Eastern Parkway’s toll: six lives, hundreds hurt, and no slow-down

Jun 25 - 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.

""Sometimes we can’t account for whether or not the trucks actually got down the block, or whether or not cars are obstructing them," Cunningham told Streetsblog. "That destroys our catch basins because they don’t get clean."" -- Brian Cunningham

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

Jun 22 - A moped struck a parked SUV on Montgomery Street. The rider was ejected and suffered a leg fracture. Defective pavement played a role. Two others were involved but not seriously hurt.

A moped collided with a parked SUV at 559 Montgomery Street in Brooklyn. The moped rider, a 40-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, 'Pavement Defective' was listed as a contributing factor. Two other occupants, both men, were involved but did not sustain serious injuries. The SUV was parked at the time of the crash. No driver errors were listed in the data. The report does not specify if safety equipment was used.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Two SUVs collided on Empire Boulevard. One passenger suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. The street stayed loud and dangerous.

A crash involving two SUVs occurred on Empire Boulevard at Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. One passenger, a 50-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were traveling east when one SUV struck the other from behind. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left one person hurt and others shaken, underscoring the risks faced by passengers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A speeding SUV opened its door into a passing motorcycle. The rider was ejected, face bloodied. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. Streets remain hostile. Metal meets flesh. Riders pay.

A station wagon/SUV struck a motorcycle on Winthrop Street near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV's right side doors hit the motorcycle as it traveled straight ahead. The 26-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered facial abrasions. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Driver inattention and distraction are also noted. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as recorded in the report. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one person injured and exposed the ongoing danger for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A sedan struck a standing scooter on Albany Ave. The rider, ejected and hurt, wore a helmet. Police cite failure to yield. The driver held only a permit.

A sedan and a standing scooter collided on Albany Ave at E New York Ave in Brooklyn. The 18-year-old male scooter rider was ejected and injured across his entire body. He wore a helmet. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was a contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old woman with a permit, was not reported injured. The crash highlights driver error as the cause. Helmet use is noted only for the injured scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822533 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A sedan hit a cyclist at New York Ave and Crown St. The cyclist, ejected and bruised, suffered leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. System failed to protect the rider.

A sedan traveling west on New York Ave struck a northbound cyclist at Crown St in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and foot injuries. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The cyclist was listed as having no safety equipment. The driver’s actions, as cited by police, led to the collision. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupants. The system left the cyclist exposed and injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - Streetsblog gathered street-safety leaders. They ranked mayoral candidates by their promises for safer streets. No council action. No new law. Just a sharp look at who stands with people, not cars. The city’s future rides on these choices.

On June 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published 'Streetsblog Celebrities Reveal Their Mayoral Rankings!' The article asked, 'Who did the legends of the livable streets movement rank for mayor?' and used a ranked-choice simulator to show results. No council bill, vote, or committee action took place. No council members were involved. Instead, advocates like Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Zellnor Myrie, Adrienne Adams, Michael Blake, and Scott Stringer ranked candidates based on their records and promises for safer streets. Streetsblog made no endorsements. According to safety analysts, this event did not create any policy or legislative change for pedestrian or cyclist safety. It simply revealed which candidates street-safety advocates trust to protect vulnerable road users.

• Streetsblog Celebrities Reveal Their Mayoral Rankings!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 17 - 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

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Andrew Cuomo’s car got two more speed-camera tickets. That makes four in three months. Each violation happened near Brooklyn schools. Cuomo’s team paid the fines. Leaders who speed endanger walkers and riders. Streets stay deadly when the powerful ignore the law.

On June 16, 2025, Streetsblog NYC reported that former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s car received two new speed-camera tickets, bringing the total to four in three months. The article states: "The car is driven by multiple people, all of whom have been reminded to obey the speed limit, and there are no outstanding tickets." Cuomo’s spokesperson, Esther Jensen, noted his past support for speed cameras. Mayoral rival Brad Lander and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani criticized Cuomo’s record, calling his driving 'reckless and unlawful.' Zellnor Myrie’s spokesperson, Julia Rose, said Cuomo acts above the law. The safety analyst notes: this event describes an individual's driving and parking behavior but does not constitute a policy change or legislation affecting population-level safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

• No Mo, Cuomo! Scofflaw Ex-Gov. Caught Speeding Two More Times, Bringing Total to 4 Tix in 3 Months, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - State Senator Zellnor Myrie biked Brooklyn streets with reporter Dave Colon. He saw blocked lanes, heavy traffic, and real risk. Myrie called out the dangers for new cyclists. He backed safer bike lanes and fewer cars. The ride changed nothing systemic.

On June 16, 2025, State Senator Zellnor Myrie joined reporter Dave Colon for a bike ride through Brooklyn, as covered by Streetsblog NYC. The event was not a formal bill or committee action, but a public statement on street safety. Myrie said, "We should be making this as easy as possible and as safe as possible for as many people as possible." He highlighted blocked bike lanes, rising injuries, and the lack of protected infrastructure. Myrie voiced support for congestion pricing, safer streets, and reducing car dependency. The safety impact is neutral: a senator riding a bike is symbolic and does not directly change safety outcomes for pedestrians or cyclists.

• The Dave Colon Challenge: Zellnor Myrie Wants His Own Bike Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 15 - A sedan hit an e-bike rider on Utica Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured leg. Police cite failure to yield and driver inattention. The crash left the rider conscious but hurt.

A sedan collided with a 49-year-old e-bike rider at Utica Avenue and Crown Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, who was ejected and injured in the leg, suffered a fracture and dislocation. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. The impact came as the sedan started from parking and struck the e-bike, which was traveling straight. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - A black Suburban sped north on Coney Island Avenue. It struck a Volvo, shoving it into a police car. Two officers broke bones. A passenger flew from the Suburban. Blood pooled on the street. Sirens wailed. The driver now faces charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-15), a 24-year-old man drove a Chevrolet Suburban while intoxicated on Coney Island Avenue. He crashed into a Volvo at Avenue U, triggering a chain-reaction that sent the Volvo into a marked NYPD car. The article states, "One police officer suffered a broken pelvis and arm, as well as head trauma, while another suffered a broken hip." A passenger in the Suburban was ejected and critically injured. The driver, Diyorjon Sobirjonov, was charged with DWI, reckless endangerment, and related offenses after refusing a blood-alcohol test. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired driving and the vulnerability of passengers and officers in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Chain-Reaction Crash Injures Cops, Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-15

Jun 14 - A child steps from a bus. A cyclist strikes. Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane will vanish. City listens to complaints, not data. Streets stay dangerous. Cyclists and children caught in the crossfire. Policy shifts, safety left behind.

CBS New York reported on June 14, 2025, that Mayor Eric Adams will remove three blocks of the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn after several crashes, including one involving a child exiting a school bus. The mayor cited 'community concerns' and stated, 'After several incidents—including some involving children...we decided to adjust the current design.' City Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the move, calling it 'pure politics' and warning, 'He is going to make this area less safe for pedestrians, for cyclists.' The article highlights tension between local complaints and street safety policy. No driver error is cited; the crash involved a cyclist and a child. The decision raises questions about how New York responds to vulnerable road users and whether removing infrastructure addresses underlying dangers.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removed After Crashes, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-14

Jun 13 - An SUV struck a standing scooter on Rogers Ave. The impact ejected a 21-year-old rider, injuring his face. Police cite failure to yield. Streets remain dangerous for those outside steel shells.

A crash on Rogers Ave at Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn involved a station wagon/SUV and a standing scooter. The 21-year-old scooter rider was ejected and suffered facial injuries. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was a contributing factor. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The SUV was making a right turn when it struck the scooter, which was traveling straight. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the risk faced by vulnerable road users in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - City will rip out a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. The lane calmed a deadly stretch. Drivers still parked illegally. Children darted into traffic. Now, cyclists and pedestrians face more danger. Policy shifts, safety slips. Streets stay lethal.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 13, 2025, that Mayor Adams will remove the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue, a corridor known for high crash rates. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'before this bike lane from 2018 to 2022 this is the area that had the second largest numbers of pedestrian fatalities and crashes in the city.' The lane faced opposition from some Hasidic leaders, citing children running into the lane from illegally parked cars and buses. Despite tweaks—school bus zones, daylighted corners, no standing areas—drivers kept parking illegally, blocking sightlines and endangering children. The city rarely removes protected lanes, but Adams acted after political pressure. Moving the lane to Classon Avenue, as some demand, would force cyclists onto a chaotic BQE ramp. The decision highlights persistent driver violations and policy gaps that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams Removes Bedford Avenue Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - 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 2025-06-13