Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

May 21 - A late-night crash on Richmond Terrace left a 24-year-old female SUV driver injured with back pain and whiplash. The collision involved a northbound sedan making a left turn, striking the SUV’s right front bumper and causing significant damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:04 p.m. on Richmond Terrace in Staten Island. A northbound sedan, driven by a licensed male from Pennsylvania, was making a left turn when it struck the right front bumper of a northbound SUV driven by a 24-year-old licensed female from New York. The SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors after impact to the left rear quarter panel. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights dangers from distracted and inexperienced driving in multi-vehicle urban crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726532 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 18 - A sedan driver merging on Narrows Road North struck with limited sightlines. Airbags burst. The driver’s arm bruised. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt. Darkness and blocked views shaped the crash.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male sedan driver was injured while merging northbound on Narrows Road North in Staten Island at 21:23. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the main contributing factor. The driver suffered contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm. Airbags deployed. The sedan’s front end took the hit, with impact at the left front bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash stemmed from the driver merging with a blocked view, as detailed in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 15 - A collision between an SUV and a sedan on Staten Island’s Castleton Avenue injured the sedan driver. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:30 AM on Castleton Avenue in Staten Island. The collision involved a station wagon/SUV traveling south and a sedan traveling west. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. Both drivers were licensed, and no other contributing factors such as pedestrian actions or victim behavior were noted. The crash highlights driver errors related to yielding that led to this injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725029 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - A new study shows electrifying every diesel bus in America would slash pollution and greenhouse gases. The biggest gains come in dense city neighborhoods. Diesel buses choke streets with toxic air. Electric buses could clear the air and save lives.

On May 14, 2024, a Carnegie Mellon University study analyzed the impact of electrifying America’s bus fleet. The report, highlighted in Streetsblog NYC, found that replacing diesel buses with electric models could cut 40 million metric tons of greenhouse gases by 2035. The study summary states, 'America would reap massive public health and emissions-reduction benefits from electrifying its bus fleet.' Researcher Sofia Martinez said, 'We definitely need to be advocates for electrification, and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in any way we can.' The study urges more federal subsidies to speed up the transition. Even replacing aging diesel buses as they retire would cut 35 million tons of CO2. The report stresses the greatest public health gains would come from electrifying buses in the most densely populated neighborhoods, where diesel pollution hits hardest. The study calls for urgent action to protect city dwellers from toxic air.

• What Would Happen if We Electrified Every Bus in America?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-14

May 8 - A sedan slammed into an SUV’s rear on Victory Boulevard. Three people, including a child, suffered neck injuries. All were conscious. No driver errors listed. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a sedan struck the rear of an SUV on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island at 14:39. Both vehicles were heading south. Three people were hurt: the 21-year-old sedan driver, the 66-year-old SUV driver, and a 13-year-old girl riding in the SUV’s front seat. All suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and were conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, only 'unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.

On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.

• Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-08

May 6 - A 20-year-old male e-bike rider suffered contusions after a crash on Delafield Avenue. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the collision. The rider was conscious and not ejected, with right rear bumper damage noted.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male operating an e-bike on Staten Island was injured in a crash at 18:05 on Delafield Avenue. The e-bike driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred, impacting the center back end of another vehicle traveling straight south. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, cited twice for the e-bike driver. The rider sustained contusions and bruises but remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. The e-bike sustained damage to the right rear bumper, while the other vehicle showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction even among vulnerable road users themselves.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 2 - Senate bill S 9162 aims to kill congestion pricing, shake up the MTA board, and order a forensic audit. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers face more danger. Sponsor: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

Senate bill S 9162 was introduced on May 2, 2024, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill's title: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) is the primary sponsor. The bill would repeal congestion pricing, expand the MTA board, and require a forensic audit. No safety analysis was provided, but repealing congestion pricing keeps traffic thick and streets hostile for New York’s most vulnerable.

• File S 9162, Open States, Published 2024-05-02

May 1 - Fifty low-income New Yorkers now tap OMNY for Fair Fares. The 90-day pilot brings discounted rides to the MTA’s tap-and-go system. Officials promise wider rollout. Riders get easier access. The city inches toward all-door bus boarding. Barriers remain for many.

On May 1, 2024, the MTA and city officials launched a 90-day OMNY pilot for 50 Fair Fares participants. The pilot, announced by MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara, aims to expand OMNY access for low-income riders. Fair Fares gives half-priced rides to New Yorkers earning up to 120 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill’s matter: 'New Yorkers who participate in the city's half-priced transit program Fair Fares will finally be able to use OMNY.' Mayor Adams and the City Council raised eligibility last year, but advocates want broader access. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber called OMNY key for proof-of-payment checks. David Jones, Community Service Society CEO and MTA Board member, supports OMNY for Fair Fares and urges non-police fare enforcement. The pilot follows delays tied to vending machine deployment. About 800,000 New Yorkers qualify for Fair Fares, but only 331,000 are enrolled. The city and MTA plan to expand OMNY to all Fair Fares users by year’s end.

• EXCLUSIVE: OMNY Debuts on Fair Fares After Delays, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-01

Apr 24 - Assembly bill A 9877 seeks to kill congestion pricing. Sponsors want more MTA board seats and a forensic audit. No mention of safety for people on foot or bike. The car threat grows unchecked.

Assembly bill A 9877 was introduced on April 24, 2024. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill aims to repeal congestion pricing, add a new MTA board seat for each city borough, and force a forensic audit of the MTA. The matter title reads: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Assembly Members Michael Tannousis (primary), Mike Reilly, Samuel Pirozzolo, Michael Novakhov, Lester Chang, and Alec Brook-Krasny sponsor the bill. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided. The bill ignores the deadly risk cars pose to New Yorkers outside vehicles.

• File A 9877, Open States, Published 2024-04-24

Apr 22 - Two cars collided on Henderson Avenue. Both drivers were distracted. A 38-year-old man suffered a fractured shoulder. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two vehicles crashed at 14:52 on Henderson Avenue, Staten Island. A GMC SUV and a Honda sedan collided. Both drivers were cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction. The sedan’s driver, a 38-year-old man, suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for the injured driver. The sedan’s right front bumper and the SUV’s left front quarter panel were damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the risk of distraction and limited visibility on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - A Staten Island driver suffered back injuries and shock after colliding with a parked SUV while passing too closely. The impact damaged the sedan’s right front and the SUV’s rear. No ejection occurred; driver wore no safety equipment.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Staten Island’s Castleton Avenue at 4:00 AM. A 39-year-old male driver in a 2014 Nissan sedan was injured when he struck a parked 2012 Hyundai SUV. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan’s right front bumper and quarter panel were damaged upon impact with the SUV’s center back end. The driver sustained a back injury and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time. The incident highlights driver error in maintaining safe passing distance, leading to injury and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719361 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 17 - Landmarks officials cleared a new e-bike hub for delivery workers outside City Hall. The vote was 8-1. The hub replaces an empty newsstand. It offers charging, rest, and repairs. Community Board 1 objected. The project moves forward after delays and pushback.

On April 17, 2024, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved a delivery worker e-bike hub outside City Hall by a vote of 8-1. The matter, described as a 'federally funded delivery worker charging station and rest stop,' required LPC review due to its location in a historic district. The project is backed by federal funds secured by Sen. Chuck Schumer. Commissioner Jeanne Lutfy said, 'People need to make a living, they need to make a safe living, and they need to be able to recharge batteries, they need to be able to rest.' Vice Chair Frederick Bland voiced support for the hub's function and design. Commissioner Mark Ginsberg suggested minor design changes. Manhattan Community Board 1 opposed the plan, citing sidewalk encroachment and lack of restrooms. The Parks Department will contract the Workers Justice Project to staff the hub. The project faced delays but is now set to open in late fall. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Landmarks Officials OK Delivery Worker Hub Outside City Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-17

Apr 15 - A 31-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV making a left turn on Staten Island. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s left front bumper. The bicyclist remained conscious but was bruised and injured.

According to the police report, the crash happened on Staten Island at 22:30 on Castleton Avenue near Kissel Avenue. A 31-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was struck by a southbound 2019 Hyundai SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as 3. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report lists the contributing factors for the bicyclist as unspecified and does not specify any contributing factors for the SUV driver. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. The collision highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to bicyclists traveling straight through intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - Manhattan’s bike network is broken. Eleven miles of missing lanes leave cyclists exposed. Most deaths happen outside protected lanes. The city promised more, but progress stalls. Riders want safety, not scattered paint. The call: connect the gaps, save lives.

This opinion piece, published April 15, 2024, urges the city to address gaps in Manhattan’s protected bike lane network. The article highlights that only 3 percent of streets have protected lanes, and 94 percent of cyclist deaths occur outside them. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is required to build 50 miles of protected lanes per year but has missed targets. The author writes, 'quality matters over quantity,' arguing that well-integrated lanes save more lives than disconnected stretches. The piece maps 11.7 miles of missing protected lanes below 60th Street, calling for a one-time investment to connect the Central Business District. The author urges DOT to prioritize quality infrastructure, not just numbers. No council members are named; this is a public call to action.

• Opinion: Connect the Dots of Manhattan’s Missing Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-15

Apr 9 - The FARES Act would slash commuter rail fares for low-income New Yorkers. Riders trapped by high prices could reach Manhattan or Brooklyn in half the time. The bill targets the city’s transit deserts, unlocking faster, fairer travel for working-class families.

The FARES Act, now in the State Senate’s one-house budget, aims to expand Fair Fares to the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North within New York City. The bill would create a weekly CityTicket and extend discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. The matter summary reads: 'Expand Half-Priced Fares to Unlock Commuter Rail for Working Class New Yorkers.' Samuel Santaella, an eastern Queens resident, voices strong support: 'Expanding Fair Fares to include the LIRR would revolutionize my options.' The proposal is backed by Riders Alliance and other advocates. No formal council vote has occurred. The act would cut trip times for outerborough residents and make fast, safe rail travel affordable for thousands.

• OPINION: Expand Half-Priced Fares to Unlock Commuter Rail for Working Class New Yorkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-09

Apr 7 - A Staten Island sedan overturned after a collision involving multiple vehicles. The driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and limited view as key factors in the crash at Forest Avenue.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near 652 Forest Avenue in Staten Island at 4 p.m. The collision involved three vehicles: two sedans and one SUV. The driver of the overturned sedan, a 32-year-old man, sustained injuries to his entire body and complained of whiplash. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. The sedan overturned upon impact, with damage noted to its right front quarter panel. The other vehicles involved included a Nissan sedan merging eastbound and a Chrysler SUV traveling westbound. Both other vehicles sustained damage to their left quarter panels. The police report focuses on driver errors, specifically failure to yield and limited visibility, as causes of the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19