Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

A sedan slammed into a stopped car on Victory Boulevard. The struck driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Both vehicles took heavy damage.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old woman was injured when her sedan, stopped in traffic on Victory Boulevard, was rear-ended by another sedan traveling north. The injured driver suffered whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The crash caused center back-end damage to the stopped sedan and center front-end damage to the striking vehicle. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or errors by the injured driver were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

A 17-year-old male pedestrian was struck at an intersection on Forest Avenue while crossing with the signal. He suffered a facial abrasion but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage despite front-center impact. No driver errors were recorded.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Forest Avenue at an intersection with the signal. He sustained a facial abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved struck the pedestrian at the center front end but showed no damage. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was not ejected and was in a designated crossing area. No information on the vehicle type or driver details was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 65-year-old man driving a sedan suffered chest injuries in a collision with an SUV on Castleton Avenue. The crash involved a failure to yield right-of-way. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Castleton Avenue involving a 2020 SUV traveling south and a 2017 sedan traveling east. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured with chest trauma and experienced shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV sustained damage to its center front end, while the sedan was damaged on its left front quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

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

An 11-year-old girl was struck while crossing Delafield Avenue on Staten Island. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection.

According to the police report, an 11-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Delafield Avenue on Staten Island. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The vehicle involved was a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling west, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The driver’s license status was not specified, and the vehicle had one occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650517 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

Two sedans collided on Broadway near Cary Avenue. Impact struck the Audi’s rear. A 19-year-old passenger in the back seat suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Broadway near Cary Avenue in Staten Island. The front of a Mercedes sedan hit the right rear quarter panel of an Audi sedan. A 19-year-old male passenger in the Audi’s middle rear seat was injured, suffering head trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers held valid licenses and were driving straight. The police report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The crash damaged the right front bumpers of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 25-year-old male bicyclist suffered neck injuries and whiplash in a collision with a sedan on Victory Boulevard, Staten Island. The crash occurred at 8:39 p.m. Both vehicles traveled north. The bicyclist wore a helmet and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a bicyclist was injured in a crash with a sedan on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and whiplash and was wearing a helmet at the time. Both the bike and sedan were traveling straight ahead northbound when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The sedan's point of impact was the right front bumper, but no vehicle damage was reported. The bicyclist was not ejected and was in shock following the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 75-year-old woman driver crashed her sedan into a parked Kia on Davis Avenue. She suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. Police cited driver inattention and fatigue as factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old female driver traveling north on Davis Avenue struck a parked Kia sedan. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the moving vehicle and the left rear bumper of the parked car. The driver was injured, sustaining a head contusion but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The report lists driver inattention and fatigue as contributing factors. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. No other persons were reported injured. The crash caused damage to both vehicles' front and rear panels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

A sedan crashes head-on into an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard. Glass scatters. A 14-year-old boy in the back seat bleeds from the head. He stays conscious. Sirens cut the morning. Driver inattention and inexperience mark the scene.

A sedan collided head-on with an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard near Forest Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 14-year-old boy riding in the left rear seat of the sedan suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The crash occurred at 4:27 a.m. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan struck the bus's left rear bumper, causing significant front-end damage. No injuries were reported among bus occupants. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash underscores the risks posed by driver error and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640018 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

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

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

Motorcycle struck sedan’s rear as it turned left on Richmond Terrace. Rider, 55, suffered leg injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention. Sedan’s rear quarter panel damaged. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east collided with the left rear quarter panel of a sedan making a left turn on Richmond Terrace in Staten Island. The motorcycle driver, a 55-year-old man, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and experienced shock. He was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver, a licensed woman, was the only occupant of her vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637883 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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