No More Excuses: Barriers Now, Lives Saved Tomorrow

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A southbound SUV plows into a 16-year-old boy on Nostrand Avenue. The bumper smashes his face. Blood pours onto the street. He is conscious, cut deep, stunned by the blow. Driver inattention marks the scene.

A 16-year-old pedestrian suffered severe facial lacerations after being struck by a southbound SUV on Nostrand Avenue near Avenue M in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The collision occurred at 18:06, when the teen stepped into the roadway outside a crosswalk or signal. The report states, 'A southbound SUV hits him head-on. The bumper strikes his face. He falls. Blood spills. He is awake, bleeding, cut deep.' Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, underscoring the driver’s failure to notice or respond to the pedestrian in time. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary cause remains the driver’s lack of attention. The impact left the teen conscious but badly injured, highlighting the persistent threat posed by inattentive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787726 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound SUV driven by an unlicensed man struck the rear of a parked SUV in Brooklyn. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries to the driver, who remained conscious and restrained. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:52 in Brooklyn near East 22nd Street. The driver of a 2000 Ford SUV, traveling southbound, collided with the rear of a parked 2013 Toyota SUV. The Ford's center front end and the Toyota's center back end were damaged. The driver, a 51-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the driver as unlicensed in New Jersey. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash involved no ejections or other occupants. The collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating vehicles in the city.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making an improper U-turn struck a bicyclist traveling straight on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered neck abrasions and shock. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:45 PM on Church Avenue near Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. A 52-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling straight south when a 2025 Toyota sedan made an improper U-turn and struck him on the right side doors. The bicyclist sustained neck abrasions and was in shock. The report explicitly lists the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and turning improperly as the primary contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was injured but survived. The sedan’s left side doors were damaged, indicating the point of impact. The report does not assign any fault or contributing factors to the bicyclist beyond helmet use, which is noted but not cited as a factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers making illegal or unsafe turns and failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786865 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus struck a sedan’s right rear quarter panel on Avenue I in Brooklyn. Both male drivers suffered whiplash and other injuries. The crash involved disregarded traffic control, leading to serious harm and shock among the occupants.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Avenue I near Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:57 PM involving a 2017 bus traveling south and a 2018 sedan traveling west. The bus impacted the sedan’s right rear quarter panel with its center front end. Both drivers, males aged 34 and 37, were injured with knee, lower leg, foot, and neck injuries, and both experienced whiplash. The sedan driver was semiconscious and the bus driver was in shock. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were properly licensed. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision’s impact and resulting injuries highlight the dangers posed by driver disregard for traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turned left on Ocean Avenue. An e-scooter carried a 10-year-old boy straight through. Metal struck metal. The boy was thrown, his leg crushed. He wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. The street swallowed his scream.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Ocean Avenue near Avenue J collided with an e-scooter traveling straight. The impact threw a 10-year-old boy from the scooter, resulting in severe crush injuries to his lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The sedan’s driver, licensed in New York, struck the scooter with the vehicle’s left front bumper while turning. The boy, riding outside and wearing a helmet, remained conscious after the crash. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit an 80-year-old woman crossing Church Avenue. The car’s right front bumper struck her shoulder. She suffered internal injuries but remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old woman was crossing Church Avenue outside a crosswalk when a westbound Mazda sedan struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and internal injuries and was conscious after the crash. The driver, a licensed woman from New Jersey, was traveling straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite any driver errors such as Failure to Yield. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and no victim actions were listed as contributing factors. The collision underscores the risk vehicles pose to pedestrians outside controlled intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785421 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck passing too closely collided with a sedan traveling west on E 16 St in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries and a concussion. The truck struck the sedan’s left rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on E 16 St near Beverley Rd in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling west was passing when it struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan also traveling west. The report identifies "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old male, was injured with abdominal and pelvic trauma and a concussion. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The box truck had no occupants and sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report highlights the truck driver’s error in passing too closely, which led to the impact and injuries. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785420 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned left and struck a 52-year-old woman crossing Foster Ave with the signal. She suffered a back contusion. No vehicle damage. Driver failed to yield. Brooklyn intersection, early morning.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured at Foster Ave and Ocean Ave in Brooklyn at 5:40 AM. She was crossing with the signal when a southbound SUV, making a left turn, hit her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists no vehicle damage. While contributing factors are unspecified, the driver's left turn into a pedestrian crossing with the signal points to a failure to yield or lack of attentiveness. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moving SUV struck the left rear bumper of a parked SUV on E 16 St in Brooklyn. A 71-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved driver errors and pedestrian confusion, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on E 16 St in Brooklyn at 3 PM when a southbound SUV traveling straight ahead collided with the left rear bumper of a parked SUV. The impact injured a 71-year-old female front passenger, who sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, though no pedestrian was involved in this collision. Driver errors are implied by the moving vehicle striking a stationary vehicle. The moving SUV's right front bumper and the parked SUV's left rear bumper were damaged. The driver of the moving SUV was licensed and operating a 2016 Toyota SUV. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 39-year-old male SUV driver suffered facial abrasions after his vehicle collided with a taxi on Avenue H in Brooklyn. Alcohol involvement was noted, highlighting driver impairment as a critical factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:45 on Avenue H in Brooklyn. The injured party was a 39-year-old male driver of a 2017 SUV traveling west, who sustained abrasions to his face and was conscious after the collision. The SUV's left rear quarter panel was impacted. The collision involved a taxi and a station wagon/SUV. The taxi was traveling west with a licensed male driver, while the SUV was entering a parked position when struck. The report explicitly cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating driver impairment played a key role. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors are listed. The report does not assign blame to the injured driver but highlights systemic danger from impaired driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A parked SUV took a hard hit to its left side in Brooklyn. The driver, a 51-year-old woman, suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

According to the police report, a 2018 Honda SUV was parked on Campus Rd near Hillel Pl in Brooklyn when it was struck on the left side doors at 12:40. The driver, a 51-year-old woman, was inside and suffered a fracture and dislocation to her elbow and lower arm. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists all contributing factors as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact and damage were confined to the left side of the SUV. No ejection occurred, and no other victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784410 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 36-year-old male sedan driver suffered full-body contusions after an SUV collided with his vehicle’s right side doors. The crash occurred during the SUV’s unsafe backing maneuver. The driver remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash happened in Brooklyn near East 22nd Street at 10:58 AM. The collision involved a 2025 SUV and a 2022 sedan. The SUV was backing unsafely when it struck the sedan on the right side doors. The sedan driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured with contusions to his entire body but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report explicitly cites "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's error. The sedan driver was not at fault, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was centered on the SUV’s back end and the sedan’s right side doors, confirming the impact dynamics.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn hit a 30-year-old male pedestrian crossing Beverley Road outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion. Glare impaired the driver's vision, contributing to the collision and serious injury.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Beverley Road in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck a 30-year-old male pedestrian crossing the street without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion. The report identifies glare as a contributing factor that impaired the driver's visibility. The vehicle's center front end was the point of impact, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly by the front of the sedan. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the glare and failure to yield while turning led to the collision. The pedestrian was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

A 64-year-old man lay broken on Caton Avenue, struck head-on by an Audi. His skull fractured, his body crushed. No crosswalk. No warning. The street claimed another life as evening fell in Brooklyn.

A 64-year-old pedestrian was killed when an Audi sedan struck him head-on on Caton Avenue near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report states the man was not at an intersection or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The impact crushed his body and fractured his skull. The police narrative describes the scene: 'A 64-year-old man lay dying in the street. The front of an Audi struck him head-on. His skull broke. His body crushed.' The vehicle’s center front end bore the brunt of the collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on driver behavior or conditions. The focus remains on the lethal force of the vehicle and the absence of safe crossing infrastructure at the site.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783016 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04