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

Amtrak slashed trains in the pandemic. Riders still wait. The Adirondack route sits idle. Hudson Valley service lags. Trains run packed. Passengers get stranded. The state and Amtrak point fingers. Riders want action. The city needs more trains now.

This advocacy opinion, published September 26, 2022, calls for immediate restoration of Amtrak’s Adirondack service and expanded Hudson Valley trains. The matter, titled 'Opinion: Amtrak Must Restore Adirondack Service Now!', urges Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation to act. Steve Strauss and the Empire State Passengers Association press for more trains, added cars, and restored bike and baggage capacity. The piece blames state and Amtrak inaction for packed trains and stranded riders. It highlights that New York funds all Amtrak service north of the city, making state officials as responsible as Amtrak. The opinion demands urgent action to fill service gaps and meet rider demand.

• Opinion: Amtrak Must Restore Adirondack Service Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-26

Mayor Adams promised hundreds of miles of bike and bus lanes. The city is far behind. Only a trickle of new lanes appear. Councilman Restler demands faster action. Riders and walkers wait. Streets stay dangerous. Progress crawls. The toll mounts.

This progress report, dated September 23, 2022, highlights the city’s failure to meet Mayor Adams’ pledge for 300 miles of protected bike lanes and 150 miles of bus lanes in four years. The Mayor’s Management Report shows only 32 protected bike lane miles and 2 bus lane miles added in fiscal year 2022—far short of the annual targets. Councilman Lincoln Restler, District 33, is quoted: “We’ve approved $904 million for better bus lanes, more pedestrian space, and protected bike lanes and now we need to pick up the pace on implementation.” Restler pledges robust oversight and accountability, pressing the Department of Transportation to deliver. The report details frustration from council members and advocates over missed deadlines, slow progress, and persistent dangers for vulnerable road users. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Mayor Adams’ pledge to build bike and bus lanes falling short, gothamist.com, Published 2022-09-23

DOT bleeds talent. One in five top jobs sit empty. Projects stall. Safety work slows. Leadership wobbles. Staff burn out. Promises break. Streets stay dangerous. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price. The lights stay on, but hope flickers.

This report, published September 22, 2022, exposes a staffing crisis inside the New York City Department of Transportation. Nearly 20% of top agency positions are vacant. The article, titled 'Just Keeping the Lights On,' details how these gaps cripple street safety and improvement projects. Key leadership roles—chief of staff, general counsel, communications director—remain unfilled. Employees blame city hiring policies, pandemic resignations, and weak leadership from Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. One former staffer says, 'We couldn't produce anything new. We were just keeping the lights on.' Another warns, 'The agency's ability to respond to severe injuries and fatalities is also limited and slow.' Political interference and lack of expertise at the top deepen the crisis. The result: fewer bus lanes, stalled bike infrastructure, and a city where vulnerable road users face mounting danger.

• ‘Just Keeping the Lights On’: Low Morale, High Staff Vacancy Rate Hobble Department of Transportation, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-22

A sedan and a pickup truck crashed head-on on Caswell Avenue. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The driver remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Caswell Avenue involving a 2022 Ford sedan and a 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old male occupant, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his abdomen and pelvis but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Vehicle Vandalism' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact, with the sedan sustaining damage to its center front end and the pickup truck to its left front quarter panel. The sedan driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Council Members push a bill to swap wailing sirens for hi-lo tones and vibrating tech. The aim: less noise, fewer health harms. Sirens will still clear streets, but without the shriek. The city’s nights could finally quiet down.

On September 13, 2022, Council Member Carlina Rivera, joined by Gale Brewer and seven others, sponsored a bill to mandate hi-lo, 'two-tone' sirens for emergency vehicles. The bill, discussed in committee, would cap siren volume at 90 decibels and encourage use of vibrating, low-frequency siren technology. The matter title calls for 'mandating the use of hi-lo, "two-tone" sirens by emergency response vehicles.' Brewer wrote, 'the city should mandate that emergency responders use hi-lo as their default siren and cap sirens at 90 decibels—as required by the proposed legislation—and scale up their use of vibrating siren technology.' The bill seeks to cut the health harms of constant siren noise, which studies link to hypertension and heart disease. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was noted.

• OPINION: Let’s Turn Down the Noise on Sirens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-13

A 12-year-old boy was hit on Victory Boulevard while crossing against the signal. The SUV struck him head-on, causing abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The boy remained conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Victory Boulevard after crossing against the signal. The vehicle involved was a 2009 Honda SUV traveling east, driven by a licensed female driver going straight ahead. The SUV struck the pedestrian with its center front end, causing abrasions and injuries to the boy's knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report lists no contributing factors related to the driver, and the pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal is noted. No safety equipment or helmet was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 72-year-old man was injured crossing Victory Boulevard at an intersection. The sedan driver, making a right turn, failed to pay attention. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Victory Boulevard at an intersection on Staten Island. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a sedan, driven by a licensed male driver making a right turn, struck him. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. No other contributing factors were noted. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Car culture drains wallets and endangers lives. Oil, auto, and insurance giants profit while public transit withers. Politicians suspend gas taxes, starving transit funds. Predatory loans and high insurance rates bleed drivers. Vulnerable road users pay the price in blood and dollars.

This opinion piece, published September 7, 2022, on Streetsblog NYC, attacks the narrative that congestion pricing is a 'cash grab.' Author Nicole A. Murray argues the true financial and social burden comes from car culture itself. The article highlights how automotive, oil, and insurance industries siphon money from the public, while political decisions—like Governor Hochul's gas tax suspension—undercut transit funding. The piece states: 'The real cash grab: the silent hands that the automotive and subsidiary industries have in our pockets—all of our pockets—every day.' Murray calls out the hypocrisy of congestion pricing opponents who ignore the needs of transit-dependent New Yorkers. No council bill number or committee is involved; this is a public statement, not legislation. The article exposes how car dependency and predatory lending practices trap working families, while public transportation offers a path to freedom and safety.

• OPINION: The Real ‘Cash Grab’ Isn’t Congestion Pricing — It’s Car Culture, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-07

DOT will daylight intersections, ban left turns, and add pedestrian space on McGuinness Boulevard. Eleven pedestrians and four cyclists have died here since 1995. Advocates demand a full redesign. The city promises more action after these quick fixes.

On August 31, 2022, the Department of Transportation announced interim safety improvements for McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The street has seen 1,594 crashes, 44 cyclist injuries, 67 pedestrian injuries, and three deaths since 2013. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced the changes, which include daylighting intersections, banning left turns at key avenues, and adding painted pedestrian extensions. Gallagher said, 'Quick, iterative incremental changes will be a great way to reduce injuries and fatalities rather than waiting for an entire overhaul.' Council Member Lincoln Restler praised the upgrades as 'a step in the right direction.' Bronwyn Breitner of Make McGuinness Safe Coalition called for a full-scale redesign, reallocating space from cars to people. The city will revisit the corridor plan this winter after installing these measures in the fall.

• DOT Will Give Deadly McGuinness Boulevard Some Safety Fixes Before Full Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-31

Senator Julia Salazar’s Ride Clean bill passed the New York Senate 60-3. It offers up to $1,100 for e-bike purchases. The bill aims to cut car use and emissions. It stalled in the Assembly. Lawmakers say it makes e-bikes accessible for working New Yorkers.

Senate Bill S7703, known as the Ride Clean rebate, passed the New York State Senate on June 2022 by a 60-3 vote. The bill sits stalled in the Assembly committee since January. The measure, sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar, would require NYSERDA to cover half the cost of e-bike purchases, up to $1,100. Salazar said, 'When the federal government falls short, it really does fall on the state to step up and take responsibility.' Assembly sponsor Robert Carroll added, 'This is not a luxury item.' The bill’s summary states it aims to make e-bikes accessible and reduce car dependence. If enacted, New York would join a handful of states offering direct e-bike subsidies, targeting emissions and car use in daily trips.

• NY Lawmakers Want To Bring E-Bikes To The People, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-30

Congestion pricing cuts traffic in Manhattan. Air grows cleaner in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Hudson County. Truck diversions raise miles driven, but fine particle pollution drops. Health improves. Advocates push for electric buses, cleaner trucks, and strict air monitoring.

This policy analysis, published August 26, 2022, reviews the impact of congestion pricing on air quality, focusing on the Bronx. The report states: 'Air quality and public health in the Bronx will receive a boost from congestion pricing, even under a toll scenario that diverts substantial truck traffic.' The analysis draws from the MTA's environmental assessment, especially Toll Scenario A, which projects less particulate matter (PM2.5) in Bronx air despite increased vehicle miles. The health benefits for Bronx residents match those in Queens, Brooklyn, and Hudson County. Environmental justice and transportation advocates call for rapid electrification of buses and trucks, capping highways, and rigorous air monitoring to prevent new pollution hot spots. The analysis values total health benefits at $20.8 million for 2023. No council members are named in this report.

• ANALYSIS: Congestion Pricing Will Lead to Better Air Quality in The Bronx, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-26

A 33-year-old woman riding a motorcycle was ejected after colliding with an unseen vehicle on Staten Island Expressway. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her entire body. The crash damaged the motorcycle's right front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female motorcycle driver was injured and ejected from her vehicle on Staten Island Expressway. The report cites "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the primary contributing factor, indicating the rider's response to another vehicle not directly involved in the crash. The motorcycle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The rider was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash but suffered abrasions and injuries to her entire body. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558408 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 72-year-old woman was struck while crossing Victory Boulevard on Staten Island. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her with its left front quarter panel. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Victory Boulevard made a left turn and struck a 72-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling by the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557680 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Senator Blumenthal demands federal action on deadly frontover crashes. He calls for better data, more transparency, and front cameras on giant cars. But cameras alone won’t shrink vehicles or save enough lives. The real fix: fewer, smaller cars on the road.

On August 17, 2022, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address frontover crashes—fatal incidents where large vehicles strike unseen children in front. The senator’s letter called for annual injury and fatality data, improved data collection, and efforts to prevent future deaths. He stated, 'Safety is not—and should never be—a premium feature only available to those who can afford it; it should be the default.' Blumenthal’s push follows a demonstration showing ten children hidden in a single SUV’s blind spot. The bill’s focus is on mandating front cameras, but experts and advocates warn this won’t fix the core problem: cars are too big, too tall, too deadly. As noted, 'The most effective way to reduce tragic frontover deaths is to have fewer cars in American driveways.' Cameras help, but shrinking vehicles and reducing car dependency would save more lives.

• Senator Calls on Feds to Mandate ‘Frontover’ Cameras on Huge Cars — But It Won’t Save Enough Lives, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-17

Turning parking into greenspace means fewer floods, safer streets. Asphalt traps water. Storms turn roads into rivers. Bioswales and trees soak up rain, protect homes, keep subways dry. The city must swap pavement for life. Action saves lives, not parking.

On August 16, 2022, the Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, discussed flood prevention. An opinion from a Transportation Alternatives staffer urged the Council to 'transform impervious driving lanes into green climate solutions.' The piece calls for bioswales and greenspace in place of parking, citing the deadly floods after Hurricane Ida. It highlights that 72 percent of city land is impervious, worsening flash floods. The author presses city leaders, including Mayor Eric Adams, to repurpose street space for climate resilience, referencing the NYC 25x25 challenge. The message is clear: 'Our streets can become the solution to climate change and flooding.' No council vote occurred, but the advocacy pushes for urgent, systemic change to protect New Yorkers from future storms.

• OPINION: Want to Prevent Flooding? Turn ‘Parking’ Into Greenspace, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-16

Senate nears a climate deal. Bill pours billions into electric cars, skips bikes and transit. Big SUVs get a boost. No new money for high-speed rail. Advocates warn: heavy vehicles mean danger. Vulnerable road users left in the cold.

The Senate’s climate bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, is close to passage as of July 29, 2022. It allocates $369 billion to decarbonize sectors like power plants and HVAC, aiming for a 40% emissions cut by 2030. The bill continues the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and adds a $4,000 credit for used EVs, but omits dedicated funding for electric transit, freight, or e-bikes. Advocates like Yonah Freemark, David Zipper, and Noa Banayan criticize the focus on large electric SUVs and trucks, calling them dangerous for people outside cars. Zipper says, “We’re actually inducing people to buy heavier, more dangerous electric automobiles.” The bill introduces a $3.4 billion Neighborhood Equity and Access Grant, but skips high-speed rail and transit. Advocates urge more action, warning that the bill leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• What’s in the New ‘Climate’ Deal for Sustainable Transport — And What’s Not, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-29

SUV driver backed into truck. Metal hit metal. Neck pain, shock followed. Police cite backing unsafely, following too close, distraction. Streets stay dangerous.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old woman driving a 2021 SUV backed unsafely into a well driller truck making a right turn on College Avenue. The SUV’s left front quarter panel struck the truck’s right side doors. The driver suffered neck pain and shock. Police list 'Backing Unsafely,' 'Following Too Closely,' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles were damaged at the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

The MTA faces a $4 billion shortfall as ridership stalls. Without new state funding, service cuts or fare hikes loom. Advocates slam the gas-tax holiday for boosting driving. Riders, especially those without cars, stand to lose the most.

This event details the MTA's looming fiscal crisis, as described in the July 26, 2022 Streetsblog NYC report. The agency projects only 74% of pre-pandemic riders will return by 2024, leaving a $4 billion revenue gap through 2026. The matter summary warns, 'Without a new funding stream, the MTA faces a fiscal cliff after 2023.' MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens urged state legislators to act, saying, 'If we start working together and start solving the deficit by 2023, we can lower the fiscal cliff by a billion dollars a year.' Advocates like Rachael Fauss criticized the state's gas-tax holiday, arguing it incentivized driving over transit funding. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli warned of looming service changes. The bill is not tied to a specific council number or committee, but the call for recurring, dedicated state revenue is clear. Without intervention, vulnerable transit riders face reduced service and higher fares, deepening the city's transportation divide.

• Without New Funding, the MTA Faces a Fiscal Cliff After 2023, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-26

Elon Musk’s promises on self-driving cars and tunnels ring hollow. Crashes mount. Safety claims collapse. Planners and officials keep buying the hype. The toll grows. Vulnerable road users pay the price. It’s time to stop believing and start questioning.

This opinion piece, published July 22, 2022, by Kea Wilson in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Elon Musk’s record on transportation technology. The article, titled 'Opinion: Stop Trusting Elon Musk on Tunnels, on Teslas, on Everything,' cites damning crash data and exposes false safety claims around Tesla’s 'Full Self-Driving' feature. At least 273 crashes have been linked to the technology, contradicting Musk’s public statements. The piece urges planners and policymakers to reject Musk’s unproven solutions, including the Boring Company and Hyperloop, and instead focus on reducing vehicle miles traveled. The author warns that uncritical adoption of these technologies endangers vulnerable road users and worsens congestion and pollution. No council bill or vote is involved, but the message is clear: stop trusting tech hype that puts lives at risk.

• Opinion: Stop Trusting Elon Musk — on Tunnels, on Teslas, on Everything, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-22

MTA ridership lags. Budget gaps loom. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli rejects service cuts. He urges smarter, flexible schedules. The MTA drags its feet. Riders wait. Transit remains a lifeline. Without change, the city’s most vulnerable face longer waits and harsher streets.

On July 21, 2022, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a policy report warning of an existential crisis for the MTA. The report, reviewed by the relevant state oversight committees, states: "the MTA doesn't actually have to cut service to find its footing, and instead has to get creative with service patterns and get serious with riders about what new service could look like." DiNapoli opposes service cuts and supports realigning schedules to match shifting demand, especially off-peak and weekends. MTA Chief External Relations John McCarthy echoed the need for a post-COVID plan. The report stresses that mass transit is essential for New Yorkers. No council members are directly involved, but the recommendations push the MTA to act. The agency’s slow response leaves vulnerable riders exposed to longer waits and increased danger on city streets.

• Nausea: The MTA Is Facing An Existential Crisis, Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-21