Port Richmond Bleeds While City Leaders Look Away

Councilmember Brooks-Powers slammed DOT for missing legal targets on bus and bike lanes. DOT leaders dodged numbers, citing delays and staff shortages. The hearing exposed deep rifts over accountability. Vulnerable road users wait as city agencies stall and argue.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) compliance with the Streets Master Plan under Local Law 195. Brooks-Powers demanded specifics: 'DOT has struggled to meet its legal mandate. In 2021, DOT installed just 4.4 miles of bus lane—well below 20-mile requirement.' DOT officials, including Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, refused to provide current figures, promising data next year. Brooks-Powers called this 'unacceptable.' She stressed, 'The 30 miles of bus lane and 50 miles of bike lanes is not a goal—it’s legal mandate.' The exchange revealed ongoing tension over DOT’s slow rollout and lack of transparency. Staffing shortages and council opposition to projects were cited as obstacles. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooks-Powers and DOT Exchange Testiness Over Agency’s Alleged ‘Master Plan’ Shortfalls, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-12

Maryland’s governor pushes a $4 billion highway expansion. Two new toll lanes in each direction. Only scraps for transit. Critics say it’s greenwashing. Black and brown communities bear the brunt. Lawsuits fly. The road grows wider. The danger remains.

"Gov. Moore, like his predecessor, can’t honestly sell the toll lane plan on its merits, so he has to fall back on smoke and mirrors. His administration is trying to dress up the project as primarily about public transit. But that’s just a marketing ploy and a distraction." -- Charles Fall

On September 11, 2023, Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore announced plans to continue a $4.032-billion highway expansion along interstates 495 and 270. The project, first championed by Republican Larry Hogan, adds two toll lanes each way, with just three percent of funds for sustainable transit. The official summary claims 'new improvements' and uses language of equity and sustainability. Advocates like Janet Gallant and Ben Crowther call it 'greenwashing' and a 'marketing ploy.' Brian O’Malley points to the climate crisis. Lawsuits challenge the plan, which critics say will worsen health and climate impacts, especially for Black and brown communities. The debate exposes a bipartisan pattern: leaders from both parties keep widening highways, ignoring the toll on vulnerable road users and communities.

• Why Democrats and Republicans Alike Keep Expanding Highways, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-11

Two sedans crashed head-on on Richmond Terrace. Both drivers were heading west. The female driver, 83, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Alcohol was a factor. Both vehicles hit with left front bumpers. The crash left one injured and shaken.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Richmond Terrace. Both drivers were traveling west and impacted with their left front bumpers. The female driver, age 83, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead before the collision. The crash caused center and left front-end damage to the vehicles. The report highlights alcohol involvement as the key driver error. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662939 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Philadelphia spends $18 million to give 22,000 city workers unlimited SEPTA rides. The move aims to boost hiring, cut traffic, and help the environment. Other cities eye the model, but face hurdles. Riders, not drivers, stand to gain.

On September 7, 2023, Philadelphia announced an $18 million program to provide over 22,000 public employees with all-access transit passes on SEPTA. The policy, led by Mayor Jim Kenney, is a pilot to support hiring, retention, sustainability, traffic safety, and equity. Kenney called it 'an opportunity to boost the city’s hiring and retention efforts, and support our goals of sustainability, traffic safety, and equity.' Project manager Sandi Ramos highlighted the program’s savings for workers and its equitable impact. Council Member Charles Allen in D.C. and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have pushed similar ideas, but funding and jurisdictional issues stall progress elsewhere. The program’s focus is clear: more transit riders, fewer cars, safer streets. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the policy centers vulnerable road users by shifting trips from cars to transit.

• Philly Gives City Workers Free Transit. Can Other Cities Follow?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

A 40-year-old woman was struck by an eastbound SUV on Castleton Avenue. She suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The impact hit the vehicle’s right side doors. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection and went into shock.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Castleton Avenue outside of a crosswalk or signal. She was hit on the right side doors of a 2022 Ford SUV traveling east. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. The pedestrian’s crossing action was noted as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk,' but no driver violations such as failure to yield were recorded. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656104 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 14-year-old girl was hit by a southbound sedan on Port Richmond Avenue. She suffered abrasions and shock, with injuries to her entire body. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The sedan struck her at the center front end.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2005 Ford sedan traveling south on Port Richmond Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing the street without a signal or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her entire body and was in shock. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No mention of helmet or signaling factors applies in this case.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

The city’s KSI metric counts bodies, not danger. Thirty-seven killed on the Upper West Side in a decade. Streets stay deadly. A new, community-centered metric maps risk before blood is spilled. DOT must act before the next crash, not after.

On August 17, 2023, a Streetsblog NYC policy critique challenged the Department of Transportation’s reliance on the KSI (Killed or Severely Injured) metric. The article, titled 'Beyond KSI: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes,' exposes how KSI misses hidden dangers and fails to prevent future deaths. No council bill number is attached; this is a public call to action, not legislation. The critique highlights that, despite 37 road deaths on the Upper West Side in ten years, DOT’s 2023 plan ignored these corridors. The author mapped safety features and hazards, proposing a new, proactive metric based on accessibility, comfort, and livability. The piece urges DOT to shift from counting casualties to preventing them, stating, 'we need a different metric to fix the underlying problem of safety on city streets—one that is community-centered and doesn’t reduce our assessment of a certain street’s needs to grim numbers.'

• Beyond ‘KSI’: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-17

A dump truck driver turned right, struck Mariano Leonardo Victoriano on his e-bike, and fled. No charges. The Bronx bleeds: 21 cyclists dead this year, the most since Vision Zero began. Protected bike lanes are rare. City promises, broken. Cyclists pay.

""The administration cannot fall further behind on the NYC Streets Plan’s legal requirements to build protected places for people to bike in every neighborhood of our city."" -- Charles Fall

On August 9, 2023, a cyclist was killed by a hit-and-run dump truck driver in Council District 17, Bronx. The incident marks the 21st cyclist death this year, the highest since Vision Zero began in 2014. The matter highlights that only 1.64% of district streets have protected bike lanes, far below the city average. Jada Yeboah, Bronx/Uptown Organizer for Transportation Alternatives, condemned the city's failure: "Inaction is killing New Yorkers of color." She demanded Mayor Adams meet legal requirements for protected bike lanes, noting only five miles have been built in the Bronx out of 50 required citywide this year. The Bronx ranks third in traffic fatalities, eighth in injuries among 51 districts. The city's inaction leaves cyclists exposed. The toll mounts.

• UPDATE: Another Cyclist — 21st of the Year — Has Been Killed by a Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-09

Council passed Intro. 289. The bill forces DOT to map every bike lane and show disruptions. Cyclists will see closures, detours, and hazards in real time. No more guessing. No more dead ends. Riders get the same alerts drivers do. Streets get safer.

On August 3, 2023, the New York City Council passed Intro. 289, a bill requiring the Department of Transportation to create a searchable map of every city bike lane. The map must show disruptions, detours, hazards, and closures in real time. The bill summary states: 'Cyclists deserve the same attention and information already given to the city's drivers and transit riders in the form of notifications, updates, and well-marked detours.' Council Member Carlina Rivera sponsored the bill and led its passage. Rivera and Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt wrote, 'Disruption of any city bikeway requires public information, working detours and operational attention—not just an unheralded shut-down.' The law aims to end the chaos and danger of sudden bike lane closures, giving half a million daily riders the information they need to stay safe and keep moving.

• OPINION: A Cycling ‘Current Conditions’ Report Will Keep Biking New Yorkers Safe and Informed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked behind closed doors to stall Fordham Road bus lane improvements. Bronx lawmakers, once supportive, fell silent or opposed. The project, meant to speed up buses for 85,000 riders, now faces more delays. Vulnerable riders remain stuck in slow, dangerous traffic.

On August 3, 2023, Rep. Adriano Espaillat quietly lobbied Bronx officials against proposed Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. The project, under city review since 2022, aimed to speed up buses for 85,000 daily riders by installing dedicated busways or offset lanes. According to Streetsblog, Espaillat leaned on younger electeds to align with Council Member Oswald Feliz, a vocal critic. 'He defers to the local elected officials, and all of them seem to be in agreement,' said Espaillat’s chief of staff, Aneiry Batista. Lawmakers who once supported the upgrades grew silent or opposed them after Espaillat’s intervention. The Department of Transportation, MTA, and governor’s office met with Espaillat to discuss the project, but delays persisted. The opposition from Feliz and business groups led DOT to scrap the most ambitious safety options. Riders, many without cars, remain exposed to slow, hazardous conditions as cars block bus lanes and traffic crawls.

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rallying Bronx Pols Against Fordham Road Bus Lane Fixes: Sources, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

New York City will mount automated cameras on over 30 school buses this fall. The six-month pilot aims to catch drivers who ignore stopped buses. No fines yet, but a proposal is pending. Advocates say cameras save lives. Council pushed for action.

Bill: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses. Status: Pilot program launching fall 2023. Committee: Led by Department of Transportation, with Education and Finance. Key dates: Announced August 1, 2023; Finance Department hearing on fines pending. The matter targets 'drivers who fail to stop behind a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off passengers.' City Council members requested the trial last year, overcoming initial city reluctance. DOT spokesperson Vin Barone said, 'This effort will provide valuable information on reckless driving near schools.' D'Shandi Coombs of Transportation Alternatives called automated enforcement 'a proven tool to protect New Yorkers from crashes' and said expanding it to school buses is 'an important step to keeping our children safe.' The pilot collects data, but fines are not yet in place. Advocates praise the move as overdue.

• PASS, FAIL: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-01

MTA leaders press Mayor Adams to revive Fordham Road bus lane plans. Council Member Feliz stands opposed. Business groups resist. Eighty-five thousand daily riders face slow, crowded buses. City’s promise for safer, faster transit stalls. DOT offers compromise. Vulnerable commuters wait.

On July 20, 2023, the MTA called on Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support renewed bus lane expansion on Fordham Road. The city had canceled a planned busway after pushback from business owners and Council Member Oswald Feliz, who remains a vocal critic. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey said, "Our hope is that we DOT stays with us and we're implementing this, hopefully, later this year." MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed, "We can't deemphasize and under-prioritize the lives of people of the Bronx and also Upper Manhattan who are trying to get east and west across this incredibly busy corridor." DOT spokesperson Vin Barone described a new proposal with dedicated curbside loading and minimal traffic diversions. The city’s earlier pledge for 20 new miles of bus lanes per year has not been met. Eighty-five thousand daily bus riders, many vulnerable, remain at risk on slow, crowded streets. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA’s ‘Hope’ for Eric Adams: ‘Stay With Us’ On Fordham Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-20

A 60-year-old man crossed Post Avenue with the light. An Audi turned left. Its bumper struck his chest. Blood pooled in the crosswalk. He died there. The driver was distracted. The street fell silent.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed on Post Avenue near 974 when an Audi sedan, turning left, struck him as he crossed with the signal. According to the police report, 'A 60-year-old man crossed with the light. An Audi turned left. Its bumper struck his chest. He bled in the crosswalk. He died there. The driver was distracted.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The man was crossing at the intersection, following the signal. The Audi’s right front bumper caused fatal chest injuries. No other contributing factors were cited. The crash left the intersection quiet, marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642632 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

New Jersey officials rail against MTA congestion pricing. Yet their state rakes in billions from MTA contracts. The plan will raise $15 billion for transit. Jersey firms stand to gain more. Lawsuits loom. Money and politics collide. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 29, 2023, a report surfaced in Streetsblog NYC detailing the debate over MTA congestion pricing. The report, titled "New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green," highlights that from 2014 to 2022, the MTA paid New Jersey companies $3.3 billion for goods and services. The plan, set to raise $15 billion for the MTA's 2020-2024 capital plan, faces opposition from New Jersey officials, including Governor Phil Murphy, who have threatened lawsuits. The article quotes Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany: "Congestion pricing will bring in $15 billion alone for the MTA's $55 billion 2020-2024 capital plan, and New Jersey businesses stand to profit from this major increase in MTA capital spending." MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick adds that congestion pricing will "reduce traffic, improve regional air quality, and boost the Garden State's economy." Despite the political fight, the money keeps flowing. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as the system prioritizes contracts and capital over street safety.

• Report: New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-29

A northbound MTA bus and sedan collided on Martin Luther King Jr. A 14-year-old passenger in the sedan suffered a serious head injury. The crash involved driver inattention and inexperience. The boy was conscious but fractured and dislocated his head area.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between a northbound MTA bus and a sedan on Martin Luther King Jr. The sedan's right front bumper struck the bus's left rear bumper. A 14-year-old male passenger in the sedan was injured, sustaining a head fracture and dislocation. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors to the crash. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640421 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

The word ‘micromobility’ shrinks bikes and scooters to fit car culture’s frame. These vehicles are not small—they are right-sized. Cars, SUVs, and trucks are oversized and deadly. Language shapes danger. Words matter. Human-scaled mobility deserves respect, not diminishment.

This opinion piece, published June 12, 2023, on Streetsblog NYC, challenges the use of the term ‘micromobility’ to describe bikes, scooters, and similar vehicles. The article argues, ‘SUVs, pick-up trucks, and passenger cars should not be the benchmark by which we judge the size of other forms of transit, and the term 'micromobility' encourages us to believe that they are.’ Author Sarah Risser calls for dropping the ‘micro’ prefix, urging us to see bikes and scooters as standard, not lesser. She highlights how oversized vehicles—cars, SUVs, trucks—fuel rising deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. Risser urges language that centers human-scaled mobility and rejects car supremacy. No council bill or vote is attached, but the stance is clear: words shape safety, and the right words can help dismantle systemic danger.

• Opinion: Why We Should Stop Using the Word ‘Micromobility’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

The city delayed BQE reconstruction. Construction waits. Traffic study comes first. Interim repairs promise safety, but the crumbling cantilever looms. Council Member Restler doubts the city’s resolve. Residents fear more delays. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as trucks roll on.

On June 12, 2023, the city announced a delay in the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) project. The Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic study before starting the environmental review, pushing construction to late 2027. The matter, titled 'City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs,' highlights the city’s claim that interim repairs will keep the road safe until at least 2028. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, voiced concern about the delay and the city’s ability to finish the project. Community Visioning Council members were not told in advance. Residents and advocates worry about the crumbling structure and lack of transparency. The city plans automated enforcement against overweight trucks, but the delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-06-12

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal wants OMNY to work with Citi Bike. He calls for a unified payment system to break down barriers for riders. The move could make bike-share easier, but fractured agencies and costly upgrades stand in the way.

On June 8, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Midtown West) urged the MTA and Lyft to integrate OMNY, the city’s contactless fare system, with Citi Bike. In a letter, Hoylman-Sigal wrote, "We urge you to create a unified payment system as expeditiously as possible." The proposal aims to remove barriers for would-be Citi Bike users and address issues like vandalized QR codes. The bill is a policy proposal, not yet in committee or up for a vote. Hoylman-Sigal’s push highlights the fractured nature of New York’s fare systems, with separate payments for subways, bikes, ferries, and regional trains. While OMNY integration could streamline access, technical and financial hurdles remain. The MTA and Cubic, OMNY’s contractor, say they are reviewing expansion opportunities. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Manhattan Pol Wants OMNY to Work With Citi Bike, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08