Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

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

Box truck turned too fast. It struck a parked pickup. The pickup’s driver, a 55-year-old woman, suffered knee and leg injuries. Unsafe speed fueled the crash. Metal bent. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a box truck making a right turn on Lafayette Avenue in Staten Island hit a parked pickup truck. The pickup’s driver, a 55-year-old woman, was injured in her knee and lower leg and was semiconscious after the crash. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The box truck’s right rear bumper and the pickup’s center back end were damaged. A sedan going straight was also involved, striking with its right front bumper, but no injuries were reported from that vehicle. The injured woman was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

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

A sedan making a left turn hit a parked SUV on Sunnyside Terrace in Staten Island. The sedan’s driver, a 28-year-old man, suffered bruises and arm injuries. The SUV was damaged on its left front quarter panel. No ejections reported.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male driver in a sedan was injured when his vehicle collided with a parked SUV on Sunnyside Terrace, Staten Island. The sedan was making a left turn and struck the SUV’s left front quarter panel. The driver sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The parked SUV was damaged on its left front quarter panel. No other occupants or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667432 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

Port Authority will spend $8.3 million to study widening the Outerbridge Crossing. Critics warn more lanes mean more cars, not less congestion. Officials promise to consider a path for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge remains dangerous for all who cross.

On September 22, 2023, the Port Authority approved an $8.3 million study to examine widening the Outerbridge Crossing, as required by a 2021 state law. The study, led by HDR, will look at expanding the bridge’s narrow lanes to meet federal standards and possibly adding more lanes. The matter summary states the goal is to 'relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.' State Senator Andrew Lanza pushed for the study, calling the bridge 'very narrow therefore very dangerous.' Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton acknowledged induced demand and said the study will consider all options, including a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians. Former Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz opposed widening, urging investment in public transit instead. The study’s outcome could shape the future safety of vulnerable road users crossing between Staten Island and New Jersey.

• Madness: Port Authority Will Spend $8.3M to ‘Study’ Widening Outerbridge Crossing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-22

A sedan struck an e-scooter on Broadway. Two 19-year-old males were ejected and injured. Driver inattention and improper lane use caused the crash. The street failed to protect its most vulnerable.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Broadway collided with an e-scooter carrying two 19-year-old males. Both scooter riders were ejected. The driver suffered facial abrasions. The passenger endured a fractured face and dislocation. The sedan's left side doors took the impact. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash left both young riders injured, underscoring the danger of driver distraction and improper lane use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677345 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

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

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

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

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

A 14-year-old boy riding a bike east on Forest Avenue was injured. He suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The boy was conscious and not ejected. The crash involved a vehicle making a right turn westbound. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old male bicyclist traveling east on Forest Avenue was injured in a crash involving a vehicle making a right turn westbound. The bicyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The vehicle involved showed no damage. The bicyclist was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors or helmet use as factors. No damage was recorded on either vehicle. The crash highlights risks faced by young bicyclists in traffic with turning vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658469 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A distracted sedan driver struck a 22-year-old cyclist making a left turn on Jersey Street. The cyclist was ejected, suffered head wounds, and was left semiconscious. No vehicle damage reported. Streets remain dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Jersey Street in Staten Island as both made left turns. The 22-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries, leaving him semiconscious and bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan driver, a licensed female, was operating the vehicle at the time. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and was unlicensed, as noted after the driver error. This crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

A 34-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected and injured on Staten Island. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. Alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. The motorcycle showed no damage at the front end.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male motorcycle driver was traveling northbound on VanDuzer Street in Staten Island when the crash occurred. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle, a 2013 KTM, showed no damage to the center front end. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the impact. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07