Another Child Dead. Leaders Shrug. How Many More Before They Act?

DOT failed to build required bike and bus lanes in 2022. Riders and advocates condemned the shortfall. Staff shortages fueled the lapse. City Council demanded action. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The city’s promise to protect them remains unkept.

On December 27, 2022, the Department of Transportation confirmed it would not meet the legal mandate to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes and 20 miles of dedicated bus lanes, as required by the Streets Plan. The agency completed only 25 miles of bike lanes and 11.95 miles of bus lanes. The matter, titled 'DOT Will Not Reach Required Bike and Bus Lane Requirements This Year,' drew sharp criticism from Riders Alliance and Transportation Alternatives. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance said, 'The Adams administration is many miles wide of the mark when it comes to complying with the Streets Plan and keeping the mayor's promise to millions of riders.' Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives added, 'The city needs to meet these goals without delay or excuse and stop leaving New Yorkers who walk, bike, and bus behind.' A City Council spokesperson blamed staff shortages and unfilled vacancies, calling the situation 'unacceptable.' The Council urged the administration to fill key roles and meet legal requirements. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders—bear the brunt of these failures.

• BREAKING: DOT Will Not Reach Required Bike and Bus Lane Requirements This Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-27

Pedestrian deaths hit a forty-year high in 2021. SUVs kill more walkers, especially children. Vehicle-into-building crashes devastate. Autonomous cars fail to solve the crisis. Marginalized communities bear the brunt. The car culture’s toll grows. The numbers are grim. The danger is real.

The Streetsie Awards 2022, published December 27, 2022 by Streetsblog NYC, highlights the year’s worst setbacks for vulnerable road users. The commentary notes, 'the stats on 2021's pedestrian death crisis came out not too long ago, and they were awful. As in, the-worst-they-been-in-40-years awful.' No council bill or vote is attached, but the piece draws on federal data and expert analysis. It singles out SUVs as a main threat: drivers are four times more likely to strike pedestrians while turning, and children hit by SUVs are eight times more likely to die than if struck by smaller cars. The article also exposes the frequency and devastation of vehicle-into-building crashes and the false promise of autonomous vehicles. It underscores how car culture’s burdens fall hardest on marginalized communities. The message is clear: systemic danger persists, and the most vulnerable pay the price.

• The Streetsie Awards 2022: The Biggest Bummers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-27

Congress set aside $45 million for bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails. The sum falls short. Advocates wanted more. Only big projects qualify. Most communities see nothing. Lawmakers call it a start. The need is vast. The money is not.

The 2022 federal funding bill, part of the $1.7-trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, allocates $45 million to the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. The bill awaits final passage to avoid a government shutdown. The measure aims to 'address gaps in bike lane, sidewalk, and multi-use trail networks.' Brandi Horton of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy called it 'a major victory' but stressed the need for more funding. Congress authorized up to $200 million per year, but only $45 million was delivered for 2023—less than 10 percent of what advocates requested. Projects must cost over $15 million to qualify, leaving most communities behind. A survey found $7 billion in unmet needs for active transportation. Lawmakers included $1.6 billion in transportation earmarks, but most funds still go to highways. Vulnerable road users remain underserved.

• Federal Funding Bill Contains $45M for New Active Transportation Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

MTA leaders warn: no new money, no full service. Peak hour cuts, longer waits. Riders and workers brace for frustration. Advocates and lawmakers push Albany to fill the gap. The board’s budget opens the door to fare hikes and more pain.

""In order to ensure New Yorkers have a transit system that works for them, we have to fill the MTA's financial shortfall and ensure against service cuts and or fare hikes. We have to fix the rot at the heart of the transit system, which means we have to pass the package of bills known as the 'Fix the MTA.'"" -- Charles Fall

On December 22, 2022, MTA leaders announced that without recurring state funding, service cuts are inevitable. The MTA Board approved a 2023 budget allowing fare hikes and service changes, pending Albany’s action. Chairman Janno Lieber said, "All good things can happen if people are willing to pay for them, or help figure out recurring funding sources, which is what MTA needs to achieve fiscal stability." New York City Transit President Richard Davey explained that peak hour service would be trimmed, with modest increases in wait times, while some weekend service would expand. Transit advocates and union leaders, including Richard Davis, condemned the cuts, warning of increased rider frustration and assaults on workers. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani urged passage of bills to freeze fares and fill the MTA’s fiscal gap, stating, "We have to fix the rot at the heart of the transit system." No formal safety analyst assessment was provided, but the debate centers on the risk to riders and workers if service shrinks.

• MTA Bosses Say Albany Can Pay to Keep Full Service Five Days Per Week, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

A 39-year-old woman was injured crossing Forest Avenue with the signal. A sedan making a right turn struck her in the abdomen and pelvis. The driver was unlicensed, inexperienced, and distracted. The pedestrian suffered abrasions but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Forest Avenue at an intersection with the signal when a 2012 Ford sedan made a right turn and struck her. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her abdomen and pelvis, including abrasions, and remained conscious. The driver was unlicensed and traveling northwest. Contributing factors listed include driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

For decades, Albany has siphoned nearly $5 billion from the MTA. The state calls transit taxes its own contribution, shortchanging riders. Lawmakers and watchdogs demand an end to the shell game. The governor stalls. Riders pay the price in service and safety.

This state budgetary action, revealed December 20, 2022, exposes New York’s long-running diversion of dedicated transit funds from the MTA. Under the 1975 18-b law, the state must match local funding for public transit. Instead, since 1995, Albany has counted regional transit taxes as its own share, leaving a $4.9 billion shortfall. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli criticizes the practice: 'the state has used a portion of these resources... rather than using General Fund revenues as originally intended.' Assembly Member Amy Paulin, chair of the Corporations Committee, insists, 'we don’t have to justify funding the MTA adequately. It is very justified.' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany calls for an end to 'raiding dedicated funds.' The governor’s office has not pledged to stop. The result: less money for transit, more danger for those who rely on it.

• Revealed: State Pols Underfund Transit With Underhanded Move, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-20

Two sedans crashed head-on on Staten Island’s Victory Boulevard. Both vehicles hit with left front bumpers. A one-year-old passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injury. The driver’s use of a hand-held cell phone contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling in opposite directions on Victory Boulevard collided frontally. The impact occurred at the left front bumpers of both vehicles. A one-year-old male passenger in the right rear seat was injured with whiplash and injuries to his entire body. The child was restrained in a child safety seat and was not ejected. The report lists the driver’s use of a hand-held cell phone as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the part of the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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

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

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

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

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

A 53-year-old man was struck while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, hit him center front. The pedestrian suffered bruises and leg injuries. The driver was distracted. The crash left the man conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Willow Road East. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2012 Toyota sedan, making a left turn, struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling northeast. No other factors such as helmet use or pedestrian error were noted. The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision but suffered significant leg injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A distracted driver rear-ended an SUV on Victory Boulevard. The crash left a 58-year-old man with neck injuries. Impact was hard. Traffic stopped. No escape. System failed him.

According to the police report, three SUVs traveled west on Victory Boulevard. The lead SUV stopped in traffic. The second SUV slowed behind it. The third SUV, driven by a distracted motorist, failed to stop and struck the second vehicle from behind. The 58-year-old male driver of the middle SUV suffered neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. No other errors or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587248 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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

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

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

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

A sedan struck a 48-year-old woman crossing Manor Road with the signal. She suffered a concussion and upper arm injury. The driver showed inattention and distraction. The crash left the pedestrian injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Manor Road struck a pedestrian crossing at the intersection with North Gannon Avenue. The pedestrian, a 48-year-old woman, was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. She sustained a concussion and an upper arm injury and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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