Feb 7 - Bus speeds crawl. Promised bus lanes never come. Mayor Adams broke his pledge. The city built just 9.6 miles in two years. Riders wait. DOT blames funding. Council law ignored. Streets stay deadly. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

This report, released February 7, 2025, by the Independent Budget Office, exposes the city’s failure to meet the Streets Master Plan law (passed in 2019) mandating 150 miles of new bus lanes. The IBO states: 'It will be virtually impossible for the city to meet the City Council's required 150 miles of new bus lanes at the pace Mayor Adams is going.' Mayor Adams, who took office in 2022, has slowed or killed key bus projects, including the Fordham Road busway. DOT spokesperson Mona Bruno claims the agency is building protected lanes and using cameras for enforcement, but admits resources are tight. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has called for compliance but not funded it. Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein blames hiring freezes and political interference for 'broken promises and neglected legislation.' The report shows that while DOT’s budget grew, staffing for bus lane expansion fell. Bus speeds remain stuck at 8.1 mph. The city’s inaction leaves millions of bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—stranded and exposed.

• Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-07

Jan 27 - Council watered down the City of Yes plan. Parking mandates remain in many areas. Housing stays costly. Streets stay carved for cars. Vulnerable road users get no relief. The fight over parking and safety continues. No victory for people on foot or bike.

This opinion piece, published January 27, 2025, criticizes the City Council's compromise on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) zoning amendments. The Council, after pressure from housing opponents, reinstated parking requirements in many transit-served neighborhoods, despite the City Planning Commission's push to eliminate them citywide. The matter, as described, states: 'Anyone not supporting the elimination of parking mandates is only perpetuating our city's housing crisis.' Planning expert Eric Kober, the author, argues the Council's move blocks housing growth and contradicts city policies to reduce car use. Council members' actions—passing a diluted version of COYHO—leave vulnerable road users exposed. The compromise preserves car dominance, keeps streets dangerous, and stalls progress for safer, people-first neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Candidates Must Pledge to Strengthen ‘City of Yes’ to End Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 27 - A boy walked a rural Georgia highway. He made it home safe. Police arrested his mother. The road lacked sidewalks. Drivers sped by. The system blamed the parent, not the dangerous street. Advocates call for safer roads, not more punishment.

On January 27, 2025, media reported the arrest of Brittany Patterson after her 10-year-old son walked alone along Mineral Bluff Highway, Georgia. The case is not a council bill, but a flashpoint in the debate over child independence and pedestrian safety. Prosecutor Emma Harper said the arrest was due to the boy walking on 'a busy highway with no sidewalk.' The matter highlights how parents, not road designers or drivers, face consequences when children navigate unsafe streets. Advocates, including Lenore Skenazy and attorney David DeLugas, condemned the criminalization of parents and called for accountability in road design. Streets like Mineral Bluff Highway, with high speeds and no sidewalks, endanger all pedestrians. The story underscores a systemic failure: dangerous roads persist, while parents and children bear the risk and blame.

• A Child Went For a Walk on a Rural Highway Alone. His Mom Got Arrested For It., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 26 - An SUV making a left turn collided head-on with a sedan traveling straight. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:25 on Wilcox Street near Bruckner Avenue. A 2015 SUV was making a left turn when it struck a 2022 sedan traveling westbound straight ahead. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old female occupant, sustained a head injury and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The SUV driver was a licensed male from New York, and the sedan driver was a licensed female from New Jersey. The collision highlights critical driver errors involving inattention and yielding failures, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 21 - Senator Scarcella-Spanton pushes S 2622. The bill kills congestion pricing, adds an MTA board seat, and orders a forensic audit. Streets risk more cars. Riders and walkers face louder, dirtier roads.

Senate bill S 2622 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C),' was sponsored by Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23). The bill repeals congestion pricing, expands the MTA board, and mandates a forensic audit. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but repealing congestion pricing means more traffic and danger for New York’s most vulnerable on the street.

• File S 2622, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 19 - A 74-year-old male SUV driver suffered serious hip and leg injuries after a crash on Richmond Terrace. The vehicle struck an object head-on. Police cite prescription medication as a contributing factor, highlighting risks from impaired driving conditions.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old male driver operating a 2010 SUV on Richmond Terrace was involved in a crash at 18:40. The vehicle, traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained center front end damage from a collision. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and was semiconscious at the scene. The report identifies prescription medication as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating impairment that likely affected the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. There is no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by impaired driving due to prescription medication, a critical factor in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 17 - A sedan struck two pedestrians crossing Forest Ave with the signal. Both suffered concussions and injuries to head and hip. The driver hit the left front quarter panel. Pedestrian confusion and glare contributed, according to the police report.

At 7:30 p.m., a 2022 Honda sedan traveling north on Forest Ave struck two pedestrians at an intersection, according to the police report. The vehicle impacted the left front quarter panel and sustained damage to the left front bumper. Both pedestrians, a 30-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal but suffered concussions and injuries to the head and hip respectively. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and glare as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not indicate driver failure to yield but highlights pedestrian confusion and environmental glare as factors in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 16 - A 51-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head contusion on Dixon Ave. The crash involved alcohol, according to the police report. The rider was conscious but injured, with no helmet worn and no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Dixon Ave while traveling south. The bicyclist, who was the sole occupant and driver of the bike, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the incident. The bike sustained no damage, and the point of impact was recorded as 'Other.' No helmet or other safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash occurred while the bicyclist was going straight ahead. The data highlights the role of alcohol in this crash, emphasizing driver impairment as a critical factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 16 - Reinvent Albany blasted a bill to exempt NYPD officers from Manhattan congestion tolls. The group called it unfair, a $22 million giveaway to a powerful few. They warned it would drain funds, raise tolls, and reward special interests over public safety.

On January 16, 2025, Reinvent Albany, a good government watchdog, issued a statement opposing a bill from Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. The bill seeks to exempt NYPD officers, even off-duty, from paying congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan’s central business district. Reinvent Albany called the measure 'contrary to notions of basic fairness' and a '$22 million handout' to a special interest. The Traffic Mobility Review Board had already rejected such exemptions. The group warned that multiple exemption bills could cost the public $100 million yearly and force higher tolls for everyone else. Neither Pheffer Amato nor Scarcella-Spanton commented. The watchdog urged lawmakers to serve the many, not the powerful few.

• Watchdog Group: No Congestion Pricing Toll Exemptions for Cops!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 10 - Assemblyman Ed Ra slammed Governor Hochul for touting train travel while relying on an SUV for her own trip. Critics say her actions undermine public trust and highlight the gap between officials and regular commuters. The controversy exposes hypocrisy, not safety reform.

""The average working class commuter doesn’t have the luxury of traveling with six state troopers and until confidence is restored in the safety of train, subway and bus travel, the number of riders will continue to fall."" -- Charles Fall

On January 10, 2025, Assemblyman Ed Ra (District 19) publicly criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s transportation choices. The incident, covered by nypost.com, centers on Hochul’s photo-op promoting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) use, while her security detail drove an SUV to pick her up at Syosset station. Ra stated, “here she is responsible for BOTH a car trip and a train ride to get to the same place.” The matter, though not a formal bill, highlights political opposition to congestion pricing and official transit promotion. Ra’s comments, echoed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, stress the disconnect between officials’ privileges and the daily reality for vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact was assessed.

• Hochul poses for LIRR photo-op while dispatching her security detail to pick her up from station, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 10 - A federal judge shut down New Jersey’s bid to block Manhattan’s congestion pricing. New York offered concessions. New Jersey wanted more. Talks failed. The toll plan moves forward. Political posturing left transit riders and city streets in the crossfire.

On January 10, 2025, a federal judge ruled against New Jersey’s attempt to halt New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered under the headline 'Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?', details failed settlement talks. Judge Leo Gordon tried to broker a deal. New York offered expanded crossing credits and transit funding. New Jersey, led by Governor Phil Murphy, demanded more. Murphy insisted New Jersey was reasonable, denying New York’s claims of generous offers. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop criticized Murphy’s approach, arguing New Jersey should have bargained for transit benefits instead of fighting the tolls outright. Council Member Vickie Paladino (District 19) was mentioned in coverage. The outcome: congestion pricing advances, with no new protections or funding for vulnerable road users in New Jersey or New York.

• Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?, gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 9 - A cyclist crashed on Henry Street. No protected bike lanes. The driver sped off. The street stayed the same. Neighbors rallied. The council member listened. The injury was harsh. The system failed. Brooklyn’s gap in bike safety remains wide.

On January 9, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published an essay detailing a crash on Henry Street in Brooklyn. The piece, titled 'A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn,' describes the lack of protected bike lanes in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. The author recounts merging into traffic, being closely followed by a driver, and crashing on a wet, greasy iron grid. The car sped away. Passersby helped. The cyclist suffered a broken collarbone. The essay notes, 'Our area of Brooklyn is a major hole in the borough's protected bike lane network.' Council Member Shahana Hanif attended a community meeting on the issue. The call is clear: Brooklyn’s streets favor cars, not people. The absence of protected lanes leaves cyclists exposed and injured. The system’s neglect is the danger.

• ESSAY: A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-09

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 6 - Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

Jan 6 - Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06

Dec 30 - Governor Hochul halted Manhattan’s congestion pricing days before launch. Years of planning and billions for transit hung in the balance. The MTA froze upgrades. Hochul revived the toll months later, but trust and funding took the hit. Riders and streets paid the price.

Bill: Congestion pricing for Manhattan’s Central Business District. Status: Paused by Governor Hochul on June 5, 2024, revived at a lower $9 base in November. No council committee; this was a state action. Hochul’s last-minute reversal stalled the June 30 launch, freezing MTA modernization and risking a $15 billion shortfall. The matter: 'Governor Hochul called off congestion pricing’s scheduled June 30 launch date, despite years of planning and preparation and the MTA’s reliance on the expected revenue.' Hochul defended her pause, then reversed course after the election. Former Governor Cuomo and Hochul both failed to deliver the toll on time. Lawsuits and political delays threaten the future of New York’s transit system. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• 2024 in Review: The Year Congestion Pricing Almost Finally Happened (Again), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-30

Dec 29 - Lyft raised Citi Bike e-bike fees again. This marks the third hike in a year. Per-minute rates climb for both members and non-members. Unlock fees go up. Annual membership holds steady. Riders grumble. The city’s price caps hold. Expansion plans continue.

On December 29, 2024, Lyft announced its third Citi Bike fare increase since the start of the year. The company, which operates the bike-share system under a city contract, will raise e-bike rates from 24 to 25 cents per minute for members and from 36 to 38 cents for non-members. Non-member unlock fees rise to $4.99. Annual membership remains at $219.99. The Adams administration negotiated price caps in 2023; Lyft’s new rates stay below those limits. The matter summary notes, 'Lyft's latest increases still fall below those caps—even as they earned mild jeers from regular users.' No council members are directly involved, as this is a company action, not legislation. The fare hikes frustrate riders, but the city’s price controls and system expansion to new neighborhoods continue.

• Lyft Hikes Citi Bike Fees For Third Time Since Start of 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-29

Dec 27 - Mayor Adams missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. DOT built only a fraction of what the law demands. Commutes drag for the city’s poorest. Council and advocates slam the mayor. Streets stay dangerous. Promises broken. Riders and walkers pay the price.

On December 27, 2024, the Adams administration again failed to meet the 2019 Streets Plan’s legal requirements. The Department of Transportation installed just five miles of protected bus lanes and 22 miles of protected bike lanes—far below the law’s 30 and 50 mile minimums. This marks the third straight year of missed targets. The City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, is considering legislation for stricter tracking. Speaker Adams called the benchmarks 'critical for street safety,' and her spokesperson Mara Davis criticized DOT for 'consistently fall[ing] short of complying with the law.' Advocates like Philip Miatkowski and Danny Pearlstein condemned the mayor’s neglect. The poorest New Yorkers wait longer for slow buses. Streets remain unsafe. The law is ignored. Vulnerable road users suffer.

• Worst Mayor Ever for Bus Riders? Adams’s ‘Streets Plan’ Failure Means Longer Commutes for the Poorest New Yorkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-27

Dec 26 - A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18