DOT chief Sean Duffy froze all Biden-era grants for bike lanes and green projects. Projects tied to equity, climate, or safety face removal. Advocates warn the move will kill bike and pedestrian safety efforts. Highway projects continue. Cyclists and walkers lose.

On March 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, ordered a halt on all discretionary grants for bike lanes and green infrastructure. The memo, citing Trump-era executive orders, targets projects advancing climate, equity, and safety goals. The review flags any project with equity analysis, green infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, or EV charging for possible removal. Projects with fully obligated funds are exempt. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) condemned the move, saying it 'ignores Congress and the law by slashing grants for bike and pedestrian infrastructure and EV charging.' Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) warned, 'Pedestrians and cyclists are going to die.' The League of American Bicyclists said the freeze will hurt communities and halt safety investments. Highway projects remain untouched. Vulnerable road users face greater danger as safety projects stall.

• U.S. DOT Orders Review of All Grants Related to Green Infrastructure, Bikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-12

Brad Lander vows to finish the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign. He signs a pledge, slams political meddling, and promises swift action. The plan, stalled by the Adams administration, would cut lanes and protect lives. Lander says resistance is futile—data proves safety works.

On March 10, 2025, City Comptroller Brad Lander became the first mayoral candidate to sign a pledge to complete the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign. The event, organized by Make McGuinness Safe, follows the Adams administration's rollback of the original plan after political lobbying. Lander declared, "With street safety, City Hall and DOT are supposed to make the assessment: 'Will this project make things safer?' And if so, go ahead and do it." He criticized the current system as a 'corruption obstacle,' promising to implement the full road diet and streamline safety approvals. Lander's pledge centers community voices and rejects interference from wealthy donors. He invoked DOT data showing that redesigns save lives for all users. Other candidates, including Andrew Cuomo, have not signed the pledge.

• ‘On Day 1’: Lander Vows To Finish McGuinness Safety Redesign that Eric Adams Botched, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-10

A Ford SUV hit an 80-year-old man head-on near Benton Avenue. His head struck the pavement. Blood pooled beneath him. He died under a gray Staten Island sky. The street bore silent witness to another life ended by steel.

An 80-year-old pedestrian was killed when a northbound Ford SUV struck him head-on on Hylan Boulevard near Benton Avenue, according to the police report. The report states the man 'stepped into the street against the light.' The vehicle, a 2008 Ford SUV, was traveling straight ahead when the impact occurred, with the point of contact at the center front end. The police report describes the aftermath: 'His head hit hard. Blood pooled on the pavement. He died under a gray Staten Island sky.' The contributing factors listed in the police data are 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as Failure to Yield or Distraction are cited in the report. The narrative centers the violence of the impact and the fatal consequences for the pedestrian. No mention is made of helmet use or other pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797079, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Steel and weight met a baby boy at Woodpoint and Withers. A dump truck’s left turn ended his life as he crossed with the signal. The street held him, still and broken, beneath the right bumper’s crush.

At the corner of Woodpoint Road and Withers Street in Brooklyn, a dump truck making a left turn struck and killed a baby boy who was crossing the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, 'a dump truck turned left. Its right bumper struck a baby boy crossing with the signal. He died there, crushed beneath steel and weight.' The report states the point of impact was the right front bumper of the truck. The child, a pedestrian, suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The police narrative explicitly notes the victim was 'crossing with the signal.' The driver’s actions—executing a left turn in a large vehicle—placed the most vulnerable road user in mortal danger. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the victim, but the sequence of events centers the dump truck’s left turn and the resulting impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796530, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a stopped SUV on Flatbush Avenue. A woman in the rear seat died, her chest crushed. Two vehicles, one still, one moving. The night’s silence broken by impact. No forgiveness, only loss.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue collided with the center rear of a stationary SUV near State Street in Brooklyn at 23:04. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the sedan, described as 'going straight ahead,' struck it. A 45-year-old woman, seated unbelted in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was killed. The report states her chest was crushed in the impact. The narrative reads: 'A woman, 45, unbelted in the rear seat, died when a sedan struck their stopped SUV. Her chest crushed. Two cars, one still, one moving.' No contributing factors are specified in the police data, but the sequence of events centers on the moving sedan striking a stopped vehicle. The report does not cite any passenger behavior as a contributing factor, listing only 'Unspecified' for contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795527, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

TLC wants stiffer penalties for cabbies who block bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus stops. Repeat offenders face points, higher fines, and possible license loss. Over 28,000 violations in 15 months. Advocates demand even tougher enforcement. Hearing set for March 12.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has proposed new rules to escalate fines and penalties for taxi drivers who block bike lanes, crosswalks, and other critical spaces. The policy proposal, announced February 28, 2025, would add points to TLC licenses for each offense—one for the first, two for the second within 15 months, and increased fines for the third. Six points in 15 months could mean suspension; ten could mean revocation. The matter summary states, 'rules promise to increase safety for passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists alike [and] target a relatively small group of repeat offenders.' TLC spokesperson Jason Kersten said the changes target repeat offenders who make streets dangerous. Street safety advocate Jehiah Czebotar and Transportation Alternatives director Ben Furnas support the proposal but call for automated camera enforcement to catch more violators. A public hearing is scheduled for March 12.

• Hey, Taxi! Stop Blocking the Bike Lane … Or Risk Escalating Fines, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-28

A sedan tore down Van Sinderen Avenue, slammed a bus, then a parked truck. Metal screamed. The front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, died in her seat. Head wounds ended everything. She never saw it coming. The driver had no license.

A deadly crash unfolded on Van Sinderen Avenue near Blake Avenue in Brooklyn when, according to the police report, a sedan traveling at 'unsafe speed' collided with a bus and then struck a parked box truck. The report states the sedan's front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The sedan's driver was unlicensed, as documented in the official vehicle records. The police report attributes the primary contributing factor to 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the sedan as 'slammed into a bus, then a parked box truck,' underscoring the violent sequence. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior are cited in the report. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s excessive speed and the systemic danger posed by unqualified motorists operating vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795300, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A firefighter ran a red. Metal struck metal. A young man died. The street echoed with sirens. Two more rode to the hospital. The city keeps count. The danger stays.

According to the New York Post (February 27, 2025), off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove through a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens, striking Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance video captured Pena’s Mercedes “passing a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-boning Diaz’s 2022 BMW.” Diaz, 23, died at Elmhurst Hospital. Pena faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. Two passengers in Pena’s car were hospitalized. The FDNY suspended Pena for 28 days without pay. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of red-light running and impaired driving, raising questions about enforcement and accountability on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Driver in Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-02-27

A BMW driver ran the red on Northern Boulevard. Metal screamed as a Mercedes struck head-on. The 23-year-old behind the wheel died, unbelted. A parked Toyota caught the edge. The street fell silent, marked by violence and disregard.

A violent collision unfolded at the corner of Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a BMW sedan 'ran the red,' disregarding traffic control. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The BMW was struck head-on by a Mercedes sedan traveling straight. The 23-year-old BMW driver, unbelted and alone, was killed behind the wheel. The impact was severe enough that a parked Toyota SUV was also damaged. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'Metal screamed. A parked Toyota caught the edge. The street fell silent.' The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the deadly consequences of driver actions—specifically, running a red light and alcohol involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795252, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bus swung left on Brook Ave. An e-bike rider, 57, kept straight. Metal struck flesh. He flew, pelvis shattered, and died beneath the streetlights. Police cite improper lane usage. No helmet. No chance. Another life ended on Bronx asphalt.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn collided with a man riding an e-bike who was traveling straight on Brook Ave near East 149th Street in the Bronx. The report states the cyclist, age 57, was struck mid-frame by the bus, ejected, and suffered fatal pelvic injuries, dying at the scene. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error in the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the primary fault attributed to improper lane usage by the vehicle operator. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver mistakes and the vulnerability of those outside steel and glass.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795059, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 17-year-old on a motorbike collided head-on with an SUV on Metcalf Avenue. He was thrown from his seat, his skull striking the street. He died there, broken and still, as dusk closed in over the Bronx.

A 17-year-old male riding a motorbike was killed in a violent head-on collision with an SUV on Metcalf Avenue near East 172nd Street in the Bronx, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 18:44, with both vehicles listed as 'Going Straight Ahead' before impact. The police report states the motorbike struck the SUV's right front quarter panel, resulting in the teen being ejected and suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet at the time. Both contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the official documentation. The narrative describes the aftermath: 'He flew from the seat. His skull met the street. He died there, broken and still, as dusk closed in.' No driver errors are specifically cited in the police report, and no mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor beyond the absence of a helmet.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794705, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Governor Hochul stood at Grand Central. She called out Trump for killing congestion pricing. She vowed the tolling cameras stay on. Streets move faster. Fewer crashes. Pedestrians safer. Advocates cheered. The fight for New York’s streets is not over.

On February 20, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul publicly defended New York’s congestion pricing program after President Trump’s administration withdrew federal approval. At a press conference, Hochul declared, 'We are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington.' She promised the tolling cameras would remain active unless the MTA lost its legal battle. MTA CEO Janno Lieber reported, 'Speeds are up, up, up. The streets are safer. Half as many crashes. And that means pedestrians are not getting injured and killed.' Advocates like Brent Bovenzi and Christopher Sanders praised Hochul’s strong stance and noted the program’s success. The statement signals Hochul’s commitment to safer, less congested streets and resistance to federal interference.

• Hochul Finally Finds Her Voice in Defending Congestion Pricing From ‘King’ Trump, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-20

Third Avenue changed. Protected bike lane. Injuries fell. Pedestrians, cyclists, passengers safer. No deaths since redesign. Bike traffic soared. DOT says green wave slows cars, helps walkers, riders. Streets once deadly now less so. Numbers show lives saved.

On February 19, 2025, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) released new safety data for Third Avenue in Manhattan. The protected bike lane and street redesign, finished in late 2023 from East 59th to East 96th streets, cut total injuries by 33 percent. Pedestrian injuries dropped 63 percent. Cyclist injuries fell 10 percent, even as bike traffic jumped 79 percent. No pedestrians or cyclists have died since the changes. DOT spokesman Vin Barone said, "DOT's redesign of Third Avenue has significantly reduced serious injuries—whether you're walking, biking, or in a car on the corridor." The DOT also highlighted its 'green wave' signal timing, set to 15 mph, which slows drivers and helps vulnerable users. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called Third Avenue "one of the best streets in all of New York City" and urged similar redesigns elsewhere. The city estimates protected bike lanes cut deaths and serious injuries by 18.1 percent for all, and 29.2 percent for pedestrians.

• Safety First on Third: DOT Numbers Show a Roadway Safer for All Users, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-19

Trump killed congestion pricing. The feds yanked approval. The MTA sued. Transit funding took a hit. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and cyclists lose. The city’s lifeline is at risk. Politicians bicker. The danger remains. The fight moves to court.

On February 19, 2025, the Trump administration revoked federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan. The move, announced by U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, argued the program’s main goal was revenue, not congestion relief. The MTA immediately filed a lawsuit, calling the action unlawful. The bill is not a council measure but a federal policy reversal, with local officials and advocates condemning the decision. State Senator Zellnor Myrie was mentioned among those opposing the move. The matter title reads: 'Trump Withdraws Federal Approval for Congestion Pricing, Blowing Hole in Transit Budget, as MTA Files Lawsuit.' The reversal threatens transit funding and leaves vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing traffic danger. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the loss of congestion pricing means more cars, more risk, and less money for safer streets.

• Trump Withdraws Federal Approval for Congestion Pricing, Blowing Hole in Transit Budget, as MTA Files Lawsuit, streetsblog.org, Published 2025-02-19

A 67-year-old man pedaled west on W 51st. The door of a parked SUV swung open. His bike crashed. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The SUV stood untouched. The man died on the street, another life ended by steel and carelessness.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man riding a bike westbound on W 51st Street at 5th Avenue collided with the door of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A 67-year-old man on a bike hit the door of a parked SUV. No helmet. His head struck hard. He flew, then fell. Blood spread. The SUV was untouched. He died.' The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, marking them as 'Unspecified.' The SUV was parked, and the cyclist was ejected upon impact, suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash. The focus remains on the lethal interaction between vulnerable road users and parked vehicles in Manhattan’s dense streetscape.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796322, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A BMW SUV hurtled east on Belt Parkway, speed unchecked. The driver, unbelted, lost control on slick pavement. Metal twisted, glass burst. Thrown from the wreck, his head struck hard. Alone, he died on the frozen asphalt.

According to the police report, a BMW SUV traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway crashed while moving at unsafe speed on slippery pavement. The sole occupant, a 41-year-old male driver, was ejected from the vehicle and killed, suffering fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The SUV was described as 'demolished' at the point of impact. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, but the police report attributes the crash primarily to excessive speed and hazardous road conditions. No other vehicles or road users were involved. The narrative underscores the violence of the crash and the systemic danger posed by high speeds, especially under adverse conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793436, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A minivan slammed head-on on Brookville Boulevard, crushing its front. A 78-year-old woman in the back seat took the full force and died at the scene. The impact shattered steel and bodies alike. The street kept moving. She did not.

According to the police report, a 2022 minivan traveling north on Brookville Boulevard near S Conduit Avenue crashed head-on, with the center front end absorbing the impact. The vehicle's front was crushed, confirming the violent collision. Inside, a 78-year-old female passenger seated in the rear left suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor, indicating a vehicle-related error or malfunction played a role. The driver, a 74-year-old man, also sustained internal injuries but survived. Another occupant, a 71-year-old female front passenger, suffered fractures and dislocations. No driver errors beyond the unspecified vehicular factor are detailed, and no victim behaviors contributed according to the police report. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of vehicle-related failures in head-on collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792680, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV turned left on W 58th Street and crushed an 83-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The left bumper struck her head. She died in the crosswalk, beneath the city’s cold lights. The street swallowed her name.

An 83-year-old woman was killed while crossing W 58th Street at Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was 'crossing with the signal' when a northbound SUV made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The impact crushed her head, and she died at the scene, in the crosswalk. The vehicle involved was a 2020 Mazda SUV, operated by a licensed male driver. The police report lists the driver’s pre-crash action as 'making left turn.' No driver errors are explicitly cited beyond the vehicle’s movement, but the victim’s lawful crossing is clear. The report notes her position as 'Pedestrian at Intersection' and her action as 'Crossing With Signal.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792095, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15