No Deaths, No Excuses: Injured Lives Demand Action Now

Nov 25 - Council debates curbside space. Experts push for parklets, not just parking. Merchants and groups could claim street edges for public use. DOT urged to oversee, not DCWP. Council Member Velazquez leads but stays silent. The fight is for safer, shared streets.

""For us, it's a no-brainer to put it under DOT so that we can push the program to be a little more holistic, and start thinking about these other opportunities for the curb. If we end up seeing the program fall under DWCP, you're going to lose the opportunity to evolve it."" -- Charles Fall

This proposal, now before the City Council, seeks to expand the Open Restaurant program by allowing curbside space to become 'community parklets.' The bill is led by Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, though she declined comment as the process continues. The matter, as described by the Regional Plan Association and partners, aims to 'enable merchants or organized groups to tap into the Open Restaurant program and its legal infrastructure, giving new mixed-use space to programs that benefit their communities.' The Alfresco NYC Coalition and advocates like Maulin Mehta support shifting oversight to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a broader, safer approach to curb use. The bill is under active debate, with hearings showing strong support for reclaiming curb space for public benefit, not just cars or restaurants.

• GREEN CURBS: Open Restaurant Supporters Want Some ‘Parking’ Spots for Parklets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 21 - Subway riders gave Hochul a landslide. They want safe, reliable trains. Advocates say the governor must fund transit, not let it fall apart. Riders rejected fearmongering. Now they wait for Hochul to deliver on her promises. The city’s future rides on it.

""Without them, the MTA risks falling into a real death spiral of fare hikes and service cuts, which will further depress ridership and hurt the city and region’s recovery."" -- Charles Fall

This post-election analysis, published November 21, 2022, reviews the outcome of the November 8 election and its meaning for transit policy. Subway riders backed Governor Hochul by an 81 to 19 percent margin in districts with the busiest stations. The article states, 'the governor needs to invest in mass transit and provide the MTA the billions it needs in new dedicated revenues to save it from the fiscal cliff.' Advocates like Rachael Fauss, John McCarthy, Liam Blank, Kate Slevin, and Lisa Daglian urge Hochul and the legislature to boost funding and treat transit as essential. They warn of a 'death spiral' if service cuts and fare hikes hit. Hochul’s support for projects like the Interborough Express and congestion pricing is noted. The message is clear: New Yorkers demand safe, reliable transit, and the governor must deliver.

• ANALYSIS: Subway Riders Backed Hochul By Widest Margins; Now Governor Better Deliver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 21 - DOT will add a parking-protected bike lane on 10th Ave. from Chelsea to Hell’s Kitchen. Community Board 4 backed the plan but demanded more concrete barriers. Locals say painted islands and plastic posts won’t stop cars. Three pedestrians have died since 2016.

On November 21, 2022, the Department of Transportation unveiled a plan for a parking-protected bike lane on nearly 40 blocks of 10th Avenue, stretching from W. 14th to W. 52nd streets. Manhattan Community Board 4’s Transportation Committee unanimously supported the proposal but urged DOT to add more physical barriers. The plan includes pedestrian islands and repurposes car lanes in some sections, but for 19 blocks, car lanes remain untouched. Council Member Erik Bottcher and local activists pushed for the redesign, citing high crash and fatality rates: 173 crashes this year, 40 injuries, and three pedestrian deaths since 2016. Committee members, including Christine Berthet and Brett Firfer, criticized painted islands as unsafe, calling for concrete or vertical barriers. DOT’s Patrick Kennedy cited resource limits. The agency aims to start work in spring and finish by fall.

• DOT Unveils Long-Awaited 10th Ave. Bike Lane; Locals Say Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 18 - A family pedals through Palo Alto, hauling kids and groceries by cargo bike. They dodge car chaos, breathe clean air, and stay close. Their story cuts through car culture. They prove families can thrive without a car. Streets shape safety. Bikes bring freedom.

On November 18, 2022, Streetsblog NYC published a public advocacy piece titled "Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth." The article highlights the Boelens family, who have lived car-free for 11 years, using cargo bikes for daily errands and childcare. The piece states: "We find it's just as easy to get around within a five-mile radius by bike than it is by car. We get exercise, fresh air, and save so much money." The story features direct quotes from Arnout and Nicole Zoeller Boelens, who describe the ease and joy of cycling as a family. No council bill, vote, or committee action is involved. The article challenges the myth that families need cars, showing how street design—not personal choice—shapes safety and mobility for vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst assessment is included.

• Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 18 - A grove now stands in Brooklyn for those killed by cars. Families for Safe Streets and city officials opened the Memorial Grove in Lincoln Terrace Park. It marks the toll of traffic violence. Names are remembered. The city’s pain is made visible.

On November 18, 2022, city officials and Families for Safe Streets dedicated the Memorial Grove for Victims of Traffic Violence in Lincoln Terrace/Arthur S. Somers Park, Brooklyn. The event, supported by Mayor Eric Adams, marks the first such memorial in the United States. Adams said, 'My administration has zero tolerance for traffic violence.' Robin Middleman Filepp of Families for Safe Streets called it 'a public health crisis that demands action.' The grove honors over 2,100 killed and nearly half a million injured since Vision Zero began in 2014. The Parks Department set aside the space, with saplings planted by volunteers and city workers. The memorial stands as a stark reminder: traffic violence is preventable, and victims deserve recognition.

• A Grove Grows In Brooklyn: Finally, New York Has a Memorial to Road Violence Victims, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 15 - Cars poison New York. Emissions kill 1,400 city residents each year—more than crashes. Noise from traffic warps bodies and minds. Walking brings health, sanity, and community. Electric cars do not solve the core danger. Streets remain deadly. Walking saves lives.

This policy advocacy, published November 15, 2022, revisits the impact of car dependency a decade after 'Walkable City.' The article, titled 'Walkable City 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought,' draws on studies showing road emissions cause 53,000 early deaths annually in the U.S., with 1,400 in New York City alone. Healthcare costs from vehicle emissions top $21 billion per year in the city. The piece highlights that electric vehicles do not eliminate most toxic emissions, which come from tires and non-tailpipe sources. Traffic noise increases risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. The article quotes, 'People who walk 8.6 minutes a day are 33 percent more likely to report better mental health.' It argues that walking and biking foster stronger communities and civic engagement, while car traffic breeds isolation and danger. No council member is named; this is a broad policy critique, not a legislative action.

• <i>Walkable City</I> 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Nov 14 - Philadelphia will fix or install 10,000 curb ramps after a lawsuit. The city dragged its feet for decades. Disabled residents faced danger, isolation, and injury. Officials acted only after being sued. Sidewalks beyond ramps remain neglected. Justice came slow, hard-fought.

On November 7, 2022, Philadelphia settled a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019, agreeing to install or repair 10,000 curb ramps over 15 years—at least 2,000 every three years. The city must keep these ramps in working order, but sidewalks beyond the ramps are excluded. The matter, titled 'Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?', highlights the city's long resistance to basic ADA compliance. Plaintiffs like Fran Fulton said, 'They're responding to our needs now because we sued them.' Disability Rights Advocates attorney Meredith Weaver called the process 'hard-fought,' noting that leaders' inaction led to injuries and isolation. Weaver stressed that proactive, well-funded sidewalk networks—not lawsuits—would better protect people with mobility challenges. This settlement forces overdue action, but leaves many sidewalks unsafe.

• Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Nov 9 - DOT will take two car lanes on Washington Bridge for a protected bike lane and a bus lane. Cyclists and bus riders get space. Pedestrians breathe easier. Community board backs the plan. Car drivers lose parking. The city moves to fix a deadly gap.

On November 9, 2022, the Department of Transportation proposed repurposing two car lanes on the Washington Bridge for a two-way protected bike lane and a dedicated bus lane. The plan was presented to Manhattan Community Board 12's Traffic and Transportation committee, which gave unanimous advisory support. The DOT aims to install the changes by summer or early fall 2023. The proposal states: 'The city wants to repurpose a pair of car lanes on the Washington Bridge uptown for a two-way bike lane and a bus lane next year, giving a dedicated space to cyclists who are currently forced to share extremely narrow paths with pedestrians.' Lucia Deng, a Transportation Alternatives activist, called the move 'huge,' noting the Bronx and Upper Manhattan have long been neglected. DOT planner Patrick Kennedy said, 'We try to maintain the protected connections as much as possible. They really only work if they’re continuous.' The plan removes 20 parking spaces but connects vital bike and bus routes, giving thousands of non-drivers safer passage.

• DOT Proposes Protected Bike Path, Bus Lane for Washington Bridge (The Other One), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 9 - A University of Washington study finds permanent daylight savings time could save 33 human lives and 36,550 deer yearly. Fewer crashes happen when commutes end before dark. Earlier Rutgers research showed a 13 percent drop in pedestrian deaths at dusk and dawn.

On November 9, 2022, a research report published in Current Biology examined the impact of permanent daylight savings time on road safety. The study, led by University of Washington researchers, argues that 'rolling back the clocks in November may give millions of Americans an extra hour of sleep, but it also costs human and animal lives on U.S. roads that could be saved by making daylight savings time permanent.' The report found that keeping daylight savings time year-round could prevent 33 human deaths and 36,550 deer deaths annually by reducing crashes during dark hours, especially at peak commute times. A 2004 Rutgers study cited in the report found permanent daylight savings time would cut pedestrian deaths by about 13 percent during dusk and dawn. The researchers stress that systemic changes—like mandatory streetlights, traffic-calming infrastructure, and wildlife crossings—are also needed to protect vulnerable road users and wildlife.

• Research: Permanent Daylight Savings Time Could Save Human and Animal Lives on Our Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 1 - A taxi and pickup truck smashed front ends on Montgomery Avenue. The taxi driver took a blow to the chest. Both vehicles moved north. Metal twisted. One man hurt. No pedestrians. No cyclists.

According to the police report, a taxi and a pickup truck collided on Montgomery Avenue in Staten Island. The taxi, driven by a 50-year-old man, struck the pickup truck as both vehicles traveled north. The taxi started in traffic; the pickup truck started from parking. The taxi driver suffered chest injuries but stayed conscious and was secured by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers held valid licenses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the taxi driver. No driver errors are detailed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579647 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - Paseo Park on 34th Avenue turned a deadly street into a safe haven. In two years, no one has died. Injuries to walkers and cyclists have plunged. The city eyes making it permanent. Council Member Moya blocks expansion. The numbers speak: lives saved.

This report covers the transformation of 34th Avenue into Paseo Park, an open street project in Queens. The project, now two years old as of October 25, 2022, has slashed traffic deaths and injuries. The matter summary states: 'the street has become much safer for all users as it has created dignified public space for all residents.' Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez led the ribbon-cutting. City officials are moving to make the changes permanent. In the last two years, there have been zero traffic deaths on 34th Avenue and a 43 percent drop in crashes in the surrounding area. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries have dropped by half, even as usage soared. Council Member Francisco Moya has not supported expanding Paseo Park into his district, leaving the project stalled at the border. The data show: open streets save lives, cut injuries, and give neighborhoods space to breathe.

• NUMBER CRUNCH: ‘Paseo Park’ is Already a Success Story, Defying Screaming Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

Oct 21 - A sedan hit a 47-year-old woman crossing Taft Avenue. She suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries. The car showed no damage. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the police report.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Taft Avenue on Staten Island. The impact hit her left upper arm and shoulder. She remained conscious after the crash. The sedan, driven by a licensed man, was passing eastbound and showed no damage. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk. Both contributing factors for the pedestrian are marked as unspecified. No driver violations were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575634 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 20 - Large vehicles kill. Their size crushes, their height blinds. A tax on these machines would slow the arms race. Money raised could build safer streets. Fewer SUVs, fewer deaths. The danger is clear. The fix is simple. Lawmakers must act.

This policy advocacy, highlighted at the 2022 Vision Zero Cities conference, calls for taxing large vehicles to protect vulnerable road users. The proposal, supported by Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog NYC, urges policymakers to use tax revenue to fund safer infrastructure. The article states, 'one efficient policy would be to tax large vehicles and use the revenue to build the infrastructure needed for safer streets.' The analysis draws a direct line between the rise of SUVs and pickups and the surge in pedestrian deaths. It notes that the largest vehicles are the deadliest, especially for those on foot or bike. The piece argues that taxing these vehicles would not only discourage their use but also shift the burden of their societal costs back onto their owners. The model follows Washington, D.C.'s recent move to scale registration fees by vehicle size and dedicate funds to safety programs. The message is blunt: fewer giant vehicles, more lives saved.

• Vision Zero Cities: The Case for Taxing Large Vehicles, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

Oct 19 - A 10-year-old boy was struck while crossing Lafayette Avenue on Staten Island. He suffered upper leg and hip injuries and was in shock. The Hyundai SUV was traveling northwest, going straight. The boy was in a marked crosswalk without a signal.

According to the police report, a 10-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing Lafayette Avenue in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was in shock. The vehicle involved was a Hyundai SUV traveling northwest, going straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s license status and other details were not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 14 - A truck driver killed Kala Santiago on a no-truck route. He passed too close, failed to yield, and faced no charges. The city lacks a three-foot passing law. A 2019 bill to fix this died in committee. Cyclists remain exposed. Justice denied.

In 2019, then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez introduced a bill requiring drivers to keep a minimum three-foot distance when overtaking cyclists. The bill, supported by NYPD and DOT, never reached a vote before Rodriguez’s term ended and has not been reassigned. The bill summary states it 'would require drivers of motor vehicles to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking a bicycle.' Rodriguez sponsored the bill. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig and Steve Vaccaro criticized the lack of enforcement and the absence of a defined safe passing law, noting that most of the country already has such protections. Flanzig called the law essential to prevent tragedies like the death of Kala Santiago, who was killed by a truck driver on Parkside Avenue. Without this law, cyclists remain at risk, and drivers rarely face consequences.

• No Charges for Truck Driver Who Killed Cyclist Despite Being on a No-Truck Route and Failing to Yield, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-14

Oct 5 - A Brooklyn woman walked to yoga. A driver struck her in a crosswalk. Metal met flesh. Pain followed. The police blamed her. The driver sent a sorry note. She joined the ranks of thousands hurt each year. Streets stay dangerous. Victims carry the weight.

On October 5, 2022, a personal testimony on pedestrian safety and traffic violence was published by Streetsblog NYC. The account details a crash: 'I was hit by a car driver while on my way to a yoga class in my Brooklyn neighborhood.' The driver struck the pedestrian in a crosswalk. Council action is not involved, but the testimony exposes systemic failure. Police blamed the victim: 'The police report blamed the victim: I caused my own pain.' The driver offered an apology, but took no responsibility. The story highlights the normalization of danger for pedestrians and the lack of driver accountability. No safety analyst assessment is available, but the narrative underscores the daily toll of car violence and the routine victim-blaming that follows.

• The Day I Was Hit By a Driver Changed My Life, And My City, Forever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05

Oct 3 - DC Council’s transit bill moves. Committee votes yes. Every resident gets $100 monthly for Metro. Funds target bus, streetcar, and neighborhoods left behind. Lawmakers say it’s costly, but worth it. Riders wait for better, cheaper, fairer service.

The Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021 advanced on October 3, 2022, with a unanimous vote by the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment. The bill promises, as its summary states, to put '$100 per month on District residents' SmarTrip cards' and to invest millions in bus and streetcar improvements, especially for underserved neighborhoods. Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) introduced the bill, joined in support by Christina Henderson (At-large) and Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4). Committee Chair Mary Cheh (Ward 3) acknowledged the program’s high cost—an estimated $163 million in fiscal year 2025—but called the community benefit 'more than worth it.' The bill also creates a $10 million Transit Equity fund. The measure now heads to the Committee of the Whole for further review and two rounds of voting. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has not yet scheduled a hearing.

• DC May Soon Give Every Resident $100 Per Month For Transit, Improve Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-03

Oct 2 - Oswald Feliz halted DOT’s Fordham Road bus lane. He demanded a year’s pause. The move stalls safer, faster transit. Thousands of daily bus riders wait. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Cars keep ruling the street. The city’s promise fades.

On October 2, 2022, Councilmember Oswald Feliz of District 15 opposed the Department of Transportation’s plan to convert segments of Fordham Road to bus and delivery-only lanes. Feliz asked DOT to pause the redesign for at least 12 months, citing concerns about traffic diversion and business impacts. The matter, reported as 'Eric Adams’ ambitious bus lane plans hit roadblock on NYC’s Fordham Road,' details how Feliz’s opposition blocks a key part of Mayor Adams’ pledge to build 20 new miles of bus lanes. DOT’s proposal aimed to restrict private vehicle traffic and prioritize buses and deliveries, a move supported by transit advocates and local polls. But Feliz’s action keeps the status quo: crowded streets, slow buses, and danger for those outside cars. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Eric Adams’ ambitious bus lane plans hit roadblock on NYC’s Fordham Road, nypost.com, Published 2022-10-02

Sep 30 - Skillman Avenue’s protected bike lane sparked outrage. Critics warned of empty shops and lost jobs. But after the lane went in, business grew. Sales rose 12 percent. Crashes fell by nearly a quarter. The street got safer. The warnings proved hollow.

This report covers the installation of a protected bike lane on Skillman Avenue in Queens, completed in fall 2018. The project faced fierce opposition, with critics predicting economic ruin for local businesses. Streetsblog obtained sales tax data from the Department of Finance, showing that, after the bike lane went in, Skillman Avenue’s main commercial stretch saw a 12 percent increase in sales and a net gain of three businesses. The article states: 'The economy of Skillman Avenue grew after the city built the new lane.' Department of Transportation spokeswoman Mona Bruno praised the redesign, saying, 'It's thrilling to see the neighborhood flourish with safer and more sustainable streets.' Crash data show a 24 percent drop in crashes and a 28 percent drop in injuries after installation. The findings challenge the myth that bike lanes hurt business and highlight the safety gains for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Business Grew After Controversial Bike Lane Installed, Data Show, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-30

Sep 28 - Council Speaker Adrienne Adams rejects outdoor dining in parking lanes. She calls for sidewalk-only setups, ignoring cramped sidewalks and city data. Her stance favors car storage over public space. Council Member Bottcher and advocates push back, demanding streets for people.

On September 28, 2022, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made a public statement opposing the use of parking lanes for outdoor dining. The matter, discussed at a Citizens Union breakfast, centered on the future of the Open Restaurants program. Adams said, "Outdoor dining, in my perspective, should be sidewalk. The street extensions were designed to be temporary." The City Council is currently developing legislation to allow restaurants to use parking lanes, but Adams’s comments signal resistance. Council Member Erik Bottcher countered, calling the use of road space for dining "an overall positive development." Adams’s stance ignores the reality that most city sidewalks are too narrow for sidewalk-only dining, squeezing pedestrians and limiting restaurant survival. Advocates and groups like Transportation Alternatives and Open Plans criticized her position, urging the Council to reclaim public space from cars and support vibrant, safe streets for all.

• Council Speaker Makes Her Choice: Car Storage over Diners and Restauranteurs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-28