Aug 10 - State officials will add elevators to Smith-9th Street station, ending a brutal 90‑foot climb. The lifts expand access and push riders toward transit — cutting pedestrian and cyclist exposure to street car traffic and easing danger for vulnerable users.

Bill number: none. Status: included in the MTA's approved $68.4 billion Capital Plan for 2025–2029. Committee: N/A. Key date: announcement Aug 10, 2025. The matter: "New York City's tallest subway station, Smith-9th Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn, will soon have elevators, ending the difficult climb to the platform." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes led the announcement. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the move. MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo said the upgrades push system access past 50%. The MTA must meet a court settlement to make 95% of stations ADA-accessible by 2055. Improved subway accessibility encourages mode shift from driving to transit, reducing pedestrian and cyclist exposure to car traffic and supporting safer, more equitable streets for vulnerable users.

• Tall order: NYC’s tallest subway station to get elevators, putting accessibility on the ascent, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-10

Aug 9 - Mayor Eric Adams urges age verification for Citi Bike e-bikes after underage teens unlock helmetless, top-speed rides. He pushes Lyft or NYC DOT to add ID checks as reported e-bike crashes rise.

"Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan recently wrote a letter to Lyft asking them to implement age verification, writing, “I hear from parents who are worried about their kids. This is a potential disaster just waiting to happen — and it’s entirely preventable.”" -- Justin L. Brannan

Bill number: none — this is a regulatory request. Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: N/A. Key dates: event 2025-08-09; published 2025-08-09. The matter title reads: "Don't let underage kids on electric Citi Bikes." Mayor Eric Adams is named as supporting age verification for Citi Bike e-bikes. Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan wrote to Lyft asking for ID checks, writing, "I hear from parents who are worried..." The piece urges Lyft to add age verification or for NYC DOT to amend its contract. The article cites more than 400 e-bike crashes year-to-date and a 20% rise. No formal safety impact assessment or safety_impact_note is provided in the record.

• Don’t let underage kids on electric Citi Bikes, nydailynews.com, Published 2025-08-09

Aug 9 - The Coney Island casino's EIS predicts thousands more cars, gridlocked roads, and crushed parking. Pedestrians and cyclists face higher exposure and danger.

Bill number: none. Status: Environmental Impact Statement filed Aug. 9, 2025. Committee: Community Advisory Committee (CAC); CAC met July 30. The EIS states: 'Proposed Coney Island casino would likely clog local roads with heavy traffic and overwhelm public parking.' Justin L. Brannan is noted for introducing a ferry-feasibility bill last fall. CAC member Marissa Solomon said mitigation measures likely won’t be enough. Assemblyman Charles Fall criticized risks to pedestrians. Developers offered transit incentives. Safety analysts warn the casino is projected to dramatically increase motor vehicle traffic and parking demand, worsening congestion and exposure risk for pedestrians and cyclists; mitigation focuses on flow, not street safety, and leaves vulnerable road users bearing the burden.

• Proposed Coney Island casino could bring heavy traffic, overwhelm parking, according to environmental impact study, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-09

Aug 8 - A northbound cyclist went down on 5th Avenue at 73rd. He was thrown from the bike. Knee and lower leg hurt. Shock. No other vehicles listed. No contributing factors recorded.

A 37-year-old man rode north on 5th Avenue at 73rd Street in Brooklyn at 4 p.m. He crashed and was hurt. According to the police report, he was partially ejected. He suffered a knee and lower leg injury and was in shock. The bike showed center-front damage. No other vehicles were listed. Police recorded no contributing factors. The record notes he was going straight before the crash. With no driver cited, the report gives no cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834493 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Aug 4 - A driver in an SUV turned right at 64th St and hit a 15-year-old riding north on 7th Ave. The boy was ejected and bruised. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

A driver in a 2024 Honda SUV with Pennsylvania plates, traveling east on 64th St, made a right turn and hit a 15-year-old riding north on 7th Ave in Brooklyn at about 9:20 p.m. at 7th Ave and 64th St, in the 68th Precinct. The boy was ejected and suffered a contusion to his lower arm. The SUV driver was not reported injured. According to the police report, police recorded failure to yield right-of-way by the driver. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833569 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Aug 4 - A driver in a sedan turned right on 76th and hit a man on an e-scooter going straight at Third Avenue. The rider suffered an arm bruise. Police recorded following too closely and driver inattention.

A right-turning sedan driver hit a man on an e-scooter on 76th Street at Third Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider, 25, suffered a contusion to his arm. He was conscious. The sedan driver, 85, and her passenger were not seriously hurt. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The data lists the e-scooter traveling straight. The sedan was making a right turn. Impact was to the sedan’s center front. Records list one scooter rider injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 30 - A left-turning driver in a 2021 Honda sedan hit a 28-year-old woman on 65th Street in Brooklyn. She suffered a hip contusion and was semiconscious. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield.

A driver in a 2021 Honda sedan, traveling east on 65th Street, was making a left turn when he hit a 28-year-old woman on the roadway. She suffered a hip contusion and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, a 26-year-old man, was licensed. The point of impact and damage were at the center front end. No other injuries were reported. The location is 65th Street near Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832823 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 24 - Eighty dead or maimed on Third Avenue since 2018. Sunset Park stands up. Residents, officials, and advocates demand the city end delays. No fixes yet. Danger remains.

""Here we are, once again gathering to mourn another preventable tragedy on our streets. But it doesn't have to be this way,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 24, 2025, Sunset Park residents, Council Member Alexa Avilés, Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and advocates rallied for urgent street safety fixes on Third Avenue. BKReader reports: 'Fatalities on Third Avenue...are preventable with safety upgrades.' The Department of Transportation's plan has stalled for two years. Avilés called the corridor 'persistently dangerous.' Gounardes said, 'We know how to fix it: safer street design.' No council bill or committee is listed. The event shows strong community demand, but no policy action has been taken. As of now, there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.

• Sunset Park Urges City to Fast-Track Third Avenue Street Fixes, BKReader, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 23 - Two pedestrians killed. Advocates and local leaders demand action. City stalls. Third Avenue stays deadly. Anger and grief fill Sunset Park.

"This is not meant to be a highway. This is where people walk. This is where people live. This is where kids go to school." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 23, 2025, local politicians and advocates rallied at 60th Street and Third Avenue, Sunset Park. They condemned the Adams administration's delay of a DOT safety plan, approved by Community Board 7 in 2023, after a hit-and-run killed two pedestrians. Council Member Alexa Avilés called for real investment. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives called the delay 'unconscionable.' State Sen Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes demanded urgent redesign. The rally's matter: 'demanding the Adams administration implement traffic safety measures on Third Avenue.' Safety analysts note: public rallies like this can push systemic changes, making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

• After fatal hit-and-run, local pols and street safety advocates slam delay of Third Avenue safety plan, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 22 - A southbound SUV rear-ended a stopped SUV on 4th Avenue at Bay Ridge Parkway. A 40-year-old woman driver suffered a head injury and complained of whiplash. Police recorded following too closely.

A southbound SUV struck another SUV stopped in traffic on 4 Avenue at Bay Ridge Parkway, injuring the 40-year-old female driver. According to the police report, "one female driver suffered a head injury and complained of whiplash." Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The stopped vehicle was hit in the center back end; the striking vehicle sustained center front end damage. The struck SUV carried three occupants; the striking SUV carried one. No other driver errors or external factors are recorded in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829845 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 21 - The driver of an SUV turned left and hit a northbound motorcyclist on Ovington Avenue. The 23-year-old rider was ejected and suffered a fractured shoulder. Police recorded failure to yield and traffic control disregarded.

An SUV driver made a left turn on Ovington Avenue and collided with a northbound motorcyclist. The 23-year-old rider was ejected and suffered a fractured shoulder; he remained conscious. The motorcycle was demolished and the SUV’s left front bumper was damaged. According to the police report, "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Traffic Control Disregarded" were listed as contributing factors. Police recorded the motorcyclist’s ejection and upper-arm/shoulder fracture. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No other serious injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829396 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 20 - A 17-year-old moped driver crashed on Fort Hamilton Parkway. He was ejected and hurt his chest. Unsafe speed led to the crash. The street bore the mark of impact.

A 17-year-old male driving a moped on Fort Hamilton Parkway at 82nd Street in Brooklyn was ejected and injured after a crash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed.' The driver suffered a chest injury and abrasion. The moped's left front bumper took the impact. No safety equipment was used. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the main contributing factor. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830373 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 19 - Two SUVs collided at 12 Ave and 71st Street in Brooklyn. A 13-year-old front passenger suffered whiplash. A 38-year-old passenger reported arm and shoulder pain. Police cited drivers for failure to yield and traffic control disregard.

Two SUVs collided at 12 Avenue and 71st Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 13-year-old front passenger suffered whiplash and a 38-year-old passenger reported pain in her upper arm and shoulder. The driver of a BMW SUV was going east. The driver of a Nissan SUV was going south. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and police recorded traffic control disregarded by the driver. The BMW showed left-front bumper damage. The Nissan showed right-side door and right-rear quarter-panel damage. Several other people suffered unspecified injuries, according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828655 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 18 - Council Member Justin Brannan moves to stop delivery apps from axing workers at will. The bill targets silent firings. No more robot bosses. Human over algorithm. Status: introduced.

"A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 18, 2025, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced Intro 1332 to the New York City Council. The bill, now pending committee assignment, would require delivery app companies to give a reason before deactivating workers. Brannan says, 'A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation.' The measure aims to end algorithmic firings and protect gig workers from sudden job loss. However, the event text is too vague to determine a direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists, as it does not specify any concrete policy or regulatory change affecting vulnerable road users.

• New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 18 - Six speeding tickets. School zones. Gersh Kuntzman calls out Andrew Cuomo. Reckless driving from leaders puts lives at risk. Streets stay dangerous. No answers from Cuomo.

"if the state legislature had passed Sen. Andrew Gounardes's "Stop Super Speeder" bill, would have required Cuomo to get a speed limiter installed into his beloved Dodge." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 18, 2025, journalist Gersh Kuntzman of Streetsblog NYC criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo for racking up six speed-camera tickets in city school zones between March and June. Kuntzman wrote, 'That's objectively a horrendous record of reckless driving through city school zones.' He noted that if Sen. Andrew Gounardes's 'Stop Super Speeder' bill had passed, Cuomo would face a mandatory speed limiter. No council bill or committee action is involved. The safety analyst notes this is an individual’s behavior, not a policy change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.

• Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 15 - A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. The machine struck Madison Ruiz as she sat by the curb. She died at the hospital. The driver faces criminal charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madison Ruiz, 21, was killed when Zachary Cando, 24, lost control of a Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in a Gateway Plaza parking lot. The article states Cando 'lost control' and struck Ruiz as she sat by the curb. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The incident highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Brooklyn Woman, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 13 - Two drivers hurt as SUV and sedan collide at speed on Belt Parkway. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed listed. Passengers shaken. Metal and glass, lives jarred.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, crashed on Belt Parkway. According to the police report, both cars were traveling west when they collided. Two drivers, both men, suffered injuries—one reported whiplash, the other was in shock. Passengers in both vehicles were also involved, but their injuries were unspecified. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left metal twisted and people hurt, another toll from speed and aggression on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 12 - Two men crossed Third Avenue. A BMW struck them. Blood marked the car. The driver fled. Police tracked him down. He faces manslaughter charges. Sunset Park mourns.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-12), a BMW driver hit and killed two men, ages 59 and 80, as they crossed Third Ave. at 52nd St. in Brooklyn. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, left the scene, leaving car parts behind. Police used license plate readers to find him. Florentino admitted, 'I had a six pack of Modelos and two drinks... It's my fault.' His blood alcohol content was 0.06%, below the legal limit. He faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. The case highlights the deadly risk of hit-and-run crashes and the role of alcohol, even below legal thresholds.

• BMW Driver Kills Two in Brooklyn Hit-and-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-12