Queens Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Families Pay

A sedan turned left on 31 Ave, striking a 16-year-old cyclist. The teen suffered a hip bruise. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt. The cyclist wore a helmet.

A sedan making a left turn on 31 Ave at 46 St in Queens struck a 16-year-old bicyclist traveling straight. The teen suffered a contusion to the hip and upper leg. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 67-year-old man, was not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the danger left-turning drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827315 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV slammed parked cars on 56th Street. Driver lost consciousness. One man hurt, arm bruised. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. Streets stayed dangerous.

A Jeep SUV traveling north on 56th Street in Queens struck two parked sedans. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Lost Consciousness.' One male occupant, age 59, suffered a contusion to his arm. The driver was conscious after the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two drivers struck at 30 Ave and 33 St. Both hurt. Alcohol and ignored signals marked the scene. Metal twisted. Pain followed. System failed to protect.

Two vehicles collided at 30 Ave and 33 St in Queens. Both drivers, a 62-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, suffered injuries. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' were listed as contributing factors for both drivers. The crash involved a sedan and an SUV, each traveling straight. The impact left one driver bruised and in shock, the other in pain and incoherent. The report highlights driver errors—alcohol use and ignoring traffic controls—as key causes. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The system allowed danger to reach the vulnerable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW flew over a Belt Parkway barrier at dawn. Metal twisted. Six hurt. Two critical. Flames rose. Police say speed may have played a role. The crash left wreckage and questions in its wake.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), a BMW traveling east on the Belt Parkway in Queens struck a concrete median, vaulted over it, and hit two oncoming vehicles. The article states, "Six people were injured—two critically—in a fiery crash." Police noted, "speed may have been an issue." The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The incident highlights the dangers of high speeds and highway design where barriers failed to contain a vehicle, putting multiple road users at risk.

• BMW Vaults Median, Six Injured In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

Zohran Mamdani pledges bold action for safer streets. He backs protected lanes, busways, and Vision Zero. His words promise change, but this is talk, not law.

On July 4, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s answers to its survey. The event, titled 'Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey,' features Mamdani’s support for pedestrianization, protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and Vision Zero. He calls for moving traffic enforcement from NYPD to DOT and ending parking mandates. Mamdani’s stance is clear: prioritize vulnerable road users. This is an informational statement, not a policy change. As noted by safety analysts, this event does not directly affect conditions for pedestrian or cyclist safety.

• Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-04

A sedan making a U-turn struck a motorcycle on 21st Street. The rider was ejected and injured. Police cite improper passing and failure to yield. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on 21st Street at 31st Avenue in Queens involved a sedan, a motorcycle, and a bus. The sedan, making a U-turn, collided with a motorcycle going straight. The 47-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' contributed to the crash. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report. The bus was not damaged. The system allowed dangerous maneuvers and failed to protect the most exposed road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

Mamdani fights for fast, free buses. He builds coalitions. He wins a pilot. More buses, fewer cars. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

This review, published July 2, 2025 by Streetsblog NYC, examines Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s record on MTA policy. There is no formal bill number or committee, but the focus is his push for 'fast and free buses,' fare freezes, and bus lane enforcement. Mamdani led efforts in Albany for a fare-free bus pilot and more frequent service. Sen. Mike Gianaris credits Mamdani for getting free buses done. Safety analysts note: 'Policies promoting fast and free buses encourage mode shift from private vehicles to public transit, reducing traffic volumes and improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists through lower exposure to motor vehicle risk.'

• How Will Mamdani Govern? His Earlier MTA Advocacy Gives Some Hints, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

A driver hit a man crossing with the signal on 31st Street. The impact bruised his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield. The street turned dangerous in a heartbeat.

A 31-year-old man was struck while crossing 31st Street at Newtown Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a southbound vehicle hit him, causing a shoulder contusion. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No vehicle type or driver details were provided. The pedestrian was injured at the intersection. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors from the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Albany lawmakers killed a bill to make apps insure delivery workers. DoorDash lobbied hard. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. No coverage. Profits protected. Safety denied.

Bill to require app companies to provide $50,000 insurance for delivery workers, pedestrians, and cyclists was introduced by Assembly Member Robert Carroll. It passed the Senate but died in the Assembly on June 30, 2025, after DoorDash called it 'costly.' Amy Sohn reported the defeat. The bill aimed to cover injuries from crashes and bar retaliation against workers filing claims. DoorDash lobbied against it, backing a weaker bill. The safety analyst notes this defeat reduces accountability and weakens protections for pedestrians and cyclists. Corporate pressure won. Vulnerable road users lost.

• DoorDash Lobbying Sunk Bill to Require Apps to Insure Delivery Workers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-30

SUV hit cyclist in Queens. Rider ejected. Suffered leg injury. Police cite confusion. Streets left another body bruised.

A station wagon SUV hit a 41-year-old cyclist at 24th Avenue and 32nd Street in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a contusion to the lower leg. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The SUV struck the cyclist's bike at the center back end with its front. No driver errors were listed in the data. The police report did not mention helmet use or signaling.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a young woman on Ditmars Boulevard. She suffered a leg injury. The driver and passenger were unhurt. Police list no clear cause. The street remains dangerous.

A 23-year-old woman walking on Ditmars Boulevard at 38th Street in Queens was struck by a sedan. She suffered a contusion and injury to her lower leg and foot. According to the police report, the driver and a passenger, both 47-year-old men, were not injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited. The impact was to the right rear bumper of the sedan. The crash highlights the ongoing risks pedestrians face on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824007 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan in police pursuit hit a 29-year-old man on 40th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion. The car’s front end struck him. No driver errors listed. Streets remain perilous.

A 29-year-old pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion after being struck by a sedan on 40th Avenue near 22nd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan was involved in a police pursuit and hit the man with its center front end. The pedestrian was not at an intersection. No specific driver errors were listed in the report; contributing factors were marked as 'Unspecified.' The driver was licensed and uninjured. The crash highlights the danger faced by people on foot, even when no clear driver error is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Zohran Mamdani beat Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic mayoral nod. He vows faster buses, more bike lanes, and car-free space. Streets remain deadly. Change hinges on action.

Bill number not assigned. On June 26, 2025, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. The matter, as reported by Sophia Lebowitz, states Mamdani's platform: 'make buses fast and free, add more protected bike lanes, and increase car-free public space.' Mamdani promises political will for proven safety measures. No specific legislation or committee action yet. The safety analyst notes: 'The event describes a political nomination outcome without reference to any specific transportation policy or legislation, so it has no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.'

• Here’s What Mamdani Can Steal From Other Candidates To Strengthen His Livable Streets Platform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-26

Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

""A life of dignity should not be reserved for a fortunate few," said Mamdani, who has called for pedestrianizing streets in the congestion relief zone, expanding protected bike infrastructure, and cracking down on NYPD parking abuse." -- Zohran Mamdani

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

DOT pushes ahead. Protected bike lanes coming to 31st Street. Community board erupts. Lawmakers back the plan. Business owners protest. City stands with cyclists and pedestrians. Proven safety gains for vulnerable users. Change rolls forward. Streets shift. Lives may be spared.

On June 20, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its plan to install protected bike lanes under the elevated tracks on 31st Street in Astoria. The proposal, discussed at a heated community board meeting, remains active and is set for installation after summer repaving. Council Member Tiffany Caban, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas endorsed the plan in a letter, stating it would 'protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers while making our streets safer and less congested.' DOT spokesman Will Livingston said the design improves safety and supports local businesses. Despite opposition from some business owners, the plan moves forward. Safety analysts note: 'Protected bike lanes are proven to reduce injuries and fatalities for cyclists and pedestrians, encourage mode shift, and improve street equity by reallocating space from cars to vulnerable users.'

• DOT Stands By Astoria Bike Lane Plan Despite Foes’ ‘Childish’ Outbursts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20

DOT pushes ahead. Protected bike lanes coming to 31st Street. Community board erupts. Lawmakers back the plan. Business owners protest. City stands with cyclists and pedestrians. Proven safety gains for vulnerable users. Change rolls forward. Streets shift. Lives may be spared.

On June 20, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its plan to install protected bike lanes under the elevated tracks on 31st Street in Astoria. The proposal, discussed at a heated community board meeting, remains active and is set for installation after summer repaving. Council Member Tiffany Caban, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas endorsed the plan in a letter, stating it would 'protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers while making our streets safer and less congested.' DOT spokesman Will Livingston said the design improves safety and supports local businesses. Despite opposition from some business owners, the plan moves forward. Safety analysts note: 'Protected bike lanes are proven to reduce injuries and fatalities for cyclists and pedestrians, encourage mode shift, and improve street equity by reallocating space from cars to vulnerable users.'

• DOT Stands By Astoria Bike Lane Plan Despite Foes’ ‘Childish’ Outbursts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20

DOT pushes ahead. Protected bike lanes coming to 31st Street. Community board erupts. Lawmakers back the plan. Business owners protest. City stands with cyclists and pedestrians. Proven safety gains for vulnerable users. Change rolls forward. Streets shift. Lives may be spared.

On June 20, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its plan to install protected bike lanes under the elevated tracks on 31st Street in Astoria. The proposal, discussed at a heated community board meeting, remains active and is set for installation after summer repaving. Council Member Tiffany Caban, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas endorsed the plan in a letter, stating it would 'protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers while making our streets safer and less congested.' DOT spokesman Will Livingston said the design improves safety and supports local businesses. Despite opposition from some business owners, the plan moves forward. Safety analysts note: 'Protected bike lanes are proven to reduce injuries and fatalities for cyclists and pedestrians, encourage mode shift, and improve street equity by reallocating space from cars to vulnerable users.'

• DOT Stands By Astoria Bike Lane Plan Despite Foes’ ‘Childish’ Outbursts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20