Statement from Transportation Alternatives in Strong Opposition to Mayor Adams’ Decision to Bring Driverless Cars to New York City

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Adams announced a new permit program for driverless car testing in New York City. 

Statement from Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives: 

“Driverless cars are untested, dangerous technology, and they have no place in New York City. New Yorkers should not be lab rats for the car industry, which has already killed and injured thousands of our neighbors.”

“Despite the name, safety drivers don’t ensure safety, and driverless cars with safety drivers have killed people just as driverless cars without safety drivers have killed people. We live in the most pedestrian-dense, transit-rich city in the U.S., and the most congested. We need to be delivering better transportation options to New Yorkers – not more cars, which bring pollution, unsafe streets, congestion, and chaos to our city.”

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Council Members Shekar Krishnan and Erik Bottcher, Transportation Alternatives, Open Plans, Advocates Urge DOT to Improve Open Streets for Schools in Open Letter

Since Vision Zero began, crashes have killed 94 New Yorkers under 18.

NEW YORK – Council Members Shekar Krishnan and Erik Bottcher, Transportation Alternatives, Open Plans, educators, and advocates sent a letter to the New York City Department of Transportation urging them to improve the Open Streets for Schools program by providing additional funding to schools, speeding up the application process, and increasing accessibility. Open Streets for Schools enable schools across New York City to establish and maintain Open Streets, protecting students from traffic violence. 

Children ages 5 to 18 have the highest fatality and serious injury rates of all age groups under 50 in the five boroughs. Since Vision Zero began almost a decade ago, 94 New Yorkers between 5-18 have been killed, and 16 New Yorkers under 18 were killed last year alone. 

Open Streets for Schools protect students across the city and create vital public spaces, but the program needs to be updated and maintained to best serve New York City. The number of these streets has declined from 100 in January 2022 to just 51 in January 2023.

“This isn’t due to a lack of interest, instead, it is an echo of the inequities communities face on a daily basis: New York City provides limited capital to participants to sustain their Open Streets for Schools, resulting in barriers for schools with fewer financial resources,” write the authors. 

To improve Open Streets for Schools, the authors spoke with participating schools and schools that feel apprehensive about the process. They recommended:

• $10 million in funding for the program, and additional resources for Title I schools

• A dedicated Vision Zero Coordinator at each school 

• DOT commitment to establishing new Open Street for Schools in every city ZIP code by 2024

• A faster, more streamlined, and more responsive application process

"Car accidents on NYC streets kill hundreds of New Yorkers every year, each one a neighbor, friend, or family member. The drastic reduction in accidents on 34th Avenue in my district offers proof that open streets are safe streets, especially when they prioritize safety at our schools. If we are going to save lives and protect our children, we must create and invest in more open streets,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. 

“Community investment is essential for creating long-lasting and effective programs,” said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Transportation Alternatives. “Open Streets for Schools offer a unique and historic opportunity to improve streets around our public schools and also protect some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers from traffic violence. We believe that by implementing these key changes, DOT can expand and update an already successful program and ensure that everyone has a safe commute to and from school.” 

"Every school that wants an Open Street should have an Open Street. We've been working creatively with schools across the city to connect them with the various resources they need to apply; but in the longterm, we're advocating for simple and immediately implementable changes to the program that will allow schools to successfully apply and operate an Open Street without any help at all. We’re grateful for the DOT’s stewardship of this incredibly valuable program and look forward to a future where many more school communities enjoy safe, joyful, and enriching street space,” said Sabina Sethi Unni, Schools Streets Organizer at Open Plans. 

“A city that serves children’s need to play is a better city for all. Open streets, including school streets, provide opportunities for children to explore, create, and play; they are crucial intergenerational public spaces and must be supported if we want our urban environment to support health, joy, and belonging for the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Zoe Fortin, Executive Director of Play:groundNYC. 

"Every school, especially those in cities, should have their street all to themselves. Paris has done this and we should too. It will be a wonderful day when every child can walk, roll, or bike to school safely, and motorists are having bake sales for highway repair. We need to provide safe passage to and from schools - all day, every day. What are we teaching our children if we don't prioritize their health, safety, and well being over the convenience of motorists?" said Stacey Randecker Bartlett, an Open Streets for Schools Advocate.

Transportation Alternatives Calls For a Fully-Funded, Maintaintained, and Equitable Open Streets for Schools Program at City Council Hearing

NEW YORK — Today, the City Council’s Committee on Education held a hearing on next year’s Department of Education budget. Despite the Open Streets for Schools program’s popularity and benefits, the number of school streets is declining across the five boroughs, and it requires both funding and institutional support to continue. 

Statement from D’Shandi Coombs, Transportation Alternatives' Schools Organizer:

“School-age children are at especially high risk of traffic violence, and more New Yorkers under 18 were killed last year than any other since Vision Zero was first announced. Open Streets for Schools not only protect students during drop-off and pick-up from school, but also nurture communities and create spaces for entire neighborhoods to learn, grow, exercise, and meet. However, this lifesaving program needs funding to continue, and we’re asking for $10 million to sustain and grow this program so that New Yorkers in every ZIP code have access to safe school streets.”

Full Testimony:

Good afternoon, and thank you to Chair Joseph and the members of the Education Committee for convening today’s hearing on the FY24 budget. I am D’Shandi Coombs, and I am the Schools Organizer with Transportation Alternatives. I am here today to support an initiative that can improve our schools as well as the safety and well-being of our students and the larger community: Open Streets for Schools. 

School-age New Yorkers are at especially high risk when it comes to traffic violence. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 have the highest fatality and serious injury rates of all age groups under 50 in the five boroughs. Three-quarters of students under age 15 in the City walk, bike, or take public transit to school, and it’s crucial that we prioritize their safety when traveling to and from class. School street safety is also an equity issue – while streets near public schools in New York City see 57% more crashes and 25% more injuries during drop-off times, streets around schools that serve predominantly Black and brown students are substantially more dangerous. 

During the 8 a.m. hour, when over a million children stream into more than 1,800 city-run public schools, there are 57% more crashes and 25% more injuries per mile on streets near schools than on the city’s other streets.

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Open Streets Program turns car-centered streets into pedestrian-centered spaces. Open Streets for Schools are open streets that are run, maintained, and programmed by adjacent or nearby K-12 schools; they reimagine a roadway not dominated by cars but for children to play and for learning to thrive. Open Streets for Schools make our communities safer and stronger; they create secure and welcoming spaces for their students and the larger community, and car-free streets protect students from traffic violence. 

“My success story is that [without an Open Street] my son’s school would have zero outdoor space. There was nowhere else they could have gone. We met our goal. That is my success story.” - Noelia Plaza, Former P.S 222 parent

Successes of Open School Streets:

Many schools use their school streets to ease arrival and dismissal by closing off the street from cars during certain hours, or using the streets to offer after school programs and extracurricular activities. School streets do not just need to belong to individual schools but can benefit the entire community. Many schools host programs such as voter registration clinics, mental wellness booths, and street vendors. Schools lacking a dedicated yard or gym also often need additional space for recess and can use blocked-off street space for outdoor recess. 

On 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, the 34th Avenue Coalition open street organizers partner with the City and other community-based organizations to fund afterschool programming that starts at pick-up and extends deeper into the afternoon. Some successful programming, particularly for younger children, include Zumba, dance, aerobics, hula hooping, chalking, and other wellness activities.

Some schools extend the classroom to the entire community. WHEELS School in Washington Heights hosts community educational programming around environmental justice; they use the open school street as a community science lab, hosting climate justice teach-ins with the community (and nearby university students and professors to partner up to provide some technical assistance), allowing students to lead community members in workshops to collect water quality, tree coverage, and heat data to share with elected officials to advocate for more resources, support, and funding. Other schools host biking programs, where a school administrator or staff teaches ‘Learn to Ride’ cycling programs. 

Hosting temporary activations, such as programming for children, reading libraries, chalking, music, and dance, has also allowed schools to identify local needs and test out various programs and opportunities for street usage. 

Challenges of the Current Program:

Despite the many benefits of Open Streets for Schools, their numbers are declining. DOT’s list of Open Streets for Schools declined by almost half from January 2022 to January 2023, from 100 streets to only 51. Schools are interested in protecting students with Open Streets, but the City has provided insufficient funding for schools to sustain the program, creating incredibly overwhelming barriers for schools and communities with fewer financial resources. All students deserve access to Open Streets – not just students in wealthier schools. 

In conversations with administrators and Open School Street volunteers, schools shared challenges of:

• Lack of funding to provide chairs and tables, gaming equipment, tents, etc, and other materials for outdoor learning activities.

• Insufficient staffing to monitor the Open Street during its hours of operation. Some schools have successfully collaborated with after-school program staff to monitor the street, but every school should have a staffing support option. 

• Inadequate and insufficient amount of barricades to effectively keep out motor vehicles around schools. 

As we work to expand the Open Streets for Schools program across New York City, we urge you to commit $10 million in city funding in the FY 24 budget. With additional funding, this program can support school streets citywide with resources for maintenance, staffing, and programmatic support. We urge DOT and DOE to also commit to implementing a new school-based Full Closure Open Street in every zip code by 2024 and conduct proactive outreach to schools to apply.

Open School Streets protect some of New York’s youngest and most vulnerable, but we can do more. We recommend implementing faster application review and approval times, precise feedback on unsuccessful applications, and additional resources for Title I schools to sustain an Open Street. With these changes, we believe the program can grow more sustainably, equitably, and quickly.

We believe strongly in supporting, uplifting, and protecting New York City’s over one million public school students, and we know that Open Streets for Schools are key to realizing that mission. This program presents an indispensable opportunity for collaboration and partnerships between school administrators, the school community, and the local government. We respectfully request your support in prioritizing pedestrian safety, student wellness, and traffic-calming measures for all through the Open Streets for Schools program. Thank you for your time, and your attention to this important issue.

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Transportation Alternatives Statement After Another Heartbreaking Weekend of Traffic Violence

Crashes have killed 27 people in 2023.

2021 and 2022 had the most hit-and-runs involving serious injury or death in recorded history.

NEW YORK — After another weekend of traffic violence, in which hit-and-run drivers killed two pedestrians and critically injured two cyclists, Transportation Alternatives released the following statement:

Statement from Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Transportation Alternatives:

“We send our deepest condolences to the families of 24-year-old Tecinna Bahadur, who was killed by a drunk SUV driver on the Van Wyck Expressway service road, and Tamika Richards, who was killed by the hit-and-run driver of a pickup truck as she crossed the street. Tamika, a mother of six, died protecting her child from a reckless driver in Coney Island.”

“We wish a full recovery to the two bike riders who were critically injured in Hells Kitchen and Mott Haven by hit-and-run drivers.”

“No New Yorker should fear death or injury on our streets, whether they are crossing the street with your family or riding a bike. After another heartbreaking weekend of hit-and-runs, we demand action from Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez to make our streets safe for everybody. We need urgent action now to slow drivers down, redesign streets for safety, and build protected bike lanes.”

“Our lawmakers in Albany must pass the full SAFE Streets Act without delay, including Sammy’s Law, which would finally allow New York City to control its own speed limits.”

Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets Statements After Deadly Weekend of Traffic Violence Kills 4 People, Including a 7-Year-Old Girl

Fatalities come less than one week after City Council hearing on Vision Zero.

The City of New York must follow state law and increase visibility at every intersection through daylighting.

Traffic violence has killed 22 people so far in 2023.

NEW YORK — Traffic crashes killed four pedestrians, including a 7-year-old girl, over the weekend. Crashes have now killed 22 people in 2023, of which 11 were pedestrians.

• On Friday night, the driver of a Ford SUV ignored a a stop sign and killed 7-year-old Dolma Naadhum in Astoria as she crossed the street. 

• Later that evening, an NYPD officer struck and killed home health aide Zabina Gafoor with their SUV while responding to a call in Far Rockaway. 

• Saturday, the driver of a Toyota SUV killed a Brooklyn pastor, Aracely Courtenay, in Flatbush.

• Sunday morning, the driver of an SUV killed 47-year-old Felix Thomas Bontia during a hit-and-run while he was working in Morrisania. 

These crashes show the danger of SUVs, which are 2.5 to 3 times deadlier to pedestrians than smaller passenger cars. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of SUVs owned by New Yorkers increased by 21%, according to our analysis. More than 60% of all personal vehicles in New York City are SUVs. In 2022, the deadliest year for children under Vision Zero, 13 out of16 child fatalities were by SUV-size vehicles or larger. 

State law bans parking within 20 feet of intersections, but the City of New York overrode this law — allowing, in many cases, parking right up to the crosswalk. This limits visibility for everyone on our streets, especially drivers, preventing them from seeing people in the crosswalk.

TA and FSS called for universal intersection daylighting in NYC 25x25 and Seven Steps, our policy agenda for Mayor Adams and the City Council. By removing parking and using physical infrastructure, such as curb extensions, benches, Citi Bike docks, and bike parking, the City of New York can increase visibility and slow vehicle turning speeds. 

Statement from Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Transportation Alternatives:

“We are outraged and heartbroken after four pedestrians were killed in traffic violence this weekend, including 7-year-old Dolma Naadhum. Nobody should fear death or injury when they’re walking or crossing the street.”

“Our city’s children deserve to grow up without the threat of traffic violence, and the City of New York is failing them by ignoring street safety directives that are proven to save lives. There are basic steps this administration can take today to prevent deadly crashes, and this includes following state law requiring intersection visibility.”

Statement from Families for Safe Streets co-founder Amy Cohen:

“It is both tragic and telling that the weekend after the City Council held a hearing on Vision Zero — highlighting the many ways this administration has fallen behind on its legally mandated annual street redesign commitments — that four people lost their lives on the streets of New York City to traffic violence. To get Vision Zero back on track, we need to roll out street redesigns much more quickly across the five boroughs.”

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Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets Statements After City Council’s Vision Zero Hearing

NYC DOT failed to meet multiple benchmarks required by law under the NYC Streets Plan.

Traffic violence killed 255 people in 2022 — 24% above 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero.

NEW YORK — Today, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on Vision Zero as traffic fatalities remain above pre-pandemic levels.

In 2022, 33% of all fatalities and 44% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on Vision Zero Priority Corridors, which account for the most dangerous 7% of streets in New York City.

During 2022, 16 children under age 18 were killed in crashes, including three who were killed walking or biking to or from school — the most for any year under Vision Zero. This is double the number of children killed in 2020 or 2018. Crashes have killed 95 children since Vision Zero began in 2014.

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing Elizabeth Adams:

“New Yorkers are demanding safe spaces to walk, bike, and gather. The NYC Streets Plan gives New Yorkers this space by reclaiming space from cars. Yet, the administration failed to deliver on the legal requirements of the plan last year and traffic fatalities remain above pre-pandemic levels.”

“We thank Chair Brooks-Powers and the City Council for holding today’s Vision Zero hearing, demanding answers from this administration, and holding them accountable to what’s legally-required and what’s been promised. The public deserves accurate, up-to-date information from DOT, and we hope today’s commitments to open data and transparency are put into practice. We look forward to working with our partners in government to get Vision Zero back on track by investing equitably in physical street redesigns across New York City.”

Statement from Families for Safe Streets member Monique Williams:

“My father Jerry was a kind, generous person who should still be here with us today spending time with his two children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. We will forever feel his loss, which was completely preventable. My pain is shared by too many families in New York City. The proven solutions to our city’s crisis of traffic violence are right in front of us.”

“We need our city’s leadership to exercise the power they have to implement street safety redesigns and invest in projects across the five boroughs that will prevent crashes and save lives. Every year that the city falls short of implementing the legally mandated number of safe streets projects, is another year that New Yorkers are exposed to unnecessary danger on our roads. The city council legally mandated safe streets benchmarks because we know street redesigns are the most effective ways to save lives. We thank the City Council for hosting this hearing, and we look forward to attending more groundbreakings in 2023.”

Transportation Alternatives Statement After U-Haul Driver Injures Eight People, Including Pedestrians, Moped Riders

Crashes critically injured 2,131 people during the first nine months of 2022, the most recent data available.

BROOKLYN, NY — On Monday morning, the driver of a U-Haul truck struck and injured eight people, including pedestrians and moped riders at seven different locations in Bay Ridge. Two people are in critical condition. The driver was taken into custody near Columbia Street and Hamilton Avenue.

Statement from Elizabeth Adams, Transportation Alternatives Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing:

“As we await more information, we are keeping those injured today in our thoughts, and wish them a full and speedy recovery. Our elected leaders must do everything they can to protect all people on our streets.”

“We are concerned that this driver used a U-Haul as a weapon, permanently altering the lives of eight New Yorkers. The City of New York must immediately invest in physical infrastructure that protects pedestrians and bike riders, keeps driving speeds low, and prevents attacks like this.”

State Senators and Assemblymembers Join With Safe Streets Advocates to Urge Albany Lawmakers to Address Traffic Violence Crisis by Passing Full SAFE Streets Act this Session

NHTSA estimated 12% more traffic fatalities in New York State in 2020 compared to 2019.

Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed giving New York City control over its speed limits in her State of the State address.

ALBANY, NY — With this year’s legislative session underway, Senators Kennedy, Hoylman-Sigal, Ramos, Gonzalez, and Gounardes and Assemblymembers Fahy, Rosenthal, Rivera, Gonzalez-Rojas, Epstein, Mamdani, and Gallagher rallied with members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, including members of Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives, American Heart Association, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and other members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition for passage of the SAFE Streets Act — a lifesaving package of six bills to make streets across the state safe for all who use them.

The bills include measures to:

• Allow New York City to control its own speed limits through Sammy’s Law.

• Create complete streets by incentivizing safe streets elements in projects receiving state or federal funding and when streets are being resurfaced.

• Mandate safe vehicles by requiring intelligent speed assistance and other features in new cars.

• Support those personally impacted by guaranteeing basic legal rights to crash victims and their loved ones.

• Protect vulnerable people on our roads by requiring drivers to pass bike riders at a safe distance of at least three feet.

In her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul committed her support to passing Sammy’s Law, which would give New York City the authority to set lower speed limits without having to ask Albany for support.

“Far too many families in New York State have to endure the pain that traffic violence brings. I know this pain all too well. My daughter Doniqueca was killed when she was hit by a car as she stood on the sidewalk one block from our home. She should still be here today and need to do everything we can to make sure no other family experiences the horror that ours has of losing a loved one to traffic violence,” said Families for Safe Streets member Julianne Williams. “As this year’s state legislative session begins, we urge our leaders in Albany to pass the full SAFE Streets Act. Traffic violence is a public health crisis that demands the full attention of our elected officials. We look forward to working with lawmakers this session to ensure the full package passes without delay.”

Three bills from last year’s safe streets passage became law. These measures included the Complete Streets Funding bill, a bill that will allow municipalities to lower speed limits to 25 mph, and one requiring additional driver’s education instruction on interacting with vulnerable road users.

What elected officials are saying:

"Investment in New York's infrastructure must be made intentionally and with the development of safer streets at the forefront of decision-making," said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "While we have made significant progress in prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, we still have work to do to ensure New York's streets are truly strengthened for all roadway users. I'm proud to sponsor legislation within the Act, and I fully believe in the purpose and impact of these reforms."

“Last year, the city recorded the highest number of child traffic fatalities since the start of Vision Zero,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “I thank Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for continuing to sound the alarm and lead the way on street safety. We’ve made great progress in the last several years thanks to the leadership in the Senate and Assembly. This legislative session, we must continue our work together by aiming to pass the entire SAFE Streets package, which I’m proud includes three of my bills — Sammy’s Law, the Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and the Crash Victims Bill of Rights.”

"We are almost ten years into our Vision Zero project, and we have made significant progress — but we still have so much further to go to truly make our streets safe. We lost 255 of New Yorkers last year: 255 too many. We can't afford to wait another new year: we need to double down on our commitment to Vision Zero and pass the SAFE Streets Act now,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.

“New York City is dealing with a new epidemic of traffic violence, and its one that is not only putting pedestrians at risk, but also workers who rely on safe streets and quality infrastructure to feed their families. My constituents need the legislature to pass the SAFE Streets Act in its entirety to calm the dangers in the major traffic arteries that run throuh the 13th Senate Distict,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.

"Traffic violence has taken the lives of far too many loved ones and hurt countless families. For the safety of our communities, 2023 must be the year that we pass the full SAFE Streets Act," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "More children were killed by reckless driving in 2022 than in any year since Vision Zero began in 2014, underscoring the need for greater traffic safety laws. As the proud sponsor of Sammy's Law, legislation that allows New York City to lower its own speed limits, I look forward to working with Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives and the rest of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition to pass this package of bills without delay."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “As elected officials, our primary responsibility is to protect our constituents and to provide safeguards where possible that can tangibly reduce hazards within our community. The Complete Streets Maintenance bill (A7782) will continue and expand New York State’s efforts in improving street safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

“We’re witnessing a disturbing increase in traffic fatalities across New York—it’s a public health crisis we can’t ignore. We have tools to prevent more senseless tragedies and now we need to use them. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues, Families for Safe Streets, and Transportation Alternatives in our fight to end traffic violence,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. 

What the NYS Safe Streets Coalition is saying:

“New Yorkers need bold action from their lawmakers this year to address the crisis of traffic violence on our streets,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The SAFE Streets Act contains proven measures to save lives. From finally giving New York City the authority to control its own speed limits to implementing proven streets safety measures on road redesigns, Albany must pass the full SAFE Streets Act this session and save lives.”

"These life-saving changes to our street should be a top priority for Albany lawmakers, not just advocates. Our leaders have the power to make every New Yorker safer, happier, and healthier; championing every bill in the SAFE Streets Act is a good start. We made progress last year by passing a few safe streets bills, but more must be done. We look forward to working with our leaders as allies and setting New York State on a path toward true livability," said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans.

“Dangerous roads and traffic tragedies devastate New Yorkers. From humble hamlets to magnificent cities, communities drive industries, tourism, legendary schools and we weather every commute,” said Cindy Brown, Executive Director of the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety. “For ALL of us at home in New York, the SAFE Streets Act is essential to reducing the injury and death of any and every loved one.”

“Our state legislators have a responsibility to ensure that all New Yorkers can safely access the outdoors and walk, bike, roll, or otherwise travel in and between communities. With this package of bills, we look forward to seeing New York prioritize investment in safe streets,” said Dylan Carey, Greenway Program Director for Parks & Trails New York.

“We fought to lower the speed limit in New York City after my son was killed by a speeding driver so no other family would have to endure this pain. Last year, we fought to allow communities across New York State to set lower speed limits. This year, we’ll fight to finally give New York City control over its own speed limits by passing Sammy’s Law,” said Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Street. “We know how to prevent crashes and save lives. Our leaders in Albany have the power to take action this session and lead the nation on street safety.”

“If we are serious about our state’s climate goals and our efforts to improve public health, then we must take action now to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, and roll to get where we’re going,” said Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo. “These bills will incentivize cities, towns, and villages across the state to build and maintain Complete Streets road designs that don’t just protect our most vulnerable road users, but also create economic and environmental resilience in our communities.”

“If walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days reduces mortality risk by at least 10%. If the numbers are matched with the mortality rates due to high rates of speed, non redesigned streets, etc., the rates of mortality increase at least 10 times. We all need safer routes to connect neighborhoods, safer transport for cylists, walkers and runners,” said Anika Flagg, Lead Organizer for Slow Roll Syracuse & NYS Coordinator for Ride of Silence.

“The SAFE Streets Act will not only make our roads safer but will make our air cleaner and our communities healthier by giving cyclists and pedestrians greater access to our streets. Passing this life-saving bill package is a crucial step in the fight against climate change and ensuring a healthy future for communities across New York State,” said Jaqi Cohen, Director of Climate and Equity Policy at Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

"The bills in the Safe Streets Act will make the streets in our state safer for not only cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users but for motorists as well. The bills, by supporting and encouraging Active Transportation will make our communities greener and improve the health of our citizens. The creation of safer routes connecting neighborhoods will serve to enhance quality of lives across the state," said Mark Robbins, Advocacy Coordinator for the Rochester Bicycling Club.

"Everyone should feel safe as they walk, bike, roll, or drive to work, school, or the grocery store. These laws are common-sense measures that will make our streets safer for everyone,” said Jackie Gonzales of Walkable Albany.

New Analysis Shows Traffic Fatalities Remained Above Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2022 With Record Number of Children Killed

Sixteen children under 18 were killed in 2022, more than any other year under Vision Zero.

Traffic crashes killed 257 people in 2022 — a 25% increase over 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero — with a record-tying 56 fatalities in the Bronx.

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Note: Since this analysis was published, two people died from crashes that happened in 2022. These fatalities count toward 2022's total, bringing total Vision Zero traffic fatalities last year to 257.

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NEW YORK — In Mayor Adams’ first year in office, traffic fatalities remained above pre-pandemic levels, according to a new analysis from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets. Traffic violence killed 255 people last year — a 24% increase over 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero, and higher than any year under Vision Zero except 2014 and 2021.

“As we near the 10-year mark of Vision Zero, it’s clear we haven’t moved fast enough to address this crisis. In 2023, our leaders must recommit to ending traffic violence and achieving Vision Zero,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The solutions to traffic violence are in front of us. In 2022, we saw safe streets projects such as Queens’ Paseo Park on 34th Avenue and a new protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Schermerhorn Street open. To end this crisis of traffic violence, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must scale these life-saving projects citywide by implementing the NYC Streets Plan and NYC 25x25 without delay.”

“My daughter Kala was just trying to bike to work when she was killed in Brooklyn on October 12. She should still be here today with her two babies who now have to grow up without their mother,” said Families for Safe Streets member Leeanna Alois. “All New Yorkers should be able to walk on the sidewalk, ride a bike, wait for the bus, and cross the street without fearing for their lives. Instead, traffic violence continues to rob New Yorkers of their children, parents, siblings, friends, and loved ones. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must invest in safe streets and implement the NYC Streets Plan without delay and our elected officials in Albany must pass the full SAFE Streets Act this session. We can’t wait for action — we need it now.”

Key takeaways from 2022:

Traffic violence is concentrated on streets known to be dangerous to the City of New York.

In 2022, 33% of all fatalities and 44% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on Vision Zero Priority Corridors, which account for the most dangerous 7% of streets in New York City.

Crashes killed more children in 2022 than any other year under Vision Zero.

During 2022, 16 children under age 18 were killed in crashes, including three who were killed walking or biking to or from school. This is double the number of children killed in 2020 or 2018. Crashes have killed 94 children since Vision Zero began in 2014.

HIT-AND-RUNS REMAIN ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, SOLVE RATE REMAINS LOW AND SOLVES ARE CONCENTRATED IN WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS.

While the number of hit-and-runs involving death or critical injury declined from 2021, the 79 reported last year are more than any year between 2016, the first full year with data, and 2020. In 2022, 31% of all fatalities were hit-and-runs. Yet, just four hit-and-runs were solved in 2022. Since 2017, 55% of hit-and-run cases were solved or a suspect has been arrested in precincts where a majority of residents are white versus only 36% in precincts where a majority are people of color, according to the NYPD's own data.

97% of pedestrians killed were struck by drivers of vehicles.

Last year, 114 pedestrians were killed by vehicles, while four were killed by micromobility devices such as bikes, e-bikes, or e-scooters. As cars and trucks continue to get heavier, the threat posed by cars will increase without government regulation. For every 1,000 pounds a car weighs over a sedan, the chance of killing someone outside the vehicle goes up by 46 percent. Children are eight times more likely to be killed in crashes involving SUVs and pick-ups than regular cars.

Crash data identifies council districts with most fatalites.

To account for population differences between districts, TA and FSS calculated the number of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents. District 8 — which includes East Harlem, Mott Haven, Highbridge, Concourse, Longwood, and Port Morris — had the most fatal crashes at 6.2/100,000 residents. District 13 in the Bronx had the second most fatalities at 5.93/100,000 residents, while District 35 in Brooklyn had the third most with 5.9/100,000 residents. Many of the deadliest districts in 2022 are also ranked as most deadly from 2014-2022, as seen on Spatial Equity NYC.

Deaths in the Bronx continue to rise.

The Bronx had 56 deaths in 2022, tied for highest in the last 20 years, and about two times higher than 2019. More Bronx bike riders were killed in 2020, 2021, and 2022 combined than the 11 years prior to 2020 combined. Queens had 68 fatalities in 2022, two more than the 66 in 2021.

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Traffic violence killed 255 people in 2022. These are their names:

Throughout 2022, TA and FSS have recorded each reported fatality in New York City confirmed by DOT. We’ve recorded names and other details where possible.

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To get Vision Zero back on track, our elected officials must:

IMPLEMENT THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NYC STREETS PLAN.

Last year, DOT missed the benchmarks set in the NYC Streets Plan for new protected bike lanes and new bus lanes. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must expedite the construction of the NYC Streets Plan requirements to finish 2022’s mileage and achieve 2023’s benchmarks. DOT's own 14-year long study shows that protected bike lanes reduce fatalities and severe injuries for all road users by 18% and for pedestrians by 29%.

REQUIRE DOT TO USE THE VISION ZERO DESIGN CHECKLIST IN NEW PROJECTS.

Existing law requires DOT to consider major street safety design elements whenever it undertakes a major improvement — but the agency constantly eschews these proven life-saving design elements. Street safety elements should not be optional.

SCALE UP THE DANGEROUS VEHICLE ABATEMENT PROGRAM.

This law requires drivers to take a safety course if their cars are slapped with 15 or more camera-issued speeding tickets or five camera-issued red light tickets in one year. In the first year of the program, according to DOT, 630 people have taken the course, a tiny percentage of the 22,300 cars who have met the recklessness threshold.

PASS THE FULL SAFE STREETS ACT THIS YEAR.

Elected officials in Albany must pass the six pieces of legislation in the SAFE Streets Act. This includes Sammy’s Law, which would give New York City the authority to control its own speed limits and was endorsed by Governor Kathy Hochul. 

WHAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SAYING:

“Every traffic death is preventable, and it’s heartbreaking and infuriating that even more New Yorkers are being killed by cars than before the pandemic,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “It’s shameful that nine years after Vision Zero was launched, we’re losing record numbers of children to traffic violence. We must make choices and changes today to save lives in the future, from drivers to pedestrians to our neighbors who rely on mobility devices.”

“Commuting to work, taking your children to school, and biking around your neighborhood should not be a matter of life and death. Investing in safer streets for people walking and biking, slowing down vehicle speeds, and holding reckless drivers accountable are necessary for our collective safety. New York must double down on its commitment to Vision Zero before we lose more neighbors to this ongoing public health crisis,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

“All New Yorkers deserve to live in communities with safe streets,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The increase in traffic fatalities since 2018 is alarming, particularly the rise in children killed by traffic violence. Behind every crash is a family and community impacted by preventable tragedies, and it is critical that we advance equitable policies and investments that will result in safer streets for all.”

“No New Yorker should have to fear for their safety on the street,” said Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “We must advance policies and fund upgrades to street infrastructure that protect New Yorkers from traffic violence, including in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color that have historically been denied equitable investment. I look forward to hosting discussions in the Council on street safety in the coming months and working alongside my colleagues toward making Vision Zero a reality in New York.”

“We have so much work to do if we’re going to improve the safety of our streets and truly achieve Vision Zero,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Open Streets, protected bike lanes, and significant improvements to our public transit infrastructure must all be prioritized as we aim to build a city that doesn’t have to rely on dangerous cars for conveniently getting around. We must be thinking comprehensively about the way New Yorkers move about and how we can facilitate safer, more environmentally friendly transportation for all. I’m grateful to Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for continuing to hold us accountable as we aim to reimagine mobility in New York City.”

“One traffic fatality is one too many and highlights the need for us to continue to advocate and bring attention to the need for safe and equitable mobility for all on our city roads,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Traffic violence is preventable and we will continue to work with Mayor Adams, the New York City Department of Transportation,  Transportation Alternatives and advocates to create the necessary infrastructure to make our streets safer for our residents and families.”

“Even just one death on our streets is one too many, and our work must continue until every mile of roadway in this city is truly safe for all New Yorkers, regardless of how they get around,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I commend Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for their tireless work to make our streets safer and to address the troubling increase in traffic fatalities we have seen since the pandemic. Together, we can and we will save lives.”

“2022 saw 255 friends, family members, and neighbors forever taken from us, every one a tragedy we must take every step to prevent from happening in the future. We need to invest in policies, programs and infrastructure across the city that will make our streets safer and allow us to achieve Vision Zero,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I’m committed to working with local stakeholders and partners to achieve a city where every user of the street is safe.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, ""Last year, the city recorded the highest number of child traffic fatalities since the start of Vision Zero. I thank Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for continuing to sound the alarm and lead the way on street safety. We’ve made great progress in the last several years thanks to the leadership in the Senate and Assembly. This legislative session, we should continue our work together by aiming to pass the entire SAFE Streets package, which I’m proud includes three of my bills — Sammy’s Law, the Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and the Crash Victims Bill of Rights.”

“The city cannot take a one size fits all approach to reducing traffic fatalities. Every neighborhood and every street are different and having genuine coordination with each community to figure out the best strategies to utilize could be the lifesaving difference,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez.

“Pedestrians of all ages continue to be killed or seriously injured by vehicles on our city streets,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.  “We can achieve vision zero by enacting a package of new laws in Albany and getting through to motorists that speeding and reckless driving kills.”

“It is heart-wrenching that more children were killed by horrific traffic violence last year than in any other year under Vision Zero. The city and state must do much more to fight this ongoing crisis. I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to support measures that we know will save lives and lead to safer streets and greater protections for crash victims, including my bill to enact the Crash Victims Bill of Rights. I thank Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for their persistent dedication to addressing this crisis of traffic violence,” said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick.

“It’s mind-boggling that traffic crashes are concentrated in areas that the City has identified as dangerous and that they are not implementing safety solutions with full force,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “Last week a community resident tragically died in a crash with a box truck at 9th Street and 2nd Avenue in Gowanus, on a narrow block with no protected bike lane. It's clear stronger street safety measures must be in place in that area and across the city. The City should fully implement Vision Zero and the State should pass the Safe Streets Act right away. I thank Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for their continued advocacy.”

“It’s unfortunate that we’re still seeing casualties nearly ten years after a commitment to Vision Zero. It’s obvious that in order to see a reduction in traffic fatalities, the city needs to allocate more time and resources to addressing the issue,” said Deputy City Council Speaker Diana Ayala.

“With so many New Yorkers dying on our streets in traffic accidents it is our duty to continue to implement and find innovative ways to protect pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and all other New Yorkers who use our streets daily. The fact that a record number of children were killed in 2022 under Vision Zero is heartbreaking, and a deep cause for concern. We must double down on our efforts to enforce existing traffic laws and fully invest in safe streets,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse.

"As a proud Bronxite it is heartbreaking to know that traffic crashes continue to increase above pre-pandemic rates and that the Bronx is disproportionately affected by these fatal crashes. We need safety infrastructure for our drivers and our riders, especially after 16 children lost their lives in 2022 due to traffic crashes. I will continue to partner with Transportation Alternatives and the NYC Department of Transportation to ensure we are installing citywide protections for Bronxites and all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Amanda Farías.

"Traffic continues to impact our communities, contributing to injuries and fatalities across the city. We must continue working with our city and state partners to ensure our streets are safe for all New Yorkers while identifying long-term solutions. There is no reason for anyone to lose a loved one or become seriously injured due to the carelessness of drivers. We must prioritize pedestrian safety and education," said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez.

WHAT ADVOCATES ARE SAYING:

"As Mayor Adams prepares for his second State of the City address, safety must be front and center," said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans. "Another year of traffic violence of this magnitude is barbaric. We can’t reverse the 255 tragic deaths last year, but we can pursue bold action this year. State leadership must pass every bill in the SAFE Streets Act and New York City must provide DOT with the mandate and resources needed to make swift and sweeping changes to our deadly streets. It’s not okay to keep doing this."

"Putting cars first for generations has made New York's streets both dangerous and inequitable. Mayor Adams ran for office on a promise to remedy that injustice. Many of the most dangerous streets are in areas that are heavily bus-dependent but where buses are slow and unreliable. New York City's Streets Plan law was enacted to put pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders first on busy streets and in crowded public spaces. Mayor Adams must make compliance with the Streets Plan law a top priority of his administration this year and do everything possible to make our streets safe and fair for all New Yorkers,” said Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director Danny Pearlstein.

200 People Join with Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso, CM Shahana Hanif, NYC DOT, Transportation Alternatives, Community Leaders to Highlight Needs of Families Who Bike in Brooklyn

Panel follows call from Council Members to lift e-bike ban in Prospect Park.

Fewer than 40 of New York City’s 1,800 schools have a car-free Open Street.

BROOKLYN, NY — Nearly 200 people today joined at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library for Transportation Alternative’s Families Bike Brooklyn panel with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Shahana Hanif, DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, community leaders, and advocates.

The panel highlighted the needs of people and families who bike with children, including:

• Advocating for a fully-protected bike lane network in Brooklyn. The City of New York is required to build 30 miles of protected bike lanes annually by the NYC Streets Plan. The panel highlighted current campaigns to build safe streets in the borough.

• Calling on Prospect Park to repeal its ban on e-bikes. Council Members Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph earlier called on NYC Parks and the Prospect Park Alliance to end its ban on e-bikes — which are legal to ride in New York City — in the park.

• Bringing car-free Open Streets to schools. Today, TA and safe streets advocacy group Open Plans launched a free toolkit to demystify the process of bringing car-free spaces to schools. Currently, fewer than 40 of the city’s 1,800 schools have an Open Street.

“As a father of three kids, I love spending time with my kids on the bike and exposing them to our wonderful city. As the City invites even more families and kids to bike, it has a duty to keep us all safe. ” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “We look forward to working with our partners in government to build on the momentum from this event to build safe, protected, and connected bike infrastructure, allowing more kids and families to explore this city by bike.” 

The panel, moderated by Together Projects principal Ryan Russo, featured Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYC DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, East Bk Bike Club ride leader Shéba Michel, and PS 372 special education teacher Emily Stutts. 

“We learn how to navigate this city from our families, and the habits we build when we’re young, we carry with us our entire lives. Encouraging biking among our own families, teaching bike safety, and sharing in the joy of cruising through Brooklyn’s bike lanes are one of the most powerful ways we can spread better transportation methods all across our borough,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m so grateful to Transportation Alternatives for bringing together Council Member Shahana Hanif, NYC DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, and fellow biking advocates to share our vision for a bike-friendly city and the steps we need to take together to get there.”

“With the changing regulatory landscape around e-bikes and pedal assist, Transportation Alternatives’ event is well timed to help empower families in Brooklyn,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the transit issues facing Brooklyn families and how we can work together to solve them. Through collaboration and spirited discussion, I know together we can envision a Brooklyn where street safety is more than a slogan but a policy promise.”

“Whether I’m biking or walking to swimming, soccer practice, or summer camp with my family, safe streets are deeply personal to me,” said Ryan Lynch, Chief of Staff for NYC DOT. “And when we create streets that are safe for our children they are safe for all. Thanks to a $900 million commitment from Mayor Adams, DOT is reclaiming street space for cyclists and pedestrians with redesigns that improve safety for our most vulnerable road users. With exciting bike boulevard projects in the works for Brooklyn, and our ongoing outreach for a Grand Army Plaza redesign, we look forward to continued collaboration with advocates on how we can continue to improve cycling access for families.”

"We’re delighted to welcome Transportation Alternatives to Brooklyn Public Library to champion safer streets for families,” said David Woloch, Brooklyn Public Library’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs. “Biking is an excellent way to travel, discover Brooklyn and get to your local library branch, and we look forward to more and more local families experiencing the joy of biking the borough."

“Cycling for transportation with my kids has been such a practical benefit for our family and a wonderful source of joy and connection,” said Ryan Russo, Principal, Together Projects. “I’m so excited to be a part of an event and a movement that hopes to make those benefits available to families all over Brooklyn and beyond. Now is the time to figure this out!” 

“Biking with kids as a family and educator has afforded me the privilege of seeing so many kids light up with glee as they ride,” said Emily Stutts, a Special Education Teacher at PS 372. “Every Brooklyn kid deserves the freedom that bikes have to offer. I am glad we have this much needed opportunity to discuss family biking that’s more accessible and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing real safety improvements throughout the borough.”

“All New Yorkers should have access to safe, high-quality bike infrastructure — no matter where they live,” said Shéba Michel, Ride Leader for East Brooklyn Bike Club. “Tonight’s panel shows the need in Brooklyn for a network of protected bike lanes. Our city’s leaders must meet this demand by prioritizing investment equitably to ensure everyone, including families and children, can move around our city safely.”

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Safe Streets Advocates Applaud Gov. Hochul for Including Sammy’s Law in State of the State, Demand Action to Stem Crisis of Traffic Fatalities in New York State

Governor Hochul commits to giving New York City control over speed limits

NHTSA report estimated 12% more traffic fatalities in New York State in 2020 compared to 2019.

Traffic violence killed 252 people in New York City in 2022.

ALBANY, NY — Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address today, the NYS Safe Streets Coalition — a statewide coalition of more than 100 advocacy organizations, nonprofits, hospitals, elected officials, and more — called on the state to take continued action to end traffic deaths in New York State by passing the SAFE Streets Act.

In her State of the State announcement, Gov. Hochul supported a key piece of this bill package, allowing New York City to control its own speed limits — allowing safer, lower speed limits. 

The SAFE Streets Act is a life-saving package of six bills to address the crisis of traffic violence across New York State, which killed more than 1,000 people in New York in 2020, according to NHTSA. They include measures to:

• Allow New York City to control its own speed limits through Sammy’s Law.

• Create complete streets by incentivizing safe streets elements in projects receiving state or federal funding and when streets are being resurfaced.

• Mandate safe vehicles by requiring intelligent speed assistance and other features in new cars.

• Support those personally impacted by guaranteeing basic legal rights to crash victims and their loved ones.

• Protect vulnerable people on our roads by requiring drivers to pass bike riders at a safe distance of at least three feet.

This package builds on the momentum from last year’s Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, where three measures became law under the leadership of Governor Hochul. These measures included new funding for complete streets projects around the state, authorizing municipalities to lower speed limits to 25 mph, and requiring additional driver’s education instruction on interacting with vulnerable road users.

“After my son Sammy was killed by a speeding driver, I fought to lower the speed limit in New York City to save lives. I am heartened that Governor Hochul is committing to passing Sammy’s Law this year to allow safer, lower speed limits in New York City. We look forward to working with our partners in Albany and in New York City to ensure this life-saving legislation is passed,” said Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets.

“Too many families across New York State face the unimaginable pain traffic violence brings each year. My partner, John (also known as "Host"), was killed in 2021 while riding his bike in Kingston.” Said Families for Safe Streets Member Rose Quinn. "In the last two weeks alone, we have lost another two people to traffic violence. Given the size of Kingston, this is an unfathomable number. This crisis demands serious action from state lawmakers. By passing the full SAFE Streets Act this session, Governor Hochul and the state legislature can lead the nation in saving lives and confronting traffic violence.”

“Traffic violence is a preventable public health epidemic across New York and Governor Hochul and state lawmakers have the cure to end it. We thank Governor Hochul for supporting Sammy’s Law and we urge the state to commit to ending traffic deaths on our roads by 2050,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris. “To end traffic violence, our state’s leaders must prioritize people over cars by mandating street designs that make it safer, easier, and more reliable to walk, bike, and take transit — as we’ve laid out in Seven Steps to Transform Our Streets — and pass the full SAFE Streets Act without delay.”

"We need solutions to slow vehicle speeds and end the traffic violence on our streets by making communities walkable, and bikeable while improving public transit access," said Justin Booth, Executive Director at GObike Buffalo. "Passing the full SAFE Streets Act will prioritize people, ensuring our roadways are safe and accessible for everyone, and it should be passed without delay. 

"Our elected officials make bold claims about protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers, but they’re not doing that if uncompromising, urgent action on street safety isn’t central to their plan. We have the tools to stem traffic violence and it is our government’s responsibility to use them. We’re so glad to be entering the new year with three new street safety bills signed into law, but more progress is desperately needed. We’re urging Governor Hochul and all our state officials to center street safety and swiftly pass the SAFE Streets Act this year," said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans.

“We commend Gov. Hochul for the support of Sammy’s Law and the flexibility of New York City to adjust its own speed limit. The pace of city life should never be one that puts the lives of innocent New Yorkers at risk, especially where speed related crashes are preventable. Our mayor and city council must support this legislation and begin the process of making our city streets safer through speed limits that reflect and value the lives of our vulnerable road users,” said Cindy Brown of the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety.

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Transportation Alternatives Statement After Driver of Box Truck Kills Woman Biking in Gowanus, Brooklyn, on Dangerous Street

She is the second woman on a bike killed in five days.

BROOKLYN, NY — On Tuesday morning, the driver of a box truck struck and killed a woman riding a Citi Bike on Ninth Street at Second Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn. This deadly crash occurred within 12 hours of another Brooklyn cyclist who was critically injured by a turning van in Williamsburg and within five days of the death of 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao, who was also killed riding a Citi Bike in Queens by the driver of a truck. 

At the location of this crash, the design of Ninth Street creates dangerous conditions for bike riders. Ninth Street goes from one car lane and one paint-only bike lane to a turn lane and a shared car/bike lane — prioritizing car volume over people. This forces vehicles to merge into the bike lane, which leads to deadly outcomes as occurred today.

This is the fourth fatality within a half mile of this location since 2017 — two pedestrians, one motorist, and one bike rider have died. In the past two years, seven bike riders have been injured on the short stretch of Ninth Avenue between Smith Street and Third Avenue.

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“Traffic violence is a public health crisis that needs urgent action. We are heartbroken to hear about another person killed on a bike by a truck driver on our roads — the second in less than a week. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones.”

“While more and more New Yorkers are riding bikes, the City of New York has a duty to keep bike riders safe. These deaths are the tragic and predictable outcome of failing to protect people on bikes, including the City falling short on the legal requirements of the NYC Streets Plan. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must bring proven street safety redesigns to every neighborhood of New York City without delay. No one should fear death or injury on our roads.”

Additional information on background:

• Research shows that women are significantly more likely to bike, more so than men, when there are protected bike lanes.

• Of people injured while riding bikes in December 2022, the most common collision was being sideswiped from behind.

• Only one-sixth of all protected bike lane mileage is in Brooklyn. More than 80% of on-street bike lanes are painted lanes or sharrows.

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Transportation Alternatives Statement After Cement Truck Driver Kills Woman Riding a Citi Bike in Astoria, Queens

This is the fourth bike rider fatality in four years in Astoria.

QUEENS, NY — On Thursday evening, the driver of a cement truck struck and killed 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao at the intersection of 24th Avenue and 29th Street. She was riding a Citi Bike less than a mile from her home in Astoria.

There are no bike lanes on either street of the intersection where the crash happened. In this City Council district, only 1.44% of streets have a protected bike lane, according to Spatial Equity NYC.

This crash occurred between two promised protected bike lanes that the City has still failed to build. According to the NYC Streets Plan, Astoria Boulevard and Ditmars Boulevard were 2022 project locations for bike lanes. Yet, the administration did not complete these and also missed the 30-mile requirement for 2022.

In 2020, then-Council Member Costa Constantinides called on the City of New York to address dangerous conditions on the “piecemeal highway” of 24th Avenue following the death of a delivery worker.

To prevent future crashes like this, New York City’s leaders must commit to providing greater intersection visibility by daylighting every intersection, retiming traffic lights to the speed limit, passing Intro 417-2022 (which would allow DOT to expedite life-saving projects), and meeting the requirements of the NYC Streets Plan on time.

Statement from Council Member Shahana Hanif:

“This week, our City lost two of its own to senseless traffic violence. These are more than just tragedies; they are abject policy failures. Year after year, New York ranks as one of the most dangerous cities for cycling in the world, and that is in part because of our subpar cycling infrastructure. I look forward to working with DOT in the coming weeks to ensure we’re moving forward with more miles of protected bike lanes and prioritizing safety across the known dangerous corridors in my district. Cycling should not be a death sentence in our community, and I will work diligently to ensure street safety is more than a slogan but a reality in our City.” 

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“We are heartbroken to hear that the driver of a massive truck struck and killed 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao as she rode a Citi Bike. All New Yorkers should be able to ride a bike on our streets without fear of death or injury.”

“In New York City, we have the tools to end traffic violence and stop more deaths. Now, we need the political will to make that a reality. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must scale proven street safety redesigns, including protected bike lanes, to every neighborhood across every borough without delay. With the NYC Streets Plan, the administration has the mandate, resources, and tools to get this stuff done. However, failing to meet these requirements will continue to have deadly consequences for New Yorkers. ”

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Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets Unveil Transportation Platform for Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Legislature

Platform has more than 50 legislative solutions to reduce traffic violence and improve pedestrian, bicycle, public transit, and micromobility infrastructure for New Yorkers.

Advocates call on governor and legislators to take urgent action to meet the critical goals of the state’s own multimodal transportation agenda by 2030.

NEW YORK — Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets today released their transportation platform for Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature as the legislative session begins. Seven Steps for New York State’s Leaders to Transform Our Streets provides actionable steps New York State leaders can take to make New York City’s streets safer, encourage sustainable modes of transportation, and address racial and economic inequities.

“To achieve our climate goals, prevent traffic violence, address inequities, and support our economic recovery, we must put our streets to higher use,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Using our Seven Steps platform, state lawmakers can ensure that New York’s streets live up to their full potential by putting people, not cars, first. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and the state legislature to advance this policy agenda and improve the lives of New Yorkers.”

“Governor Hochul and the state legislature have the power to protect the lives of New Yorkers on our streets this session,” said Families for Safe Streets member and Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Julie Huntington. “By implementing the solutions in Seven Steps and passing the full SAFE Streets Act, we can save lives across New York State and be a nationwide leader in the fight to end traffic violence.”

The seven steps to build a greener, safer, and more equitable New York State — each of which include specific legislation and policy proposals — are:

1. Convert car space into space for people

2. Make our streets fair

3. Reduce the number and size of cars in New York City

4. Build self-enforcing streets

5. Scale the successes of Vision Zero

6. Put bus riders first

7. Get more butts on bikes

The agenda also includes the SAFE Streets Act, a package of bills endorsed by a statewide coalition of more than 100 organizations. The life-saving package includes legislation to fund complete streets redesigns, allow lower speed limits in New York City, and mandate safety features in new vehicles.

Key proposals from Seven Steps include:

• End traffic deaths by 2050. Commit to a statewide goal of zero traffic deaths by 2050 and adopt a vision that sets annual statewide goals for reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

• Build streets that prioritize people over cars. Enact a new law requiring the state DOT projects to include ADA accessibility, bike lanes, bus shelters, crosswalks, and transit-priority infrastructure by default.

• Allow New York City to control its own speed limits. Pass Sammy’s Law and give New York City the authority to lower speed limits as needed.

Seven Steps builds off TA and FSS’ policy platform for Mayor Adams and the New York City Council released in November 2021. The platform is a blueprint to achieve NYC 25x25, a TA campaign supported by more than 200 labor, community, and business groups, to convert 25% of car space in New York City to space for people by 2025. The City of New York has taken steps to implement several of the proposals, including committing $904 million to the NYC Streets Plan, piloting speed governors on certain city vehicles, and working with state legislators on the historic expansion of speed safety cameras.

What elected officials are saying:

"The need for safe and sustainable transportation in New York is higher than ever. More than 3,000 New Yorkers are injured and over 200 are killed each year in preventable traffic crashes in New York City. As always, the organizations leading the way towards safer and cleaner streets are Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets. I fully support their updated transportation platform, which includes three of my bills: Sammy’s Law, Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and Crash Victims Bill of Rights,” State Senator Brad Hoylman said.

“I’m excited to support the 7 Steps for Safe Streets platform and further the fight for improved streets for our communities. I’ve advocated for many of the policy solutions presented in this comprehensive platform, such as safer street infrastructure and investments in public transit, which I will continue to support during this legislative session,” said State Senator Julia Salazar. “New Yorkers everywhere deserve safe, accessible, and walkable streets made with people in mind.”

"Ensuring our streets are safe and accessible for all New Yorkers must be a key goal for all legislators in 2023, from Brooklyn to Buffalo," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "I'm proud my bill to add ratings to vehicles according to their pedestrian safety is included in this crucial 7 Steps for Safe Streets platform, and I look forward to working hard alongside my colleagues to get each and every one of these bills passed into law."

“I want to commend Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for setting forth this ambitious and necessary agenda.  I look forward to working with them and my colleagues in the Legislature to pass legislation that will make our streets safer and our communities healthier and more livable for everyone,” said Assemblymember Robert Carroll.

“Astoria is home to buses that crawl at five miles an hour, trains that often take 10 minutes to arrive, and constituents who are on the brink of being priced out by looming fare hikes. The Seven Steps platform recognizes these crises, addresses them, and in doing so, puts the needs of working class New Yorkers first - as it is those New Yorkers who are disproportionately failed by our current policies. I am excited to support every aspect of this package,” said Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. 

"Safe streets are the cornerstone of a livable, healthy, prosperous city. We have work to do to address the devastating increase in traffic crashes and part of the solution is increasing the use of public transportation and bikes. I am proud to ally with the bill sponsors of this important package and look forward to working with them, Transportation Alternatives, and Families for Safe Streets to transform our streets," said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.

What advocates are saying:

"State lawmakers have the power to make our streets safer, more efficient, and more joyful. Now is the time to harness that power for transformative change. Transportation Alternative’s seven-point platform lays out simple, yet significant, ways our decision-makers can build a better future. We look forward to amplifying these ideas and being an ally to this life-saving, life-changing work," said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans.

"Millions of bus riders are counting on Albany to put us first on busy city streets," said Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director Danny Pearlstein. "That means much more frequent service, a sustainable revenue model for the MTA, and automated camera enforcement at bus stops and along bus routes, not just within red painted bus lanes. Streets for bus riders are fairer and safer for all New Yorkers and long overdue. We're grateful to Transportation Alternatives for pushing such a robust platform forward this session."

“The transportation sector is of critical importance to the environment and to public health, and we thank our partners at Transportation Alternatives for showing elected officials the path to achieving safer streets–which everyone deserves–as well as a more efficient public transit system and more expansive micro-mobility options for New Yorkers. If enacted, these recommendations would mean fewer traffic accidents, cleaner air, and a healthier planet,” said Patrick McClellan, Policy Director for the New York League of Conservation Voters.

"These seven steps provide tangible, common-sense actions that can be taken now to save lives and cut the greenhouse gasses we're producing in New York State. We're looking forward to continuing our work with our elected leaders and the Safe Streets Coalition to get this done and watch our community safety and health improve as a result," said Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo.  

“This plan creates a clear and workable template for redesigning our streets and infrastructure in ways that would significantly improve our communities, the environment, and save lives,” said Felicia Park-Rogers, Director of Regional infrastructure, Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “In particular, creating regional rail in NYC, redressing the wrongs of the Cross Bronx Expressway, and building the long delayed Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel are all projects that would move our region economically and competitively into the next century rather than being mired in the car-centric, polluting, dangerous, and congestive planning of the 1950s.”

Transportation Alternatives Statement After Crash Injures 22 People in Inwood Restaurant

New York City averages 57,000 reported injuries from traffic violence per year — one every 15 minutes.

Traffic violence killed 252 people in 2022 — 23% higher than 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero.

INWOOD, New York — On Monday night, the hit-and-run driver of an Audi sedan struck a Toyota SUV near W. 204th Street and Broadway, sending the Toyota into the Inwood Bar and Grill. The crash injured 22 people, including a 1-year-old girl, 7-year-old girl, and 10-year-old girl.

8.2% of all pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries during the third quarter of 2022 occurred when the pedestrian was not in the roadway, according to NYC DOT.

City Council District 10 ranks 7th out of 51 City Council districts for highest traffic volume, according to Spatial Equity NYC. 74.8% of residents in this district do not own cars, yet are forced to deal with crashes, injuries, pollution, and the other negative externalities caused by cars.

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“New Yorkers can’t even eat inside a restaurant without the risk of being struck by a car. This preventable crash is the result of prioritizing the movement and storage of vehicles over people.”

“As we begin the new year, we need action from Mayor Adams now to stop traffic violence and protect New Yorkers — whether they are walking, biking, waiting for the bus, or eating at a restaurant.”

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Transportation Alternatives Statement After Crashes Kill Two People, Critically Injure Two Others in Brooklyn in 12 Hours

Crashes have killed 249 New Yorkers in 2022 — 24% higher than in 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero.

BROOKLYN, NY — In a span of less than 12 hours, drivers of SUVs and trucks killed two people and critically injured two others in four separate crashes in Brooklyn. The two fatalities were the 73rd and 74th people killed in Brooklyn this year, 15 more people than had been killed at this point in 2018.

• In Crown Heights, the driver of a flatbed truck struck and killed Amelia Grant, a 75-year-old woman crossing the street in the crosswalk at Utica Avenue and St. Johns Place, a Vision Zero Priority Intersection and both Vision Zero Priority Corridors, making them among the city’s most dangerous streets. One in five fatalities this year were New Yorkers age 65 and older.

• In Williamsburg, the driver of a pick-up truck struck and killed 45-year-old Gerardo Cielo Ahuatl, who was riding a moped. There have been 83 injuries over the past two years along Graham Avenue, which DOT labeled a Vision Zero Priority Corridor.

• In Flatlands, the driver of an SUV critically injured a 70-year-old on an e-bike. City Council District 45 ranks third out of 51 City Council districts for most traffic injuries, according to Spatial Equity NYC, with an injury rate 56% above the citywide average.

• In Midwood, an SUV driver struck and critically injured a motorcycle rider at the intersection of Ocean Parkway and Avenue M. These streets are both designated as Vision Zero Priority Corridors.

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“Within 12 hours, four families have been devastated by traffic violence across Brooklyn. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the people killed and wish a full and speedy recovery to the people injured.”

“As we enter a new year, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must commit to even bolder and more concrete action to save lives across every corner of our city. This starts with ensuring that the requirements of NYC Streets Plan are implemented without continued delay or excuse.” 

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Safe Streets Advocates From Across New York State Applaud Gov. Hochul on Signing Complete Streets Funding Bill

Complete streets projects proven to reduce fatalities and injuries by as much as 30% where implemented.

10,000 New Yorkers have been killed in traffic violence since the last complete streets law was signed in 2011.

NEW YORK — Safe streets advocates from across New York celebrated today following Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that she signed the Complete Streets Funding Bill, which would fund street safety improvements across the state, into law.

The Complete Streets Funding Bill, sponsored by Senator Tim Kennedy and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, increases state funding for road projects when a municipality opts to incorporate complete streets elements — which include bike lanes, crosswalks, and removing car travel lanes, sometimes known as road diets.

“Losing a loved one to traffic violence is a pain no family should have to experience. After losing my daughter Brittany to a crash, I fought for the 2011 Complete Streets Act. I am overwhelmed with emotion to see new funding become available for cities and towns to build safe streets thanks to the Complete Streets Funding Bill,” said Families for Safe Streets member Sandi Vega. “This law will undoubtedly save lives and prevent more families from experiencing the unimaginable loss of losing a child. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Senator Kennedy, Assemblymember Fahy, and all of the elected officials who made this legislation a reality.” 

The bill was part of a package of bills from the NYS Safe Streets Coalition. The statewide coalition consists of more than 100 street safety advocates, public health groups, major hospitals, elected officials, and community groups.

The Complete Streets Funding bill becomes the third bill from the Crash Victim Rights & Safety Act to become law this year, joining a bill that would allow municipalities to lower speed limits to 25 mph and one requiring additional driver’s education instruction on interacting with vulnerable road users.

The NYS Safe Streets Coalition will return to Albany next month to rally support for the SAFE Streets Act, which includes measures to lower New York City’s speed limit, mandate new vehicle safety standards, and guarantee basic rights for crash victims.

What the NYS Safe Streets Coalition is saying:

“The National Safety Council congratulates NY Governor, Kathy Hochul, on the signing of the Complete Streets Funding Bill. “Road design that protects all road users reduces traffic crashes and the risk of death and injury to those who use our streets to walk, bike, and roll. The Complete Streets Funding bill is an important step towards creating safer spaces and saving lives,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of roadway practice at the National Safety Council.

“The Complete Streets Funding bill empowers cities and towns across the state to invest in safe streets infrastructure that is proven to keep everyone on our roads safe. Traffic violence is preventable and this legislation gives communities another tool to combat this public health crisis,” said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Transportation Alternatives. “We’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in signing this bill, along with Senator Kennedy, Assemblymember Fahy, and all of the bill sponsors for working together to pass this important legislation. We look forward to our continued partnership into the next session to take additional action to stop traffic violence.”

“The Complete Streets Funding Act will provide funding for counties and municipalities to do more than just consider other users of roads and bridges. This Act provides the funds to improve their roadway and bridge infrastructure thereby making it safer for all users of New York State roadways. In following Complete Streets design concepts New York State will be able to attract additional bicycle tourists & others to enjoy the scenic and historic attractions of our State,” said Harvey Botzman, author, Cyclotour Guide Books.

“Complete streets are a critical part of ensuring that New Yorkers can safely access the outdoors and walk, bike, roll, or otherwise travel in and between communities. With this legislation, we look forward to seeing cities and towns across the state deepen their investment in safe streets,” said Dylan Carey, Greenway Program Director for Parks & Trails New York. “We thank all of the champions who have fought to see this critical bill pass and we look forward to continuing to see New York invest in infrastructure that is safe for all roadway users.”

“The Complete Streets Funding Act is critical legislation. The federal infrastructure law unlocked the power for NY State to transform its streets and roadways. These funds will help make that dream a reality for local jurisdictions statewide,” said Felicia Park-Rogers, Director of Regional Infrastructure Projects of Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “Streets that are safe for all users- walkers, transit riders, cyclists, kids, and seniors, are at the heart of creating safe and livable communities for all people. Transforming our transportation network in this era of dire climate change and inequity starts with transforming our streets.”

“We are delighted to see increased funding for Complete Streets projects. In 2022 our Capital City of Albany has seen the most pedestrian deaths since at least 1999. People are driving larger vehicles and driving them faster and with less attention.  We need this increased funding for Complete Streets to turn this deadly trend around and make our streets safe for all that use them,” said Ed Brennan, Albany Bicycle Coalition President 

“We applaud Governor Hochul's signing of the Complete Streets Funding Bill.   Funding for development of Complete Streets is a vital element in our efforts to reduce traffic violence and create true equity for all users of our roads in NY State,” said Mark Robbins, Rochester Bicycling Club Advocacy Coordinator.

“We’re thrilled that Governor Hochul is signing the Complete Streets Funding Bill,” said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans. “Her strong and continued support for Complete Streets, street safety, and reducing car dependence will be critical to addressing the overlapping crises of traffic violence, increasing congestion and climate change. We look forward to partnering with the Governor in 2023 to continue this important work. Happy New Year indeed!”

"This bill supports and incentivizes local municipalities to invest in better infrastructure as a solution to slow vehicle speeds and make our communities walkable, bikeable and improve access to public transit," said Justin Booth, Executive Director at GObike Buffalo. "This will help ensure our roadways are safe and accessible for all people, regardless of age or ability."

“This bill increases funding localities urgently need to be able to build streets with adequate protection for bikers and walkers. That means it encourages carbon-free transportation, something NYS urgently needs to do to reach its climate goals. We applaud the Governor’s action, and hope this is just the beginning of her strong leadership for active transportation as a key tool against climate change,” said Margaret Johnson, Director at Bike Walk Tompkins.

“"No one should have to risk their life simply to walk down the street. By signing this Complete Streets bill into law, Governor Hochul is taking an important step towards keeping all New Yorkers safe,” said Jackie Gonzalez of Walkable Albany.

“The NY Coalition for Transportation Safety advocates for safe passage of our most vulnerable road usage and Complete Streets legislation gives us hope that all roadway users will learn to share the road when the infrastructure is in place,” said Cynthia Brown, Director of the NY Coalition for Transportation Safety. 

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Assemblymembers, Safe Streets Advocates Urge Gov. Hochul To Sign Complete Streets Funding Bill

Complete streets projects proven to reduce fatalities and injuries by as much as 30% where implemented.

10,000 New Yorkers have been killed in traffic violence since the last complete streets law was signed in 2011.

NEW YORK — Safe streets advocates joined with Assemblymembers Phara Souffrant Forrest, Zohran Mamdani, Robert Carroll and Assemblymember-elect Juan Ardila to rally at Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York City office to urge her to sign the Complete Streets Funding Bill into law.

The Complete Streets Funding Bill, sponsored by Senator Tim Kennedy and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, increases state funding for road projects when a municipality opts to include complete streets elements — which include bike lanes, crosswalks, and removing car travel lanes to reduce speeding.

“After my daughter Brittany was killed in traffic violence, I dedicated myself to preventing future tragedies on streets across the state — leading to the first Complete Street Act’s passage in 2011. More than a decade later, New York State has a chance to prioritize the systematic construction of safe, complete streets infrastructure — from Buffalo to Syracuse to Ithaca and to Wantagh. By signing the Complete Streets Funding bill into law, Governor Hochul can save lives and keep our children safe,” said Families for Safe Streets Member Sandi Vega.

“The crisis of traffic violence on streets across New York State demands serious action from our state’s elected leaders. This legislation, that passed the State Legislature this summer, would increase the state's funding for street redesigns when municipalities agree to incorporate a complete streets redesign, which can include bike lanes, raised crosswalks, ramps, road diets, and more.  Redesigning streets for safety is the most effective way to protect people from crashes. People deserve to feel safe crossing the street. Each day that goes by that leaves our dangerous roads unchecked is a gamble on our lives. Together we can pass this law and save lives,” said Senator Tim Kennedy, chair of the Transportation Committee.

“There were 21% more motor vehicle fatalities in New York State in 2021 compared to 2019, according to a National Safety Council report. A NHTSA report estimated 12% more traffic fatalities in New York State in 2020 compared to 2019. It should come as no holiday surprise for anyone that following the COVID-19 pandemic, pedestrian deaths hit a 40-year high in the United States. Our children deserve the chance to be kids. Our children deserve the chance to grow up. I am hopeful that we can sign the Complete Streets Funding bill to support towns, villages, and cities across New York State build safe streets in our communities,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy.

Key benefits of complete streets:

• Equity: Car ownership is $10,728 in 2022, up from $9,282 in 2019 and expected to continue to rise. Moving beyond car dependence unburdens low-income communities from the necessity of owning and maintaining a car.

• Traffic Violence: Crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death in New York State, and the number one cause of death overall for children under 14. In New York, complete streets projects have decreased serious injuries and fatalities by as much as 30%. Reducing car lanes from 4 to 3 can lead to a 25.2% reduction in crash frequency per mile.

• Climate Crisis: Transportation is the leading source of emissions in New York State at 47%, and motor gasoline accounts for the highest share of these emissions. Investing in safe, accessible and convenient alternative infrastructure is essential to encouraging mode shift.

• Economic Recovery: Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates approximately 50,000 jobs.

• Public Health: Designing our communities around car usage increases exposure to particulate matter pollution, leading to increased rates of asthma and other diseases. This is particularly true in communities of color which often bear the burden of more truck routes, the historic legacy of highways built through their neighborhoods, and the health effects that come with it. Facilitating the design of complete streets is a proven method for increasing positive health outcomes.

What the NYS Safe Streets Coalition is saying:

"As New York State faces a crisis of traffic violence, implementing complete streets projects in communities across the state will protect everyone from crashes. This legislation will save lives and give New Yorkers safer streets to walk, bike, take transit, and drive on. We urge Governor Hochul to sign A8936/S3897 into law today and give municipalities another tool to combat traffic violence," said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Transportation Alternatives.

“New York State should be leading the nation on street safety, people-centered design and car independence,” says Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans. “Traffic violence is rising across the state and car-centric policies have gutted mobility options in small towns and big cities alike, especially among low-income communities. We’re encouraged that the Governor is looking to sign this bill and urge her to do so as soon as possible.”

"Traffic violence is a crisis in New York State, and inaction will only worsen it. Complete Streets projects have the power to transform our communities, making streets safer and more welcoming for everyone—from drivers to pedestrians. This new law allows municipalities to invest more in projects that make our roads safer for people of all ages and abilities by making them more accessible to cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. We urge Governor Hochul to sign A8936/S3897 into law today so that municipalities can implement these life-saving measures as soon as possible," said Jaqi Cohen, Policy & Communications Manager for Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

“Complete Streets are essential to creating vibrant, well-connected communities. In the face of a traffic violence epidemic and climate change crisis, New York State should be doing everything in its power to make it easier for communities to design streets that are safe for everyone and that encourage non-motorized modes of transportation,” said Dylan Carey, Greenway Program Director at Parks & Trails New York.

"All across Western New York, communities are demanding safe, complete streets,” said Justin Booth, Executive Director at GObike Buffalo. "Making our streets accessible for every person, regardless of age or ability, while giving them dignity, should be a right every New Yorker enjoys and why this common sense legislation should be signed by our Governor."

"Every New Yorker deserves the right to safe transportation, even if they cannot afford a car. By signing this Complete Streets bill into law, Governor Hochul will take an important step towards ensuring that New Yorkers do not have to risk their lives simply to walk down the street,” said Jackie Gonzales of Walkable Albany.

“Our Capital City of Albany has seen the most pedestrian deaths since at least the turn of the century. People are driving larger vehicles and driving them faster and with less attention. We need greater funding for Complete Streets to turn this deadly trend around and make our streets safe for all that use them,” said Ed Brennan of Albany Bicycle Coalition.

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Transportation Alternatives Statement After Driver Kills E-Bike Rider in Chelsea

Crashes have killed 235 people in 2022 — 25% higher than this point in 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero

16 bike riders were killed in traffic violence in 2022

NEW YORK — On Monday morning, the driver of an Infiniti Q50 struck and killed an e-bike rider on 24th Street near Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

In the past two years, 26 people have been injured on the stretch of 24th Street between the Hudson River and Madison Square Park, including eight bike riders.

35 people have been killed in traffic violence so far this year in Manhattan, up 40% from the 25 killed at this point in 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero. 

City Council District 3 ranks seventh out of 51 districts for most traffic fatalities per capita, according to Spatial Equity NYC. 

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

“We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the person killed while riding a bike overnight. All New Yorkers should be able to ride a bike without fear of death or injury. With less than a month left in 2022, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must expedite the requirements of the NYC Streets Plans and prevent crashes. ”

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Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets Statements After Crashes Kill Seven New Yorkers Since Thanksgiving

Crashes have killed 229 people in 2022 — 24% higher than this point in 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero

Three of the seven fatal crashes were hit-and-runs

NEW YORK — Since Thanksgiving, seven New Yorkers were killed in traffic crashes, bringing this year’s fatalities to 229. The seven reported fatalities include:

• A 43-year-old woman biking on Liberty Avenue on Thanksgiving who was killed by the driver of a tractor-trailer as it turned onto the Van Wyck Expressway service road. The driver dragged her several feet and kept driving, leaving her on the ground.

• A 64-year-old pedestrian who was killed by an SUV driver in Far Rockaway. City Council District 31 ranks 11th out of 51 for the most fatalities and seventh for most injuries.

• 53-year-old Lucas Jimenez Aburto, a father of 12, leaving work who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in the East Village.

• A driver who was killed in a collision with two tractor-trailers in Morris Heights. This was the Bronx’s 400th fatality since Vision Zero began in 2014.

Three of the seven fatal crashes were hit-and-runs. During the third quarter of 2022, hit-and-runs nearly doubled compared to the second quarter of the year. In some years, it would take nine months to reach 30 reported hit-and-runs resulting in death or critical injury. In the third quarter of 2022 alone, there were 30.

Statement from Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director for Advocacy & Organizing at Transportation Alternatives:

“We cannot continue to accept this level of traffic violence as normal. The holidays should be a time to be with loved ones, yet too many families face this heartbreaking loss each year. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the seven New Yorkers lost in crashes since Thanksgiving.”

“With only a month left in 2022, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez must expedite the implementation of the NYC Streets Plan. Building out protected bike and bus lanes, expanding pedestrian space, and physically protecting intersections will save lives and protect New Yorkers from traffic violence.”

Statement from Families for Safe Streets member Yolanda Nieves:

“My beloved son Matthew Travis Palacios was 25 when he was killed by a driver while he was riding his bike in East Harlem on November 9, 2019. Matthew brought so much love and passion to this world through his dancing, wrestling, and dedication to his family and he should be here today. This was the fourth Thanksgiving my family and I had to spend without him. This is a time for loved ones to come together. Instead, Families for Safe Streets — the club nobody should be a part of — gained new members as traffic violence killed seven people across New York City since Thanksgiving.” 

“Traffic violence is preventable. Our elected officials have to do everything in their power to stop crashes and save lives. This coming session legislators in Albany must pass the SAFE Streets Act — a life-saving package of bills that would empower communities across the state to take action to make streets safer.”