Speed Kills Here. City Lets It Happen.

Legislators blasted Mayor Adams for failing bus riders. They unveiled a $90-million plan to boost bus service. Adams faces accusations of incompetence and ignoring the law. Bus speeds drop. Riders wait. The mayor stalls. Streets stay dangerous for those outside cars.

On February 9, 2024, at a legislative press conference, State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani announced a $90-million proposal to expand bus service and the MTA's free bus pilot. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, became a public reckoning for Mayor Adams's transportation record. The matter: 'a proposal in Albany to increase bus service before congestion pricing begins.' Mamdani accused Adams of 'incompetence' and violating the Streets Master Plan law, which requires 30 miles of new bus lanes each year. Reporters pressed for answers on mayoral compliance. MTA CEO Janno Lieber praised Adams's past promises but noted the lack of progress. The mayor's spokesperson defended the administration, but data shows bus speeds have dropped since Adams took office. No safety analyst has formally assessed the impact, but the lack of bus lanes leaves vulnerable road users exposed to traffic danger and slow, unreliable transit.

• Pressure Mounts on ‘Incompetent’ Mayor Adams To Build Some Freakin’ Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-09

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Lawmakers want $90 million for more buses as congestion pricing nears. Gianaris and Mamdani lead the charge. Critics say it’s late. Riders on free bus lines surged. The plan faces union warnings and legal threats. Streets wait for relief.

On February 8, 2024, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani called for $90 million to expand MTA bus service before the $15 congestion pricing toll begins. Their proposal seeks $45 million in this year’s budget to boost bus frequency, with another $45 million to triple free buses citywide. The lawmakers’ push follows a successful fare-free pilot, which Mamdani says increased ridership by over 20%. Gianaris admitted, 'It should have been done sooner.' Critics argue the move is too late, as congestion pricing was approved in 2019. Some unions warn of possible driver shortages, but Mamdani insists existing buses and operators can handle the expansion. The funding proposal comes as the congestion toll faces lawsuits and could launch by mid-June. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers ripped over push for $90M bus service expansion as $15 congestion pricing looms: ‘Covering their a—s’, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-08

Lawmakers want $90 million for more buses as congestion pricing nears. Gianaris and Mamdani lead the charge. Critics say it’s late. Riders on free bus lines surged. The plan faces union warnings and legal threats. Streets wait for relief.

On February 8, 2024, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani called for $90 million to expand MTA bus service before the $15 congestion pricing toll begins. Their proposal seeks $45 million in this year’s budget to boost bus frequency, with another $45 million to triple free buses citywide. The lawmakers’ push follows a successful fare-free pilot, which Mamdani says increased ridership by over 20%. Gianaris admitted, 'It should have been done sooner.' Critics argue the move is too late, as congestion pricing was approved in 2019. Some unions warn of possible driver shortages, but Mamdani insists existing buses and operators can handle the expansion. The funding proposal comes as the congestion toll faces lawsuits and could launch by mid-June. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers ripped over push for $90M bus service expansion as $15 congestion pricing looms: ‘Covering their a—s’, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-08

A westbound SUV struck the back of a slowing sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Northern Boulevard in Queens. A 2022 SUV traveling westbound struck the center back end of a 2023 sedan that was slowing or stopping. The sedan’s driver, a 61-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles legally registered in New York. The sedan driver was restrained with a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan making a right turn struck a 19-year-old bicyclist going straight on 35 Street in Queens. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a 2023 Nissan sedan was making a right turn on 35 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 6:55 AM when it collided with a 19-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight westbound. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report identifies the contributing factors as driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's left front quarter panel were the points of impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southwestbound. No safety equipment was noted on the bicyclist, but the police report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash highlights critical driver errors leading to serious injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701532 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Mayor Adams boasted of bus lane progress. The numbers tell a different story. His administration missed legal targets two years running. Bus speeds fell. Promised projects stalled or died. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. Words do not move buses.

On February 6, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams declared his administration had done an 'amazing job' building bus lanes in New York City. In reality, Adams missed legal targets: only 12.9 miles built in 2022 out of 20 required, and 13.3 miles in 2023 out of 30. Bus speeds dropped from 7.7 mph in January 2022 to 7.4 mph in December 2023. Adams claimed his approach was 'revolutionary' for prioritizing community input. Critics, including Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein, countered that Adams canceled or stalled key projects like Fordham Road, despite strong community support. Mamdani said, 'he's made 1.4 million daily bus riders take the slowest buses in the country.' The mayor’s promises remain unmet. Bus riders and pedestrians still wait for safer, faster streets.

• ‘We’ve Done An Amazing Job Building Bus Lanes,’ Says Mayor Who Keeps Killing Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-06

Mayor Adams boasts of bus lane progress. The numbers tell another story. Promised miles not built. Bus speeds drop. Riders stranded. Assembly Member Mamdani calls out broken promises. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous for those outside cars.

On February 6, 2024, Mayor Adams declared his administration had done an 'amazing job' building bus lanes. The facts cut through the claim. In 2022, only 12.9 miles of bus lanes were built out of a required 20. In 2023, just 13.3 miles out of a required 30. The Department of Transportation missed legal targets both years. The matter, as reported, states: 'Mayor Adams claimed... his administration has done an "amazing job" building bus lanes... despite missing legally required targets.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, representing District 36, slammed the mayor for scrapping key projects and failing bus riders. Mamdani said, '49 percent of bus riders are dissatisfied with wait times... instead he's made 1.4 million daily bus riders take the slowest buses in the country.' Riders Alliance joined the criticism, demanding a real plan for the 130 miles of overdue bus lanes. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed, with no clear agenda for safer, faster streets.

• We've Done An Amazing Job Building Bus Lanes,' Says Mayor Who Keeps Killing Bus Lanes, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-02-06

A motorcycle driver suffered upper arm injuries and shock after an SUV changed lanes unsafely in Queens. The collision caused center-end damage to both vehicles. The SUV driver, licensed and traveling north, struck the motorcycle head-on.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:33 in Queens near Steinway Street. The collision involved a 2018 SUV and a 2021 motorcycle, both traveling north. The SUV driver made an unsafe lane change, which led to the crash. The motorcycle's front center impacted the SUV's center back end. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old male, sustained upper arm injuries with minor bleeding and was in shock. He was not ejected and was wearing no safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. The report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, emphasizing driver error without attributing fault to the injured motorcycle operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699940 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 23-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a Ford pick-up truck backed unsafely on Steinway Street in Queens. The truck’s right rear bumper struck her outside the roadway. Driver inattention and unsafe backing caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured by a 2009 Ford pick-up truck backing on Steinway Street in Queens at 5:30 p.m. The truck, traveling north, was backing when it struck the pedestrian with its right rear bumper. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The collision caused damage to the truck’s right rear bumper. The pedestrian remained conscious but sustained injury severity level 3. The crash highlights the dangers of unsafe backing maneuvers and distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

A moped rider was injured after an SUV struck the right side of the vehicle on 34 Avenue. The collision ejected the 25-year-old driver, causing abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:45 on 34 Avenue involving a northbound SUV and an eastbound moped. The SUV's center front end impacted the right side doors of the moped. The moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. The moped rider was conscious after the crash but suffered moderate injury severity. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan backing north on 34 Street struck a 6-year-old girl crossing with the signal. She suffered a facial bruise but stayed conscious. The car showed no damage. Unsafe backing put a child in harm’s way.

According to the police report, a sedan was backing unsafely northbound on 34 Street at 7:55 AM when it struck a 6-year-old girl who was crossing with the signal at an intersection. The child suffered a contusion to her face and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan showed no visible damage despite the impact at its center back end. No other driver errors or victim actions were cited. This crash underscores the risk of vehicles reversing where children and other pedestrians are legally crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two sedans collided on Queens’ 41 Avenue, injuring a 34-year-old male driver. The crash involved front-end impact and left front bumper damage. Police cited traffic control disregard and failure to yield as key driver errors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 41 Avenue in Queens at 14:50. Two sedans, one traveling south and the other east, collided with impact to the center front end of the southbound vehicle and the left front bumper of the eastbound vehicle. The 34-year-old male driver of the southbound Ford sedan suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. Both drivers were licensed, and no other contributing victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights dangerous driver errors related to ignoring traffic controls and failing to yield, which led to the injury of the occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697734 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Pickup truck rear-ended SUV on 34 Street in Queens. SUV passenger suffered back injury and whiplash. Both vehicles moved east. Impact crushed SUV’s rear. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a pickup truck struck the rear of an SUV on 34 Street near Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The SUV carried two people. A 41-year-old male passenger in the middle front seat suffered back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and belted. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. Both vehicles traveled straight. The pickup truck’s front end hit the SUV’s rear, causing injury. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data points to driver error by the pickup truck operator, who failed to maintain a safe following distance. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 14-year-old boy suffered a head injury and concussion after a motorcycle struck him at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the motorcycle, traveling south, failed to yield right-of-way, causing severe trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:13 on 45 Street near Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. A 14-year-old male pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was struck by a southbound motorcycle. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was semiconscious with a concussion, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating the motorcycle driver did not yield to the pedestrian who had the right-of-way. The motorcycle's center front end was the point of impact, confirming the collision with the pedestrian. No pedestrian errors or safety equipment issues were noted. The crash highlights driver error and systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Advocates stormed Albany for Sammy’s Law. They want New York City to set its own speed limits. Last year, Speaker Heastie blocked a vote. Mothers starved in protest. Lawmakers stalled. Now, survivors and families demand action. Data shows lower speeds save lives.

On January 23, 2024, advocates launched a renewed push for Sammy’s Law in Albany. The bill, which would let New York City control its own speed limits, stalled last year when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to allow a vote, despite majority support. Brooklyn Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, a strong supporter, noted, 'Even [lawmakers] who had City Council members from their districts supporting the bill were still not interested.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, recently injured by a driver, said, 'Had the car been going faster ... I might not be here.' Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets highlighted broad support: 'We have organizations from across the city supporting Sammy’s Law.' City data shows a 36% drop in pedestrian deaths after the 2014 speed limit reduction. The bill remains in limbo, but advocates are not backing down.

• This Year’s Mettle: The Push for Sammy’s Law Begins — With or Without Carl Heastie, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-23