Morgan Avenue: Blood on the Asphalt, Silence from City Hall

Jul 13 - Council moves to shield delivery workers. Wage floors, tipping rules, and safety gear on the line. Workers face street danger daily. New rules aim to cut risk and boost dignity.

On July 14, 2025, the NYC Council will vote on bills to protect delivery workers. The agenda includes wage floors, tipping requirements, and safety measures. Council Members Shaun Abreu, Jennifer Gutierrez, and Sandy Nurse sponsor key bills. Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the package. The matter summary states: 'Council members will vote on a list of legislative items that would benefit delivery app workers.' These protections can improve worker well-being and bargaining power, reducing pressure to take unsafe risks. The council’s action targets the daily hazards faced by delivery workers on city streets.

• NYC Council expected to vote Monday on wage and workplace protections for delivery workers, AMNY, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 12 - A sedan driver turned right and hit a southbound motorcycle on Humboldt Street. A 23-year-old woman passenger was ejected and suffered leg injuries and abrasions. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction as a contributing factor.

A sedan driver turning right struck a southbound motorcycle on Humboldt Street at Conselyea Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was going straight ahead. The sedan driver’s right front bumper made the point of impact. A 23-year-old woman passenger was ejected, remained conscious, and suffered knee, lower-leg and foot injuries plus abrasions. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was a contributing factor. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction as the listed error. The motorcycle carried two occupants; both were involved in the crash and the sedan had damage to its right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A sedan hit a cyclist at Grand and Leonard. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at Grand Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was injured in the leg. According to the police report, both the driver and cyclist were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both parties. The cyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the persistent danger for cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A 60-year-old man died after his standing scooter struck hard on Union Ave. Head injury. Severe bleeding. No helmet. Death at the scene. Brooklyn street, early morning, silent witness.

A 60-year-old man driving a standing scooter was killed in a crash on Union Ave at Grand St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the victim suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, with no safety equipment used. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The scooter's center front end took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The man was partially ejected and died at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832706 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - Two drivers crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp. Three people — two drivers and a right-rear passenger — suffered neck abrasions. Police recorded driver inattention and following too closely.

Two drivers collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp in Brooklyn. Three people were injured: two drivers (ages 41 and 45) and a right‑rear passenger (age 34). All three complained of neck abrasions. According to the police report, the contributing factors were 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely'. Police recorded driver inattention for both drivers and following too closely as a factor. Both striking vehicles had center-front damage. A third sedan stopped in traffic sustained center-back damage. The report lists those driver errors as contributing factors to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - A driver passed too close on Lorimer Street and struck a 32‑year‑old woman. She suffered a head injury, reported pain and nausea, and was in shock.

A 32-year-old woman walking on Lorimer Street at Driggs Avenue was struck after a driver passed too closely. She suffered a head injury, reported pain and nausea, and was in shock. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Passing Too Closely.' Police recorded the pedestrian’s action as 'Other Actions in Roadway' and list no additional pedestrian contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The driver was traveling west, going straight ahead, when the close pass led to impact. The report does not list vehicle type or driver details.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A moped struck a 90-year-old man in Brooklyn. The driver fled. The man died at the hospital. Security video captured the impact. The street claimed another life.

CBS New York (2025-07-10) reports a 90-year-old man died after a moped hit-and-run in Brooklyn. Security footage 'shows the moment the man was struck.' The driver left the scene. The victim died at the hospital. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians and the ongoing danger of drivers who flee. No policy changes or arrests were reported.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 10 - Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A moped struck a 90-year-old man crossing in Sheepshead Bay. The rider looked away, hit the man, paused, then fled. The victim lay motionless. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital. He died from his injuries.

ABC7 reported on July 9, 2025, that Zhuo Xie, 90, was killed crossing East 14th Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn. The article states, "a man riding a blue moped slammed into Xie and both men fell to the ground." Surveillance video showed the moped rider looking left, not ahead, before impact. The driver checked on Xie, then left the scene. Police said the moped had a green light, but the rider's inattention and failure to remain highlight systemic dangers for pedestrians. The incident underscores risks at intersections and the consequences of hit-and-run crashes.

• Moped Hits Elderly Pedestrian, Flees Scene, ABC7, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 9 - A Brooklyn judge cleared the way for Mayor Adams to rip out Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. Cyclists lose shelter. The street grows harsher. Safety for the vulnerable falls away.

""The reckless decision to rip out the Bedford bike lane proves yet again that Eric Adams cares more about his political future than our collective safety."" -- Lincoln Restler

On July 9, 2025, Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo ruled on the removal of Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. The case, reported by Streetsblog NYC, allowed Mayor Eric Adams to erase three blocks of protected lane without public notice. The judge called the change a 'modification,' sidestepping city law on notification. Council Member Lincoln Restler and attorney Peter Beadle condemned the move. DOT data showed the protected lane cut crashes and injuries. The ruling strips away safe space for cyclists and pedestrians. As the safety analyst notes, removing a bike lane increases risk for all vulnerable road users by putting cars first.

• Brooklyn Judge Lets Eric Adams Rip Up Bedford Avenue Protected Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 6 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Kent Ave in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a hip injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street saw impact, pain, and another vulnerable road user hurt.

A sedan struck a 29-year-old cyclist on Kent Ave at N 1 St in Brooklyn. The cyclist was injured in the hip and remained conscious, according to the police report. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered a contusion. No other injuries were reported. The crash involved a sedan and a bike, both traveling straight. The police report does not specify helmet use or other cyclist actions. The data highlights driver failure to yield as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - City aims to carve bike lanes into 31st Street. Merchants fear lost access. Residents cite danger. DOT points to dozens hurt, two killed. The street stays deadly. The fight over space continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), the NYC Department of Transportation plans to narrow lanes and add bike paths on 31st Street in Astoria, Queens. The DOT cites 126 injured vehicle occupants, 33 injured pedestrians, 24 injured cyclists, and two deaths from 2020 to 2024, calling it 'one of the most dangerous streets in Queens.' Business owners warn the changes will block deliveries and threaten livelihoods. Residents worry about access and safety, especially for the elderly and students. The plan highlights the tension between street redesigns and the needs of vulnerable road users.

• City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

Jul 4 - A truck hit a cyclist on Debevoise Street. The rider was ejected and injured. Police cite vehicular factors. The crash left the cyclist bruised, the truck undamaged.

A truck making a left turn on Debevoise Street in Brooklyn struck a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 64-year-old man, was ejected and suffered bruises to his entire body. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The truck, registered in Connecticut, showed no damage. The cyclist was not using safety equipment. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No injuries were reported for the truck's occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825622 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Flushing Avenue. The rider suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention. Metal met flesh. Streets stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at 597 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The 57-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a head contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor for both drivers. The sedan's right front quarter struck the bike. No other injuries were specified. The report highlights driver inattention as the key error. No mention of helmet use or signals as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A boy, 15, fell from a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He landed on the tracks. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The NYPD is investigating. Two other subway incidents happened that morning.

ABC7 reported on July 4, 2025, that a 15-year-old boy died after falling from the top of a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza station. The article states, "Police say the 15-year-old boy was riding on top of a No. 7 train around 2:45 a.m." and "He fell onto the tracks as it pulled into the Queensboro Plaza station." The NYPD is investigating this and two other incidents: a person struck by a J train and another killed while walking between cars on a No. 2 train. The events highlight ongoing dangers in the subway system and raise questions about platform and train safety.

• Teen Dies Falling From No. 7 Train, ABC7, Published 2025-07-04

Jul 1 - A judge paused city plans to cut a protected bike lane after children were struck crossing. The lane, built after five pedestrian crashes, stays for now. Streets wait. Danger lingers.

NY1 reported on July 1, 2025, that a judge halted the city's move to remove a three-block section of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The city acted after 'incidents of children exiting school buses, crossing into the lane, and being hit by bikes.' The lane, stretching over two miles, was installed in 2024 following 'years of advocacy and five pedestrian incidents.' The hearing highlights ongoing conflict between street safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and the city's rapid policy shifts in response to crashes.

• Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Faces Review, NY1, Published 2025-07-01

Jun 30 - SUV hit e-bike on Havemeyer. Rider thrown, hurt his back. Police cite driver distraction. Crash left cyclist bleeding, shaken. Metal met flesh. Streets stayed loud.

An SUV struck an e-bike at Havemeyer Street and Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 42-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a back abrasion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The SUV driver was traveling straight while the e-bike was making a right turn. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The cyclist was left conscious but injured. No helmet or signaling issues were listed as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - SUV struck a cyclist on Franklin Street. The driver followed too close. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. The street stayed open. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

A sport utility vehicle hit a cyclist on Franklin Street near India Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 33-year-old woman, was injured in the arm and reported a bruise. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The SUV driver, a 75-year-old man, was going straight ahead. No other injuries were reported. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the primary listed factor was the driver's failure to maintain distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30