No Deaths, No Excuses: Injured Lives Demand Action Now

Mar 28 - A new report spotlights Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street as a model for trash containerization. Experts say bins could reclaim sidewalks from garbage, freeing space for people. The plan would shift trash from pedestrian paths to the curb, cutting sidewalk clutter and car dominance.

""It would be visually nicer and probably cleaner to have the trash in a container versus on the ground, where it can fall out and blow in the wind."" -- Charles Fall

On March 28, 2023, a policy report recommended using Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street in Brooklyn as a blueprint for citywide trash containerization. The report, led by Clare Miflin of the Center for Zero Waste Design, states: 'The Vanderbilt Avenue open street in Brooklyn could become a blueprint for how the city can finally containerize its trash for collection.' The analysis found that containers could replace sidewalk trash piles, freeing up as much as 25 percent of pedestrian space. The Department of Transportation is redesigning the road, adding curb extensions and loading zones, while the Department of Sanitation considers new collection methods. The plan calls for curbside bins, reducing sidewalk obstacles for pedestrians and shifting space away from cars and trash. No council member sponsored this report, but city agencies and experts are involved. The report argues for urgent action to reclaim public space from garbage and vehicles.

• Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street Could Be Model for Trash Containerization: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-28

Mar 27 - A 29-year-old man was struck on Westervelt Avenue. He suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries with minor bleeding. The pedestrian was left in shock. The vehicle involved was unspecified. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured in a crash on Westervelt Avenue in Staten Island. He sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, with minor bleeding, and was in shock. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle involved was unspecified, with no details on vehicle type, driver, or point of impact. The pedestrian's location and actions at the time of the crash are unknown. No safety equipment or other factors were noted. The report does not assign fault or blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - Biden’s push for half-a-million EV chargers locks cities into car-first streets. Advocates warn it steals curb space from bike lanes and plazas. Billions go to cars, not transit or safe walking. The plan leaves vulnerable road users in the dust.

On March 24, 2023, the Biden administration announced a federal initiative to build a vast network of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs, aiming for 500,000 plugs and offering a $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit. The policy, described as a 'multi-billion dollar network of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs,' claims to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. Transportation advocates Jon Orcutt, Chris Rall, and Jaqi Cohen voiced strong opposition, warning that the plan entrenches car dependency and endangers future use of curb space for bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, or outdoor dining. Critics argue the federal grant program ignores transit riders and fails to electrify municipal fleets. As one advocate put it, 'Billions of dollars are essentially being spent to further the public’s dependence on cars with little benefit to those who cannot rely on one.' The initiative, lacking support for transit or active transportation, leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Biden’s Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative is Simply Not Going to Solve America’s Car or Climate Problem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-24

Mar 23 - MTA will retrofit over 1,000 buses on 57 routes with open stroller spaces by fall. Parents can board without folding strollers. Grace Lee, Assemblymember, praised the move. No safety incidents reported. Riders with disabilities keep priority seating. Accessibility grows.

On March 23, 2023, the MTA announced an expansion of its Open Stroller Pilot, aiming to retrofit more than 1,000 buses across 57 routes by fall 2023. The program, described as creating 'a seamless boarding experience for parents,' will allow strollers to remain open on buses, ending the need for parents to fold them before boarding. Assemblymember Grace Lee, representing District 65, voiced strong support, sharing her own struggles as a parent navigating transit with strollers. The expansion follows positive feedback and no reported safety incidents during the pilot’s first phase. The designated stroller spaces will not compromise wheelchair access, ensuring continued priority for riders with disabilities. The move marks a step toward safer, more accessible transit for families and vulnerable riders.

• MTA to expand bus stroller pilot to over 1,000 buses over 57 routes by fall 2023, amny.com, Published 2023-03-23

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 11 - A 22-year-old woman was struck by a northbound sedan at Jersey Street. She suffered head injuries and minor bleeding. The impact hit the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. She was left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a northbound sedan struck her at the intersection of Jersey Street in Staten Island. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and minor bleeding and was in shock following the collision. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613322 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - State senators pressed DOTs to fight e-bike stigma and protect riders. They called for education, better battery rules, and fair treatment for delivery workers. City Hall’s inaction leaves e-bike users exposed. Bans loom while agencies stall. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

On March 2, 2023, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and colleagues sent a letter to city and state DOTs urging action against the 'demonization' of e-bikes and e-scooters. The letter, signed by Ramos and State Sen. Liz Krueger, demanded more education on safe riding and battery use, warning, 'We cannot allow a narrative to build against a vital, green, and growing mode of transportation.' Ramos criticized City Hall for failing to post speed limits and design streets for e-mobility. Krueger backed battery safety bills, while Councilman Bob Holden pushed for outright bans, citing deaths and injuries. The senators warned that inaction could lead to blanket bans, hitting delivery workers hardest. The city’s plan for safe charging hubs faces local opposition. DOT claims a 'holistic approach,' but vulnerable riders remain at risk as agencies drag their feet.

• State Pols Call on DOTs to Counter E-Bike ‘Demonization’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-10

Mar 4 - Brooklyn power players met behind closed doors. They fought to keep the BQE wide and fast. Former party boss Frank Seddio led the charge. Some officials want fewer lanes for cleaner air and safer streets. City Hall claims neutrality. The debate rages on.

On March 4, 2023, a closed-door City Hall meeting gathered Brooklyn political figures to debate the future of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The event, organized by Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, focused on whether to reduce the BQE from three lanes to two. Former Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio opposed the lane reduction, urging allies to resist the change. The meeting excluded some officials who support shrinking the highway, such as Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, who cite environmental and community health concerns. Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the city for favoring a three-lane solution and sidelining affected communities. City Hall denied taking a side, stating, 'the decision would be based on a DOT traffic study.' No formal council bill or vote was recorded, and no safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• THE POWER BROKERS: Brooklyn Machine Fights Smaller BQE at Closed-Door City Hall Meeting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-04

Mar 3 - Governor Hochul’s budget dodges state duty. City pays more, gets less. Riders face fare hikes, no better service. State hoards surplus, starves transit. Lawmakers protest. Suburbs dodge taxes. The city shoulders the load. Riders pay the price. Streets stay dangerous.

Governor Hochul’s 2023 state budget proposal, analyzed March 3, 2023, keeps New York State’s long-running refusal to match MTA funding under law 18-b. The budget, now under legislative review, forces New York City to cover a $500 million gap, while the state sits on an $8.7 billion surplus. The matter: 'Hochul's budget not only asks city residents to cover the largest chunk of the MTA's budget gap, but does so in part by continuing long-running practices that essentially under-fund the MTA by millions of dollars each year.' Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and State Sen. Andrew Gounardes both object, demanding the state honor its legal obligations. Riders Alliance and Reinvent Albany condemn the austerity. With fare hikes looming and no service improvements, city transit riders—often pedestrians and cyclists—bear the brunt. The budget leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as transit stagnates and car dominance persists.

• Analysis: Hochul Turns Her Back on Transit Riders With Her MTA Budget, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-03

Feb 28 - Snow fell. Bus riders stood in slush. Bike lanes vanished under piles. Sanitation crews cleared some paths, but Parks left cycling routes blocked. Brooklyn Bridge bike path shined. Most streets failed the vulnerable. The city’s patchwork snow plan left danger for all who walk or ride.

On February 28, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published a report on New York City’s first major snow of the year. The article, titled 'Eyes on the Street: The First (And Only?) Snow Report of the Year,' details how sidewalk snow clearance, left to property owners, forced bus riders into slush. Painted bike lanes became useless as drivers shoveled snow into them and plows avoided parked cars. The Department of Sanitation’s new narrow snowplows cleared some routes well, but the Parks Department left cycling paths impassable, showing 'no interest...to encourage cycling.' Only the Brooklyn Bridge bike path stood out, freshly swept and safe. No council bill or vote is attached, but the report exposes how city agencies’ uneven snow removal endangers pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.

• Eyes on the Street: The First (And Only?) Snow Report of the Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-28

Feb 19 - Three pedestrians died in separate crashes. One was a child. Drivers struck victims at dangerous intersections. City allowed parked cars to block sightlines. DOT resists daylighting. Police killed one victim. Advocates demand action. Streets remain deadly. Accountability is missing.

A pending City Council bill would require daylighting—removing parking near corners—at 100 intersections per year. The Department of Transportation opposes the bill. The issue gained urgency after three pedestrians, including 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun, died in separate crashes over the weekend of February 19, 2023. One victim was killed at an intersection where parked cars blocked visibility and the ADA ramp. Another, Zabina Gafoor, was struck by an NYPD vehicle responding to an emergency. Advocates, including Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives, condemned the city’s failure to implement proven safety measures, saying, 'Our city’s children deserve to grow up without the threat of traffic violence.' The bill remains pending. Critics say the city’s refusal to daylight intersections and hold drivers accountable continues to put lives at risk.

• Outrage Builds Over Weekend Pedestrian Deaths, Including a Child, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 10 - Ultra-fast deliveries flood streets with trucks. Double parking, fumes, and chaos follow. The piece calls for a same-day delivery tax. It urges cities to rein in unchecked shipping, fund transit, and shift last-mile trips to bikes and greener tech.

This opinion piece, published February 10, 2023 by Streetsblog NYC, calls for states to tax same-day deliveries. The article highlights the unchecked rise of ultra-fast shipping, noting, 'the fallout looks like a veritable armada of delivery trucks triple-parking in your neighborhoods.' The author supports regulation of rapid delivery, investment in transit, and use of micro-mobility for last-mile trips. Council bill number and committee details are not applicable, as this is not a legislative action but a policy proposal. The piece argues that a delivery tax would push consumers toward sustainable choices and fund shared infrastructure, especially transit. It stresses that unchecked delivery harms vulnerable communities with pollution and congestion, and urges cities to prioritize curb management, electric trucks, and e-cargo bikes to protect public space and safety.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Rethink One-Hour Deliveries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Feb 3 - Assembly Bill 3401 shrinks the buffer around schools. Fewer streets get camera enforcement. Danger creeps closer to kids. Sponsor: Charles Fall.

Assembly Bill A 3401, sponsored by Charles Fall (District 61), is at the sponsorship stage as of February 3, 2023. The bill 'reduces the radial distance from school buildings for such school speed zones.' This means fewer streets near schools will have speed cameras. The measure is active in the Assembly and has not yet advanced to a vote or committee. The change narrows the area where drivers are checked for speed, leaving more children exposed to fast traffic.

• File A 3401, Open States, Published 2023-02-03

Feb 2 - The Mayor’s Management Report admits what City Hall denied: DOT missed bus and bike lane targets. Staffing shortages, missing contractors, and political meddling stalled life-saving street projects. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. Promises broke. Progress stalled. The city’s most exposed remain at risk.

On February 2, 2023, the Mayor’s Management Report confirmed failures by the Department of Transportation to meet required bus and bike lane mileage, echoing earlier Streetsblog reporting. The report covers July through October 2022 and cites 'fewer contractors available, shortages in installation materials, and general political opposition' as reasons for a 42% drop in bike lane miles and a 47% drop in bus lane miles compared to the previous year. Streetsblog’s coverage, criticized by City Hall and DOT, revealed that vacancies and political interference—especially from Council Members Bob Holden and Oswald Feliz—stalled projects like the Citi Bike expansion in Queens and the Fordham Road bus lane in the Bronx. DOT completed only 67% of its bus lane mandate and fell 17% short on bike lanes. The city’s own numbers now confirm what advocates warned: delays and obstruction put vulnerable road users in harm’s way.

• We Were Right: Mayor’s Management Report Confirms Streetsblog Reporting Previously Criticized by City Officials, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-02

Feb 1 - A bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV on Bay Street, Staten Island. The SUV struck the bike’s left front bumper. Alcohol involvement was noted. The cyclist was conscious and wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Bay Street in Staten Island involving a Jeep SUV and a bicyclist traveling south. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was wearing a helmet. The SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors are specified. The bicyclist was not ejected and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash highlights the dangers posed by impaired driving to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 27 - City Council grilled the Adams administration on street carnage. The hearing exposed failures: missed targets for protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safety investments. Council members called for real infrastructure, not just enforcement. Advocates demanded accountability and action for vulnerable New Yorkers.

On January 27, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on street safety and Vision Zero implementation. The hearing, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, questioned whether Mayor Adams is honoring his pledge to end road violence. The matter focused on the administration’s failure to meet Council-mandated benchmarks in the NYC Streets Plan, especially protected bike lanes and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers stated, 'No New Yorker should have to fear for their life while crossing or using our streets.' She stressed that enforcement alone is not enough, demanding equitable infrastructure in neglected neighborhoods. Advocacy leaders like Elizabeth Adams and Sara Lind echoed the call for physical changes and accountability. The hearing marked a rare moment of scrutiny, with advocates welcoming the Council’s push for real safety measures for all road users.

• Council Wants Answers from Adams Administration on Road Violence Epidemic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-27

Jan 26 - Women transit operators drive New York’s buses and trains. They face long hours, harassment, and disrespect. Most are alone in male-dominated depots. Pay gaps persist. Riders attack and harass them. Still, these women serve the city with grit and pride.

This testimony, published January 26, 2023, documents the daily reality for women transit operators. The article, titled "What It’s Like to Be a Woman Transit Operator," highlights first-person accounts from women in New York and other cities. They describe being underrepresented, facing unwanted advances, and earning less than male colleagues. One operator, Tonya Abernathy, says, 'As a female it’s harder, because some passengers treat you differently because you’re a woman.' Thejoal Hope adds, 'You get a lot of disrespect, and you got to learn how to deal with that.' The piece calls for better training, pay equity, and supportive management. No council bill or vote is attached, but the testimony exposes systemic dangers for frontline workers and the urgent need for safer, more inclusive transit workplaces.

• What It’s Like to Be a Woman Transit Operator, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-26

Jan 24 - U.S. cities stall on new rail. New York, once a leader, has not built heavy rail since 1950. Other countries race forward. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. The gap widens. Vulnerable users pay the price for inaction.

This policy analysis, published January 24, 2023, reviews U.S. transit investment using Transit Explorer data. The article states: 'The U.S. is falling behind in transit investment while other countries are rapidly expanding their systems.' No council bill number applies; this is a report, not legislation. No committee or council member is named. The analysis highlights that New York, despite its vast rail network, has not expanded heavy rail since 1950 and has no major projects funded or under construction. In contrast, cities like Toronto and Seattle are building out their systems. The lack of transit growth leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as safe, reliable alternatives to car travel stagnate. The U.S. commitment to transit is faltering while global peers surge ahead.

• Data: Other Countries Are Building Transit While the U.S. Falls Behind, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-24

Jan 24 - DOT poured new sidewalk, cut a bus detour, and painted red bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park. Riders now move straighter, faster, safer. Crosswalks grew. Concrete replaced chaos. Thousands of Bronx commuters feel the change underfoot and in the ride.

On January 24, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced sidewalk expansion and new contraflow bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park station in the East Bronx. The project, begun in September 2021 and finished last fall, added 1,285 square feet of sidewalk, a new median, and red bus-only lanes on Westchester Avenue. The DOT worked with the MTA to cut a circuitous bus detour, giving Bx12 and other riders a direct path. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'DOT’s work at Pelham Bay Park... may be only one-10th of a mile, but the impact for thousands of riders will be gigantic.' New York City Transit President Richard Davey added, 'Bus lanes don't have to be miles long to deliver a huge impact.' The changes serve 64,000 daily riders, expanding space for pedestrians and shortening bus trips. More crosswalks now connect the busy transfer point, making the area less hostile for those on foot.

• DOT Widens Sidewalk, Adds Contraflow Bus Lane to Help East Bronx Commuters, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-24