Aug 23 - 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

Aug 19 - An e-bike rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a crash at Forest Avenue. The rider was conscious and bruised. The collision occurred during a right turn. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male e-bike driver was injured in a crash near 2060 Forest Avenue. The rider sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The crash involved the e-bike making a right turn and another vehicle making a left turn. The point of impact was the center back end of the e-bike and the center front end of the other vehicle. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 17 - 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

Aug 16 - Two sedans crashed at Forest Avenue. The impact hit the left front quarter panel of one and the right front bumper of the other. Three occupants suffered contusions and bruises. Driver distraction caused the collision. No one was ejected.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Forest Avenue. The first vehicle, a 2021 Ford sedan traveling west, was parked before the crash and was struck on its left front quarter panel. The second vehicle, a 2013 Honda sedan, was starting from parking and impacted with its right front bumper. Three occupants were injured: a 20-year-old male driver with a head contusion, a 32-year-old female passenger with shoulder and upper arm bruises, and a 25-year-old female passenger with knee and lower leg bruises. All were conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Safety equipment was used by two occupants; one passenger had none. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - Two sedans collided on Briarwood Road. Both drivers suffered head injuries and whiplash. The female driver was distracted. Both were restrained by lap belts. Vehicles showed front-end damage. Shock and consciousness marked their states after impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Briarwood Road. The female driver, age 53, was injured with head trauma and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and not ejected. The male driver, age 26, also suffered head injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the female driver. The male driver's contributing factors were unspecified. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The female driver was traveling south going straight ahead, while the other vehicle was parked westbound. The crash caused shock in the female driver and left the male driver conscious. No pedestrian involvement was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - 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

Aug 3 - 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

Aug 3 - 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

Aug 2 - A sedan struck a 25-year-old male e-bike rider on South Avenue. The cyclist suffered chest abrasions but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The crash happened as both vehicles traveled straight. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on South Avenue collided with an e-bike traveling west. The 25-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining chest abrasions but remained conscious and was wearing a helmet. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the e-bike's center front end. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. No other factors or victim errors were noted. The cyclist was not ejected and suffered moderate injuries. The sedan driver was licensed but distracted, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - 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

Jul 23 - Two sedans crashed at Harbor Road. One driver turned left, the other went straight. Both drivers suffered internal injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and limited view as causes. No ejections occurred. Damage hit front ends of both cars.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near 331 Harbor Road. One driver was making a left turn while the other was traveling straight north. Both drivers, women aged 35 and 53, were injured with internal head and back injuries and experienced shock. The report lists driver inattention and limited view as contributing factors. One vehicle was parked with no damage, while the other two sustained front-end damage. Both drivers wore lap belts and were not ejected. The crash highlights how distraction and obstructed views can lead to serious injuries even without high-speed impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648308 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - 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

Jul 8 - A female e-scooter driver struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Avenue. She was partially ejected and injured her elbow and lower arm. The sedan driver was not reported injured. The crash involved driver distraction and following too closely.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old female e-scooter driver traveling north on Union Avenue rear-ended a stopped 2019 Honda sedan. The e-scooter driver was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The sedan driver was not reported injured. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The e-scooter driver was unlicensed. The sedan was damaged at the left rear bumper, and the e-scooter sustained damage to its center front end. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A sedan turning left struck an SUV going straight on South Avenue. The impact hit the sedan’s left front and the SUV’s right front. A 47-year-old female passenger in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2022 sedan making a left turn collided with a 2019 SUV traveling straight on South Avenue. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the SUV. The sedan carried one occupant, a 47-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear, who sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed men. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other causes or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - 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

Jun 26 - A BMW SUV made a right turn and struck a Chevrolet sedan traveling straight on Forest Avenue. A 5-year-old rear passenger in the sedan suffered a neck contusion. The SUV driver was unlicensed and distracted, failing to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 2005 BMW SUV, driven by an unlicensed male, was making a right turn on Forest Avenue when it collided with a 2005 Chevrolet sedan traveling straight west. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan. A 5-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear of the sedan was injured, sustaining a neck contusion and bruising. The child was conscious and restrained with a lap belt. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - 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

Jun 14 - A young man on an e-scooter crashed on Continental Place. He flew from the scooter. His head hit the pavement. He lay still, unconscious. The scooter stood untouched. The street held the mark of impact. His skull did not.

A 23-year-old man riding an e-scooter on Continental Place near Lockman Avenue was thrown from his vehicle and suffered a severe head injury. According to the police report, 'A 23-year-old man, helmetless on an e-scooter, was thrown to the pavement. His head struck hard. He lay unconscious in the street. The scooter stood upright, untouched. His skull did not.' The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but no driver errors or external causes are identified. The crash left the rider unconscious with crush injuries to his head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638679 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - 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

Jun 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