Port Richmond Bleeds While City Leaders Look Away

The MTA board locked in congestion pricing. Drivers face a $15 toll below 60th Street. Officials warn: change one piece, the plan unravels. Lawsuits loom. Public hearings are required, but major tweaks are off the table. Vulnerable road users wait.

On December 8, 2023, the MTA board approved its congestion pricing plan. The plan, now entering a 60-day public review, sets a $15 daytime toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The matter, titled 'Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review,' underscores the board's resistance to major changes. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'If you change one aspect – the whole thing starts to unravel or fall apart.' Council Member Robert F. Holden was mentioned in the discussion. The board is reconsidering tolls on school buses, but most exemptions are opposed. Lawsuits from New Jersey officials threaten delays. The plan’s fate hangs on legal and public scrutiny, but for now, the structure stands.

• Don’t expect changes to MTA's congestion pricing even after final public review, gothamist.com, Published 2023-12-08

Portland’s council slammed the brakes on the Gorham Connector. They demand transit options get a fair shot before bulldozers roll. Critics say the highway will fuel sprawl, worsen air, and ignore climate goals. The Turnpike Authority pushes ahead. Lives hang in the balance.

On November 16, 2023, the Portland City Council unanimously passed a resolution targeting the Gorham Connector highway project. The matter, described as a call to 'stop its work on the highway until rapid transit options have been properly examined,' urges the Maine Turnpike Authority to pause construction. Council members cited climate change and Maine’s emissions goals, demanding transit and land-use reforms come first. The council’s action follows a 2012 study warning that new roads alone won’t fix traffic. Local groups like GrowSmart Maine and businesses such as Smiling Hill Farm oppose the project, fearing it will worsen sprawl and pollution. Despite council opposition and federal funding for transit studies, the Turnpike Authority continues land acquisition and environmental reviews. Vulnerable road users face increased risk if the highway moves forward without transit alternatives.

• Highway Boondoggles 2023: The Pain in Maine Falls Mainly in … Gorham, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-16

New York calls its buses rapid, but the lanes clog with cars. Riders wait. Promises break. Advocates demand real bus rapid transit: center lanes, fast boarding, tough enforcement. Without action, the city’s buses crawl. Vulnerable riders pay the price in time and danger.

This Streetsblog NYC analysis, published November 13, 2023, examines New York’s failure to deliver true Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The article, titled 'Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit,' criticizes Mayor Adams for not following through on campaign pledges to expand bus lanes and implement full BRT. Advocates like Annie Weinstock and JP Patafio argue that dedicated center-running lanes, off-board fare collection, and strict enforcement are needed to speed up buses and protect riders. The piece notes, 'Current bus lanes, like on Utica [Avenue], really it’s almost like a parking lot, because they cover the plates and there’s no enforcement.' The report highlights that without strong leadership and commitment, bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—remain exposed to slow service and street danger. No council bill number or committee is attached; this is a policy analysis and advocacy call to action.

• Want More Rapid Bus Transit? Build Real Bus Rapid Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-13

Brad Hoylman-Sigal calls for new laws on e-bikes. He says streets brim with fast machines. Pedestrians, especially elders and children, face rising risk. The council member demands action. He wants rules to protect those on foot. The city must not wait.

On November 12, 2023, Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) publicly called for legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, including e-bikes. The editorial, titled 'Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers,' stresses, 'the vulnerable pedestrian, especially seniors and kids, must remain king and queen. Do more to protect them.' Hoylman-Sigal is mentioned as a key advocate. The statement supports both regulation of e-bikes and greater protection for pedestrians. No formal bill has been introduced yet, and no committee has taken up the matter. The editorial highlights the urgent need for city action to shield those most at risk on New York’s streets.

• Hitting the brakes on e-bikes: New York needs legislation to regulate motorized two-wheelers, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-11-12

Older adults die first in disasters. Heat, floods, storms hit them hardest. The pattern is clear. The toll is high. No change in twenty years. The system fails them. The city looks away. The danger grows. The deaths mount.

On November 9, 2023, the Talking Headways Podcast spotlighted the deadly impact of climate emergencies on older adults. Danielle Arigoni, managing director at the National Housing Trust, discussed her book, 'Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation.' She said, 'time and time again, older adults are the majority of deaths in disasters.' The episode detailed how, from Hurricane Katrina to the Lahaina wildfires, seniors bear the brunt of heat, floods, and storms. Host Jeff Wood pressed on the need for policy that protects the vulnerable. The discussion made clear: the system ignores the predictable, mounting toll on older adults. No council bill or vote was involved, but the call for action was urgent. The city cannot keep looking away.

• Talking Headways Podcast: Aging Adults and Climate Emergencies, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-09

Council Member Chi Ossé condemned DOT for stalling the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The lane, long promised and long dangerous, remains unbuilt. Ossé demanded action. Cyclists keep dying. DOT offered no timeline. The city’s failure leaves lives at risk.

""The bike lane has strong community support, and its benefits are obvious. This failure is yet another glaring example of the administration falling far behind on its commitments to develop bicycle infrastructure in our city."" -- Charles Fall

On November 2, 2023, Council Member Chi Ossé publicly criticized the Department of Transportation for delaying the protected bike lane project on Bedford Avenue. The project, which was supposed to upgrade a painted lane to a parking-protected lane, has been pushed to at least next spring. Ossé wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, calling the delay 'unacceptable' and demanding a firm installation date. He stated, 'The Bedford Avenue bike lane has been unacceptably dangerous since it was first laid, and for years, the people of my district have been promised that it would be protected.' Advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives, echoed his frustration, citing record cyclist deaths and urgent need for safety. The DOT has not responded to requests for comment. The delay highlights the city’s repeated failures to deliver promised street safety improvements.

• Council Member Chi Ossé Blasts DOT For Delaying — And Maybe Killing — Bedford Ave Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-02

Mayor Adams shrugged off legal targets for new bike and bus lanes. He told DOT staffers he cares more about community input than hard numbers. His stance leaves city law unmet. Advocates warn: vague promises, little accountability, danger for those outside cars.

On November 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams dismissed the city’s legal requirements to build 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year, as mandated by the Streets Master Plan. In a closed-door meeting with the Department of Transportation, Adams said, "My legacy is not how many bike miles I do. My legacy is not how many bus lanes I do." He signaled a shift from measurable safety benchmarks to a focus on community input, a move DOT staffers called "extremely micromanaged." Adams’s administration has failed to meet even the minimum legal standards for new lanes. A mayoral spokesman claimed the city still delivers "safe, efficient streets," but advocates say Adams’s approach relies on vague metrics and lacks accountability. No council members are directly involved; this is a mayoral policy stance. The result: fewer protected spaces for vulnerable road users, more risk on city streets.

• Adams Dismisses Bus, Bike Lane Mile Requirements At DOT Meeting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-01

A 68-year-old woman died after an SUV ran her down in a chaotic Williamsburg intersection. Police blamed her for tripping. The driver, with a record of speeding and red-light violations, faced no charges. Blood stained the street. The system failed again.

On October 19, 2023, police responded to a fatal crash at Broadway and Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg. The NYPD said a 68-year-old woman 'tripped and fell in front of an SUV driver who then ran right over her, dragging her body across a notoriously treacherous intersection.' The driver, a 72-year-old woman, did not stop until witnesses intervened. Despite the Jeep’s record—two school-zone speeding tickets and a red-light violation since August—police let her go without charges. The NYPD blamed the victim, Aurora Soto, for her own death. Streetsblog reports this is part of a 'long and sordid history of victim-blaming.' The intersection has seen 197 crashes and 49 cyclist and pedestrian injuries since 2019. The Department of Transportation did not comment.

• Police Blame Woman for Her Own Death After She Trips in Front of SUV, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-19

Mayor Adams slammed his own DOT’s outreach, stalling bike and bus lane projects. He says communities need more input. Advocates warn this lets small groups block life-saving changes. The city falls behind on safety targets. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On October 17, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams made a public statement criticizing the Department of Transportation’s community outreach for street redesigns. No council bill number applies; this is a mayoral policy stance. Adams said, “We have not done a good job of speaking to long-term residents on how they want the shaping of their streets to change.” He announced a new door-to-door engagement strategy on Underhill Avenue, after stalling a bike network project for over a year. Adams’s comments came as he defended delays and rollbacks of approved street safety improvements, citing the need for more community input. Advocates like Jon Orcutt (Bike New York) and Juan Restrepo (Transportation Alternatives) condemned the mayor’s approach, warning it gives veto power to small groups and leaves the city “rudderless” on street safety. DOT outreach has dropped to its lowest since Vision Zero began. The city is on pace to miss its bike and bus lane goals for the second year running. Vulnerable road users face continued danger as life-saving projects stall.

• Mayor Adams Blasts Mayor Adams’s DOT Community Outreach Efforts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-17

Mayor Adams orders lidded bins for small buildings. No more loose bags on sidewalks. The rule hits next fall. Bins stay on sidewalks, not in the curb. Advocates say it’s better, but not enough. Pedestrians still dodge obstacles. The curb remains for cars.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new sanitation rule: buildings with nine or fewer units must use lidded trash bins starting next fall. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) leads the rollout. The plan covers about 41% of city housing. The official summary states, 'New Yorkers living in smaller residential buildings will have to set out their garbage in lidded bins.' DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended sidewalk placement, saying, 'It is standard practice around the world to put wheelie bins out on the sidewalk rather than in the parking lane.' Advocate Christine Berthet countered, 'While the bags will be easy to move between cars, containers will be much harder. And therefore having them in the parking lane would be a major benefit.' The city will retrofit trucks for the new bins. For now, pedestrians must still navigate bins on crowded sidewalks. The curb stays reserved for parked cars.

• It’s Starting: City Unveils Trash Containerization for Smaller Buildings, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Mayor Adams backs taking 150,000 parking spots for garbage containers. He calls it a small price for cleaner streets. The plan shifts trash from sidewalks to bins, clearing paths for pedestrians. Council member Abreu supports the West Harlem pilot. Resistance remains.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced support for the Sanitation Department's plan to repurpose 150,000 parking spaces for containerized garbage collection. The policy, unveiled by DSNY, aims to move trash from sidewalks into closed bins, targeting cleaner streets and less sidewalk clutter. The mayor said, 'Everyday New Yorkers are tired of the rodents, they’re tired of the trash, and this is a small price to pay on ensuring that you can have cleaner streets.' Council member Shaun Abreu, representing West Harlem, voiced strong support, citing visible improvements from the local pilot. The plan requires smaller buildings to use wheeled bins on sidewalks, while larger buildings would get shared curbside containers. The city faces pushback from some residents, but Adams insists street cleanliness is a top concern. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the move could clear sidewalks for pedestrians and reduce hazards from trash piles.

• Adams: Eliminating ‘Parking’ for Trash is ‘Small Price to Pay’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Council Member Holden’s e-bike license bill piles red tape on riders but leaves pedestrians exposed. The proposal skips real fixes—wider sidewalks, protected lanes, safer work rules. It targets e-bikes, not the cars and street chaos that truly endanger walkers.

Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill, co-sponsored by a Council majority, to require licenses for all e-bikes. The bill, discussed in October 2023, has not specified a streamlined process for licensing. The matter’s summary states: 'Holden's bill does nothing to rectify the fundamental issues of inadequate space and dangerous workplace practices.' Holden and his colleagues push regulation, but critics say the bill ignores the real threats: narrow sidewalks, blocked crosswalks, and unsafe delivery work. The proposal would burden riders and discourage micromobility, while failing to address illegal mopeds or car dominance. State Senator Brad Hoylman’s employer-provided ID plan is cited as a better alternative. The opinion calls for protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and fair enforcement, not more bureaucracy. Holden’s bill, critics argue, misses the mark for pedestrian safety.

• Opinion: Holden’s E-Bike License Proposal Misses the Mark on Pedestrian Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

A sedan making a U-turn struck a 23-year-old male e-scooter rider on Staten Island’s Castleton Avenue. The rider suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg and foot. The scooter showed no damage. The driver’s left side doors were damaged.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Castleton Avenue attempted a U-turn and collided with a westbound e-scooter. The e-scooter rider, a 23-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The scooter sustained no damage, while the sedan’s left side doors were damaged at the point of impact. The report lists the sedan driver’s pre-crash action as "Making U Turn" and the point of impact as "Left Side Doors." No specific contributing factors were identified for either party. The e-scooter rider was conscious and not ejected. The driver of the sedan was licensed. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted for the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Floods choked New York. Subways drowned. Buses stalled. Cars trapped in oily water. Streets became rivers. Emergency response lagged. The mayor stayed silent. Vulnerable New Yorkers—pedestrians, riders, workers—were left stranded, exposed, and waiting for help that never came.

On September 29, 2023, New York City faced a crippling extreme weather event. Streets, subways, and highways flooded. The MTA told riders to stay home. Buses filled with water. Cars were stranded on the FDR and Prospect Expressway. The event, documented by Streetsblog NYC, showed city systems overwhelmed. The matter summary reads: 'The BQE is flooded, neighborhoods are flooded, the MTA is literally telling people to not take the train, but New Yorkers have yet to hear from their mayor today.' No council bill or vote was involved. No council member stepped forward. The city’s emergency response faltered. Vulnerable road users—those on foot, on transit, in cars—bore the brunt. The mayor’s absence left the public in the dark as danger mounted.

• We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-29

Floodwaters swallowed streets, trapped buses, and shut down trains. Cars bobbed in oily rivers. Pedestrians waded through chaos. Council Member Lincoln Restler called out the city’s slow response. Vulnerable New Yorkers paid the price. Leadership stayed silent. Danger surged.

On September 29, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) spotlighted the devastation as extreme flooding crippled New York City’s transit. The event, titled 'Extreme weather event (flooding) impacts on NYC transportation,' showed buses stranded, subways flooded, and streets impassable. Restler was mentioned as a key voice demanding action. The article’s summary reads: 'We Have the 'End of Days' Flooding Pics You Need Right Now.' The city’s emergency response faltered. The MTA and DOT failed to protect riders and walkers. Streets and drainage buckled. Leadership, including the mayor, stayed out of sight. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, transit riders, and cyclists—faced the brunt of systemic neglect. No safety analyst weighed in, but the images and accounts show a city unprepared for crisis.

• We Have the 'End of Days' Flooding Pics You Need Right Now, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-09-29

A 61-year-old woman was struck by a southbound cyclist on Richmond Terrace. The pedestrian suffered bruises over her entire body. The cyclist showed no vehicle damage. Driver inattention and defective brakes contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being hit by a cyclist traveling south on Richmond Terrace. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inattention and defective brakes as contributing factors. The cyclist was going straight ahead and struck the pedestrian with the center front end of the bike. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises over her entire body but remained conscious. The bike showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted cyclists and mechanical failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 16-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Clove Road in Staten Island. The rider suffered abrasions over his entire body. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction. The bike showed no damage. The victim remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male bicyclist riding northbound on Clove Road in Staten Island was injured due to driver inattention and distraction. The bicyclist suffered abrasions over his entire body but was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The bike sustained no damage, indicating the impact may have been minor or involved a non-collision event. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured. The report does not specify any victim fault or safety equipment failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Attorney Adam White was arrested after exposing an obscured license plate. Cops charged him with criminal mischief. The DA dropped the case. White now sues the NYPD and city, demanding policy changes and damages. The suit targets retaliation against civilians reporting traffic misconduct.

On September 19, 2023, attorney Adam White filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, seven officers, and the City of New York. The case stems from a November 11, 2022 arrest after White removed a plastic cover from a license plate he believed was obscured to dodge traffic cameras. The complaint, citing false arrest and retaliation, states: "Mr. White now brings this suit seeking redress for the violations of his own rights, as well as seeking changes to Defendant City's policies and practices around responding appropriately, and without retaliation, to civilian complaints about illegal 'ghost cars,' 'ghost plates,' and other traffic misconduct." The suit names Sholem Klein, head of the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol, as the complainant who called police. The Brooklyn DA later dropped charges against White. The lawsuit seeks damages and policy reforms to protect civilians who report illegal traffic activity.

• Cops Violated Lawyer’s Civil Rights During Infamous ‘Criminal Mischief’ Arrest: Suit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-19

The city missed legal targets for new bus and bike lanes. Officials dodged questions. Council grilled DOT. Advocates tracked the shortfall. Political meddling blocks safer streets. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait. Progress stalls. Danger stays.

On September 13, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s progress toward mandated bus and bike lane construction. The hearing, led by Transportation Committee chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for answers. The law requires 150 miles of protected bus lanes and 250 miles of protected bike lanes by 2026. In 2022, the city built only 4.4 miles of bus lanes and 26.3 miles of bike lanes, far short of the legal benchmarks. Councilmember Lincoln Restler criticized political interference, saying, 'We're at a point where it's all politics all the time, and we're failing to execute.' Advocacy groups confirmed the city lags behind. The administration’s refusal to track or disclose progress leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city’s failure to act keeps streets dangerous.

• City fails to monitor bus and bike lane construction progress after falling short of mandates last year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-13

Council grilled DOT for stalling on bus and bike lanes. Law demands these lanes. Streets stay deadly. Commissioner Rodriguez faced anger. Restler and others demanded answers. Riders and walkers pay the price for delay.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s failure to deliver required bus and bike lanes. The hearing, led by the Committee on Transportation, featured testimony from DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and others criticized the agency for 'continuously falling behind on legally required bus and bike lanes.' The matter title reads: 'NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog.' Restler’s action was to publicly challenge DOT’s delays. No safety analyst note was provided, but the council’s frustration highlights the risk: every missed lane leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYC Council members slam Transportation Department on bus, bike lane backlog, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-09-12