Port Richmond Bleeds While City Leaders Look Away

Snow fell. Bus riders stood in slush. Bike lanes vanished under piles. Sanitation crews cleared some paths, but Parks left cycling routes blocked. Brooklyn Bridge bike path shined. Most streets failed the vulnerable. The city’s patchwork snow plan left danger for all who walk or ride.

On February 28, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published a report on New York City’s first major snow of the year. The article, titled 'Eyes on the Street: The First (And Only?) Snow Report of the Year,' details how sidewalk snow clearance, left to property owners, forced bus riders into slush. Painted bike lanes became useless as drivers shoveled snow into them and plows avoided parked cars. The Department of Sanitation’s new narrow snowplows cleared some routes well, but the Parks Department left cycling paths impassable, showing 'no interest...to encourage cycling.' Only the Brooklyn Bridge bike path stood out, freshly swept and safe. No council bill or vote is attached, but the report exposes how city agencies’ uneven snow removal endangers pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.

• Eyes on the Street: The First (And Only?) Snow Report of the Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-28

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

A sedan making a left turn struck a pickup truck going straight east on Park Avenue. Two occupants in the sedan were injured. The driver suffered whiplash; a teenage passenger had facial injuries and minor bleeding. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female driver in a sedan was making a left turn on Park Avenue when her vehicle collided with a pickup truck traveling straight east. The crash injured both occupants of the sedan: the driver sustained whiplash, and a 16-year-old passenger suffered facial injuries with minor bleeding. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The contributing factor listed was driver inattention or distraction. The pickup truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the sedan's center front end and the truck's left front bumper. No pedestrian involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608450 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Three pedestrians died in separate crashes. One was a child. Drivers struck victims at dangerous intersections. City allowed parked cars to block sightlines. DOT resists daylighting. Police killed one victim. Advocates demand action. Streets remain deadly. Accountability is missing.

A pending City Council bill would require daylighting—removing parking near corners—at 100 intersections per year. The Department of Transportation opposes the bill. The issue gained urgency after three pedestrians, including 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun, died in separate crashes over the weekend of February 19, 2023. One victim was killed at an intersection where parked cars blocked visibility and the ADA ramp. Another, Zabina Gafoor, was struck by an NYPD vehicle responding to an emergency. Advocates, including Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives, condemned the city’s failure to implement proven safety measures, saying, 'Our city’s children deserve to grow up without the threat of traffic violence.' The bill remains pending. Critics say the city’s refusal to daylight intersections and hold drivers accountable continues to put lives at risk.

• Outrage Builds Over Weekend Pedestrian Deaths, Including a Child, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-19

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Ultra-fast deliveries flood streets with trucks. Double parking, fumes, and chaos follow. The piece calls for a same-day delivery tax. It urges cities to rein in unchecked shipping, fund transit, and shift last-mile trips to bikes and greener tech.

This opinion piece, published February 10, 2023 by Streetsblog NYC, calls for states to tax same-day deliveries. The article highlights the unchecked rise of ultra-fast shipping, noting, 'the fallout looks like a veritable armada of delivery trucks triple-parking in your neighborhoods.' The author supports regulation of rapid delivery, investment in transit, and use of micro-mobility for last-mile trips. Council bill number and committee details are not applicable, as this is not a legislative action but a policy proposal. The piece argues that a delivery tax would push consumers toward sustainable choices and fund shared infrastructure, especially transit. It stresses that unchecked delivery harms vulnerable communities with pollution and congestion, and urges cities to prioritize curb management, electric trucks, and e-cargo bikes to protect public space and safety.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Rethink One-Hour Deliveries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Assembly Bill 3401 shrinks the buffer around schools. Fewer streets get camera enforcement. Danger creeps closer to kids. Sponsor: Charles Fall.

Assembly Bill A 3401, sponsored by Charles Fall (District 61), is at the sponsorship stage as of February 3, 2023. The bill 'reduces the radial distance from school buildings for such school speed zones.' This means fewer streets near schools will have speed cameras. The measure is active in the Assembly and has not yet advanced to a vote or committee. The change narrows the area where drivers are checked for speed, leaving more children exposed to fast traffic.

• File A 3401, Open States, Published 2023-02-03

The Mayor’s Management Report admits what City Hall denied: DOT missed bus and bike lane targets. Staffing shortages, missing contractors, and political meddling stalled life-saving street projects. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. Promises broke. Progress stalled. The city’s most exposed remain at risk.

On February 2, 2023, the Mayor’s Management Report confirmed failures by the Department of Transportation to meet required bus and bike lane mileage, echoing earlier Streetsblog reporting. The report covers July through October 2022 and cites 'fewer contractors available, shortages in installation materials, and general political opposition' as reasons for a 42% drop in bike lane miles and a 47% drop in bus lane miles compared to the previous year. Streetsblog’s coverage, criticized by City Hall and DOT, revealed that vacancies and political interference—especially from Council Members Bob Holden and Oswald Feliz—stalled projects like the Citi Bike expansion in Queens and the Fordham Road bus lane in the Bronx. DOT completed only 67% of its bus lane mandate and fell 17% short on bike lanes. The city’s own numbers now confirm what advocates warned: delays and obstruction put vulnerable road users in harm’s way.

• We Were Right: Mayor’s Management Report Confirms Streetsblog Reporting Previously Criticized by City Officials, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-02

City Council grilled the Adams administration on street carnage. The hearing exposed failures: missed targets for protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safety investments. Council members called for real infrastructure, not just enforcement. Advocates demanded accountability and action for vulnerable New Yorkers.

On January 27, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on street safety and Vision Zero implementation. The hearing, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, questioned whether Mayor Adams is honoring his pledge to end road violence. The matter focused on the administration’s failure to meet Council-mandated benchmarks in the NYC Streets Plan, especially protected bike lanes and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers stated, 'No New Yorker should have to fear for their life while crossing or using our streets.' She stressed that enforcement alone is not enough, demanding equitable infrastructure in neglected neighborhoods. Advocacy leaders like Elizabeth Adams and Sara Lind echoed the call for physical changes and accountability. The hearing marked a rare moment of scrutiny, with advocates welcoming the Council’s push for real safety measures for all road users.

• Council Wants Answers from Adams Administration on Road Violence Epidemic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-27

Women transit operators drive New York’s buses and trains. They face long hours, harassment, and disrespect. Most are alone in male-dominated depots. Pay gaps persist. Riders attack and harass them. Still, these women serve the city with grit and pride.

This testimony, published January 26, 2023, documents the daily reality for women transit operators. The article, titled "What It’s Like to Be a Woman Transit Operator," highlights first-person accounts from women in New York and other cities. They describe being underrepresented, facing unwanted advances, and earning less than male colleagues. One operator, Tonya Abernathy, says, 'As a female it’s harder, because some passengers treat you differently because you’re a woman.' Thejoal Hope adds, 'You get a lot of disrespect, and you got to learn how to deal with that.' The piece calls for better training, pay equity, and supportive management. No council bill or vote is attached, but the testimony exposes systemic dangers for frontline workers and the urgent need for safer, more inclusive transit workplaces.

• What It’s Like to Be a Woman Transit Operator, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-26

U.S. cities stall on new rail. New York, once a leader, has not built heavy rail since 1950. Other countries race forward. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. The gap widens. Vulnerable users pay the price for inaction.

This policy analysis, published January 24, 2023, reviews U.S. transit investment using Transit Explorer data. The article states: 'The U.S. is falling behind in transit investment while other countries are rapidly expanding their systems.' No council bill number applies; this is a report, not legislation. No committee or council member is named. The analysis highlights that New York, despite its vast rail network, has not expanded heavy rail since 1950 and has no major projects funded or under construction. In contrast, cities like Toronto and Seattle are building out their systems. The lack of transit growth leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as safe, reliable alternatives to car travel stagnate. The U.S. commitment to transit is faltering while global peers surge ahead.

• Data: Other Countries Are Building Transit While the U.S. Falls Behind, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-24

DOT poured new sidewalk, cut a bus detour, and painted red bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park. Riders now move straighter, faster, safer. Crosswalks grew. Concrete replaced chaos. Thousands of Bronx commuters feel the change underfoot and in the ride.

On January 24, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced sidewalk expansion and new contraflow bus lanes at Pelham Bay Park station in the East Bronx. The project, begun in September 2021 and finished last fall, added 1,285 square feet of sidewalk, a new median, and red bus-only lanes on Westchester Avenue. The DOT worked with the MTA to cut a circuitous bus detour, giving Bx12 and other riders a direct path. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'DOT’s work at Pelham Bay Park... may be only one-10th of a mile, but the impact for thousands of riders will be gigantic.' New York City Transit President Richard Davey added, 'Bus lanes don't have to be miles long to deliver a huge impact.' The changes serve 64,000 daily riders, expanding space for pedestrians and shortening bus trips. More crosswalks now connect the busy transfer point, making the area less hostile for those on foot.

• DOT Widens Sidewalk, Adds Contraflow Bus Lane to Help East Bronx Commuters, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-24

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.

Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'

• Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible, gothamist.com, Published 2023-01-22

Traffic signs and markings promise safety but often fail. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price. Ian Lockwood, struck while biking, blames the yellow line, not the driver. U.S. standards chase speed, not safety. True safety means fewer big roads, not more signs.

""Traffic markings create a situation where someone's right and someone's wrong," he added. "And when you're wrong, everyone knows who to blame; it's your fault that you didn't follow the rules. But in the Vision Zero way of thinking, we know that people are fallible, and they're going to make mistakes...[and] we can't confuse safety with freedom from liability."" -- Charles Fall

On January 18, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published a policy critique titled 'Counter-Intuitive Department: Sometimes, Traffic Controls Make Streets More Dangerous.' The article centers on Ian Lockwood, a sustainable transportation expert, who was hit by a truck towing a boat while cycling. Lockwood blames road markings, not the driver, saying, 'I blame it on that yellow line.' He criticizes the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for prioritizing speed over safety, stating, 'They're there to make them faster.' Lockwood argues that traffic controls shift blame onto vulnerable users and do not guarantee safety. He supports Vision Zero and shared space designs, which slow traffic and reduce crashes. The critique calls for fewer big arterials and less reliance on signage, focusing instead on eliminating dangerous road features.

• Counter-Intuitive Department: Sometimes, Traffic Controls Make Streets More Dangerous, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-18

The Adams administration built just 11.95 of 20 mandated bus lane miles in 2022. Riders wait. Buses crawl. The city shrugs. Council’s law goes unmet. Advocates demand urgency. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price for political inaction and empty promises.

In 2019, the City Council passed the Streets Plan, requiring 20 miles of new protected bus lanes in 2022. By January 9, 2023, the Adams administration had delivered only 11.95 miles—67 percent of the mandate. The Department of Transportation already signaled it cannot meet future targets. The matter title reads: 'Adams Administration’s Failure to Reach Bus Lane Requirement Angers Bus Riders.' Council members and advocates, including Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein, criticized the administration’s slow pace and lack of urgency. Bus riders like Holly and Frank voiced frustration at stagnant speeds and unmet promises. The Council has not set consequences for missing the requirement. The mayor’s office touts other safety efforts but sidesteps the bus lane shortfall. Riders and advocates demand real investment and action to protect vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on buses.

• ‘Disgraceful’: Adams Administration’s Failure to Reach Bus Lane Requirement Angers Bus Riders, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-09

A sedan traveling north struck a parked tow truck on Staten Island. The driver, a 51-year-old man, lost consciousness and suffered injuries to his entire body. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male driver in a 2020 Honda sedan was traveling north when he collided with a parked 2020 RAM tow truck on Rector Street, Staten Island. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper against the tow truck's center front end. The driver lost consciousness during the crash and sustained injuries to his entire body. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595539 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 59-year-old woman driving a 2021 Acura sedan crashed while making a right turn on Rumpler Court. The driver was injured and in shock. Police noted fatigue as a contributing factor. The vehicle sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old female driver was making a right turn in her 2021 Acura sedan on Rumpler Court when the crash occurred. She was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Fatigued/Drowsy' as a contributing factor, indicating driver impairment due to tiredness. The vehicle's point of impact was the right front bumper, and the damage was to the center front end. The driver was wearing a lap belt and held a valid New York license. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596670 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09