A Boy Is Dead. The Street Still Bleeds.

Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

A moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV struck the vehicle’s left side doors. The crash occurred as the SUV made a left turn, colliding with the moped traveling straight westbound on Pacific Street.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 13:05 on Pacific Street. The moped, driven by a 58-year-old man wearing a helmet, was traveling straight westbound when it was struck on the left side doors by an SUV making a left turn. The SUV driver was cited for "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction," which contributed to the collision. The moped driver sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, but was not ejected and remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage, while the moped had damage to its left side doors. The report highlights driver errors on the part of the SUV operator without attributing fault to the moped rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

A sedan turning right collided with an e-scooter traveling south on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:23 on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan, traveling southwest and making a right turn, struck an e-scooter heading south. The e-scooter driver, a 27-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and bruises to her knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention during the maneuver. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' but does not specify victim fault. The focus remains on the driver's failure to avoid the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730324 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 38-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg contusions after a collision with a 2024 Ford SUV making a left turn on Bergen Street. The SUV’s improper lane usage caused the impact, leaving the cyclist injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:30 PM on Bergen Street involving a westbound bicyclist and a 2024 Ford SUV. The SUV was making a left turn when it struck the bicyclist traveling straight west. The bicyclist, a 38-year-old male, sustained contusions to his knee and lower leg and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to properly navigate the turn and lane. The bicyclist was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his bike. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The impact point was the SUV’s left front bumper and the bike’s center front end, underscoring the SUV driver’s error in executing the turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A Jeep SUV struck a Honda sedan from behind on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered back injuries. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on Atlantic Avenue near Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:50 p.m. The crash involved a 2018 Honda sedan and a 2021 Jeep SUV, both traveling eastbound. The Jeep SUV struck the Honda sedan from behind, impacting the sedan’s left rear bumper. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old female occupant, sustained back injuries classified as severity level 3 and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were licensed, with the SUV driver licensed in New York and the sedan driver licensed in New Jersey. No other contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

SUV driver hit a parked bike on Vanderbilt Avenue. Impact crushed the SUV’s left doors. Police cite inexperience and distraction. Driver suffered shock. No injuries to others. System failed to protect the street.

A 34-year-old man driving a Honda SUV struck a parked bike on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV hit the bike, damaging the vehicle’s left side doors. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver experienced shock but was not ejected and suffered no bodily injury. No injuries were reported for others. No victim actions contributed to the crash. This incident underscores the danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

A 39-year-old man died beneath the streetlights of Atlantic Avenue. First struck by a box truck, then an SUV, his head shattered, bones crushed. Alone, far from the crosswalk, he became another casualty of unchecked steel and speed.

A deadly crash unfolded midblock on Atlantic Avenue when a 39-year-old man stepped into the roadway and was struck by two vehicles, according to the police report. The report states, 'The box truck hit him first. The SUV followed. Head shattered. Bones crushed. He died there, beneath the streetlights, far from the crosswalk, alone on the asphalt.' Both vehicles—a box truck and a sport utility vehicle—were traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, offering no further detail on specific driver errors. The pedestrian was crossing the street at a location not marked by a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal impact of large vehicles moving unchecked through city streets, leaving a man dead and unanswered questions in their wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan driver, starting from parking, struck a westbound e-bike on Saint Johns Place. The e-bike rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Saint Johns Place around 12:15 a.m. A sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, was starting from parking when it collided with an e-bike traveling westbound. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper and the e-bike's center front end. The e-bike rider, a 36-year-old male, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors that led to the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving and improper lane use in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Brooklyn’s Pacific Street. Five vehicle occupants suffered neck and back injuries, including whiplash. The crash, caused by following too closely, left multiple passengers injured but not ejected.

According to the police report, at 7:08 a.m. on Pacific Street in Brooklyn, a 2022 Ford SUV traveling north rear-ended a 2017 BMW sedan also heading north. The point of impact was the SUV’s center back end striking the sedan’s left front bumper. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely," indicating driver error by the SUV operator. Five occupants were injured: the SUV driver, three passengers, and the sedan’s lone occupant. Injuries included neck and back pain with complaints of whiplash. None of the occupants were ejected from their vehicles. The report lists no contributing factors related to the victims, focusing solely on the SUV driver’s failure to maintain safe distance. Vehicle damage was noted on the SUV’s right rear bumper and the sedan’s center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727482 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A moped rider collided with an SUV entering a parked position on Atlantic Avenue. The moped driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:20 on Atlantic Avenue when a moped traveling west struck the right front quarter panel of an SUV that was entering a parked position. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The moped driver was also noted for 'Following Too Closely.' The SUV driver was licensed and female, while the moped driver held a permit. The collision point and vehicle damage were both on the left front bumper of the moped and right front quarter panel of the SUV. The report focuses on driver errors without attributing fault to the injured moped rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A distracted SUV driver struck a moped on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered serious lower leg injuries. The SUV impacted the moped’s left front bumper, causing abrasions and vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bergen Street in Brooklyn at 18:22. A 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling west went straight ahead and struck a 2023 moped passing westbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right side doors and the moped’s left front bumper. The moped driver, a 39-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but no contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The SUV had four occupants, and the moped driver was unlicensed. Vehicle damage included the SUV’s undercarriage and the moped’s left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A motorbike traveling north struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian at a Classon Avenue intersection. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The motorbike showed no damage. Unsafe speed by the motorbike was noted as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a motorbike traveling north on Classon Avenue struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises. The motorbike had no visible damage and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the motorbike operator. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The pedestrian was located at the intersection and was not assigned any contributing fault. This crash highlights the dangers posed by motorbike speed in pedestrian-heavy areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722926 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05