No More Names on Asphalt: Demand Safe Streets Now

A diesel truck turned right on Caton Avenue. Its trailer caught a man, 47. His head was crushed. His body broke. He died in the streetlight’s shadow. The truck kept moving. Driver inattention marked the scene. The street stayed silent.

A 47-year-old man was killed on Caton Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck turned right and its trailer struck the pedestrian, crushing his head and body. He died at the scene. The crash involved a truck and a sedan, both making right turns. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The data does not list any helmet or signal use as a factor. The deadly impact and driver inattention underline the danger faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580430, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Assembly Member Carroll stands firm for congestion pricing. He wants fewer cars, cleaner air, and faster buses. He rejects broad carve-outs. Only yellow cabs get a break. Uber and Lyft must pay. He demands urgency. Streets must change. Lives depend on it.

On September 27, 2022, Assembly Member Robert Carroll made a public statement supporting congestion pricing in New York City. The matter, titled 'I’m Willing to Take the Heat to Support Congestion Pricing,' was reported by Streetsblog NYC. Carroll opposes broad exemptions, saying, 'Simplicity is key and exemptions should be limited.' He supports only yellow cab drivers for additional exemptions, citing their medallion fees and capped numbers. Carroll insists Uber and Lyft drivers pay every time they enter the zone, regardless of fare. He also backs time-based charges for taxis, for-hire vehicles, and trucks, especially in busy corridors. Carroll acknowledges the financial burden but argues the cost of congestion is greater. He urges swift action, naming London, Milan, Stockholm, and Singapore as models. No safety analyst note was provided.

• AM Carroll: ‘I’m Willing to Take the Heat’ to Support Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-27

Two bikes slammed together on Prospect Park Southwest. A young rider hit the ground. Blood spilled from his leg. Skin torn. He stared at the sky, awake. The street fell silent. Two children and another man were also involved. No helmets. No mercy.

Two bicycles collided head-on at Prospect Park Southwest and Greenwood Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 23-year-old male rider was partially ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his leg, remaining conscious at the scene. Two children, ages 2 and 4, and a 35-year-old man were also involved, all listed as bicyclists. The report notes, 'Two bikes collided head-on. A 23-year-old rider hit the ground hard. No helmet. Blood ran from his leg. Skin peeled back.' No contributing factors or driver errors were specified in the data. Helmets were not used, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The crash left one rider badly hurt while others escaped with unspecified injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561432, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Senator Julia Salazar’s Ride Clean bill passed the New York Senate 60-3. It offers up to $1,100 for e-bike purchases. The bill aims to cut car use and emissions. It stalled in the Assembly. Lawmakers say it makes e-bikes accessible for working New Yorkers.

Senate Bill S7703, known as the Ride Clean rebate, passed the New York State Senate on June 2022 by a 60-3 vote. The bill sits stalled in the Assembly committee since January. The measure, sponsored by Senator Julia Salazar, would require NYSERDA to cover half the cost of e-bike purchases, up to $1,100. Salazar said, 'When the federal government falls short, it really does fall on the state to step up and take responsibility.' Assembly sponsor Robert Carroll added, 'This is not a luxury item.' The bill’s summary states it aims to make e-bikes accessible and reduce car dependence. If enacted, New York would join a handful of states offering direct e-bike subsidies, targeting emissions and car use in daily trips.

• NY Lawmakers Want To Bring E-Bikes To The People, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-30

Lawmakers push for e-bike rebates. Senate passes, Assembly stalls. Salazar and Carroll lead. Up to $1,100 for buyers. Critics call it a luxury. Carroll disagrees. Program aims for working-class riders. Cars keep killing. E-bikes offer a way out.

Senate Bill 'Ride Clean' proposes up to $1,100 rebates for e-bike purchases, covering half the cost. The bill passed the Senate but stalled in the Assembly as of August 30, 2022. The measure, led by State Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Robert Carroll, aims to make e-bikes accessible to working-class New Yorkers. Salazar says, 'With the Ride Clean rebate, [e-bikes] really would be much more accessible to working New Yorkers.' Carroll pushes back on critics who call e-bikes a luxury, stating, 'They don’t realize that this is not a luxury item.' The program would use NYSERDA funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, mirroring the Drive Clean program for electric cars. Advocates cite European and U.S. models. The bill’s fate now rests with the Assembly.

• NY Lawmakers Want To Bring E-Bikes To The People, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-30

Council and state leaders spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want carve-outs. Others warn exemptions gut the plan. Vulnerable road users wait as drivers fight for special treatment. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, the council held a public debate on congestion pricing exemptions. The matter, titled 'Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions,' drew sharp lines. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once a hardliner against exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll backs limited carve-outs, saying, 'I think that there should be limited exemptions.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes stresses, 'Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible.' Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine pushes for toll credits and taxi exemptions. Advocacy groups warn against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide after federal review. The debate centers on who pays and who gets a pass, while the safety of people outside cars hangs in the balance.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-26

Lawmakers spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want tight limits. Others push for taxi exemptions and tunnel credits. Advocates warn: too many carve-outs gut the plan. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, New York officials debated congestion pricing exemptions as the policy neared implementation. The discussion, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted shifting positions. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once opposed to exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll said, "I think that there should be limited exemptions." State Senator Andrew Gounardes added, "Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible." Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine backed toll credits for tunnel users and taxi exemptions. Taxi and for-hire drivers lobbied for relief, citing existing surcharges. Advocacy groups warned against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide on further exemptions after federal review. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-26

Nearly a thousand people signed up to speak at MTA’s congestion pricing hearings. The plan targets Manhattan below 61st Street. Supporters want fewer exemptions. Critics fear more truck traffic. Lawmakers push for swift action. Streets and air hang in the balance.

On August 25, 2022, the MTA held public hearings on congestion pricing for Manhattan below 61st Street. The hearings drew nearly a thousand speakers. The plan, described as aiming to 'reduce congestion, air pollution, and driving into the city,' would charge drivers $5 to $23 depending on time and exemptions. Council Member Robert Carroll (District 44) urged, 'It needs to be implemented now, we passed this bill three years ago, it’s time to get moving.' Other lawmakers, including Andrew Gounardes and Mark Levine, debated exemptions and credits. Governor Hochul called the charge 'crucial to cutting the number of vehicles and combating climate change.' The hearings reflect strong support for minimal carveouts and immediate action to fund transit and clear streets. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Thousand ask to speak at upcoming MTA congestion pricing hearings, amny.com, Published 2022-08-25

A woman rode west on Eastern Parkway. She crashed her bike. Alcohol was involved. Her helmet could not save her. Blood pooled on the street. The night was silent. No car. No other vehicle. Just the impact and aftermath.

A 33-year-old woman riding her bike west on Eastern Parkway suffered a severe head injury. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet, but it did not prevent a serious injury. There was no car, no other vehicle, only the cyclist and the pavement. The report states she was incoherent and bleeding heavily from the head. The crash happened in the dark, with no witnesses or other parties involved. The data lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as the primary driver error. Helmet use is noted, but the injury was severe despite it.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552181, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 61-year-old man rode his e-bike up Caton Avenue. He hit a parked Kia. Metal bent. The bike stopped. He died there. Another cyclist, 42, was hurt. The street stayed silent. The crash left pain and questions.

A 61-year-old man riding an e-bike on Caton Avenue near East 4th Street in Brooklyn struck the side of a parked Kia SUV. According to the police report, 'A 61-year-old man on an e-bike struck the side of a parked Kia. Metal folded. The bike stopped. He did not rise.' The e-bike rider suffered fatal injuries. Another bicyclist, age 42, was partially ejected and sustained a neck injury but survived. The Kia was parked at the time of the crash. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the police data. The report notes that neither cyclist was using safety equipment, but no helmet or signaling issues were cited as contributing factors. The crash left one dead and another injured, with the street holding its breath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543764, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel crashed on Washington Avenue. Two men, alone in their cars, slammed nose to tail. Both drivers stunned, necks wrenched, pain sharp and sudden. Distraction behind the wheel left them broken and silent in the Brooklyn dark.

Two sedans collided near 971 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers, a 24-year-old and a 48-year-old, suffered neck injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight when the crash occurred, with one sedan striking the other from behind. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary cause. Both drivers were alone and wore lap belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left both men injured, their silence broken by pain. The crash underscores the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4518809, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan hit a 28-year-old cyclist at Eastern Parkway and Underhill Avenue. She flew from her bike. Blood pooled from her head. She lay on the asphalt, conscious, eyes open. The car’s bumper bent. The morning light caught the wreckage.

A sedan struck a 28-year-old woman riding her bike on Eastern Parkway at Underhill Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck a 28-year-old cyclist. She flew from her bike. No helmet. Head bleeding. Conscious. The bumper bent. She lay on the asphalt, eyes open, staring up through the morning light.' The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No helmet was worn, as noted in the report, but driver errors are primary. Two sedan occupants and a witness were unhurt. The crash left the cyclist injured and the car’s bumper damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4516819, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

State officials want answers from cyclists. They ask how, where, and why people ride. The survey digs into barriers, habits, and needs. Planners say the data will shape safer, fairer streets. Results will go public. Cyclists’ voices count.

On February 17, 2022, New York State launched the first New York Bike Census, a voluntary survey led by NYSERDA and Urban Cycling Solutions. The effort is described as 'an unprecedented effort to collect detailed data on bicycle transportation across the state.' The survey asks about riding frequency, infrastructure, barriers, and connections to transit. Assembly Member Robert Carroll and State Senator Julia Salazar have backed related legislation for an e-bike rebate program. The survey’s results will be shared with governments and advocacy groups. Officials say the data will help planners and policymakers 'invest in safer, more equitable multimodal streets.' No direct safety impact assessment was provided, but the project aims to inform future improvements for vulnerable road users.

• New York State Wants To Know Everything About Your Cycling Habits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-17

A Brooklyn man got death threats after reporting illegal parking to 311. City Hall condemned the harassment but offered no reforms. Police stayed silent. Local officials demanded answers. The city’s response left dangerous gaps for those who report reckless driving.

On February 10, 2022, City Hall responded to threats against Tony Melone, a Park Slope resident who filed a 311 complaint about illegal parking. The incident, covered by Streetsblog, exposed how reporting traffic violations can put New Yorkers at risk. City Hall called the harassment 'extremely disturbing' and promised to review a Department of Investigation probe, but did not commit to changing NYPD’s handling of 311 complaints. Assembly Member Robert Carroll condemned the threats and demanded accountability if city staff leaked Melone’s information. Council Member Shahana Hanif echoed concern, urging that harassment not silence those reporting dangerous driving. The NYPD did not comment. The city’s lack of action leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as illegal parking blocks sightlines, sidewalks, and bike lanes, endangering lives.

• City Hall Condemns Death Threats to 311 User Who Filed Illegal Parking Complaint to NYPD, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-10

A sedan, moving too fast, struck a stopped SUV on Eastern Parkway. Metal tore. A 17-year-old girl bled from the head. Two other young women suffered pain. The night air stayed cold. The crash left scars and silence.

A sedan traveling at unsafe speed crashed into a stopped SUV near Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A speeding sedan struck a stopped SUV. Metal screamed. A 17-year-old girl in the back seat bled from the head.' She suffered severe head lacerations. Two other female passengers, ages 19, reported pain in their back and legs. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The data shows the injured passengers were wearing lap belts or harnesses, except one who had no safety equipment. No driver errors beyond unsafe speed are listed. The SUV was stopped in traffic when hit. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4496666, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15