Apr 25 - Bus-mounted cameras slash crashes and speed up commutes. MTA data shows a 25 percent drop in collisions and faster buses on enforced routes. Riders gain time. Streets grow safer. Delivery giants rack up tickets. The city lags on bus lane promises.

On April 25, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on bus lane enforcement and service improvements. The matter, titled 'SMILE! Bus Lane Cameras Reduce Collisions, Speed Commutes, MTA Says,' highlighted MTA data: routes with automated bus lane enforcement (ABLE) saw 25 percent fewer crashes and 5 percent faster bus speeds over four years. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey testified, calling camera enforcement 'one of the most efficient and effective tools at our disposal.' MTA board member Andrew Albert pushed for more dedicated lanes, while CEO Janno Lieber urged Mayor Adams to meet legal bus lane minimums. The MTA aims to expand cameras to 1,000 buses, covering 80 percent of lanes. The city DOT has fallen behind on required bus lane mileage. Delivery firms like Amazon and UPS are frequent offenders. The MTA is also redesigning routes and reallocating dispatchers to cut bus bunching. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the data shows clear benefits for vulnerable road users.

• SMILE! Bus Lane Cameras Reduce Collisions, Speed Commutes, MTA Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-25

Apr 20 - Advocates push U.S. cities to install speed limiters on government cars. The Safer Fleets Challenge calls for Intelligent Speed Assist in 50 municipal fleets by 2025. Pilots show sharp drops in speeding and crashes. Officials say it saves lives and money.

""This is not something cutting edge... This is the U.S. falling behind and needing to catch up what's happening in other countries ... If you ask a parent if they would like to have this technology in their cars for their teenagers, I would venture to guess almost every parent would say yes. If we want it for our teenagers, we should want it for everyone—because everyone is sharing the roads with each other."" -- Charles Fall

On April 20, 2023, a coalition of transportation advocates launched the Safer Fleets Challenge, urging 50 U.S. communities to install Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) technology on municipal vehicles by 2025. The campaign, highlighted in a Streetsblog NYC article, states: 'Some of America's most prominent sustainable transportation advocacy organizations are challenging governments to embrace a ground-breaking technology that makes it impossible for drivers to speed, starting with the vehicles in their own fleets.' Former council member Erica Gilmore and America Walks president Mike McGinn voiced strong support. Gilmore said, 'Greater safety, of course, would lead to budget savings over the long run for cities and towns.' The article details ISA pilots in New York City and California, showing fewer crashes and less speeding. Advocates argue that executive orders can quickly retrofit fleets, and broader adoption is overdue. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a clear push for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• How Every Government In America Could Stop Its Own Cars From Speeding, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-20

Apr 19 - Mayor Adams backs free buses on ten city routes. Assembly Member Mamdani hails the move for working-class riders. But promised bus lanes and service upgrades lag. Only 11.95 miles built last year. Political fights stall progress. Riders wait. Danger lingers.

On April 19, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams endorsed a pilot to make two bus routes free in each borough, totaling ten free buses. The plan is part of the 'Fix the MTA' package, originally championed by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and progressive allies. Adams said, 'I strongly support the thought of having 10 buses being free on lines in the city. I think it would make a major impact.' Mamdani called free buses 'transformative' for working-class New Yorkers. Despite this, other bus improvements lag. Adams pledged 150 miles of new bus lanes in four years, but only 11.95 miles were built last year. Some projects stalled amid political opposition. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber stressed the need for city commitment to bus lanes and warned of fare hikes and service cuts if funding gaps persist. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• Mayor Adams Backs Free Buses As Other Bus Commitments Fall By the Wayside, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-19

Apr 17 - Sexual harassment stalks DC’s transit. Women riders vanish. WMATA’s old campaigns worked, but vanished too. Ridership drops. Safety erodes. The agency drifts. Riders wait. The call is clear: bring back anti-harassment efforts. Restore trust. Protect women. Save transit.

This opinion piece, published April 17, 2023, urges the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to revive anti-sexual harassment campaigns. The article states, 'WMATA should consider reviving their anti-harassment campaigns to help create a welcoming environment for women.' Before the pandemic, women made up over half of DC transit riders. Now, their numbers have dropped. WMATA’s past campaigns, run with Stop Street Harassment and Collective Action for Safe Spaces, reduced reported harassment and encouraged reporting. But since 2019, progress has stalled. The author notes that sexual harassment drives women away from transit, pushing them toward cars and taxis. WMATA’s 2023 budget lists anti-harassment as a priority, but action is missing. The piece calls for visible, renewed efforts to protect women and restore trust in public transit.

• Opinion: We Should Do More To Fight Sexual Harassment on Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-17

Apr 14 - A traveler lived car-free in England, Germany, and Japan. She walked, biked, and rode transit. Streets felt safe. Drivers yielded. Cities built for people, not cars. She calls for New Jersey to follow. She saw less danger, more freedom, and fewer cars.

This opinion piece, published April 14, 2023, is not a council bill but a personal statement advocating for car-free living. The author describes her experience in Cambridge, Stuttgart, and Tokyo, where 'everything we needed was within easy reach by foot, bike, bus, or train.' She urges New Jersey to deliver more options for all people, not just drivers. The piece supports congestion pricing, public transit, walkability, and bike infrastructure. No council members are named. The author highlights how deliberate city planning—compact development, mixed uses, and robust transit—keeps vulnerable road users safer. Streets designed for people, not cars, reduce risk and open freedom for all.

• Opinion: Car-Free Inspiration From an Overseas Adventure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-14

Apr 13 - A motorbike struck the left front bumper of a stopped SUV on Morningstar Road. The 21-year-old motorcyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a motorbike traveling north collided with the left front bumper of a Ford SUV stopped in traffic on Morningstar Road. The motorbike driver, a 21-year-old male, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was occupied by two males and was traveling southeast before the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - A 60-year-old man driving a sedan collided with a parked SUV. The sedan's left front bumper struck the SUV's left front quarter panel. The driver suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding. Police noted illness as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north struck a parked SUV facing south on Vanpelt Avenue. The sedan's driver, a 60-year-old man, was injured with facial wounds and minor bleeding. The report lists the driver's license status as unlicensed and cites illness as a contributing factor. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles. The SUV had no occupants at the time. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report does not specify other driver errors but highlights the unlicensed status and illness as key factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A hit-and-run driver killed Jaydan McLaurin, a teenage cyclist, on 21st Street in Astoria. He is the 11th cyclist killed this year. The street lacks protected bike lanes. Politicians and advocates demand urgent action. City failed to meet legal safety mandates.

""These are preventable tragedies. Mayor Adams and [DOT] Commissioner [Ydanis] Rodriguez must invest in building safe streets, especially on known-dangerous corridors. We cannot afford to fall further behind on the NYC Streets Plan’s legal requirements."" -- Charles Fall

On April 11, 2023, a hit-and-run driver killed Jaydan McLaurin, a teenage cyclist, on 21st Street in Astoria, Queens. This corridor is a Vision Zero priority but only has an unprotected bike lane. The crash marks the 11th cyclist death in New York City this year, a record high for this point in the year. Council Member Tiffany Cabán called the loss 'wave after wave of grief and heartbreak' and demanded safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris urged Mayor Adams and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez to invest in safe streets and fulfill the NYC Streets Plan’s legal requirements. Advocates noted the Department of Transportation failed to expand bike and bus lanes as required last year. The call is clear: the city must act now to protect vulnerable road users.

• Teen Cyclist Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Queens; 11th to Die this Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-11

Apr 4 - A sedan struck a parked pickup truck from behind on Morningstar Road. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old man, suffered full-body injuries and shock. Police cited unsafe speed and following too closely as factors. The driver was restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Morningstar Road rear-ended a parked pickup truck. The sedan's driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with complaints of pain and nausea and experienced shock. The report lists unsafe speed and following too closely as contributing factors. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt. The pickup truck was stationary before the collision, and the point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the truck and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. Driver inattention and distraction were also noted as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 31 - NYPD station houses in Brooklyn and Queens choke streets with cars. Sidewalks vanish. Buses squeeze past. Pedestrians and riders dodge danger. Officers park anywhere, block homes, ignore laws. Memorials and entrances get buried. Streets turn hostile. The city looks away.

This media commentary, published March 31, 2023, by Streetsblog NYC, spotlights the Eastern Regional Final of 'March (Parking) Madness.' The contest pits Brooklyn’s 75th Precinct against Queens’ 102nd Precinct for worst parking abuses. The article states: 'cars parked all over the place, garbage everywhere, and little respect for its neighbors.' Officers park illegally, block sidewalks, and force bus passengers into the street. The 75th Precinct surrounds its memorial with cars. The 102nd’s entrance is nearly blocked by police vehicles. Both precincts show disregard for neighbors and the law. Council members are not named; this is a public exposé, not a legislative action. No safety analyst note is provided, but the reporting makes clear: NYPD parking practices endanger pedestrians, transit riders, and neighbors.

• March (Parking) Madness: The Eastern Regional Final is a Tight One!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-31

Mar 30 - Two sedans crashed on Brabant Street. One driver was semiconscious with facial injuries. The collision hit the right front quarter panel of one car and the left front quarter panel of the other. Improper lane usage caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Brabant Street near Lockman Avenue. The male driver of one sedan, age 42, suffered facial injuries and was semiconscious after the crash. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The crash involved impact to the right front quarter panel of one vehicle and the left front quarter panel of the other. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor. One vehicle was traveling straight west, while the other was making a left turn. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused injury to the occupant of one vehicle but does not specify injuries to the other driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617040 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - Council Member Lincoln Restler joined advocates at City Hall. They pressed Albany to let New York City set its own speed limits. Families mourned children lost to speeding drivers. The Assembly remains the last barrier. The push is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 29, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler and other city officials rallied for Sammy’s Law, a bill allowing New York City to set its own speed limits without state approval. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a speeding driver in 2013, would let the city lower limits to 20 mph. The matter, described as 'Let New York City lower its own speed limits,' has strong support from the mayor, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, and advocates like Families for Safe Streets. Restler’s action was public advocacy. The Assembly is the final hurdle; the bill is already in the governor’s and Senate’s budgets. Advocates cite a 36% drop in pedestrian deaths after the 2014 speed limit change. Families demand action to prevent more deaths.

• City polls, advocates call on Assembly to let NYC set its own speed limits, amny.com, Published 2023-03-29

Mar 28 - A new report spotlights Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street as a model for trash containerization. Experts say bins could reclaim sidewalks from garbage, freeing space for people. The plan would shift trash from pedestrian paths to the curb, cutting sidewalk clutter and car dominance.

""It would be visually nicer and probably cleaner to have the trash in a container versus on the ground, where it can fall out and blow in the wind."" -- Charles Fall

On March 28, 2023, a policy report recommended using Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street in Brooklyn as a blueprint for citywide trash containerization. The report, led by Clare Miflin of the Center for Zero Waste Design, states: 'The Vanderbilt Avenue open street in Brooklyn could become a blueprint for how the city can finally containerize its trash for collection.' The analysis found that containers could replace sidewalk trash piles, freeing up as much as 25 percent of pedestrian space. The Department of Transportation is redesigning the road, adding curb extensions and loading zones, while the Department of Sanitation considers new collection methods. The plan calls for curbside bins, reducing sidewalk obstacles for pedestrians and shifting space away from cars and trash. No council member sponsored this report, but city agencies and experts are involved. The report argues for urgent action to reclaim public space from garbage and vehicles.

• Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street Could Be Model for Trash Containerization: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-28

Mar 24 - A box truck traveling south rear-ended a sedan on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The truck overturned on impact. A 9-year-old passenger in the sedan suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan also traveling south. The impact caused the truck to overturn. A 9-year-old male occupant in the sedan, seated in the middle rear seat with a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash. The child was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4615341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - Biden’s push for half-a-million EV chargers locks cities into car-first streets. Advocates warn it steals curb space from bike lanes and plazas. Billions go to cars, not transit or safe walking. The plan leaves vulnerable road users in the dust.

On March 24, 2023, the Biden administration announced a federal initiative to build a vast network of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs, aiming for 500,000 plugs and offering a $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit. The policy, described as a 'multi-billion dollar network of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs,' claims to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. Transportation advocates Jon Orcutt, Chris Rall, and Jaqi Cohen voiced strong opposition, warning that the plan entrenches car dependency and endangers future use of curb space for bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, or outdoor dining. Critics argue the federal grant program ignores transit riders and fails to electrify municipal fleets. As one advocate put it, 'Billions of dollars are essentially being spent to further the public’s dependence on cars with little benefit to those who cannot rely on one.' The initiative, lacking support for transit or active transportation, leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Biden’s Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative is Simply Not Going to Solve America’s Car or Climate Problem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-24

Mar 23 - MTA will retrofit over 1,000 buses on 57 routes with open stroller spaces by fall. Parents can board without folding strollers. Grace Lee, Assemblymember, praised the move. No safety incidents reported. Riders with disabilities keep priority seating. Accessibility grows.

On March 23, 2023, the MTA announced an expansion of its Open Stroller Pilot, aiming to retrofit more than 1,000 buses across 57 routes by fall 2023. The program, described as creating 'a seamless boarding experience for parents,' will allow strollers to remain open on buses, ending the need for parents to fold them before boarding. Assemblymember Grace Lee, representing District 65, voiced strong support, sharing her own struggles as a parent navigating transit with strollers. The expansion follows positive feedback and no reported safety incidents during the pilot’s first phase. The designated stroller spaces will not compromise wheelchair access, ensuring continued priority for riders with disabilities. The move marks a step toward safer, more accessible transit for families and vulnerable riders.

• MTA to expand bus stroller pilot to over 1,000 buses over 57 routes by fall 2023, amny.com, Published 2023-03-23

Mar 21 - 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 2023-03-21

Mar 18 - Two sedans collided on South Avenue. One driver suffered back pain and whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention. Both cars showed rear-end damage. The injured man stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on South Avenue collided while stopped in traffic. A 36-year-old male driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left rear bumpers, showing a rear-end impact. The injured driver was conscious and properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim errors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614001 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - State senators pressed DOTs to fight e-bike stigma and protect riders. They called for education, better battery rules, and fair treatment for delivery workers. City Hall’s inaction leaves e-bike users exposed. Bans loom while agencies stall. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

On March 2, 2023, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and colleagues sent a letter to city and state DOTs urging action against the 'demonization' of e-bikes and e-scooters. The letter, signed by Ramos and State Sen. Liz Krueger, demanded more education on safe riding and battery use, warning, 'We cannot allow a narrative to build against a vital, green, and growing mode of transportation.' Ramos criticized City Hall for failing to post speed limits and design streets for e-mobility. Krueger backed battery safety bills, while Councilman Bob Holden pushed for outright bans, citing deaths and injuries. The senators warned that inaction could lead to blanket bans, hitting delivery workers hardest. The city’s plan for safe charging hubs faces local opposition. DOT claims a 'holistic approach,' but vulnerable riders remain at risk as agencies drag their feet.

• State Pols Call on DOTs to Counter E-Bike ‘Demonization’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-10

Mar 4 - Brooklyn power players met behind closed doors. They fought to keep the BQE wide and fast. Former party boss Frank Seddio led the charge. Some officials want fewer lanes for cleaner air and safer streets. City Hall claims neutrality. The debate rages on.

On March 4, 2023, a closed-door City Hall meeting gathered Brooklyn political figures to debate the future of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The event, organized by Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, focused on whether to reduce the BQE from three lanes to two. Former Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio opposed the lane reduction, urging allies to resist the change. The meeting excluded some officials who support shrinking the highway, such as Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, who cite environmental and community health concerns. Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the city for favoring a three-lane solution and sidelining affected communities. City Hall denied taking a side, stating, 'the decision would be based on a DOT traffic study.' No formal council bill or vote was recorded, and no safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• THE POWER BROKERS: Brooklyn Machine Fights Smaller BQE at Closed-Door City Hall Meeting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-04