Nov 25 - MTA’s customer survey skews results. Riders forced to rate safety based on homelessness and erratic behavior. Biased questions fuel false narratives. Real safety data lost. Riders left unheard. Subway danger misunderstood. Systemic flaws persist. Riders pay the price.

On November 25, 2022, a public critique targeted the MTA’s Customers Count Survey. The survey, administered by WBA Research, asked riders to rate satisfaction with conditions like panhandling and homelessness, but gave no room for context. The matter summary states, 'the survey was flawed and would produce biased results.' The critique opposes the narrative that subway danger comes from vulnerable people, and warns that these results justify more police, not real safety. No council bill or committee is involved; this is a public challenge to MTA’s data practices. The author notes, 'the authority is failing to collect key data that it can use to actually improve people’s experience using transit.' Riders’ voices are lost. The system’s real dangers remain unaddressed.

• Survey Says: Here’s Why the MTA Thinks You Don’t Feel Safe on the Subway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 25 - Council debates curbside space. Experts push for parklets, not just parking. Merchants and groups could claim street edges for public use. DOT urged to oversee, not DCWP. Council Member Velazquez leads but stays silent. The fight is for safer, shared streets.

""For us, it's a no-brainer to put it under DOT so that we can push the program to be a little more holistic, and start thinking about these other opportunities for the curb. If we end up seeing the program fall under DWCP, you're going to lose the opportunity to evolve it."" -- Charles Fall

This proposal, now before the City Council, seeks to expand the Open Restaurant program by allowing curbside space to become 'community parklets.' The bill is led by Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, though she declined comment as the process continues. The matter, as described by the Regional Plan Association and partners, aims to 'enable merchants or organized groups to tap into the Open Restaurant program and its legal infrastructure, giving new mixed-use space to programs that benefit their communities.' The Alfresco NYC Coalition and advocates like Maulin Mehta support shifting oversight to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a broader, safer approach to curb use. The bill is under active debate, with hearings showing strong support for reclaiming curb space for public benefit, not just cars or restaurants.

• GREEN CURBS: Open Restaurant Supporters Want Some ‘Parking’ Spots for Parklets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-25

Nov 21 - A Ford van turned left at Forest and South. Its front struck a 73-year-old man crossing the street. He died on the pavement. The van’s right front bore the mark. The street stayed quiet. The man did not go home.

A 2006 Ford van made a left turn at the corner of Forest Avenue and South Avenue. The van’s front struck a 73-year-old man who was crossing the street. According to the police report, 'A 2006 Ford van turned left. Its front struck a 73-year-old man crossing. He died there, on the pavement. The van’s right front quarter bore the mark.' The pedestrian died at the scene. The data lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No other injuries were reported. The crash left a mark on the van and ended a life on the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583662 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 21 - Subway riders gave Hochul a landslide. They want safe, reliable trains. Advocates say the governor must fund transit, not let it fall apart. Riders rejected fearmongering. Now they wait for Hochul to deliver on her promises. The city’s future rides on it.

""Without them, the MTA risks falling into a real death spiral of fare hikes and service cuts, which will further depress ridership and hurt the city and region’s recovery."" -- Charles Fall

This post-election analysis, published November 21, 2022, reviews the outcome of the November 8 election and its meaning for transit policy. Subway riders backed Governor Hochul by an 81 to 19 percent margin in districts with the busiest stations. The article states, 'the governor needs to invest in mass transit and provide the MTA the billions it needs in new dedicated revenues to save it from the fiscal cliff.' Advocates like Rachael Fauss, John McCarthy, Liam Blank, Kate Slevin, and Lisa Daglian urge Hochul and the legislature to boost funding and treat transit as essential. They warn of a 'death spiral' if service cuts and fare hikes hit. Hochul’s support for projects like the Interborough Express and congestion pricing is noted. The message is clear: New Yorkers demand safe, reliable transit, and the governor must deliver.

• ANALYSIS: Subway Riders Backed Hochul By Widest Margins; Now Governor Better Deliver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 21 - DOT will add a parking-protected bike lane on 10th Ave. from Chelsea to Hell’s Kitchen. Community Board 4 backed the plan but demanded more concrete barriers. Locals say painted islands and plastic posts won’t stop cars. Three pedestrians have died since 2016.

On November 21, 2022, the Department of Transportation unveiled a plan for a parking-protected bike lane on nearly 40 blocks of 10th Avenue, stretching from W. 14th to W. 52nd streets. Manhattan Community Board 4’s Transportation Committee unanimously supported the proposal but urged DOT to add more physical barriers. The plan includes pedestrian islands and repurposes car lanes in some sections, but for 19 blocks, car lanes remain untouched. Council Member Erik Bottcher and local activists pushed for the redesign, citing high crash and fatality rates: 173 crashes this year, 40 injuries, and three pedestrian deaths since 2016. Committee members, including Christine Berthet and Brett Firfer, criticized painted islands as unsafe, calling for concrete or vertical barriers. DOT’s Patrick Kennedy cited resource limits. The agency aims to start work in spring and finish by fall.

• DOT Unveils Long-Awaited 10th Ave. Bike Lane; Locals Say Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-21

Nov 18 - A family pedals through Palo Alto, hauling kids and groceries by cargo bike. They dodge car chaos, breathe clean air, and stay close. Their story cuts through car culture. They prove families can thrive without a car. Streets shape safety. Bikes bring freedom.

On November 18, 2022, Streetsblog NYC published a public advocacy piece titled "Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth." The article highlights the Boelens family, who have lived car-free for 11 years, using cargo bikes for daily errands and childcare. The piece states: "We find it's just as easy to get around within a five-mile radius by bike than it is by car. We get exercise, fresh air, and save so much money." The story features direct quotes from Arnout and Nicole Zoeller Boelens, who describe the ease and joy of cycling as a family. No council bill, vote, or committee action is involved. The article challenges the myth that families need cars, showing how street design—not personal choice—shapes safety and mobility for vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst assessment is included.

• Cargo Bikes: The Happiest Transportation Mode on Earth, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 18 - A grove now stands in Brooklyn for those killed by cars. Families for Safe Streets and city officials opened the Memorial Grove in Lincoln Terrace Park. It marks the toll of traffic violence. Names are remembered. The city’s pain is made visible.

On November 18, 2022, city officials and Families for Safe Streets dedicated the Memorial Grove for Victims of Traffic Violence in Lincoln Terrace/Arthur S. Somers Park, Brooklyn. The event, supported by Mayor Eric Adams, marks the first such memorial in the United States. Adams said, 'My administration has zero tolerance for traffic violence.' Robin Middleman Filepp of Families for Safe Streets called it 'a public health crisis that demands action.' The grove honors over 2,100 killed and nearly half a million injured since Vision Zero began in 2014. The Parks Department set aside the space, with saplings planted by volunteers and city workers. The memorial stands as a stark reminder: traffic violence is preventable, and victims deserve recognition.

• A Grove Grows In Brooklyn: Finally, New York Has a Memorial to Road Violence Victims, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-18

Nov 15 - Cars poison New York. Emissions kill 1,400 city residents each year—more than crashes. Noise from traffic warps bodies and minds. Walking brings health, sanity, and community. Electric cars do not solve the core danger. Streets remain deadly. Walking saves lives.

This policy advocacy, published November 15, 2022, revisits the impact of car dependency a decade after 'Walkable City.' The article, titled 'Walkable City 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought,' draws on studies showing road emissions cause 53,000 early deaths annually in the U.S., with 1,400 in New York City alone. Healthcare costs from vehicle emissions top $21 billion per year in the city. The piece highlights that electric vehicles do not eliminate most toxic emissions, which come from tires and non-tailpipe sources. Traffic noise increases risk of heart attacks, strokes, and dementia. The article quotes, 'People who walk 8.6 minutes a day are 33 percent more likely to report better mental health.' It argues that walking and biking foster stronger communities and civic engagement, while car traffic breeds isolation and danger. No council member is named; this is a broad policy critique, not a legislative action.

• <i>Walkable City</I> 10 Years Later: Cars Make Us Sicker Than We Thought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Nov 14 - Philadelphia will fix or install 10,000 curb ramps after a lawsuit. The city dragged its feet for decades. Disabled residents faced danger, isolation, and injury. Officials acted only after being sued. Sidewalks beyond ramps remain neglected. Justice came slow, hard-fought.

On November 7, 2022, Philadelphia settled a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019, agreeing to install or repair 10,000 curb ramps over 15 years—at least 2,000 every three years. The city must keep these ramps in working order, but sidewalks beyond the ramps are excluded. The matter, titled 'Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?', highlights the city's long resistance to basic ADA compliance. Plaintiffs like Fran Fulton said, 'They're responding to our needs now because we sued them.' Disability Rights Advocates attorney Meredith Weaver called the process 'hard-fought,' noting that leaders' inaction led to injuries and isolation. Weaver stressed that proactive, well-funded sidewalk networks—not lawsuits—would better protect people with mobility challenges. This settlement forces overdue action, but leaves many sidewalks unsafe.

• Why Do People With Disabilities Have to Sue To Get Accessible Sidewalks?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Nov 10 - A sedan hit a 16-year-old e-scooter rider on Brabant Street. The teen suffered knee and leg injuries. Police cite driver errors: following too closely and other vehicular factors. The rider was left in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Brabant Street collided with a 16-year-old male e-scooter rider who was passing northwest. The teen suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock at the scene. The sedan’s left front quarter panel and the e-scooter’s left front bumper were damaged. Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, pointing to driver error by the sedan operator. The report notes the e-scooter rider was not ejected and had no safety equipment. No fault is assigned to the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - A sedan struck the left rear bumper of a parked car on Richmond Avenue. The moving driver, an 18-year-old male, suffered bruises and elbow injuries. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. No ejections occurred. Both vehicles sustained damage.

According to the police report, a 2006 Chevrolet sedan traveling north on Richmond Avenue collided with the left rear bumper of a parked 2022 Mazda sedan. The 18-year-old male driver of the moving vehicle was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The parked vehicle had no occupants. Damage was reported to the front center of the moving sedan and the left rear bumper of the parked sedan. No ejections or other injuries were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - DOT will take two car lanes on Washington Bridge for a protected bike lane and a bus lane. Cyclists and bus riders get space. Pedestrians breathe easier. Community board backs the plan. Car drivers lose parking. The city moves to fix a deadly gap.

On November 9, 2022, the Department of Transportation proposed repurposing two car lanes on the Washington Bridge for a two-way protected bike lane and a dedicated bus lane. The plan was presented to Manhattan Community Board 12's Traffic and Transportation committee, which gave unanimous advisory support. The DOT aims to install the changes by summer or early fall 2023. The proposal states: 'The city wants to repurpose a pair of car lanes on the Washington Bridge uptown for a two-way bike lane and a bus lane next year, giving a dedicated space to cyclists who are currently forced to share extremely narrow paths with pedestrians.' Lucia Deng, a Transportation Alternatives activist, called the move 'huge,' noting the Bronx and Upper Manhattan have long been neglected. DOT planner Patrick Kennedy said, 'We try to maintain the protected connections as much as possible. They really only work if they’re continuous.' The plan removes 20 parking spaces but connects vital bike and bus routes, giving thousands of non-drivers safer passage.

• DOT Proposes Protected Bike Path, Bus Lane for Washington Bridge (The Other One), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 9 - A University of Washington study finds permanent daylight savings time could save 33 human lives and 36,550 deer yearly. Fewer crashes happen when commutes end before dark. Earlier Rutgers research showed a 13 percent drop in pedestrian deaths at dusk and dawn.

On November 9, 2022, a research report published in Current Biology examined the impact of permanent daylight savings time on road safety. The study, led by University of Washington researchers, argues that 'rolling back the clocks in November may give millions of Americans an extra hour of sleep, but it also costs human and animal lives on U.S. roads that could be saved by making daylight savings time permanent.' The report found that keeping daylight savings time year-round could prevent 33 human deaths and 36,550 deer deaths annually by reducing crashes during dark hours, especially at peak commute times. A 2004 Rutgers study cited in the report found permanent daylight savings time would cut pedestrian deaths by about 13 percent during dusk and dawn. The researchers stress that systemic changes—like mandatory streetlights, traffic-calming infrastructure, and wildlife crossings—are also needed to protect vulnerable road users and wildlife.

• Research: Permanent Daylight Savings Time Could Save Human and Animal Lives on Our Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-09

Nov 5 - A 10-year-old girl was hit by an SUV traveling north on Forest Avenue. The impact struck her left elbow and lower arm, causing abrasions. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The child was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a female driver operating a station wagon/SUV was going straight north on Forest Avenue when she struck a 10-year-old female pedestrian not at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The vehicle's left front bumper was the point of impact, but no vehicle damage was reported. The driver was licensed in New Jersey and traveling alone. The pedestrian's actions did not contribute to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - A 12-year-old boy crossing at a marked crosswalk was hit by a southbound SUV. The driver was distracted. The boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The vehicle showed no damage. The crash happened near Arlington Place.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing South Avenue at a marked crosswalk near Arlington Place. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a female operating a 2007 Jeep SUV traveling southbound, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580018 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - Paseo Park on 34th Avenue turned a deadly street into a safe haven. In two years, no one has died. Injuries to walkers and cyclists have plunged. The city eyes making it permanent. Council Member Moya blocks expansion. The numbers speak: lives saved.

This report covers the transformation of 34th Avenue into Paseo Park, an open street project in Queens. The project, now two years old as of October 25, 2022, has slashed traffic deaths and injuries. The matter summary states: 'the street has become much safer for all users as it has created dignified public space for all residents.' Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez led the ribbon-cutting. City officials are moving to make the changes permanent. In the last two years, there have been zero traffic deaths on 34th Avenue and a 43 percent drop in crashes in the surrounding area. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries have dropped by half, even as usage soared. Council Member Francisco Moya has not supported expanding Paseo Park into his district, leaving the project stalled at the border. The data show: open streets save lives, cut injuries, and give neighborhoods space to breathe.

• NUMBER CRUNCH: ‘Paseo Park’ is Already a Success Story, Defying Screaming Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-25

Oct 20 - Large vehicles kill. Their size crushes, their height blinds. A tax on these machines would slow the arms race. Money raised could build safer streets. Fewer SUVs, fewer deaths. The danger is clear. The fix is simple. Lawmakers must act.

This policy advocacy, highlighted at the 2022 Vision Zero Cities conference, calls for taxing large vehicles to protect vulnerable road users. The proposal, supported by Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog NYC, urges policymakers to use tax revenue to fund safer infrastructure. The article states, 'one efficient policy would be to tax large vehicles and use the revenue to build the infrastructure needed for safer streets.' The analysis draws a direct line between the rise of SUVs and pickups and the surge in pedestrian deaths. It notes that the largest vehicles are the deadliest, especially for those on foot or bike. The piece argues that taxing these vehicles would not only discourage their use but also shift the burden of their societal costs back onto their owners. The model follows Washington, D.C.'s recent move to scale registration fees by vehicle size and dedicate funds to safety programs. The message is blunt: fewer giant vehicles, more lives saved.

• Vision Zero Cities: The Case for Taxing Large Vehicles, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

Oct 14 - A truck driver killed Kala Santiago on a no-truck route. He passed too close, failed to yield, and faced no charges. The city lacks a three-foot passing law. A 2019 bill to fix this died in committee. Cyclists remain exposed. Justice denied.

In 2019, then-Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez introduced a bill requiring drivers to keep a minimum three-foot distance when overtaking cyclists. The bill, supported by NYPD and DOT, never reached a vote before Rodriguez’s term ended and has not been reassigned. The bill summary states it 'would require drivers of motor vehicles to maintain a minimum distance of three feet when overtaking a bicycle.' Rodriguez sponsored the bill. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig and Steve Vaccaro criticized the lack of enforcement and the absence of a defined safe passing law, noting that most of the country already has such protections. Flanzig called the law essential to prevent tragedies like the death of Kala Santiago, who was killed by a truck driver on Parkside Avenue. Without this law, cyclists remain at risk, and drivers rarely face consequences.

• No Charges for Truck Driver Who Killed Cyclist Despite Being on a No-Truck Route and Failing to Yield, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-14

Oct 9 - A 79-year-old man on a bike was hit by a pick-up truck on Forest Avenue. The truck and bike both traveled south. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion. Limited view contributed to the crash. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck and a bicycle collided on Forest Avenue. Both vehicles were traveling south when the crash occurred. The bicyclist, a 79-year-old man, sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment and was conscious after the crash. The truck's right front bumper and the bike's center front end were damaged. No other driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - A Brooklyn woman walked to yoga. A driver struck her in a crosswalk. Metal met flesh. Pain followed. The police blamed her. The driver sent a sorry note. She joined the ranks of thousands hurt each year. Streets stay dangerous. Victims carry the weight.

On October 5, 2022, a personal testimony on pedestrian safety and traffic violence was published by Streetsblog NYC. The account details a crash: 'I was hit by a car driver while on my way to a yoga class in my Brooklyn neighborhood.' The driver struck the pedestrian in a crosswalk. Council action is not involved, but the testimony exposes systemic failure. Police blamed the victim: 'The police report blamed the victim: I caused my own pain.' The driver offered an apology, but took no responsibility. The story highlights the normalization of danger for pedestrians and the lack of driver accountability. No safety analyst assessment is available, but the narrative underscores the daily toll of car violence and the routine victim-blaming that follows.

• The Day I Was Hit By a Driver Changed My Life, And My City, Forever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-05