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

Cars poison New York. Emissions kill 1,400 city residents each year—more than crashes. Noise from traffic warps bodies and minds. Walking brings health, sanity, and community. Electric cars do not solve the core danger. Streets remain deadly. Walking saves lives.

This policy advocacy, published November 15, 2022, revisits the impact of car dependency a decade after 'Walkable City.' The article, titled 'Walkable City 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought,' draws on studies showing road emissions cause 53,000 early deaths annually in the U.S., with 1,400 in New York City alone. Healthcare costs from vehicle emissions top $21 billion per year in the city. The piece highlights that electric vehicles do not eliminate most toxic emissions, which come from tires and non-tailpipe sources. Traffic noise increases risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. The article quotes, 'People who walk 8.6 minutes a day are 33 percent more likely to report better mental health.' It argues that walking and biking foster stronger communities and civic engagement, while car traffic breeds isolation and danger. No council member is named; this is a broad policy critique, not a legislative action.

• <i>Walkable City</I> 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Philadelphia will fix or install 10,000 curb ramps after a lawsuit. The city dragged its feet for decades. Disabled residents faced danger, isolation, and injury. Officials acted only after being sued. Sidewalks beyond ramps remain neglected. Justice came slow, hard-fought.

On November 7, 2022, Philadelphia settled a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019, agreeing to install or repair 10,000 curb ramps over 15 years—at least 2,000 every three years. The city must keep these ramps in working order, but sidewalks beyond the ramps are excluded. The matter, titled 'Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?', highlights the city's long resistance to basic ADA compliance. Plaintiffs like Fran Fulton said, 'They're responding to our needs now because we sued them.' Disability Rights Advocates attorney Meredith Weaver called the process 'hard-fought,' noting that leaders' inaction led to injuries and isolation. Weaver stressed that proactive, well-funded sidewalk networks—not lawsuits—would better protect people with mobility challenges. This settlement forces overdue action, but leaves many sidewalks unsafe.

• Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

DOT will take two car lanes on Washington Bridge for a protected bike lane and a bus lane. Cyclists and bus riders get space. Pedestrians breathe easier. Community board backs the plan. Car drivers lose parking. The city moves to fix a deadly gap.

On November 9, 2022, the Department of Transportation proposed repurposing two car lanes on the Washington Bridge for a two-way protected bike lane and a dedicated bus lane. The plan was presented to Manhattan Community Board 12's Traffic and Transportation committee, which gave unanimous advisory support. The DOT aims to install the changes by summer or early fall 2023. The proposal states: 'The city wants to repurpose a pair of car lanes on the Washington Bridge uptown for a two-way bike lane and a bus lane next year, giving a dedicated space to cyclists who are currently forced to share extremely narrow paths with pedestrians.' Lucia Deng, a Transportation Alternatives activist, called the move 'huge,' noting the Bronx and Upper Manhattan have long been neglected. DOT planner Patrick Kennedy said, 'We try to maintain the protected connections as much as possible. They really only work if they’re continuous.' The plan removes 20 parking spaces but connects vital bike and bus routes, giving thousands of non-drivers safer passage.

• DOT Proposes Protected Bike Path, Bus Lane for Washington Bridge (The Other One), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

A University of Washington study finds permanent daylight savings time could save 33 human lives and 36,550 deer yearly. Fewer crashes happen when commutes end before dark. Earlier Rutgers research showed a 13 percent drop in pedestrian deaths at dusk and dawn.

On November 9, 2022, a research report published in Current Biology examined the impact of permanent daylight savings time on road safety. The study, led by University of Washington researchers, argues that 'rolling back the clocks in November may give millions of Americans an extra hour of sleep, but it also costs human and animal lives on U.S. roads that could be saved by making daylight savings time permanent.' The report found that keeping daylight savings time year-round could prevent 33 human deaths and 36,550 deer deaths annually by reducing crashes during dark hours, especially at peak commute times. A 2004 Rutgers study cited in the report found permanent daylight savings time would cut pedestrian deaths by about 13 percent during dusk and dawn. The researchers stress that systemic changes—like mandatory streetlights, traffic-calming infrastructure, and wildlife crossings—are also needed to protect vulnerable road users and wildlife.

• Research: Permanent Daylight Savings Time Could Save Human and Animal Lives on Our Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Paseo Park on 34th Avenue turned a deadly street into a safe haven. In two years, no one has died. Injuries to walkers and cyclists have plunged. The city eyes making it permanent. Council Member Moya blocks expansion. The numbers speak: lives saved.

This report covers the transformation of 34th Avenue into Paseo Park, an open street project in Queens. The project, now two years old as of October 25, 2022, has slashed traffic deaths and injuries. The matter summary states: 'the street has become much safer for all users as it has created dignified public space for all residents.' Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez led the ribbon-cutting. City officials are moving to make the changes permanent. In the last two years, there have been zero traffic deaths on 34th Avenue and a 43 percent drop in crashes in the surrounding area. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries have dropped by half, even as usage soared. Council Member Francisco Moya has not supported expanding Paseo Park into his district, leaving the project stalled at the border. The data show: open streets save lives, cut injuries, and give neighborhoods space to breathe.

• NUMBER CRUNCH: ‘Paseo Park’ is Already a Success Story, Defying Screaming Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

Two sedans crashed head-on on Victory Boulevard. Both drivers suffered full-body injuries and shock. Both were restrained by lap belts and not ejected. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor. Damage hit front ends of both vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Victory Boulevard near North Gannon Avenue. Both drivers, a 53-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man, were injured with internal complaints and full-body trauma. Both were wearing lap belts and remained inside their vehicles. The crash involved front-end impacts on both cars. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. Both drivers experienced shock and were not ejected. The collision caused significant damage to the front bumpers of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Large vehicles kill. Their size crushes, their height blinds. A tax on these machines would slow the arms race. Money raised could build safer streets. Fewer SUVs, fewer deaths. The danger is clear. The fix is simple. Lawmakers must act.

This policy advocacy, highlighted at the 2022 Vision Zero Cities conference, calls for taxing large vehicles to protect vulnerable road users. The proposal, supported by Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog NYC, urges policymakers to use tax revenue to fund safer infrastructure. The article states, 'one efficient policy would be to tax large vehicles and use the revenue to build the infrastructure needed for safer streets.' The analysis draws a direct line between the rise of SUVs and pickups and the surge in pedestrian deaths. It notes that the largest vehicles are the deadliest, especially for those on foot or bike. The piece argues that taxing these vehicles would not only discourage their use but also shift the burden of their societal costs back onto their owners. The model follows Washington, D.C.'s recent move to scale registration fees by vehicle size and dedicate funds to safety programs. The message is blunt: fewer giant vehicles, more lives saved.

• Vision Zero Cities: The Case for Taxing Large Vehicles, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

A Jeep crashed into an ambulance on Jewett Avenue. The impact was hard. A woman in the back of the ambulance died. Others suffered neck injuries. The driver ignored a traffic signal. The street was quiet. The loss was sudden.

A Jeep struck the rear of an eastbound ambulance on Jewett Avenue near Maine Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, 'A Jeep slammed into the back of an eastbound ambulance. Inside, a 35-year-old woman lay in the rear. She never got out. The light was ignored. Her head struck something hard. She died before sunrise.' The crash killed the 35-year-old woman and injured several others, including passengers and both drivers, who suffered neck injuries. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to obey a traffic signal. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A Dodge sedan tore down Jewett Avenue. A woman crossed the street. The car struck her head. She fell. She died where she landed. The street was quiet. The speed was not.

A 35-year-old woman was killed on Jewett Avenue near Keiber Court in Staten Island. According to the police report, a Dodge sedan traveling north struck her with its right front bumper as she crossed the street. The impact caused fatal head and internal injuries. The driver, a 38-year-old man, was not reported injured. Police listed 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors were cited for the pedestrian. The report does not mention any helmet or signal use. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of excessive speed for people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574548 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A truck driver killed Kala Santiago on a no-truck route. He passed too close, failed to yield, and faced no charges. The city lacks a three-foot passing law. A 2019 bill to fix this died in committee. Cyclists remain exposed. Justice denied.

In 2019, then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez introduced a bill requiring drivers to keep a minimum three-foot distance when overtaking cyclists. The bill, supported by NYPD and DOT, never reached a vote before Rodriguez’s term ended and has not been reassigned. The bill summary states it 'would require drivers of motor vehicles to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking a bicycle.' Rodriguez sponsored the bill. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig and Steve Vaccaro criticized the lack of enforcement and the absence of a defined safe passing law, noting that most of the country already has such protections. Flanzig called the law essential to prevent tragedies like the death of Kala Santiago, who was killed by a truck driver on Parkside Avenue. Without this law, cyclists remain at risk, and drivers rarely face consequences.

• No Charges for Truck Driver Who Killed Cyclist Despite Being on a No-Truck Route and Failing to Yield, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-14

A Brooklyn woman walked to yoga. A driver struck her in a crosswalk. Metal met flesh. Pain followed. The police blamed her. The driver sent a sorry note. She joined the ranks of thousands hurt each year. Streets stay dangerous. Victims carry the weight.

On October 5, 2022, a personal testimony on pedestrian safety and traffic violence was published by Streetsblog NYC. The account details a crash: 'I was hit by a car driver while on my way to a yoga class in my Brooklyn neighborhood.' The driver struck the pedestrian in a crosswalk. Council action is not involved, but the testimony exposes systemic failure. Police blamed the victim: 'The police report blamed the victim: I caused my own pain.' The driver offered an apology, but took no responsibility. The story highlights the normalization of danger for pedestrians and the lack of driver accountability. No safety analyst assessment is available, but the narrative underscores the daily toll of car violence and the routine victim-blaming that follows.

• The Day I Was Hit By a Driver Changed My Life, And My City, Forever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05

A 63-year-old woman was struck on Forest Avenue while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Forest Avenue made a left turn and struck a 63-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a contusion to her hip and upper leg and was conscious after the collision. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569712 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

DC Council’s transit bill moves. Committee votes yes. Every resident gets $100 monthly for Metro. Funds target bus, streetcar, and neighborhoods left behind. Lawmakers say it’s costly, but worth it. Riders wait for better, cheaper, fairer service.

The Metro for DC Amendment Act of 2021 advanced on October 3, 2022, with a unanimous vote by the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment. The bill promises, as its summary states, to put '$100 per month on District residents' SmarTrip cards' and to invest millions in bus and streetcar improvements, especially for underserved neighborhoods. Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) introduced the bill, joined in support by Christina Henderson (At-large) and Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4). Committee Chair Mary Cheh (Ward 3) acknowledged the program’s high cost—an estimated $163 million in fiscal year 2025—but called the community benefit 'more than worth it.' The bill also creates a $10 million Transit Equity fund. The measure now heads to the Committee of the Whole for further review and two rounds of voting. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has not yet scheduled a hearing.

• DC May Soon Give Every Resident $100 Per Month For Transit, Improve Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-03

Oswald Feliz halted DOT’s Fordham Road bus lane. He demanded a year’s pause. The move stalls safer, faster transit. Thousands of daily bus riders wait. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Cars keep ruling the street. The city’s promise fades.

On October 2, 2022, Councilmember Oswald Feliz of District 15 opposed the Department of Transportation’s plan to convert segments of Fordham Road to bus and delivery-only lanes. Feliz asked DOT to pause the redesign for at least 12 months, citing concerns about traffic diversion and business impacts. The matter, reported as 'Eric Adams’ ambitious bus lane plans hit roadblock on NYC’s Fordham Road,' details how Feliz’s opposition blocks a key part of Mayor Adams’ pledge to build 20 new miles of bus lanes. DOT’s proposal aimed to restrict private vehicle traffic and prioritize buses and deliveries, a move supported by transit advocates and local polls. But Feliz’s action keeps the status quo: crowded streets, slow buses, and danger for those outside cars. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Eric Adams’ ambitious bus lane plans hit roadblock on NYC’s Fordham Road, nypost.com, Published 2022-10-02

Skillman Avenue’s protected bike lane sparked outrage. Critics warned of empty shops and lost jobs. But after the lane went in, business grew. Sales rose 12 percent. Crashes fell by nearly a quarter. The street got safer. The warnings proved hollow.

This report covers the installation of a protected bike lane on Skillman Avenue in Queens, completed in fall 2018. The project faced fierce opposition, with critics predicting economic ruin for local businesses. Streetsblog obtained sales tax data from the Department of Finance, showing that, after the bike lane went in, Skillman Avenue’s main commercial stretch saw a 12 percent increase in sales and a net gain of three businesses. The article states: 'The economy of Skillman Avenue grew after the city built the new lane.' Department of Transportation spokeswoman Mona Bruno praised the redesign, saying, 'It's thrilling to see the neighborhood flourish with safer and more sustainable streets.' Crash data show a 24 percent drop in crashes and a 28 percent drop in injuries after installation. The findings challenge the myth that bike lanes hurt business and highlight the safety gains for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Business Grew After Controversial Bike Lane Installed, Data Show, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-30

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams rejects outdoor dining in parking lanes. She calls for sidewalk-only setups, ignoring cramped sidewalks and city data. Her stance favors car storage over public space. Council Member Bottcher and advocates push back, demanding streets for people.

On September 28, 2022, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made a public statement opposing the use of parking lanes for outdoor dining. The matter, discussed at a Citizens Union breakfast, centered on the future of the Open Restaurants program. Adams said, "Outdoor dining, in my perspective, should be sidewalk. The street extensions were designed to be temporary." The City Council is currently developing legislation to allow restaurants to use parking lanes, but Adams’s comments signal resistance. Council Member Erik Bottcher countered, calling the use of road space for dining "an overall positive development." Adams’s stance ignores the reality that most city sidewalks are too narrow for sidewalk-only dining, squeezing pedestrians and limiting restaurant survival. Advocates and groups like Transportation Alternatives and Open Plans criticized her position, urging the Council to reclaim public space from cars and support vibrant, safe streets for all.

• Council Speaker Makes Her Choice: Car Storage over Diners and Restauranteurs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-28

D.C. council moved to ban right turns on red. The Safer Intersections Act passed a unanimous preliminary vote. Cyclists could yield at lights. Pedestrians and cyclists face fewer deadly turns. The law targets a decades-old danger. Final approval and Congressional sign-off still needed.

Bill B22-0000, known as the Safer Intersections Act, advanced in the Washington, D.C. council with a unanimous preliminary vote on September 28, 2022. The bill, under committee review, would prohibit right turns on red except at designated intersections and allow cyclists to treat stoplights as yield signs. The matter summary states the act 'will prohibit right-on-reds except at designated intersections.' Council Member Christina Henderson acknowledged the controversy, highlighting that 'the vast majority of [traffic violence] incidents are occurring in communities of color.' Advocates and council members argue the ban will reduce deadly 'right-hook' crashes, especially as large vehicles create blind zones. The bill awaits a final vote and Congressional approval, aiming to protect vulnerable road users and address longstanding inequities in traffic violence.

• Advocates Hope D.C.’s Proposed Right-On-Red Ban Will Inspire National Reform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-28

Sanitation’s ‘Clean Curbs’ bins land on Staten Island. Trash moves off sidewalks. Curb space shifts from cars to public use. The city eyes more locations. Streets get less cluttered. Pedestrians gain room. The program grows, block by block.

On September 27, 2022, the Department of Sanitation announced the expansion of its 'Clean Curbs' pilot program to Staten Island, with a new installation at 704 Bay St. The initiative, previously launched in Times Square and Brooklyn, containerizes commercial trash to clear sidewalks of leaky bags. The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce received a $3,500 grant for the project, which uses bins from CITIBIN, a Brooklyn-based woman-owned business. DSNY spokesman Vincent Gragnani said, 'Use of bins in these two different locations...will improve quality of life in these locations, while helping us learn more about containerized trash in a variety of New York City settings.' The program also repurposes curbside space for public use—like loading zones and parklets—instead of private car storage, freeing up sidewalks for pedestrians.

• Sanitation Dept’s ‘Clean Curbs’ Program Spreads to Staten Island, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-27

City Hall missed the mark. Only 6.9 of 30 promised bike lane miles built. Just 2 of 20 bus lane miles delivered. Advocates say the Bronx is left behind. Riders and walkers wait. Promises broken. Streets stay dangerous. Progress stalls. Lives at risk.

On September 26, 2022, advocacy groups Transportation Alternatives and Riders Alliance released a report slamming the Adams administration for failing to meet the NYC Streets Master Plan’s legal mandates. The report states, 'the city is at only 23% of its bike lane goal and 10% of its bus lane goal for the year.' Elizabeth Adams called for protected bike lanes, saying, 'For the future of our climate and the safety on our streets, protected bike lanes need to be a priority.' Danny Pearlstein demanded faster action on bus lanes. Michael Kaess highlighted the Bronx’s lack of progress. The Department of Transportation disputed the numbers, but advocates pointed to missed deadlines and lack of transparency. Staffing shortages and political interference are blamed. Vulnerable road users—cyclists, bus riders, pedestrians—remain exposed as the city drags its feet.

• New Report Shows Mayor Does Not ‘Get Stuff Done’ for Bus Riders, Cyclists, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-26

Electric cars promise cleaner air. But the rise of pickups and SUVs drowns out progress. Heavier, dirtier vehicles clog streets and pump out carbon. Loopholes let automakers dodge real cuts. The climate and city air pay the price.

This policy analysis, published September 26, 2022, by Streetsblog NYC, examines how surging sales of pickups and SUVs undermine carbon reductions from electric vehicles. The report states, 'sales of gas-guzzling pickups and SUVs are also surging. This other face of the market subverts electric cars’ carbon-cutting progress.' No council bill number or committee is attached, as this is a policy report, not legislation. The analysis highlights that regulatory loopholes and weaker standards for larger vehicles allow automakers to offset EV gains by selling more polluting trucks and SUVs. The author urges tightening greenhouse gas standards, especially for large gasoline-powered vehicles, and closing loopholes that let automakers evade meaningful carbon cuts. The report warns that unless regulators act, excessive emissions from pickups and SUVs will harm the climate and city air for years, stalling the benefits of electric vehicles for all road users.

• How Surging Pickup and SUV Sales Are Undermining Carbon Reductions From EVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-26