blocks local control. Helicopter noise and pollution continue to harm New Yorkers, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods.

• Going in Circles: Laws to Tame Helicopters Struggle to Take Off, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12

Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights. Noise and fumes choke neighborhoods. Lawmakers cite climate justice, but federal rules block action. Complaints soar. The city’s deal fails. Residents and activists demand relief. The sky remains loud.

"We’re not a bunch of zoo animals in New York City to be viewed by tourists flying overhead." -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On December 12, 2022, the New York City Council, led by Council Member Lincoln Restler, introduced a bill to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city heliports. The bill, discussed in oversight hearings, remains stalled. The matter summary states: 'Noise complaints from helicopters over New York City have soared in recent years, but lawmakers at city, state, and federal levels have failed to significantly reduce non-essential helicopter flights.' Restler declared, 'This isn't just a quality of life issue — it's about climate justice. 1 helicopter idling is the equivalent of 40 cars!' Council Member Gale Brewer and State Senator Brad Hoylman joined calls for action. Despite advocacy and testimony from residents, significant policy changes have not passed. The Federal Aviation Administration’s authority blocks local control. Helicopter noise and pollution continue to harm New Yorkers, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods.

• Going in Circles: Laws to Tame Helicopters Struggle to Take Off, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12

Councilman Oswald Feliz backs a bill forcing landlords to post FDNY fire warnings about e-bike batteries. Six dead, 140 injured this year. Fires spark in homes, endanger tenants and delivery workers. The city moves to curb uncertified batteries and inform the public.

Bill requires NYC landlords to display FDNY safety bulletins on e-bike battery fire risks. Introduced by Councilman Oswald Feliz (District 15) on November 27, 2022. The measure responds to at least 140 e-bike battery fires in 2022, with six deaths and 140 injuries. Feliz said, 'We must ensure that products sold in our city are safe for New Yorkers.' The bill restricts uncertified batteries and supports FDNY’s education campaign. The bulletin warns tenants about the dangers of charging and storing e-bike batteries at home. State Senator Liz Krueger also pushes for tighter battery regulations. The council’s action targets a growing threat to vulnerable residents—delivery workers and tenants—who face deadly fires in their homes and workplaces.

• NYC landlords must post FDNY safety bulletin warning of e-bike battery fires, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-27

A city report calls for higher pay for 65,000 delivery workers. Advocates warn more deliveries mean more danger. They demand protected bike lanes and charging stations. Without safe streets, low-income workers face traffic violence and crime. The fight for safety continues.

On November 23, 2022, a new city report recommended a significant pay raise for New York’s 65,000 app-based delivery workers. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection projects a 35% jump in deliveries by 2025, raising safety concerns. The report summary states, 'the number of deliveries made per hour will increase, leading to more delivery workers on city streets.' Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas/Workers Justice Project and Council Member Gale Brewer both called for more protected bike lanes, higher expense rates, and better charging infrastructure. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives said, 'Workers have the right to a safe workplace: for our city's delivery workers, this means a network of safe, protected bike lanes that help prevent crashes.' Advocates insist a wage hike alone is not enough. They demand the city build out infrastructure to protect workers from traffic violence and hazardous conditions.

• More Money for Delivery Workers Will Require More Protection for Them, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-23

City eyes a pay hike for 65,000 delivery workers. More money means more riders on the street. Advocates demand protected bike lanes and charging stations. Council Member Brewer backs a $5 boost. Without safer roads, higher wages alone won’t stop the bloodshed.

On November 23, 2022, the City Council debated delivery worker pay and street safety. The matter, titled 'More Money for Delivery Workers Will Require More Protection for Them,' highlights a proposed minimum wage of $23.82 per hour for app-based delivery workers, up from $7.09. Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) voiced support for a $5 increase to cover work expenses, stating, 'I support increasing the expense rate in the rule by $5 to address these work tools.' The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection projects a 35% jump in deliveries by 2025. Advocates and workers say higher pay must come with more protected bike lanes and charging stations. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives said, 'Workers have the right to a safe workplace: for our city's delivery workers, this means a network of safe, protected bike lanes.' The debate underscores that pay hikes alone cannot protect vulnerable delivery workers from traffic violence and hazardous streets.

• More Money for Delivery Workers Will Require More Protection for Them, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-11-23

A sedan making a left turn collided head-on with a moped traveling straight on West 110 Street. The moped driver, a 19-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield and improper lane usage.

According to the police report, a 2017 sedan was making a left turn on West 110 Street when it struck a moped traveling straight westbound. The moped driver, a 19-year-old male occupant, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Passing or Lane Usage Improper. The moped driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan's front center end and the moped's front center end were the points of impact. The moped driver was conscious but seriously injured. No blame is placed on the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 27-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion after colliding with a taxi entering a parked position on Central Park West. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no helmet worn. The crash involved confusion by the bicyclist.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Central Park West collided with a taxi entering a parked position. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained a head injury classified as a contusion. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The taxi's driver was entering a parked position, and the point of impact was the left side doors of the taxi and the center front end of the bike. No driver errors by the taxi were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581422 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Central Park’s loop is chaos. Pedestrians dodge bikes. Cyclists swerve around joggers. Confusion reigns. The Conservancy revives a safety study. Complaints mount. Injuries rise. No timeline. No details. The park waits for action. Vulnerable users pay the price.

On November 10, 2022, the Central Park Conservancy announced a revived study to address safety on Central Park’s loop. The study, first commissioned in 2018, follows a near-fatal crash between a cyclist and a jogger. The park’s roadways, once for leisure, now see daily conflict among cyclists, pedestrians, horse carriages, and pedicabs. Council Member Gale Brewer reported, 'I get complaints from people, they're no longer using Central Park, they're afraid of getting hit.' Advocates and users cite confusion, poor signage, and unclear lane markings. Suggestions include brighter lines and reducing car space citywide. The Conservancy has not released details on the study’s scope or timeline. Collisions and injuries persist. The park remains dangerous for those outside a car.

• Central Park Conservancy Studying Ways to Make Park Loop Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-10

Mayor Adams claimed over 1,200 intersections got safety upgrades. Most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists say data is murky. Deadly crashes persist. City missed targets for protected bike and bus lanes. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference to announce his administration exceeded its promise to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The event, attended by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Gale Brewer, highlighted a major redesign at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street. The city claims upgrades like leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and raised crosswalks. But activists and Council Member Brewer questioned the data, noting most changes were minor signal tweaks, not physical redesigns. The Department of Transportation declined to release full details, making verification impossible. Adams said, "Promise made, promise kept." Rodriguez stressed the need for a culture shift and pointed to 24/7 speed cameras. But activists warn the city lags on protected bike and bus lane goals. Traffic deaths remain high. The lack of transparency leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams claimed victory on intersection safety, boasting 1,200 upgrades. But most were light tweaks, not real redesigns. Activists saw missing data, empty promises, and little for cyclists or bus riders. Council Member Brewer vowed to dig deeper.

On October 31, 2022, Mayor Adams held a press conference at Eighth Avenue and 46th Street to announce his administration surpassed its pledge to improve safety at 1,000 intersections, reporting 1,200 treatments. The effort included leading pedestrian intervals, all-way stops, and some street redesigns. Adams declared, "Promise made, promise kept," but activists and Transportation Alternatives criticized the lack of physical upgrades and transparency. Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, promised to investigate the data issues. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez acknowledged ongoing fatalities but highlighted fewer pedestrian deaths and the launch of 24/7 speed cameras. Critics noted most Vision Zero priority intersections were untouched, and the city lags on protected bike and bus lane targets. The lack of detailed, user-friendly data clouds the true impact for vulnerable road users.

• Adams at the Crossroads: Mayor Touts Intersection Fixes As Road Violence Crisis Continues, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-31

Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ zoning plan aims to cut parking minimums. Lincoln Restler backs the move. The proposal would free space for homes, not cars. Advocates say it means safer, cheaper streets. Council Speaker stays cautious. The fight is on.

On October 13, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) supported Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ zoning proposal. The plan, discussed in committee, seeks to reduce or eliminate parking minimums for new developments. The matter summary states the proposal will 'prioritize people over parking, aiming to make streets safer and reduce parking requirements to enable more housing and amenities.' Restler said, 'In urban hubs like Lower Manhattan, the heart of the South Bronx, Downtown Brooklyn or Downtown Jamaica, we need affordable housing, economic development with good jobs, and dynamic mixed use buildings, not more parking.' The bill has drawn support from advocates and developers, who argue that parking mandates drive up housing costs and disrupt pedestrian-friendly streets. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remained noncommittal, focusing on the housing crisis and bureaucracy. The proposal’s fate will shape the city’s streets and who they serve.

• Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Proposal Will Take on Parking Minimums (But How Seriously?), streetsblog.org, Published 2022-10-13

Mayor Adams moves to cut parking mandates. The plan aims to put people before cars. Advocates say this will clear streets, lower rents, and open space for homes. Some council members back the change. Others hesitate. The fight over parking heats up.

""I don't think parking spaces are a worthwhile use of valuable space when we have the worst housing crisis."" -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On October 13, 2022, Mayor Adams unveiled the 'City of Yes' zoning proposal. The measure, now under council review, seeks to eliminate or reduce parking minimums citywide. The proposal’s summary states it will 'prioritize people over parking,' aiming to make streets safer and housing more affordable. Council Member Lincoln Restler supports the move, saying, 'we need affordable housing, economic development... not more parking.' State Sen. Brad Hoylman calls parking spaces a poor use of land amid a housing crisis. Advocates like Sara Lind urge full elimination, citing pollution and congestion. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remains noncommittal, focusing on the housing crisis and open to review. The proposal is in early stages, with state legislation also in play. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users has been published.

• Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Proposal Will Take on Parking Minimums (But How Seriously?), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-13

DOT will present its Third Avenue redesign. Seven lanes for cars have left little for walkers, cyclists, or bus riders. Since 2019: one pedestrian killed, 198 injured. Advocates demand fewer car lanes, protected bike paths, and wider sidewalks. Change is overdue.

""I don't like riding on this avenue. It's terrifying, it's bad," Paul Krikler said during a July town hall hearing held by state Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Upper East Side). "We deserve much wider sidewalks so we can get around, not just comfortably, but safely."" -- Liz Krueger

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will unveil its Third Avenue redesign proposal to a Manhattan panel. The plan marks the Adams administration's first major street project. The current avenue, with seven northbound car lanes, has seen 703 crashes, one pedestrian death, and 198 injuries since 2019. The matter summary calls for 'reallocation of street space, prioritizing cycling, walking, and public transit over cars.' Advocates like Kate Fillin-Yeh (NACTO) and Paul Krikler (Community Board 8) urge protected bike lanes, busways, and wider sidewalks. Krikler says, 'We deserve much wider sidewalks so we can get around, not just comfortably, but safely.' Transportation Alternatives and Community Board 6 echo these demands. The redesign aims to shift space from cars to people, following models like Paris's Rue de Rivoli. The panel's response will shape the future of vulnerable road user safety on Third Avenue.

• TONIGHT! City Will Unveil Long-Awaited Third Ave. Redesign to Manhattan Panel, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-12

New York legalized cannabis. No reliable test exists for marijuana-impaired drivers. The state scrambles to train officers and find solutions. Crashes rise in states with legal weed. Senator Liz Krueger says tax revenue will fund enforcement. Vulnerable road users face new risks.

On October 9, 2022, New York State, under Governor Hochul, accelerated cannabis legalization and opened retail shops. The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act passed in March 2021. The state now faces a gap: 'there are concerns of increased incidences of driving while impaired after cannabis use,' the Department of Health said. Senator Liz Krueger, a key architect, stated, 'Revenue from our legalized system will be used to pay these ongoing costs.' The Department of Health seeks new technology to detect cannabis impairment, as no standard test exists. Nearly 400 officers are trained as drug recognition experts, with thousands more in training. Critics warn DWI issues should have been solved before legalization. As enforcement lags, vulnerable road users face greater danger from impaired drivers.

• Hochul hunts for marijuana DWI test as NY opens cannabis shops, nypost.com, Published 2022-10-09

Council Member Gale Brewer challenges DOT’s street safety boasts. She questions claims of 750 redesigned intersections. Public data shows far less. Most fixes are signal timing, not real protection. Advocates want proof, not promises. Road deaths remain high. Brewer vows investigation.

On October 5, 2022, Council Member Gale Brewer, chair of the Council's oversight committee, announced plans to investigate the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) street safety claims. Brewer questioned DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez’s assertion that 750 of 1,000 intersections were redesigned, citing public data showing fewer than 400. Brewer said, “I love the idea of using her committee's investigatory power to explore whether the Adams administration has indeed redesigned 750 of the promised 1,000 intersections... or whether it done fewer than that, as the agency's own public data shows.” She confirmed her intent to use committee investigators and hold an oversight hearing. The matter, titled “City Council oversight inquiry into DOT street safety implementation and data transparency,” highlights DOT’s lack of documentation and reliance on signal retiming over physical improvements. Advocates and Brewer demand full transparency and real progress. Road deaths remain high, and the city lags on legal mandates for bus and bike lanes.

• CM Brewer: ‘I’ll Hold DOT Accountable on Promises and Data’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05