Dec 4 - DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Dec 3 - Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

Dec 1 - SUV struck sedan from behind on Grand Central Parkway. Woman at the wheel suffered neck injury and shock. Police blamed following too closely. Impact left pain and whiplash. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a 2021 Toyota SUV rear-ended a 2018 Chevrolet sedan on Grand Central Parkway at 4:15 a.m. The sedan's 31-year-old female driver was injured, suffering neck pain, whiplash, and shock. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the cause, showing the SUV driver failed to keep distance. The victim was properly restrained and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were listed. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore safe spacing, leaving vulnerable road users hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777601 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A Chevy van hit a 78-year-old woman head-on on 82nd Street. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver, distracted, kept going. She lay conscious, head bleeding, the street empty of crosswalks and signals. Impact and indifference marked the night.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old woman was crossing 82nd Street near 37th Avenue in Queens when a 2009 Chevrolet van struck her head-on. The incident occurred at 18:30. The report states the woman was not at an intersection and there were no signals or crosswalks present. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The driver did not stop and continued driving after the collision. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the pedestrian’s actions. The focus remains on the van driver's failure to observe and yield, as well as the act of leaving the scene after impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 25 - A sedan and an SUV collided on 106 Street in Queens at 2 a.m. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, highlighting a dangerous intersection.

According to the police report, at 2:00 a.m. on 106 Street in Queens, a 2021 Nissan sedan traveling south collided with a 2011 Chrysler SUV traveling west. The sedan's center front end and the SUV's right front quarter panel sustained damage. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old male occupant, was injured with abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed, though the SUV driver held a permit. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver, but no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted in moderate injury to the sedan driver, emphasizing the risks posed by multi-vehicle impacts at this location.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774143 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 21 - A 43-year-old man crossing Astoria Blvd with the signal was struck by a BMW sedan traveling east. The impact fractured his lower leg and foot. Police cite driver failure to yield and disregard for traffic control as causes of the collision.

According to the police report, at 22:35 on Astoria Blvd in Queens, a BMW sedan traveling east struck a 43-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at an intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, sustaining serious injuries. The report explicitly identifies the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and disregard for traffic control as contributing factors. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly in the path of the car. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and obeying traffic controls in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773756 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 21 - Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

Nov 19 - Two men on a bicycle were ejected and suffered head injuries on 73rd Street in Queens. Both wore helmets but sustained serious trauma. The crash involved no other vehicles and no driver errors were cited in the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:58 AM on 73rd Street near 34th Avenue in Queens. Two bicyclists, both 42-year-old men, were involved. Both were ejected from the bicycle and suffered head injuries classified as injury severity level 3. Both wore helmets, as noted in the report, but still sustained significant trauma. The police report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors, nor does it indicate involvement of other vehicles. The bicycle was traveling west, going straight ahead, with no damage reported to the vehicle. The absence of cited driver errors or other vehicles suggests the crash circumstances remain unclear, but the impact was severe enough to cause ejection and serious injury to both riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773458 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 68-year-old bicyclist on Broadway in Queens. The cyclist suffered fractured and dislocated injuries to the lower leg and foot. Driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2016 Mazda sedan was making a left turn on Broadway in Queens around 6:30 PM when it collided with a bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 68-year-old man, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel. The report cites driver errors including inattention and failure to yield the right-of-way as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment was noted for the bicyclist. The driver was licensed and traveling northwest before the collision. These details highlight the critical role of driver distraction and yielding failures in this serious injury crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Nov 12 - Two SUVs collided on 31 Ave in Queens. A 22-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and incoherence. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. Both vehicles struck front and side, causing significant damage and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:27 on 31 Ave in Queens involving two SUVs traveling west and north. The 22-year-old male driver of the northbound SUV was injured, sustaining back pain and incoherence. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the injured driver. The collision impact points were the center front end of the westbound SUV and the right side doors of the northbound SUV. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with these impacts. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report explicitly cites driver errors, including inattention and distraction, as causes, without attributing fault to any victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 12 - A 57-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The driver’s inattention and inexperience caused the collision, injuring the pedestrian’s shoulder and upper arm. The impact damaged the vehicle’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northeast on 81st Street in Queens struck a 57-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with 31st Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, making a left turn, impacted her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3, including contusions and bruises. The vehicle sustained damage to its left front bumper. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 11 - A 36-year-old man pushing a car was struck on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The impact hit his chest, leaving him injured but conscious. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Two sedans traveling west were involved in the collision.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male pedestrian was injured while pushing a car on Northern Boulevard near 74-04 in Queens. The pedestrian sustained a chest injury and remained conscious after the collision. The crash involved two sedans traveling westbound. The first vehicle, a 2017 BMW sedan, was struck on its right rear bumper, while the second, a 2017 Chevrolet sedan, had damage to its left front bumper. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian actions or behaviors were noted as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed females from New York. The collision's impact and resulting injury highlight the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians may be present outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - Two sedans collided head-on at night on Queens’ 70 Street. Both drivers were men, one suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Alcohol involvement was cited. Impact struck both vehicles’ left front bumpers, leaving one driver injured but conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north and east on 70 Street in Queens collided at 22:56. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left front bumpers. The driver of the GMC sedan, a 57-year-old man, was injured with whiplash and bodily injuries affecting his entire body but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating impaired driving may have played a role in the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision’s location and vehicle damage suggest a failure to maintain proper control or right of way, but the report does not specify other driver errors. The injured driver was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773412 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - A moving SUV struck the left rear bumper of a parked SUV on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The driver of the parked vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:45 on Northern Boulevard in Queens. A 2022 Toyota SUV was parked when it was struck on the left rear bumper by a 2008 Jeep SUV traveling eastbound. The driver of the parked Toyota, a 57-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for the collision. The driver of the moving vehicle failed to maintain attention, resulting in the impact. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771936 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 6 - A 45-year-old woman suffered a head contusion after an SUV making a left turn struck her at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the impact occurred.

According to the police report, at 8:28 AM in Queens, a 2023 Nissan SUV making a left turn on 101st Street struck a 45-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and remained conscious. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the SUV’s left front bumper. Despite the collision, the vehicle reportedly sustained no damage. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted, but the primary cause centers on the driver’s errors, specifically failure to yield and distraction, underscoring systemic dangers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 3 - A left-turning SUV slammed into another on Northern Blvd. The front passenger took the hit. Shoulder injury. Driver inattention and bad turn caused the crash. Systemic danger on Queens streets.

According to the police report, a crash happened at 15:20 on Northern Blvd in Queens. A Ford SUV, making a left turn, struck a Honda SUV going straight. The front passenger in the turning SUV, a 44-year-old woman, suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No victim actions contributed. The crash shows the risk when drivers turn without focus. Only driver errors are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 2 - Two sedans collided on 99 Street in Queens late at night. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key causes. Both vehicles sustained damage at impact points.

According to the police report, at 23:25 on 99 Street near 35 Avenue in Queens, two sedans traveling east collided. The rear vehicle, a 2015 Honda driven by an unlicensed male, struck the center back end of a 2017 Ford sedan. The Ford’s driver, a 34-year-old licensed female occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The Honda driver was proceeding straight ahead while the Ford was entering a parked position. The impact damaged the right front bumper of the Honda and the center back end of the Ford. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A man clung to a dump truck on Astoria Boulevard. No harness, no shield. He fell, skull to asphalt, blood pooling. The truck rolled on, untouched. The man, forty-seven, left with severe head wounds. The city’s machinery did not stop.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old man was riding on the outside of a dump truck near Astoria Boulevard and 88th Street in Queens. The report states he was 'ejected' and suffered 'severe lacerations' to the head after falling from the moving vehicle. The narrative details: 'A 47-year-old man clung to the outside of a dump truck. No belt. No shield. He fell. Skull met asphalt. Blood pooled. The truck rolled on, untouched. The man did not.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The vehicle, a 2005 PTRB dump truck registered in New Jersey, sustained no damage and continued westbound, according to the report. The man was not using any safety equipment at the time, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the systemic danger of unsecured riders and the unchecked movement of heavy vehicles through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768345 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - A 44-year-old man working in the roadway was struck by a sedan in Queens. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, impacting the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot. The victim suffered bruises but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:30 in Queens near 32-17 103 Street. A sedan traveling north struck a pedestrian working in the roadway, causing injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian, a 44-year-old male, was conscious and sustained contusions. The collision involved two vehicles: a sedan moving straight ahead and a parked SUV. The point of impact on the sedan was the right front bumper, while the SUV was hit on the left side doors. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the pedestrian’s injury, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in work zones.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19