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

Dec 14 - Researchers urge cities to fix automated enforcement. Place cameras where crashes happen. Scale fines to income. Spend revenue on safer streets, not police. Use clear messaging. These steps cut danger for people walking and biking. Cameras alone are not enough.

This policy analysis, published December 14, 2022, reviews recommendations for automated enforcement programs. The study, titled "Four Ways To Build A Better Automated Enforcement Program," surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults about traffic cameras. Researchers, including Kelcie Ralph, urge cities to use data-driven camera placement, scale fines to income, and spend revenue on self-enforcing infrastructure like road narrowing. They warn against using cameras as cash cows or funding police and private contractors. The report states: "The purpose of [automated enforcement] is to improve safety, not catch unsuspecting drivers." Ralph adds, "They need to be in places with known safety risks, and it should be a data driven process." The analysis calls for shifting control to transportation departments and removing jail time for unpaid fines. These changes aim to protect vulnerable road users and make streets safer for all.

• Four Ways To Build A Better Automated Enforcement Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 14 - Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 13 - The Public Design Commission calls for streets built for people, not cars. Their report highlights how open streets and community-led design boost health and reclaim space. The city’s past favored cars. The future, they say, must center wellness and equity.

On December 13, 2022, the New York City Public Design Commission released a policy advocacy statement titled, "Opinion: We Must Put Wellness at the Center of Public Space Design." The report, "Designing New York: Streetscapes for Wellness," urges a shift from car-centric planning to public spaces that serve people. The statement notes, "streets are arguably one of the city’s most readily accessed and underutilized public resources." The Commission, in collaboration with city agencies and advocacy groups, showcases case studies where open streets and community-driven design improved health and access. The report criticizes decades of planning that prioritized cars and blocked communities from vital spaces. It calls for equity, local engagement, and innovation in street design. No council member is named; this is a commission-led initiative. The statement supports reallocating street space and opposes car-first planning, pushing for a city where wellness and safety come first.

• Opinion: We Must Put Wellness at the Center of Public Space Design, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-13

Dec 13 - The Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now has a tough, weatherproof cover. Cyclists no longer risk slipping or punctured tires on metal grates. Council Member Julie Won joined DOT and others to push the project. Riders get a safer, smoother crossing.

"It was very important for people to have access to greenspace, especially during the pandemic this project will allow bikers to ride in ease and comfort, you no longer have to worry that you might slip off the bridge and fall into the river." -- Charles Fall

On December 13, 2022, Council Member Julie Won (District 26) joined city officials to mark the completion of a DOT pilot project covering the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane. The project, coordinated with Council Member Julie Menin, used fiber-reinforced polymer panels to shield riders from the bridge’s hazardous metal grating. The official matter: 'Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride.' Won praised the project’s quick finish and its promise of safer, more comfortable biking. DOT and community leaders noted the new surface prevents slips and flats, separating cyclists from traffic. The $100,000 upgrade, never before used in New York, aims to keep vulnerable road users out of harm’s way.

• Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane now covered for a safer, smoother ride, amny.com, Published 2022-12-13

Dec 12 - DOT will not meet the law’s bus lane goals. Staff shortages and budget cuts choke progress. Riders wait. Commutes crawl. Promises break. The city’s most vulnerable—bus riders—are left stranded by inaction and empty pledges.

The Streets Plan law, passed by the City Council in 2019, requires DOT to build 20 miles of new bus lanes in 2022 and 30 miles each year for the next four years. As of December 2022, DOT had built only 7.7 miles, with 4.2 miles of new camera-enforced lanes and 7.3 miles under construction. The agency cites staff shortages and budget cuts as the main obstacles. Council members and advocates, including Riders Alliance and the City Council, have condemned the delays and called staff shortages 'unacceptable.' Mayor Adams’s administration has revised its promise, now counting 'enhanced' lanes, not just new ones. DOT spokesman Vin Barone insists the agency intends to meet 2023 goals, but specifics are lacking. The law has no enforcement provision. The city’s one million daily bus riders, many low-income and people of color, continue to suffer slow, unreliable service.

• DOT Expects to Miss Targets for New Bus Lanes, Sources Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12

Nov 25 - A Staten Island driver crashed into a parked sedan on Victory Boulevard. The driver suffered facial injuries and shock. Police cited alcohol involvement and unsafe speed. The parked car was damaged on its left rear bumper. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a male driver on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island collided with a parked sedan. The driver, aged 49, was injured with facial wounds and experienced shock. The report lists alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The moving vehicle struck the parked car's left rear bumper with its right front bumper. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. The crash caused injury to the driver but no injuries to others. Driver errors include alcohol involvement and unsafe speed, which led to the collision with the stationary vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 25 - MTA’s customer survey skews results. Riders forced to rate safety based on homelessness and erratic behavior. Biased questions fuel false narratives. Real safety data lost. Riders left unheard. Subway danger misunderstood. Systemic flaws persist. Riders pay the price.

On November 25, 2022, a public critique targeted the MTA’s Customers Count Survey. The survey, administered by WBA Research, asked riders to rate satisfaction with conditions like panhandling and homelessness, but gave no room for context. The matter summary states, 'the survey was flawed and would produce biased results.' The critique opposes the narrative that subway danger comes from vulnerable people, and warns that these results justify more police, not real safety. No council bill or committee is involved; this is a public challenge to MTA’s data practices. The author notes, 'the authority is failing to collect key data that it can use to actually improve people’s experience using transit.' Riders’ voices are lost. The system’s real dangers remain unaddressed.

• Survey Says: Here’s Why the MTA Thinks You Don’t Feel Safe on the Subway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

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 4 - Two sedans collided on Bay Street. Both drivers and a passenger suffered neck injuries. Police cite improper turning and failure to keep right. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. The street stayed hard.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Bay Street, Staten Island. The driver of a Dodge was making a left turn when it collided with a Ford traveling straight. Both drivers and a passenger were injured, all suffering neck whiplash. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Keep Right' as contributing factors. The passenger was in the middle front seat and wore a lap belt and harness. No one was ejected. Both vehicles took damage to their front bumpers. The crash shows how driver errors in turning and lane position led to injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579021 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 30 - Two sedans collided on Bay Street. One driver changed lanes unsafely. The other went straight. Impact hit front bumpers. A 31-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. He was restrained and not ejected. Shock and pain followed the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Bay Street near Victory Boulevard. One vehicle was traveling straight south when the other attempted an unsafe lane change. The collision occurred at the right front bumper of the first sedan and the left front bumper of the second. A 31-year-old male driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma. He was not ejected but experienced shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579642 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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