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

Oct 27 - A sedan making a left turn struck a bicyclist traveling north on Bay Street. The cyclist suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver showed inattention and distraction. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Bay Street made a left turn and collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. It also notes bicyclist error or confusion but does not specify details. The sedan's point of impact was the right rear quarter panel, with damage to the same area. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment and remained conscious after the crash. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No ejection occurred. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving and complex interactions between turning vehicles and cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 19 - A parked sedan on Staten Island was hit on its left side by a northbound bus. The sedan’s driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. The bus had no occupants. The crash caused visible damage to the sedan’s left doors.

According to the police report, a 2015 Nissan sedan was parked on Staten Island near Vanduzer Street when it was struck on the left side by a northbound bus. The sedan’s driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured with contusions and bruises to his shoulder and upper arm but was conscious and not ejected. The bus was traveling straight ahead with no occupants. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver but does not specify any driver errors or violations. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, and the bus was damaged at its center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672266 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 19 - A 68-year-old woman died after an SUV ran her down in a chaotic Williamsburg intersection. Police blamed her for tripping. The driver, with a record of speeding and red-light violations, faced no charges. Blood stained the street. The system failed again.

On October 19, 2023, police responded to a fatal crash at Broadway and Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg. The NYPD said a 68-year-old woman 'tripped and fell in front of an SUV driver who then ran right over her, dragging her body across a notoriously treacherous intersection.' The driver, a 72-year-old woman, did not stop until witnesses intervened. Despite the Jeep’s record—two school-zone speeding tickets and a red-light violation since August—police let her go without charges. The NYPD blamed the victim, Aurora Soto, for her own death. Streetsblog reports this is part of a 'long and sordid history of victim-blaming.' The intersection has seen 197 crashes and 49 cyclist and pedestrian injuries since 2019. The Department of Transportation did not comment.

• Police Blame Woman for Her Own Death After She Trips in Front of SUV, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-19

Oct 17 - Mayor Adams slammed his own DOT’s outreach, stalling bike and bus lane projects. He says communities need more input. Advocates warn this lets small groups block life-saving changes. The city falls behind on safety targets. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On October 17, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams made a public statement criticizing the Department of Transportation’s community outreach for street redesigns. No council bill number applies; this is a mayoral policy stance. Adams said, “We have not done a good job of speaking to long-term residents on how they want the shaping of their streets to change.” He announced a new door-to-door engagement strategy on Underhill Avenue, after stalling a bike network project for over a year. Adams’s comments came as he defended delays and rollbacks of approved street safety improvements, citing the need for more community input. Advocates like Jon Orcutt (Bike New York) and Juan Restrepo (Transportation Alternatives) condemned the mayor’s approach, warning it gives veto power to small groups and leaves the city “rudderless” on street safety. DOT outreach has dropped to its lowest since Vision Zero began. The city is on pace to miss its bike and bus lane goals for the second year running. Vulnerable road users face continued danger as life-saving projects stall.

• Mayor Adams Blasts Mayor Adams’s DOT Community Outreach Efforts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-17

Oct 11 - Mayor Adams orders lidded bins for small buildings. No more loose bags on sidewalks. The rule hits next fall. Bins stay on sidewalks, not in the curb. Advocates say it’s better, but not enough. Pedestrians still dodge obstacles. The curb remains for cars.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new sanitation rule: buildings with nine or fewer units must use lidded trash bins starting next fall. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) leads the rollout. The plan covers about 41% of city housing. The official summary states, 'New Yorkers living in smaller residential buildings will have to set out their garbage in lidded bins.' DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended sidewalk placement, saying, 'It is standard practice around the world to put wheelie bins out on the sidewalk rather than in the parking lane.' Advocate Christine Berthet countered, 'While the bags will be easy to move between cars, containers will be much harder. And therefore having them in the parking lane would be a major benefit.' The city will retrofit trucks for the new bins. For now, pedestrians must still navigate bins on crowded sidewalks. The curb stays reserved for parked cars.

• It’s Starting: City Unveils Trash Containerization for Smaller Buildings, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 11 - Mayor Adams backs taking 150,000 parking spots for garbage containers. He calls it a small price for cleaner streets. The plan shifts trash from sidewalks to bins, clearing paths for pedestrians. Council member Abreu supports the West Harlem pilot. Resistance remains.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced support for the Sanitation Department's plan to repurpose 150,000 parking spaces for containerized garbage collection. The policy, unveiled by DSNY, aims to move trash from sidewalks into closed bins, targeting cleaner streets and less sidewalk clutter. The mayor said, 'Everyday New Yorkers are tired of the rodents, they’re tired of the trash, and this is a small price to pay on ensuring that you can have cleaner streets.' Council member Shaun Abreu, representing West Harlem, voiced strong support, citing visible improvements from the local pilot. The plan requires smaller buildings to use wheeled bins on sidewalks, while larger buildings would get shared curbside containers. The city faces pushback from some residents, but Adams insists street cleanliness is a top concern. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the move could clear sidewalks for pedestrians and reduce hazards from trash piles.

• Adams: Eliminating ‘Parking’ for Trash is ‘Small Price to Pay’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 11 - Council Member Holden’s e-bike license bill piles red tape on riders but leaves pedestrians exposed. The proposal skips real fixes—wider sidewalks, protected lanes, safer work rules. It targets e-bikes, not the cars and street chaos that truly endanger walkers.

Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill, co-sponsored by a Council majority, to require licenses for all e-bikes. The bill, discussed in October 2023, has not specified a streamlined process for licensing. The matter’s summary states: 'Holden's bill does nothing to rectify the fundamental issues of inadequate space and dangerous workplace practices.' Holden and his colleagues push regulation, but critics say the bill ignores the real threats: narrow sidewalks, blocked crosswalks, and unsafe delivery work. The proposal would burden riders and discourage micromobility, while failing to address illegal mopeds or car dominance. State Senator Brad Hoylman’s employer-provided ID plan is cited as a better alternative. The opinion calls for protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and fair enforcement, not more bureaucracy. Holden’s bill, critics argue, misses the mark for pedestrian safety.

• Opinion: Holden’s E-Bike License Proposal Misses the Mark on Pedestrian Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 10 - A motorcycle and sedan collided on Victory Boulevard. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The sedan struck the motorcycle’s right side while making a left turn. The rider was wearing a helmet and left in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Victory Boulevard struck a motorcycle traveling straight south. The motorcyclist, a 27-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body. The motorcycle was demolished on impact, and the sedan suffered damage to its right side doors. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any failure to yield or other driver errors explicitly. The motorcyclist was left in shock following the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 1 - A sedan struck another vehicle from behind on Tompkins Avenue. The driver and front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash happened as the sedan followed too closely and the driver was distracted. Both occupants wore lap belts.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northeast on Tompkins Avenue rear-ended another vehicle going straight ahead. The driver, a 79-year-old man, and the front passenger, a 61-year-old man, were both injured with neck pain and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center back end of the struck vehicle and the center front end of the sedan. No pedestrians were involved. The crash caused moderate injuries to the vehicle occupants but no ejections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 29 - Floods choked New York. Subways drowned. Buses stalled. Cars trapped in oily water. Streets became rivers. Emergency response lagged. The mayor stayed silent. Vulnerable New Yorkers—pedestrians, riders, workers—were left stranded, exposed, and waiting for help that never came.

On September 29, 2023, New York City faced a crippling extreme weather event. Streets, subways, and highways flooded. The MTA told riders to stay home. Buses filled with water. Cars were stranded on the FDR and Prospect Expressway. The event, documented by Streetsblog NYC, showed city systems overwhelmed. The matter summary reads: 'The BQE is flooded, neighborhoods are flooded, the MTA is literally telling people to not take the train, but New Yorkers have yet to hear from their mayor today.' No council bill or vote was involved. No council member stepped forward. The city’s emergency response faltered. Vulnerable road users—those on foot, on transit, in cars—bore the brunt. The mayor’s absence left the public in the dark as danger mounted.

• We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-29

Sep 29 - Floodwaters swallowed streets, trapped buses, and shut down trains. Cars bobbed in oily rivers. Pedestrians waded through chaos. Council Member Lincoln Restler called out the city’s slow response. Vulnerable New Yorkers paid the price. Leadership stayed silent. Danger surged.

On September 29, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) spotlighted the devastation as extreme flooding crippled New York City’s transit. The event, titled 'Extreme weather event (flooding) impacts on NYC transportation,' showed buses stranded, subways flooded, and streets impassable. Restler was mentioned as a key voice demanding action. The article’s summary reads: 'We Have the 'End of Days' Flooding Pics You Need Right Now.' The city’s emergency response faltered. The MTA and DOT failed to protect riders and walkers. Streets and drainage buckled. Leadership, including the mayor, stayed out of sight. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, transit riders, and cyclists—faced the brunt of systemic neglect. No safety analyst weighed in, but the images and accounts show a city unprepared for crisis.

• We Have the 'End of Days' Flooding Pics You Need Right Now, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-09-29

Sep 19 - Attorney Adam White was arrested after exposing an obscured license plate. Cops charged him with criminal mischief. The DA dropped the case. White now sues the NYPD and city, demanding policy changes and damages. The suit targets retaliation against civilians reporting traffic misconduct.

On September 19, 2023, attorney Adam White filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, seven officers, and the City of New York. The case stems from a November 11, 2022 arrest after White removed a plastic cover from a license plate he believed was obscured to dodge traffic cameras. The complaint, citing false arrest and retaliation, states: "Mr. White now brings this suit seeking redress for the violations of his own rights, as well as seeking changes to Defendant City's policies and practices around responding appropriately, and without retaliation, to civilian complaints about illegal 'ghost cars,' 'ghost plates,' and other traffic misconduct." The suit names Sholem Klein, head of the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol, as the complainant who called police. The Brooklyn DA later dropped charges against White. The lawsuit seeks damages and policy reforms to protect civilians who report illegal traffic activity.

• Cops Violated Lawyer’s Civil Rights During Infamous ‘Criminal Mischief’ Arrest: Suit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-19

Sep 13 - The city missed legal targets for new bus and bike lanes. Officials dodged questions. Council grilled DOT. Advocates tracked the shortfall. Political meddling blocks safer streets. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait. Progress stalls. Danger stays.

On September 13, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s progress toward mandated bus and bike lane construction. The hearing, led by Transportation Committee chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for answers. The law requires 150 miles of protected bus lanes and 250 miles of protected bike lanes by 2026. In 2022, the city built only 4.4 miles of bus lanes and 26.3 miles of bike lanes, far short of the legal benchmarks. Councilmember Lincoln Restler criticized political interference, saying, 'We're at a point where it's all politics all the time, and we're failing to execute.' Advocacy groups confirmed the city lags behind. The administration’s refusal to track or disclose progress leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city’s failure to act keeps streets dangerous.

• City fails to monitor bus and bike lane construction progress after falling short of mandates last year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-13

Sep 12 - Council grilled DOT for stalling on bus and bike lanes. Law demands these lanes. Streets stay deadly. Commissioner Rodriguez faced anger. Restler and others demanded answers. Riders and walkers pay the price for delay.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s failure to deliver required bus and bike lanes. The hearing, led by the Committee on Transportation, featured testimony from DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and others criticized the agency for 'continuously falling behind on legally required bus and bike lanes.' The matter title reads: 'NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog.' Restler’s action was to publicly challenge DOT’s delays. No safety analyst note was provided, but the council’s frustration highlights the risk: every missed lane leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-09-12

Sep 12 - Councilmember Brooks-Powers slammed DOT for missing legal targets on bus and bike lanes. DOT leaders dodged numbers, citing delays and staff shortages. The hearing exposed deep rifts over accountability. Vulnerable road users wait as city agencies stall and argue.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) compliance with the Streets Master Plan under Local Law 195. Brooks-Powers demanded specifics: 'DOT has struggled to meet its legal mandate. In 2021, DOT installed just 4.4 miles of bus lane—well below 20-mile requirement.' DOT officials, including Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, refused to provide current figures, promising data next year. Brooks-Powers called this 'unacceptable.' She stressed, 'The 30 miles of bus lane and 50 miles of bike lanes is not a goal—it’s legal mandate.' The exchange revealed ongoing tension over DOT’s slow rollout and lack of transparency. Staffing shortages and council opposition to projects were cited as obstacles. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooks-Powers and DOT Exchange Testiness Over Agency’s Alleged ‘Master Plan’ Shortfalls, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-12

Sep 11 - Maryland’s governor pushes a $4 billion highway expansion. Two new toll lanes in each direction. Only scraps for transit. Critics say it’s greenwashing. Black and brown communities bear the brunt. Lawsuits fly. The road grows wider. The danger remains.

"Gov. Moore, like his predecessor, can’t honestly sell the toll lane plan on its merits, so he has to fall back on smoke and mirrors. His administration is trying to dress up the project as primarily about public transit. But that’s just a marketing ploy and a distraction." -- Charles Fall

On September 11, 2023, Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore announced plans to continue a $4.032-billion highway expansion along interstates 495 and 270. The project, first championed by Republican Larry Hogan, adds two toll lanes each way, with just three percent of funds for sustainable transit. The official summary claims 'new improvements' and uses language of equity and sustainability. Advocates like Janet Gallant and Ben Crowther call it 'greenwashing' and a 'marketing ploy.' Brian O’Malley points to the climate crisis. Lawsuits challenge the plan, which critics say will worsen health and climate impacts, especially for Black and brown communities. The debate exposes a bipartisan pattern: leaders from both parties keep widening highways, ignoring the toll on vulnerable road users and communities.

• Why Democrats and Republicans Alike Keep Expanding Highways, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-11

Sep 7 - Philadelphia spends $18 million to give 22,000 city workers unlimited SEPTA rides. The move aims to boost hiring, cut traffic, and help the environment. Other cities eye the model, but face hurdles. Riders, not drivers, stand to gain.

On September 7, 2023, Philadelphia announced an $18 million program to provide over 22,000 public employees with all-access transit passes on SEPTA. The policy, led by Mayor Jim Kenney, is a pilot to support hiring, retention, sustainability, traffic safety, and equity. Kenney called it 'an opportunity to boost the city’s hiring and retention efforts, and support our goals of sustainability, traffic safety, and equity.' Project manager Sandi Ramos highlighted the program’s savings for workers and its equitable impact. Council Member Charles Allen in D.C. and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have pushed similar ideas, but funding and jurisdictional issues stall progress elsewhere. The program’s focus is clear: more transit riders, fewer cars, safer streets. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the policy centers vulnerable road users by shifting trips from cars to transit.

• Philly Gives City Workers Free Transit. Can Other Cities Follow?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

Sep 3 - A taxi struck the right side of a sedan on Targee Street. The impact injured all six sedan occupants, including the driver and a child. Both drivers suffered shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Targee Street collided with the right side doors of a sedan traveling east. The crash injured the sedan's five occupants, including a 10-year-old passenger with shoulder and upper arm injuries, and the 18-year-old female driver who complained of pain and nausea. The taxi driver, a licensed male, was also injured. All occupants were restrained and none were ejected. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The sedan sustained damage to its right side doors, while the taxi's center front end was damaged. The collision caused shock in all occupants and injuries ranged from neck and back to internal complaints.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661701 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 23 - Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

Aug 18 - A northbound SUV struck a parked SUV on Bay Street in Staten Island. The front passenger of the moving vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved driver distraction. No ejections or severe vehicle damage were reported.

According to the police report, a 2004 Honda SUV traveling north on Bay Street rear-ended a parked 2020 Porsche SUV. The front passenger in the moving vehicle, a 25-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The moving vehicle showed no damage, while the parked vehicle sustained damage to its center back end. The driver of the moving vehicle was licensed in New York. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18