Bay Street bleeds: four deaths, hundreds hurt, and the clock keeps going

Dec 29 - Downtown Brooklyn saw new public spaces, art, and transit upgrades in 2023. City leaders cut sidewalk sheds, opened plazas, and boosted subway access. Over $40 million was pledged for streets, transit, and pedestrian safety. Lincoln Restler and others pushed for these changes.

Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and city leaders announced major transportation and public space improvements in Downtown Brooklyn on December 29, 2023. The announcement, titled 'A jam-packed 2023: A look back at Downtown Brooklyn improvements and enhancements this year,' highlighted new public spaces, art installations, and infrastructure upgrades. Notably, the Hoyt Street Subway Station entrance at Fulton Mall was renovated with a new elevator for better accessibility. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, with Restler's support, pushed for the removal of long-standing sidewalk sheds at Willoughby Plaza, restoring open space to the public. Mayor Eric Adams pledged over $40 million for streetscape, transportation, and pedestrian safety enhancements, with $8 million earmarked for Fulton Mall. These actions aim to make Brooklyn safer and more accessible for all road users.

• ‘A jam-packed 2023’: A look back at Downtown Brooklyn improvements and enhancements this year, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-12-29

Dec 28 - A hit-and-run truck killed an 82-year-old cyclist on Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. This marks the 29th cyclist death in 2023. Councilmember Brooks-Powers blasted DOT for missing legal bike lane targets. Streets remain deadly. Progress is slow. Accountability is lacking.

On December 28, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers responded to the death of an 82-year-old cyclist killed by a hit-and-run truck on Northern Boulevard. This incident marked the 29th cyclist fatality in 2023, a grim milestone in a year of rising traffic violence. Brooks-Powers criticized the Adams administration and the Department of Transportation for failing to meet the Streets Plan's legal requirement of 50 miles of protected bike lanes, achieving only about 30 miles. She stated, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Brooks-Powers also condemned the missed bus lane targets and called out DOT's lack of transparency, pledging to hold the agency accountable and push for safer, more equitable streets. The city faces more cars, more crashes, and more injuries, while vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Another Cyclist Killed in One of the Deadliest Years on Record, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-28

Dec 26 - A man on the sidewalk near 425 Bay Street was struck and left with shattered bones. He was incoherent, his leg twisted and broken. The driver’s actions are not detailed in the report.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was severely injured near 425 Bay Street in Staten Island. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when he was struck. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was described as incoherent after the crash. The report does not specify the type of vehicle involved or provide details about the driver. No contributing factors or driver errors are listed in the data. No mention is made of safety equipment or pedestrian actions contributing to the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 21 - Sanitation will plow bike lanes and roads at the same time. No more waiting. No more trade-offs. Commissioner Tisch says every street gets cleared together. Cyclists will not be left stranded in snow. The city finally treats bike lanes as vital.

On December 21, 2023, the Department of Sanitation announced a major shift in snow removal policy. Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch declared, “For the first time the plan calls for doing both at the same time, rather than prioritizing one over the other or making trade-offs.” This policy change ends years of prioritizing car lanes over bike lanes for snow clearance. The agency updated its annual snow plan and hired 563 new workers, now able to dispatch plows for all routes simultaneously. The new approach means protected bike lanes—165 miles worth—will be cleared alongside roads, not after. Tisch emphasized, “Every street in the city is on a route and we are staffed to dispatch every route at the same time. Prioritization of certain streets is a thing of the past.” Advocates, including Jon Orcutt of Bike New York, praised the move as overdue and vital for cyclists’ safety. The city’s snow fleet now includes smaller plows fit for bike lanes, ending the era of neglect.

• Sanitation Promises to Plow Bike Lanes at the Same Time As Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-21

Dec 19 - Federal officials updated the MUTCD, touting flexibility for safer streets. Advocates wanted more. The new rules clarify design for human error and ease bike and transit features. But speed limit reforms are weak. Cities get tools, but danger remains entrenched.

On December 19, 2023, the Federal Highway Administration released a new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the first update since 2009. The policy, shaped by advocacy campaigns, was summarized as offering 'more flexibility to design roads safely,' but advocates say it is 'a transitional document; it’s not a transformational document.' FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt claimed the update empowers cities to prioritize active transportation, stating, 'The cities that are really thriving... are the ones who are really putting active transportation at the forefront.' However, advocates like Mike McGinn and Beth Osborne criticized the weak reforms to the 85th percentile speed rule and the lack of bold safety mandates. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law now requires updates every four years, giving hope for future, stronger reforms. For now, the MUTCD still leaves vulnerable road users at risk, with only incremental gains.

• Feds, Advocates Talk About What’s In The New MUTCD (And What Isn’t)!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-19

Dec 18 - Two sedans crashed on Saint Pauls Avenue in Staten Island. One driver suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention as a factor. The impact damaged the left front quarter panel of a parked vehicle. No ejections reported.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Saint Pauls Avenue in Staten Island. The driver of one vehicle, a 21-year-old male, was injured with back pain and shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. One vehicle was parked before the crash and sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The other vehicles involved were traveling south and sustained rear-end and rear quarter panel damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 12 - MTA revealed its final Queens bus overhaul. Routes shift. Stops thin out. Riders brace for longer walks. Council Member Brooks-Powers warns of harm to her district. The city lags on bus lanes. Public review looms. Vulnerable riders face uncertainty.

On December 12, 2023, the MTA released its final proposal for the Queens bus network redesign. The plan, shaped by two years of outreach, proposes 121 routes—eight more than before—but cuts and combines stops, aiming for straighter lines and faster trips. The matter summary states the redesign seeks 'improved travel speed and reliability.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, voiced 'serious concerns about the proposal’s impact on her constituents, especially with the looming arrival of congestion pricing.' She called for an 'equitable and balanced' approach. The plan faces backlash over wider stop spacing and fewer stops, which could force longer walks for riders—many of them elderly or disabled. The city has failed to meet its legal mandate for new bus lanes, building only 18 miles this year. The proposal enters public review ahead of a 2025 rollout.

• MTA unveils final proposal for Queens bus network redesign, amny.com, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 12 - The MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment draws fire for playing it safe. Critics say it ignores bold transit expansion. The plan favors maintenance and minor tweaks. It leaves regional riders stranded. No real integration. No big moves. Just more of the same.

On December 12, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published a critique of the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment. The article, titled 'Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat,' argues the plan 'fails to accomplish its stated mission of bringing the New York region into the 21st century.' The critique highlights the lack of major expansion projects and the absence of a plan to fully integrate Penn Station into a regional rail network. The author calls for greater cooperation among the MTA, NJ Transit, Port Authority, Amtrak, and local bus operators. The piece urges leaders to deliver a world-class, interconnected transit system instead of isolated improvements. No council members are named; this is a policy critique, not a legislative action.

• Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 12 - Council Member Gale Brewer slams the MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment. She says it clings to old tracks and tired fixes. Expansion is missing. Integration is ignored. Brewer calls for bold, regional action. The city’s future rides on more than patchwork repairs.

On December 12, 2023, Council Member Gale A. Brewer (District 6) publicly criticized the MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment. The critique, titled 'Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat,' argues the plan 'fails to accomplish its stated mission of bringing the New York region into the 21st century.' Brewer points out the assessment’s focus on maintenance over expansion, noting the lack of major projects and regional integration. She urges the MTA, NJ Transit, Amtrak, and others to cooperate for a seamless, world-class network. Brewer’s stance: the city needs more than cosmetic fixes and must aim for true transit growth. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Raising the Regional Bar: Why the MTA 20-Year Needs Assessment Inevitably Falls Flat, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 11 - Congress moves to set lithium-ion battery standards. Delivery workers still pay for safety. Sixteen dead, 253 fires this year. City backs the bill. Tech giants resist supplying safe batteries. Workers face high costs. Danger persists on city streets.

On December 11, 2023, a congressional panel advanced the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx). The bill, supported by the city and FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create federal safety standards for micromobility batteries. The matter summary states the bill aims to 'protect against the risk of fires.' Torres and advocates like Ligia Guallpa of the Worker's Justice Project pushed for app-based companies to supply certified batteries, but tech giants oppose this. Kavanagh said, 'A strong federal standard for lithium-ion batteries is required to ensure public safety.' Despite new laws, the cost of safe batteries—up to $5,000—still falls on low-paid delivery workers. Sixteen people have died in 253 battery fires this year. The city passed a buyback program for faulty batteries, but it has not started. The burden remains on the most vulnerable.

• Feds One Step Closer to Requiring Safety Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-11

Dec 8 - The MTA board locked in congestion pricing. Drivers face a $15 toll below 60th Street. Officials warn: change one piece, the plan unravels. Lawsuits loom. Public hearings are required, but major tweaks are off the table. Vulnerable road users wait.

On December 8, 2023, the MTA board approved its congestion pricing plan. The plan, now entering a 60-day public review, sets a $15 daytime toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The matter, titled 'Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review,' underscores the board's resistance to major changes. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'If you change one aspect – the whole thing starts to unravel or fall apart.' Council Member Robert F. Holden was mentioned in the discussion. The board is reconsidering tolls on school buses, but most exemptions are opposed. Lawsuits from New Jersey officials threaten delays. The plan’s fate hangs on legal and public scrutiny, but for now, the structure stands.

• Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review, gothamist.com, Published 2023-12-08

Nov 21 - A 56-year-old woman was struck while getting on or off a vehicle on Osgood Avenue. The sedan backed unsafely, hitting her with its right rear bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Staten Island's Osgood Avenue when a sedan backed unsafely and struck her with its right rear bumper. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. No helmet or signaling issues were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681277 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 19 - Two inside a sedan struck parked cars on Bay Street. Both lost consciousness. Both suffered full-body injuries. Metal twisted. Shock followed. No pedestrians involved. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Bay Street in Staten Island crashed into parked vehicles, including another sedan and a pick-up truck. The 61-year-old driver and 68-year-old passenger both lost consciousness and suffered injuries to their entire bodies. Both were restrained and not ejected. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor for both occupants. The crash damaged the center front end of the moving sedan, the left front quarter panel of a parked sedan, and the right rear bumper of a parked pick-up truck. No pedestrians were involved. No helmet or signal use was listed as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 16 - Portland’s council slammed the brakes on the Gorham Connector. They demand transit options get a fair shot before bulldozers roll. Critics say the highway will fuel sprawl, worsen air, and ignore climate goals. The Turnpike Authority pushes ahead. Lives hang in the balance.

On November 16, 2023, the Portland City Council unanimously passed a resolution targeting the Gorham Connector highway project. The matter, described as a call to 'stop its work on the highway until rapid transit options have been properly examined,' urges the Maine Turnpike Authority to pause construction. Council members cited climate change and Maine’s emissions goals, demanding transit and land-use reforms come first. The council’s action follows a 2012 study warning that new roads alone won’t fix traffic. Local groups like GrowSmart Maine and businesses such as Smiling Hill Farm oppose the project, fearing it will worsen sprawl and pollution. Despite council opposition and federal funding for transit studies, the Turnpike Authority continues land acquisition and environmental reviews. Vulnerable road users face increased risk if the highway moves forward without transit alternatives.

• Highway Boondoggles 2023: The Pain in Maine Falls Mainly in … Gorham, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-16

Nov 13 - New York calls its buses rapid, but the lanes clog with cars. Riders wait. Promises break. Advocates demand real bus rapid transit: center lanes, fast boarding, tough enforcement. Without action, the city’s buses crawl. Vulnerable riders pay the price in time and danger.

This Streetsblog NYC analysis, published November 13, 2023, examines New York’s failure to deliver true Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The article, titled 'Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit,' criticizes Mayor Adams for not following through on campaign pledges to expand bus lanes and implement full BRT. Advocates like Annie Weinstock and JP Patafio argue that dedicated center-running lanes, off-board fare collection, and strict enforcement are needed to speed up buses and protect riders. The piece notes, 'Current bus lanes, like on Utica [Avenue], really it’s almost like a parking lot, because they cover the plates and there’s no enforcement.' The report highlights that without strong leadership and commitment, bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—remain exposed to slow service and street danger. No council bill number or committee is attached; this is a policy analysis and advocacy call to action.

• Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-13

Nov 12 - Brad Hoylman-Sigal calls for new laws on e-bikes. He says streets brim with fast machines. Pedestrians, especially elders and children, face rising risk. The council member demands action. He wants rules to protect those on foot. The city must not wait.

On November 12, 2023, Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) publicly called for legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, including e-bikes. The editorial, titled 'Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers,' stresses, 'the vulnerable pedestrian, especially seniors and kids, must remain king and queen. Do more to protect them.' Hoylman-Sigal is mentioned as a key advocate. The statement supports both regulation of e-bikes and greater protection for pedestrians. No formal bill has been introduced yet, and no committee has taken up the matter. The editorial highlights the urgent need for city action to shield those most at risk on New York’s streets.

• Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-11-12

Nov 9 - Older adults die first in disasters. Heat, floods, storms hit them hardest. The pattern is clear. The toll is high. No change in twenty years. The system fails them. The city looks away. The danger grows. The deaths mount.

On November 9, 2023, the Talking Headways Podcast spotlighted the deadly impact of climate emergencies on older adults. Danielle Arigoni, managing director at the National Housing Trust, discussed her book, 'Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation.' She said, 'time and time again, older adults are the majority of deaths in disasters.' The episode detailed how, from Hurricane Katrina to the Lahaina wildfires, seniors bear the brunt of heat, floods, and storms. Host Jeff Wood pressed on the need for policy that protects the vulnerable. The discussion made clear: the system ignores the predictable, mounting toll on older adults. No council bill or vote was involved, but the call for action was urgent. The city cannot keep looking away.

• Talking Headways Podcast: Aging Adults and Climate Emergencies, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-09

Nov 8 - A sedan turned right on Bay Street and hit a woman riding an e-scooter. She suffered leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention. The crash left the rider in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn on Bay Street collided with an e-scooter traveling straight. The e-scooter driver, a 34-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Police listed driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The sedan's left front bumper struck the e-scooter's left side doors, damaging both vehicles. The e-scooter rider was wearing a helmet and was not ejected. The crash underscores the risk posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677974 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 2 - Council Member Chi Ossé condemned DOT for stalling the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The lane, long promised and long dangerous, remains unbuilt. Ossé demanded action. Cyclists keep dying. DOT offered no timeline. The city’s failure leaves lives at risk.

""The bike lane has strong community support, and its benefits are obvious. This failure is yet another glaring example of the administration falling far behind on its commitments to develop bicycle infrastructure in our city."" -- Charles Fall

On November 2, 2023, Council Member Chi Ossé publicly criticized the Department of Transportation for delaying the protected bike lane project on Bedford Avenue. The project, which was supposed to upgrade a painted lane to a parking-protected lane, has been pushed to at least next spring. Ossé wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, calling the delay 'unacceptable' and demanding a firm installation date. He stated, 'The Bedford Avenue bike lane has been unacceptably dangerous since it was first laid, and for years, the people of my district have been promised that it would be protected.' Advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives, echoed his frustration, citing record cyclist deaths and urgent need for safety. The DOT has not responded to requests for comment. The delay highlights the city’s repeated failures to deliver promised street safety improvements.

• Council Member Chi Ossé Blasts DOT For Delaying — And Maybe Killing — Bedford Ave Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-02

Nov 1 - Mayor Adams shrugged off legal targets for new bike and bus lanes. He told DOT staffers he cares more about community input than hard numbers. His stance leaves city law unmet. Advocates warn: vague promises, little accountability, danger for those outside cars.

On November 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams dismissed the city’s legal requirements to build 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year, as mandated by the Streets Master Plan. In a closed-door meeting with the Department of Transportation, Adams said, "My legacy is not how many bike miles I do. My legacy is not how many bus lanes I do." He signaled a shift from measurable safety benchmarks to a focus on community input, a move DOT staffers called "extremely micromanaged." Adams’s administration has failed to meet even the minimum legal standards for new lanes. A mayoral spokesman claimed the city still delivers "safe, efficient streets," but advocates say Adams’s approach relies on vague metrics and lacks accountability. No council members are directly involved; this is a mayoral policy stance. The result: fewer protected spaces for vulnerable road users, more risk on city streets.

• Adams Dismisses Bus, Bike Lane Mile Requirements At DOT Meeting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-01