Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Adding Safety Guards To 240 City Trucks In 2015
By
Lauren Evans
Published Feb 9, 2015
Modified Feb 9, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
RLJR News
By
Lauren Evans
Published Feb 9, 2015
Modified Feb 9, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A private sanitation truck fatally struck a bicyclist in Long Island City last month (RLJR News)
Around 240 of the city's trucks will soon be outfitted with protective side guards intended to protect pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists in the event of a collision, Mayor De Blasio announced today.
The guards, which span the side of the truck from the front to rear wheel, are intended to protect anyone unfortunate enough to be hit by a truck from becoming trapped underneath it, ostensibly decreasing the odds of fatality. According to a press release from the mayor's office, NYC trucks comprise only 3.6 percent of vehicles on the road, but collisions with trucks account for 12.3 percent of pedestrian fatalities and 32 percent of cyclist fatalities.
The city, working with DOT and a private contractor, identified 4,734 trucks eligible to receive the side guards, though only 240 will get them during the initial pilot this year. If the program proves successful, it could potentially be expanded to include all trucks in the city's fleet.
“We are committed to using every tool in our box—enforcement, education, and engineering —to save lives and make our streets safer,” de Blasio said in a statement. “Installing side guards on our City trucks will help prevent fatal collisions.”
Trucks under 10,000 pounds are exempt, as are street sweepers, fire engines and car carriers.
Similar devices have been added to trucks in various other cities across the country, like Boston and Portland. In the UK, side guards are credited with reducing fatalities and severe injuries in side impacts by 61 percent for bicyclists and 20 percent for pedestrians.
Tagged
mayor de blasio
truck sideguards
vision zero
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .