Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Car Culture

Upper West Side Pol Caught Zooming While Zooming

UWS Council Member zooming while zooming. Photo: New York City Council

This is not what they mean by Zoom call.

Upper West Side Council Member Helen Rosenthal, who claims to be a supporter of safe-streets initiatives, was driving her car as she testified before a Council committee this morning about public education, putting the lives of students and others at risk.

Rosenthal joined the council’s Finance Committee hearing while driving from her apartment on the Upper West Side to a press conference at the Goddard Riverside Center for mayoral candidate Maya Wiley nearby in the very same relatively small neighborhood. (Rosenthal lives on W. 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam and the presser was at Columbus Avenue and 88th Street, a distance of a half mile on foot.)

Rosenthal told another reporter at Wiley’s press conference that she “should have walked,” but didn’t want to be later than she already was, according to Politico’s health care reporter Amanda Einsenberg.

https://twitter.com/aeis17/status/1397214018817904645

Rosenthal appears to be either stopped or parked for at least a few seconds during her spiel, but it's clear from the video of the testimony that she is speaking while in motion because the scenery changes as she speaks. 

"[I]f we're serious about reducing class size, we have to get more space in our schools or build more schools, we're not being honest about smaller class size," Rosenthal said while momentarily taking her eyes off the road to look into the phone that was likely mounted on her dashboard.

Rosenthal has a history of improper driving. The license plate associated with the pol's car, which was shared with Streetsblog, has racked up 62 tickets since 2013, mostly for illegal parking, but also including three speeding tickets last year and one red light ticket in 2019.

https://twitter.com/BrooklynSpoke/status/1397218935091642375

Rosenthal did not return Streetsblog’s calls or texts for comment, allowing advocates to seize the high ground.

“Given that we know distracted driving kills, it feels rather disingenuous for an elected official to claim they care about preserving life and dignity while Zooming and driving," said Lisa Orman of StreetopiaUWS. "Naming streets for our dead children and seniors, people who were killed precisely because of distracted driving, is not what makes a leader. True leaders understand their responsibility to keeping everyone safe and leading by example.”

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe

A pedestrian was struck and killed on Morgan Avenue, renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.

August 7, 2025

Waste of Time: Full-Salaried NYPD Cops Now Needed to Enforce the Unprotected Bedford Avenue Bike Lane

Streets that are properly designed — with bike lanes that can't be blocked or narrower lanes in which drivers can't speed — don't need squads of cops to hand out tickets.

August 7, 2025

NYC Could Have Its First Car-Free Neighborhood (But Won’t Get It Due To Revanchist Pols)

Creedmoor should not become just another mixed-use development, but, instead, become America’s next great neighborhood.

Northern Disclosure: Canada’s Road Laws Could Help Save U.S. Lives

The U.S. would be safer if we implemented some of Canada's most common roadway laws — but the politics are complicated.

August 7, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Vanderbilt to Last Edition

We had a lot of problems with a New York Magazine story that forgot the benefits of open streets and outdoor dining. Plus other news.

August 7, 2025

Construction Begins On Deliverista Hub Highlighting Need For More Infrastructure

It's one small hub for a few humans, but what's needed is a giant leap for humankind.

August 6, 2025
See all posts