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

Aug 17 - The city’s KSI metric counts bodies, not danger. Thirty-seven killed on the Upper West Side in a decade. Streets stay deadly. A new, community-centered metric maps risk before blood is spilled. DOT must act before the next crash, not after.

On August 17, 2023, a Streetsblog NYC policy critique challenged the Department of Transportation’s reliance on the KSI (Killed or Severely Injured) metric. The article, titled 'Beyond KSI: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes,' exposes how KSI misses hidden dangers and fails to prevent future deaths. No council bill number is attached; this is a public call to action, not legislation. The critique highlights that, despite 37 road deaths on the Upper West Side in ten years, DOT’s 2023 plan ignored these corridors. The author mapped safety features and hazards, proposing a new, proactive metric based on accessibility, comfort, and livability. The piece urges DOT to shift from counting casualties to preventing them, stating, 'we need a different metric to fix the underlying problem of safety on city streets—one that is community-centered and doesn’t reduce our assessment of a certain street’s needs to grim numbers.'

• Beyond ‘KSI’: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-17

Aug 10 - A 63-year-old man was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk on Bay Street in Staten Island. The sedan driver disregarded traffic control and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to his lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Bay Street struck a 63-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally. The driver was licensed and operating a 2016 Hyundai sedan. The collision caused damage to the vehicle’s front center. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 9 - A 35-year-old woman crossing a marked crosswalk on Bay Street was struck by a vehicle. The driver, going straight, hit her with the center front end. She suffered injuries to her entire body and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Bay Street in Staten Island. The 35-year-old woman was hit by a vehicle traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal. The vehicle type and driver details were unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 9 - A dump truck driver turned right, struck Mariano Leonardo Victoriano on his e-bike, and fled. No charges. The Bronx bleeds: 21 cyclists dead this year, the most since Vision Zero began. Protected bike lanes are rare. City promises, broken. Cyclists pay.

""The administration cannot fall further behind on the NYC Streets Plan’s legal requirements to build protected places for people to bike in every neighborhood of our city."" -- Charles Fall

On August 9, 2023, a cyclist was killed by a hit-and-run dump truck driver in Council District 17, Bronx. The incident marks the 21st cyclist death this year, the highest since Vision Zero began in 2014. The matter highlights that only 1.64% of district streets have protected bike lanes, far below the city average. Jada Yeboah, Bronx/Uptown Organizer for Transportation Alternatives, condemned the city's failure: "Inaction is killing New Yorkers of color." She demanded Mayor Adams meet legal requirements for protected bike lanes, noting only five miles have been built in the Bronx out of 50 required citywide this year. The Bronx ranks third in traffic fatalities, eighth in injuries among 51 districts. The city's inaction leaves cyclists exposed. The toll mounts.

• UPDATE: Another Cyclist — 21st of the Year — Has Been Killed by a Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-09

Aug 3 - Council passed Intro. 289. The bill forces DOT to map every bike lane and show disruptions. Cyclists will see closures, detours, and hazards in real time. No more guessing. No more dead ends. Riders get the same alerts drivers do. Streets get safer.

On August 3, 2023, the New York City Council passed Intro. 289, a bill requiring the Department of Transportation to create a searchable map of every city bike lane. The map must show disruptions, detours, hazards, and closures in real time. The bill summary states: 'Cyclists deserve the same attention and information already given to the city's drivers and transit riders in the form of notifications, updates, and well-marked detours.' Council Member Carlina Rivera sponsored the bill and led its passage. Rivera and Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt wrote, 'Disruption of any city bikeway requires public information, working detours and operational attention—not just an unheralded shut-down.' The law aims to end the chaos and danger of sudden bike lane closures, giving half a million daily riders the information they need to stay safe and keep moving.

• OPINION: A Cycling ‘Current Conditions’ Report Will Keep Biking New Yorkers Safe and Informed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Aug 3 - Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked behind closed doors to stall Fordham Road bus lane improvements. Bronx lawmakers, once supportive, fell silent or opposed. The project, meant to speed up buses for 85,000 riders, now faces more delays. Vulnerable riders remain stuck in slow, dangerous traffic.

On August 3, 2023, Rep. Adriano Espaillat quietly lobbied Bronx officials against proposed Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. The project, under city review since 2022, aimed to speed up buses for 85,000 daily riders by installing dedicated busways or offset lanes. According to Streetsblog, Espaillat leaned on younger electeds to align with Council Member Oswald Feliz, a vocal critic. 'He defers to the local elected officials, and all of them seem to be in agreement,' said Espaillat’s chief of staff, Aneiry Batista. Lawmakers who once supported the upgrades grew silent or opposed them after Espaillat’s intervention. The Department of Transportation, MTA, and governor’s office met with Espaillat to discuss the project, but delays persisted. The opposition from Feliz and business groups led DOT to scrap the most ambitious safety options. Riders, many without cars, remain exposed to slow, hazardous conditions as cars block bus lanes and traffic crawls.

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rallying Bronx Pols Against Fordham Road Bus Lane Fixes: Sources, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Aug 1 - New York City will mount automated cameras on over 30 school buses this fall. The six-month pilot aims to catch drivers who ignore stopped buses. No fines yet, but a proposal is pending. Advocates say cameras save lives. Council pushed for action.

Bill: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses. Status: Pilot program launching fall 2023. Committee: Led by Department of Transportation, with Education and Finance. Key dates: Announced August 1, 2023; Finance Department hearing on fines pending. The matter targets 'drivers who fail to stop behind a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off passengers.' City Council members requested the trial last year, overcoming initial city reluctance. DOT spokesperson Vin Barone said, 'This effort will provide valuable information on reckless driving near schools.' D'Shandi Coombs of Transportation Alternatives called automated enforcement 'a proven tool to protect New Yorkers from crashes' and said expanding it to school buses is 'an important step to keeping our children safe.' The pilot collects data, but fines are not yet in place. Advocates praise the move as overdue.

• PASS, FAIL: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-01

Jul 24 - A 39-year-old man lay unconscious with a head injury after an SUV hit him on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island. The crash happened at 2:04 a.m. The driver was going straight south. Alcohol was involved in the collision.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was injured and rendered unconscious with a head injury when a 2018 Nissan SUV struck him on Victory Boulevard, Staten Island. The driver, a licensed female, was traveling straight south when the vehicle's left front bumper impacted the pedestrian. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor in the crash. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and did not have a specified action prior to the collision. The report lists alcohol involvement as a driver error contributing to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 20 - MTA leaders press Mayor Adams to revive Fordham Road bus lane plans. Council Member Feliz stands opposed. Business groups resist. Eighty-five thousand daily riders face slow, crowded buses. City’s promise for safer, faster transit stalls. DOT offers compromise. Vulnerable commuters wait.

On July 20, 2023, the MTA called on Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support renewed bus lane expansion on Fordham Road. The city had canceled a planned busway after pushback from business owners and Council Member Oswald Feliz, who remains a vocal critic. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey said, "Our hope is that we DOT stays with us and we're implementing this, hopefully, later this year." MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed, "We can't deemphasize and under-prioritize the lives of people of the Bronx and also Upper Manhattan who are trying to get east and west across this incredibly busy corridor." DOT spokesperson Vin Barone described a new proposal with dedicated curbside loading and minimal traffic diversions. The city’s earlier pledge for 20 new miles of bus lanes per year has not been met. Eighty-five thousand daily bus riders, many vulnerable, remain at risk on slow, crowded streets. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA’s ‘Hope’ for Eric Adams: ‘Stay With Us’ On Fordham Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-20

Jul 11 - Two SUVs crashed head-on on Bay Street. The 26-year-old male driver of the southbound Ford SUV suffered a severe head injury. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained left front bumper damage.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Bay Street. The southbound Ford SUV, driven by a 26-year-old man, struck the northbound Dodge SUV while it was passing. The Ford driver suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated head injury but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles were damaged on their left front bumpers. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction during passing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 29 - New Jersey officials rail against MTA congestion pricing. Yet their state rakes in billions from MTA contracts. The plan will raise $15 billion for transit. Jersey firms stand to gain more. Lawsuits loom. Money and politics collide. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 29, 2023, a report surfaced in Streetsblog NYC detailing the debate over MTA congestion pricing. The report, titled "New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green," highlights that from 2014 to 2022, the MTA paid New Jersey companies $3.3 billion for goods and services. The plan, set to raise $15 billion for the MTA's 2020-2024 capital plan, faces opposition from New Jersey officials, including Governor Phil Murphy, who have threatened lawsuits. The article quotes Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany: "Congestion pricing will bring in $15 billion alone for the MTA's $55 billion 2020-2024 capital plan, and New Jersey businesses stand to profit from this major increase in MTA capital spending." MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick adds that congestion pricing will "reduce traffic, improve regional air quality, and boost the Garden State's economy." Despite the political fight, the money keeps flowing. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as the system prioritizes contracts and capital over street safety.

• Report: New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-29

Jun 18 - A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

Jun 15 - A sedan struck an 11-year-old boy riding a bike on Bay Street. The boy suffered hip and upper leg abrasions. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The boy was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Bay Street collided with a northbound 11-year-old bicyclist. The boy sustained abrasions to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction. The sedan's center front end struck the bike's right front quarter panel. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver was licensed and slowing or stopping before impact. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638315 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 14 - A sedan making a right turn struck two pedestrians at a marked crosswalk on Broad Street. Both males, ages 8 and 22, suffered bruises and injuries to their legs and hips. The driver showed inattention and failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 2018 Nissan sedan traveling north on Broad Street made a right turn and struck two pedestrians crossing at a marked crosswalk. The victims, an 8-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man, were conscious but injured, suffering contusions and injuries to their lower legs and hips. The report lists driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The vehicle sustained no damage. Both pedestrians were crossing without a signal but within the marked crosswalk. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637864 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 12 - The word ‘micromobility’ shrinks bikes and scooters to fit car culture’s frame. These vehicles are not small—they are right-sized. Cars, SUVs, and trucks are oversized and deadly. Language shapes danger. Words matter. Human-scaled mobility deserves respect, not diminishment.

This opinion piece, published June 12, 2023, on Streetsblog NYC, challenges the use of the term ‘micromobility’ to describe bikes, scooters, and similar vehicles. The article argues, ‘SUVs, pick-up trucks, and passenger cars should not be the benchmark by which we judge the size of other forms of transit, and the term 'micromobility' encourages us to believe that they are.’ Author Sarah Risser calls for dropping the ‘micro’ prefix, urging us to see bikes and scooters as standard, not lesser. She highlights how oversized vehicles—cars, SUVs, trucks—fuel rising deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. Risser urges language that centers human-scaled mobility and rejects car supremacy. No council bill or vote is attached, but the stance is clear: words shape safety, and the right words can help dismantle systemic danger.

• Opinion: Why We Should Stop Using the Word ‘Micromobility’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

Jun 12 - The city delayed BQE reconstruction. Construction waits. Traffic study comes first. Interim repairs promise safety, but the crumbling cantilever looms. Council Member Restler doubts the city’s resolve. Residents fear more delays. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as trucks roll on.

On June 12, 2023, the city announced a delay in the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) project. The Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic study before starting the environmental review, pushing construction to late 2027. The matter, titled 'City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs,' highlights the city’s claim that interim repairs will keep the road safe until at least 2028. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, voiced concern about the delay and the city’s ability to finish the project. Community Visioning Council members were not told in advance. Residents and advocates worry about the crumbling structure and lack of transparency. The city plans automated enforcement against overweight trucks, but the delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-06-12

Jun 8 - State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal wants OMNY to work with Citi Bike. He calls for a unified payment system to break down barriers for riders. The move could make bike-share easier, but fractured agencies and costly upgrades stand in the way.

On June 8, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Midtown West) urged the MTA and Lyft to integrate OMNY, the city’s contactless fare system, with Citi Bike. In a letter, Hoylman-Sigal wrote, "We urge you to create a unified payment system as expeditiously as possible." The proposal aims to remove barriers for would-be Citi Bike users and address issues like vandalized QR codes. The bill is a policy proposal, not yet in committee or up for a vote. Hoylman-Sigal’s push highlights the fractured nature of New York’s fare systems, with separate payments for subways, bikes, ferries, and regional trains. While OMNY integration could streamline access, technical and financial hurdles remain. The MTA and Cubic, OMNY’s contractor, say they are reviewing expansion opportunities. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Manhattan Pol Wants OMNY to Work With Citi Bike, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06