McGuinness Bleeds, City Stalls: Who Will Stop the Next Death?

A judge stopped city crews from tearing out Bedford Ave’s only protected bike lane. The lane, shielded by parked cars, now waits for a court fight. Cyclists and advocates hold their ground.

NY Daily News reported on July 15, 2025, that an appellate judge blocked New York City from removing the protected Bedford Ave bike lane in Williamsburg. The city planned to move cyclists next to car traffic, but the court granted an emergency restraining order after advocates appealed. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called the lane a 'critical safety project.' City Hall insists the reconfiguration is legal and claims the appeal delays 'easing the safety concerns plaguing Williamsburg parents.' The protected lane, installed in October 2024, separates cyclists from moving vehicles. The ruling highlights ongoing policy battles over street design and cyclist safety.

• Judge Halts Bedford Ave Bike Lane Removal, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

A sedan hit a cyclist on Kent Avenue. The rider, 24, suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Police cite unsafe speed. The night was quiet. The street was not.

A sedan collided with a cyclist on Kent Avenue at South 4th Street in Brooklyn. The 24-year-old cyclist suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was listed as a contributing factor. The crash involved the sedan traveling north and the bike traveling south, both going straight. No other factors were cited in the report. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet use was listed as a factor. The data does not mention injuries to the sedan driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck trouble on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One passenger bled from the leg. Five others escaped serious harm. The crash stemmed from vehicular factors, police said.

A sedan traveling west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway crashed, injuring a 21-year-old front passenger who suffered severe bleeding to the leg. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the collision. The driver and three other passengers were not seriously hurt. The report lists no pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The sedan’s roof was damaged, and the point of impact was the undercarriage. Driver error is noted as 'Other Vehicular.' All occupants wore lap belts and harnesses. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.

• D-Minus! The Albany Report Card for 2025, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Taxi slammed into motorcycle at Harrison and Lynch. Rider ejected, bleeding from head. Both drivers hurt. Police cite traffic control ignored.

A taxi and a motorcycle collided at Harrison Avenue and Lynch Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle rider, a 61-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe head bleeding. The taxi driver, a 46-year-old woman, reported back pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The motorcycle rider was unlicensed but wore a helmet. Both vehicles were going straight. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Parents in Greenpoint want cars out. A cyclist died at Monitor and Driggs. Children walk and bike to PS 110. The street stays dangerous. The city has not acted. Families wait. The threat of cars remains.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 11, 2025, that parents at Public School 110 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are calling for a Paris-style school street to protect children. Their plan would turn Monitor Street into a cul-de-sac with a pedestrian plaza, add mid-block crossings, and close a slip lane to block cut-through traffic from the BQE. The push follows a fatal crash at Monitor and Driggs, where a driver killed 73-year-old cyclist Teddy Orzechowski. Streetsblog notes, 'Streets outside schools have higher crash and injury rates than the city average.' Most PS 110 families walk or bike, but the city has not responded to the proposal. The article highlights the persistent risk from drivers using local streets as shortcuts.

• Brooklyn Parents Demand Safer School Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

Another joins Families for Safe Streets. Another life lost. The toll rises. Grief sharpens the call for change. Streets stay deadly. The city fails to shield its own. The group grows. The danger remains.

On June 3, 2025, Gersh Kuntzman issued an advocacy statement, reported by Streetsblog NYC. The statement reads, 'There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news.' Joe Jankoski, mourning Amanda Servedio, spoke out after her death by a recidivist speeder. The group’s ranks swell with each tragedy. No specific bill or committee is named in this event. Kuntzman’s statement underscores the relentless danger faced by pedestrians and cyclists. The safety analyst notes: the event describes a new member joining an advocacy group, which does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety at the population level. The city’s streets remain perilous. The group’s growth is a grim measure of failure.

• Tuesday’s Headlines: Stop Super Speeders Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-03

Amy Sohn left her car. She walked Albany’s streets. She saw the city with new eyes. She called car ownership a burden. She praised walkability. Her story shows what’s possible. But without new laws, streets stay the same.

On May 22, 2025, Assembly Member Amy Sohn made headlines for abandoning her car and embracing walking in Albany. The event, reported by Streetsblog NYC, was not a bill or vote but a personal shift. Sohn said, 'It disconnects you from the life of the city.' She praised Albany’s walkability and called car ownership a hassle. Governor Hochul also spoke on the need for walkable cities and announced a $400-million downtown plan. No committee, bill number, or formal legislative action is tied to this event. According to safety analysts, this is an individual choice and a vague policy gesture; without concrete legislative changes, there is no measurable system-wide safety impact for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Assembly Member Ditches Her Car — and Discovers The Good Side of Albany, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-22

Senate moves to clamp down on repeat speeders. Bill forces reckless drivers to install speed limiters. Lawmakers act after years of carnage. Streets remain perilous for walkers and riders until the law takes hold.

On May 21, 2025, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced bill S4045B, known as the Stop Super Speeders bill. The measure passed with just two 'no' votes out of 13. The bill requires speed-limiting devices in cars of drivers with six or more camera-issued speeding tickets in a year. Streetsblog NYC reports, 'A bill that would prevent the most-reckless drivers from speeding easily moved forward on Tuesday.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsors the bill, emphasizing it targets the most dangerous drivers. Assembly sponsor Emily Gallagher raised concerns about cost and judicial bias, but stressed that speeding endangers everyone. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins backs the bill's safety focus. According to safety analysts, restricting repeat speeders directly tackles a major threat to pedestrians and cyclists, likely reducing crashes and making streets safer citywide.

• ‘Stop Super Speeders’ Bill Advances in Senate Committee, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-21

Sedans collided on Bedford Ave. Alcohol played a role. One passenger suffered head injuries. The driver died. Steel and speed met flesh. Brooklyn streets bore the cost.

A crash involving two sedans on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn left a 29-year-old front passenger injured with head trauma and killed the driver. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor in the collision. The report lists no other specific driver errors. The injured passenger was not ejected and reported whiplash. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the deadly consequences when alcohol mixes with driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate Republicans forced a vote on S533 to repeal congestion pricing. Democrats may let it advance with a hollow 'Aye Without Recommendation.' Meanwhile, the Idaho Stop bill, which could save cyclists’ lives, remains stalled. NYPD cracks down on riders. Cyclists keep dying.

On May 13, 2025, the Senate Transportation Committee considered S533, a bill to repeal congestion pricing, after a procedural motion by Sen. Jack Martins. Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney was compelled to place it on the agenda. Democrats may use 'Aye Without Recommendation' to let the bill advance without clear support. A watchdog coalition, including Reinvent Albany and Bike New York, called the bill 'contrary to notions of basic fairness.' The same day, activists lobbied for the Idaho Stop bill (S639/A7071), sponsored by Sen. Rachel May and Assembly Member Karen McMahon. The bill would let cyclists treat red lights as stop signs and stop signs as yield signs, a move proven to reduce injuries. Despite support, the bill remains blocked. NYPD continues harsh enforcement against cyclists, who make up a small share of city trips but receive a disproportionate number of tickets. Cyclist deaths keep rising.

• How the Sausage Gets Made: Republicans Force Meaningless Vote on Congestion Pricing Repeal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-13

A Honda sedan struck two teens on a bike at Driggs and N 9th. The unlicensed driver looked away. Both teens were thrown, bleeding, left in shock. The street bore witness. The car did not stop.

A Honda sedan hit a bike carrying two 16-year-olds at Driggs Avenue and North 9th Street in Brooklyn. Both teens suffered severe head and chest injuries, partially ejected and left bleeding. According to the police report, the sedan's unlicensed driver looked away and disregarded traffic control. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan's center front end struck the bike. No safety equipment was used. The crash left the teens in shock, the night echoing with their pain.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

After a Brooklyn crash killed a mother and two children, lawmakers renewed calls for speed limiters on cars of repeat offenders. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and others demand action. The bill targets drivers with long records of speeding and red-light violations.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, representing District 50, is pushing for the Stop Super Speeders bill, which would require speed limiters on vehicles owned by drivers with repeated speeding or red-light violations. The bill, stalled for years in Albany, gained urgency after a fatal Brooklyn crash on April 1, 2025. Gallagher, joined by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and city Comptroller Brad Lander, rallied at Borough Hall, urging swift passage. The bill targets drivers with 11 or more license points in 24 months, or six camera violations in a year. Gallagher said, 'A lot of what happens when it comes to getting a bill to the top of the list is really through a movement and folks fighting for the bill.' Gounardes added, 'It’s no longer simply enough to shake our heads in despair when these preventable tragedies occur—it’s time for us to act.' The legislation mirrors past efforts like the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Act, aiming to hold reckless drivers accountable and protect vulnerable road users.

• NYC lawmakers push ‘super speeder’ bill after Brooklyn crash kills mom, 2 kids, gothamist.com, Published 2025-04-01

After a crash killed a mother and two daughters in Gravesend, advocates and Council Member Shahana Hanif rallied for the Stop Super Speeders bill. The law would force repeat reckless drivers to use speed-limiting tech. Survivors demand action. Lawmakers promise change.

On April 1, 2025, Council Member Shahana Hanif joined a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall demanding passage of the Stop Super Speeders bill. The bill, sponsored in Albany by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, would require drivers with repeated violations to install intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. These devices cap speed at 5 mph over the limit for those with 11 or more license points in 24 months or six camera tickets in a year. The rally followed a fatal Gravesend crash that killed a mother and her two daughters. Hanif and other lawmakers called current enforcement—ticketing, suspensions, fines, jail—ineffective. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, 'The speed limiter technology is available to us. Let’s use it. It will save lives.' The bill is modeled on EU and Virginia laws. Some opposition remains, but supporters say the measure is urgent and practical.

• ‘Enough is enough’: Street safety advocates demand passage of ‘Stop Super Speeders’ bill after tragic Gravesend crash, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-04-01

After a deadly Brooklyn crash, lawmakers push a bill to force speed limiters on cars of repeat reckless drivers. The devices would cap speed, targeting those with long records of violations. The aim: stop killers behind the wheel.

Bill to mandate speed limiters for repeat reckless drivers was introduced after a fatal Brooklyn crash. The measure, announced March 31, 2025, would require drivers with 11+ license points in two years or six camera tickets in a year to install speed-control devices for one year. The bill is sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. Gounardes said, 'My legislation would require repeat reckless drivers to install speed limiters, so they can no longer use their vehicles as a deadly weapon.' Gallagher added, 'We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent these tragedies from happening.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Families for Safe Streets support the bill, calling it a powerful tool to protect everyone from super speeders. The bill awaits committee action.

• After deadly Brooklyn crash, pols push for ‘speed limiters’ on vehicles owned by notoriously reckless drivers to force safe travel, amny.com, Published 2025-03-31

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

A 49-year-old man lay dying on Franklin Street after an unlicensed e-bike rider struck him head-on. Headlights flashed, steel met flesh, and blood pooled on the Brooklyn pavement. The night swallowed the noise. He did not rise.

A 49-year-old pedestrian was killed on Franklin Street at India Street in Brooklyn when an unlicensed e-bike rider traveling south struck him head-on, according to the police report. The report states the e-bike driver was 'unlicensed' and identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the e-bike, causing severe head injuries and fatal bleeding to the pedestrian. The police report describes the victim as 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk' and 'not at intersection,' but the primary focus remains on the unlicensed status of the e-bike operator and the disregard for traffic control. The narrative details a quiet night interrupted by the crash, with the victim left motionless on the pavement. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800420 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Community Board 1 voted 18-15 to cut speed limits in Greenpoint and Williamsburg to 20 mph. Residents and officials demand action after deadly crashes. DOT has yet to respond. The fight pits safety against drivers. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 6, 2025, Brooklyn Community Board 1 voted 18-15 to request a 20 mph speed limit for Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The measure, supported by 40 groups and nearly all local elected officials, marks the first neighborhood-wide slow zone request since the passage of Sammy's Law. The board's action follows letters from Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. They cited CB1's high fatality rate—3.27 deaths per 10,000 residents, above the city average. The board's vote was contentious, with pro-driving members opposing the change. DOT spokesperson Mona Bruno acknowledged the support and promised more information on slow zones for outer boroughs. Council Member Lincoln Restler later joined the call for lower speeds. The measure now awaits DOT action.

• Greenpoint and Williamsburg Beg DOT for 20MPH Slow Zone, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-06