Port Richmond Bleeds While City Leaders Look Away

A distracted driver making a right turn struck a 21-year-old bicyclist traveling straight. The cyclist suffered a severe shoulder fracture and dislocation. The crash left the bike demolished and the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Staten Island's Castleton Avenue at 7:41 p.m. A vehicle traveling north was making a right turn when it struck a bicyclist going straight west. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, emphasizing the driver's failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was not wearing any safety equipment and sustained a severe injury described as a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm/shoulder. The bike was demolished on impact, and the rider remained conscious but injured. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end, with the point of impact at the right front bumper. The driver’s distraction directly led to the collision, underscoring systemic dangers posed by inattentive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765450 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Electric cars are not the clean break promised. A new NBER study finds EVs only 10 percent less harmful than gas vehicles. Heavier batteries mean deadlier crashes. Smokestack pollution from charging outweighs tailpipe gains. The toll on life and air remains high.

On October 15, 2024, researchers from Duke, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Chicago published a working paper through the National Bureau of Economic Research. The report, titled 'The Effects of 'Buy American': Electric Vehicles and the Inflation Reduction Act,' analyzes the full societal costs of electric vehicles (EVs) versus gasoline vehicles (GVs). The study finds, 'U.S. electric vehicles are only slightly less harmful to the environment and society than conventional gasoline cars.' The analysis aggregates climate damage, crash deaths, and pollution. It reveals that EVs’ heavier weight leads to more fatal crashes, and their battery production is energy-intensive. Charging EVs on carbon-heavy grids causes six times more harmful pollution than gas tailpipes. The authors conclude that, factoring in all harms, EVs are only 10 percent less damaging than GVs. The report urges policymakers to reconsider subsidies and warns that the real-world toll of cars—electric or not—remains immense.

• EVs — What Are They Good For?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-15

The 11th Edition of the MUTCD brings overdue changes. It allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and transit lanes. But it still puts cars first. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk. The rules demand human perfection, not safer streets. The danger continues.

On December 2023, the Federal Highway Administration released the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the first update since 2009. This federal document, over 1,000 pages, sets the standards for road markings, signals, and signs nationwide. The update, described as 'important steps toward a safer, more people-focused transportation system,' modernizes speed zone setting and allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and red transit lanes. But it still falls short. The MUTCD expects pedestrians and cyclists to act 'alertly and attentively,' ignoring human error and the diversity of street users. It keeps high barriers for pedestrian signals and prioritizes car movement over safety. The new section on autonomous vehicles raises concerns about streets being built for machines, not people. No council members are named; this is a federal action. Advocates and cities submitted over 25,000 comments demanding stronger reforms. The next update is due by December 2027.

• The 1,000-Page Document That Decides Your Street Designs Just Got a Refresh, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-11

A sedan driver on Staten Island suffered chest injuries when another sedan backed unsafely into her vehicle. The crash at Castleton Avenue involved following too closely and unsafe backing, causing bruising and contusions to the 59-year-old woman.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:40 on Castleton Avenue, Staten Island. A 59-year-old female driver was injured when a sedan backed unsafely into her parked vehicle, striking the left rear bumper. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a chest contusion and bruising but was not ejected and remained conscious. The other vehicle was traveling east going straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision highlights driver errors related to unsafe backing maneuvers and close following distances, which directly led to the injury of the occupant. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Transit union boss John Samuelsen turned against congestion pricing. He blasted the MTA for failing to boost service before tolls hit. His opposition helped stall a plan meant to cut traffic and fund transit. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On October 3, 2024, John Samuelsen, president of TWU Local 100 and TWU International, publicly opposed New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, details Samuelsen’s resignation from the Traffic Mobility Review Board on November 30, 2023, the day tolling recommendations were released. He argued, 'Congestion pricing alone will not reduce traffic to its fullest potential. Central business district tolling should absolutely be coupled with massive increases and improvements in public transit service.' Samuelsen criticized the MTA for not expanding service and called the toll 'classist.' His stance shifted from earlier support in 2019 to strong opposition, citing unmet promises and risks to transit funding. No council bill or committee action is noted. The union’s move leaves vulnerable road users facing the same old dangers: crowded streets, slow buses, and stalled safety reforms.

• Stop Making Sense: TWU’s Head-Scratching Opposition to Congestion Pricing Doesn’t Add Up, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-03

City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

City reverses its own reversal. DOT will cut a traffic lane and add parking-protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard’s southern half. Local officials and advocates forced the city’s hand. The northern half stays unchanged. Vulnerable road users get a win.

On October 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a policy reversal on McGuinness Boulevard. The original lane reduction and protected bike lane plan, previously scrapped, will now move forward for the southern half of the street, between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The matter, described as a return to 'the road diet it had previously finalized and then rejected,' follows months of community outcry and advocacy. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and other local officials celebrated the move, crediting the Make McGuinness Safe coalition for relentless pressure. Restler stated, 'this is a decision that enhances safety in our community, and that's what matters.' The northern half of the boulevard remains unchanged, with two traffic lanes and barrier-protected bike lanes. The city’s action signals a renewed commitment to street safety after repeated delays and political interference.

• Another U-turn on McGuinness Boulevard as city returns to original lane reduction plan, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-10-02

Columbus Avenue shuts out cars every Sunday. Stores fill up. Foot traffic surges. Shopkeepers call it a game-changer. Customers linger, spend, and smile. Lawsuits and car complaints fade against the buzz of busy sidewalks. Open Streets means safety, commerce, and life.

The Columbus Avenue Open Streets program closes the avenue to cars between 68th and 77th streets every Sunday through October 27, 2024. The initiative, described as 'an absolute game-changer' by Martin Johnson of 67 Gourmet, boosts business and draws crowds on foot. Irene Kalogrias of Celso de Lemos says, 'Open street days are the busiest days for our store.' Vinni Schroeder of J.Jill urges expansion. Despite a lawsuit from some residents, business owners support the program. The matter, titled 'Tables of Success: Columbus Ave. Businesses Love the Open Street,' highlights how car-free streets bring safety and commerce. No formal council bill or vote is noted. The program stands as a testament to the power of reclaiming streets for people, not cars.

• Tables of Success: Columbus Ave. Businesses Love the Open Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-27

SUV struck a bicyclist on slick Port Richmond Avenue. Cyclist, 38, suffered hip and leg bruises. Pavement was slippery. Impact was hard. The road and the crash left the cyclist hurt.

According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV and a bicyclist collided on Port Richmond Avenue. The SUV traveled south, the bike east. Both moved straight ahead. The SUV's right rear quarter panel and the bike's center front end collided. The 38-year-old bicyclist was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg. He was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the contributing factor, pointing to hazardous road conditions. No driver license issues or victim actions contributed. The crash highlights the risk slippery streets pose to cyclists when larger vehicles are involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

The MTA sent its $68 billion capital plan to Albany. The ask is historic. Riders face risk if lawmakers stall. Infrastructure needs loom. Governor Hochul promises a fight for funds. The gap is wide. The stakes are high for New York’s streets.

On September 25, 2024, the MTA submitted its $68 billion capital plan funding request to Albany. The plan, described as 'the biggest in the MTA's history,' now awaits review by a panel with appointees from the governor, legislative leaders, and the NYC mayor. Andrea Stewart-Cousins is mentioned in connection with the event. MTA Chair Janno Lieber stressed the plan's aim to 'protect riders from a decline in service due to infrastructure that’s been...neglected or left unfixed.' Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to 'fight to secure as much funding as possible.' The MTA expects $14 billion from the federal government, $8 billion from Albany and the city, and $13 billion from its own debt, leaving a $33 billion gap for the state to fill. The plan’s fate will shape the safety and reliability of transit for millions of New Yorkers.

• $68 billion MTA capital plan officially now Albany’s problem, nypost.com, Published 2024-09-25

Two sedans slammed head-on on Sharpe Avenue. Obstructed views fueled the crash. A 52-year-old woman behind the wheel was bruised. Metal twisted. The street stayed silent. Systemic danger lingered in the dark.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at 21:18 on Sharpe Avenue. Both vehicles were going straight. The crash left a 52-year-old female driver injured with bruises to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and restrained. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor, pointing to limited driver visibility as the cause. Both cars suffered front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Driver error tied to obstructed sight lines was central, exposing the ongoing risk at this location.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A new bike lane in Long Island City pits safety against business. Five killed, 170 injured in five years. Councilwoman Julie Won backs the plan. Truckers and owners protest. DOT pushes forward. Streets stay deadly. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price.

The controversy centers on a planned bike lane in Queens’ District 26, championed by Councilwoman Julie Won. The city aims to connect the Pulaski and Kosciuszko bridges via Borden, Starr, and Review avenues. The project, requested by local civic groups and the community board, follows five deaths—including two cyclists—and over 170 injuries on these roads in five years. Won stated, 'We need to do everything we can to ensure we don’t lose another life to a preventable death.' Thirty-two business owners petitioned DOT to halt the project, citing truck maneuvering dangers. DOT representative Vincent Barone called the route 'a critical gap' in the bike network and promised 'much-needed safety improvements.' The plan will take up to 15 feet from Review Avenue for a two-way bike path and buffer, leaving 22 feet for traffic. The fight underscores the city’s struggle to protect vulnerable road users in truck-heavy corridors.

• Planned new bike lane in industrial NYC neighborhood has business owners fuming: ‘Just not safe’, nypost.com, Published 2024-09-22

Two sedans smashed front to front on Port Richmond Avenue. Both drivers and a passenger suffered injuries. Police cite driver inexperience. Metal twisted. Bodies bruised. Streets unforgiving.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on near 501 Port Richmond Avenue at 8:32 PM. Both drivers and a front-seat passenger were injured. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. One sedan was stopped in traffic northbound; the other was heading south. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. The 27-year-old male passenger suffered whiplash. The 33-year-old male driver had hip and leg contusions. The report does not cite any victim actions or safety equipment as contributing factors. Driver inexperience stands out as the cause behind the crash and the injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA lost billions. Subway and bus riders face crumbling service. Republicans claim victory. Democrats gain nothing. The city’s lifeline bleeds. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price while drivers dodge the toll.

On June 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul unilaterally paused New York’s congestion pricing law, first enacted in 2019 to fund the MTA’s $55 billion capital plan. The move slashed $15 billion from transit budgets, threatening repairs and upgrades. Hochul claimed to act for cost-of-living relief, but polling shows her approval at a record low. Republicans seized credit for the pause, while Democrats saw no political gain. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein called it sabotage: 'Governor Kathy Hochul took a gamble when she sabotaged our public transit system for political gain and she lost dearly.' The MTA now faces a $33 billion shortfall for its next plan. No new revenue source is in place. The legislature, as Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany notes, already did its job by passing the law. The pause leaves transit riders stranded, while car traffic and systemic danger persist.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Tanked Her Polling, Hurt the MTA and Did Zilch for Democrats, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-20

Transit agencies slash service. Riders lose lifelines. Streets fill with cars. Congestion rises. Pedestrians and cyclists face more danger. New York’s MTA repair plans gutted after congestion pricing dies. Leaders stall. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

This report, published September 20, 2024, details a wave of transit funding crises nationwide, with New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at the center. The article, titled '‘Doom Loop’ Alert: Transit Systems are Suffering — And Too Many Are Cutting Service,' chronicles how pandemic relief funds are running dry, ridership lags, and costs soar. Governor Kathy Hochul killed congestion pricing, stripping the MTA of $1 billion a year. Now, the agency slashes repair programs. Streetsblog quotes transit leaders warning that service cuts mean crowded buses, more cars, and lost productivity. Council members and mayors in cities like Miami and Philadelphia face similar choices. The story makes clear: when transit fails, vulnerable road users—those who walk, bike, or rely on buses—face greater risk. The systemic danger grows as public transportation falters and streets fill with traffic.

• ‘Doom Loop’ Alert: Transit Systems are Suffering — And Too Many Are Cutting Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-20

An SUV making a right turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on Richmond Terrace, Staten Island. The SUV driver, aged 50, suffered facial injuries and shock. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Richmond Terrace in Staten Island at 15:25. A 50-year-old male SUV driver was injured, sustaining facial injuries and experiencing shock. The SUV was making a right turn when it struck an eastbound e-bike. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the e-bike. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. There is no mention of any contributing factors related to the e-bike rider. The collision resulted in vehicle damage to both the SUV and the e-bike. The report does not indicate any ejection or visible complaints from the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Car miles in New York City jumped 14 percent since 2019. Congestion is up. The city lags on bus and bike lanes. Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing leaves streets clogged. Vulnerable road users face rising danger as cars reclaim the city.

A new Streetlight Data report, released September 12, 2024, shows car miles traveled in the New York City metro area rose 14 percent over five years. The report singles out New York: 'where congestion pricing was paused, stands out as the urban core with the biggest increase in both congestion and VMT among the top 25.' Governor Hochul’s decision to halt congestion pricing drew sharp criticism from advocates. Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans, called the move 'disastrous,' warning that abandoning congestion pricing is a 'dereliction of duty' on street safety. The report blames city inaction on bus and bike lanes for worsening gridlock. As driving surges, vulnerable road users face greater risk. The city’s failure to curb car use puts lives on the line.

• Report Shows Double-Digit Increase in Post-Pandemic Driving, Counter to Regional Goal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

On September 8, 2024, advocates and officials rallied in Manhattan. They demanded Governor Hochul reinstate congestion pricing. The pause gutted $15 billion from MTA plans. Twenty-three subway elevator projects died. Disabled riders, parents, and seniors lost out. Anger filled the streets.

On September 8, 2024, a coalition of transit advocates and elected officials, including Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, gathered in Manhattan to protest Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of congestion pricing. The event, described as a 'citywide subway accessibility day of action,' spotlighted the $15 billion shortfall now facing the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital plan. According to the event summary, 'the cancellation of elevator installations at 23 subway stations' followed the funding cut. Gallagher condemned the decision, declaring, 'We all matter, and we all need elevators, and we all need congestion pricing.' Comptroller Brad Lander called the move 'shameful.' The rally demanded immediate reinstatement of congestion pricing to restore funding for subway accessibility, directly impacting disabled New Yorkers, parents, and seniors. The protest underscored the systemic danger of underfunded transit and the toll on vulnerable road users.

• Day of action: Congestion pricing supporters in Manhattan demand Hochul unpause toll plan, support mass transit, amny.com, Published 2024-09-08