Res 0621-2015

By Council Members Reynoso, Chin, Koo, Lander, Rose, Menchaca and Kallos Whereas, In 2014, 132 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists were killed in traffic collisions in New York City; and Whereas, The City continues to implement its Vision Zero initiative, which, through improved street design, education, enforcement, and legislative changes, aims to eliminate traffic fatalities in New York City; and Whereas, At least eight pedestrians were struck and killed by Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses in 2014; and Whereas, At least three victims were run over by the rear wheel of a bus; and Whereas, Buses in several other cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., are equipped with rear wheel guards designed to prevent people from being crushed by the rear wheels; and Whereas, After experiencing an average of two fatalities per year involving bus rear tires, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reported no rear wheel-related fatalities in the six years after installing rear wheel guards on its buses; and Whereas, Given the demonstrated potential of bus rear wheel guards to save lives, the MTA should install them on its buses; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to install rear wheel guards on its buses. LS# 3467 1/30/2015 JM