Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.

• Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 15 - A Siena poll shows most New Yorkers fear for their lives on city streets. Women, seniors, Bronx residents feel it most. Candidates split: some push for safer street design, others target e-bikes. Cars and trucks remain the deadliest threat. Voters want action.

On April 15, 2025, a Siena College poll revealed that 77% of New York City voters rank pedestrian safety as a top concern. The poll, highlighted in Streetsblog NYC, found deep worry among women, seniors, and Bronx residents. The matter summary reads: '77% of NYC voters consider pedestrian safety a serious issue.' Mayoral candidates responded. Ben Furnas (Transportation Alternatives) called for universal daylighting and laws against super speeders, urging street redesign and enforcement. Zellnor Myrie backed robust street designs to separate bikers, pedestrians, and drivers. Jessica Ramos supported protected bike lanes for both analog and e-bikes, calling e-bikes 'a vital tool for reducing car dependency.' Whitney Tilson demanded speed caps and insurance for e-bike riders. Despite some focus on e-bikes, advocates and data point to car and truck drivers as the main source of injury and death. The poll signals a mandate: fix the streets, protect the vulnerable.

• Voters to Pols: Don’t Forget Street Safety (Um, But How Do You Define It?), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-15

Apr 14 - A new study finds fare-free buses would speed up rides by 12 percent and draw 169 million more riders yearly. Faster boarding slashes dwell times. Riders save time. Streets get safer, air gets cleaner. The city must weigh the cost—and the gains.

On April 14, 2025, a policy analysis by Charles Komanoff examined the impact of fare-free buses in New York City. The report, covered by Streetsblog NYC, found that eliminating fares would cut bus trip times by 12 percent and boost annual ridership by 169 million, a 23 percent jump. The study states: 'Each dollar of city government support would produce more than two dollars worth of benefits for residents, primarily by removing the burden of fare payments while providing faster and more reliable bus service.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris, both of Queens, have pushed the MTA to consider free buses. Komanoff’s analysis shows that faster buses mean less time waiting, cleaner air, fewer crashes, and a small but real drop in car trips. The report adds fuel to the debate over city funding for free bus service.

• Free Buses Would Mean 12% Faster Rides And 20% More Riders: Study, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-14

Apr 13 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a southbound cyclist head-on near Junction Blvd. The rider, 27, suffered head crush injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The street was quiet. Then it wasn’t.

A sedan struck a 27-year-old bicyclist head-on during a U-turn near 59-17 Junction Blvd in Queens. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the head and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the car failed to yield right-of-way. The contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but only after citing the driver’s failure to yield. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 12 - Activists marched the Queensboro Bridge, demanding space for people on foot. The city ignored them. Nine lanes for cars, one cramped path for everyone else. The mayor delayed the fix. The danger remains. The lane went back to cars.

On April 12, 2025, activists and elected officials gathered on the Queensboro Bridge to protest the city’s failure to restore the South Outer Roadway for pedestrians. The Department of Transportation had planned a ribbon-cutting for March 16, but Mayor Adams canceled it. Council Member Julie Won and State Senator Michael Gianaris attended, both supporting the reconfiguration. Won said, 'I have received no new information since Mayor Adams canceled the March 16 ribbon-cutting.' The protest highlighted the ongoing crisis: nine lanes for cars, one narrow, shared lane for cyclists and pedestrians. Crashes and near-misses are common. City Hall claims the project will impact several communities, but offers no timeline. The lane reverted to car use after the protest, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• Activists Walk the Queensboro Bridge to Demand More Space for Pedestrians, But Lane Reverts to Cars Anyway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Two sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway. Three passengers suffered injuries. Police cite following too closely as the cause. Metal and bodies took the hit. The road stayed ruthless.

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway near Roosevelt Avenue. Three passengers, ages 18, 24, and 26, were injured, suffering bruises and other trauma. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were traveling straight when the impact occurred. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The drivers were licensed and remained at the scene. The toll fell on those inside, as metal met metal and bodies bore the force.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 10 - Council bill orders trees and plants on new medians between bike lanes and car traffic. Concrete gets green. Barriers grow roots. The city must build for life, not speed.

Int 1233-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 10, 2025, it demands new medians between bicycle lanes and motor vehicles be built for trees and vegetation, pending feasibility. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to the planting of vegetation on new medians separating bicycle lanes from motorized vehicle traffic.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Bottcher, Ossé, Brannan, Hanif, and Brooks-Powers. They push the city to plant, or allow planting, in every new median. The law would take effect 120 days after passage. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1233-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 5 - A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

Apr 4 - Two cars left the street in Queens. One hit children and a man on a sidewalk. Another plowed into women waiting at a bus shelter. Broken bones, head wounds, fear. No one died. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that two separate crashes in Queens left multiple pedestrians injured. In Astoria, a 35-year-old driver 'lost control of her vehicle and went onto the sidewalk, running over two girls, ages 7 and 14.' Police charged her with reckless driving and driving without a license. Later, in South Ozone Park, a 79-year-old driver swerved, sideswiped a bus, then 'jumped the curb and struck four women who were standing at a bus shelter.' All victims survived, but injuries ranged from broken bones to head trauma. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers for pedestrians and raise questions about driver screening and street design.

• Queens Drivers Mount Sidewalks, Hit Pedestrians, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 3 - Open Streets faces cuts. Federal funds are gone. Mayor Adams offers no city money. DOT warns of shrinking hours and scope. Council Member Krishnan blasts the move. Streets once safe for walkers and riders now risk return to cars. The future is uncertain.

On April 3, 2025, New York City’s Open Streets program entered crisis. The program, legislated by the City Council, lost its federal Covid funding. Mayor Adams has not allocated city funds. The Department of Transportation (DOT) says $5 million is needed to maintain current operations, but the Council’s preliminary budget omits this. DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch told advocates the agency is lobbying for replacement funds. Council Member Shekar Krishnan criticized the mayor’s stance, saying, “It’s deeply misguided to cut funds from the open street program, especially at this moment.” The City Comptroller’s office also faulted the administration for poor planning. The funding gap has already led to reduced hours and fewer open streets. Council members are pushing for restoration, but the program’s future hangs in the balance.

• Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 31 - Two SUVs collided on the Long Island Expressway when one followed too closely and struck the other’s rear. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers erred by tailgating.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:33 PM on the Long Island Expressway involving two SUVs traveling westbound. One SUV was stopped in traffic when the second SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, failed to maintain a safe distance and rear-ended the first vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 31-year-old woman restrained by a lap belt and harness, sustained head injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for both drivers, highlighting driver error in maintaining safe spacing. The impact occurred at the center back end of the first vehicle and the center front end of the second. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 31 - A 27-year-old woman suffered abrasions and arm injuries after an unlicensed driver reversed a sport utility vehicle unsafely in Queens. The pedestrian was struck outside an intersection, hit by the vehicle’s right rear bumper, sustaining moderate injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:00 in Queens near 89-01 Queens Blvd. The driver, a female operating a 2011 SUV without a license, was backing unsafely from a parked position. The vehicle’s right rear bumper struck a 27-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway and was outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The driver’s unlicensed status further underscores systemic danger. The pedestrian’s actions were not listed as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was limited to the right rear bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 28 - Two sedans slammed together on 46 Ave in Queens. A front passenger took the hit—abdomen, pelvis, whiplash. Both drivers licensed. Metal twisted. No cyclist or pedestrian involved.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling south on 46 Avenue in Queens collided. The right rear quarter panel of one car struck the center front end of the other. A 25-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat suffered injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and reported whiplash. She was conscious and wore a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The police report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801745 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 26 - A parked SUV became a tomb on 42nd Avenue. Distraction carved metal, left a woman, 43, lifeless in the daylight hush. The lap belt held her, but the impact did not forgive. The street bore witness, silent and unchanged.

According to the police report, a fatal crash occurred outside 104-28 42nd Avenue in Queens when a parked Subaru SUV was struck on its left side. The sole occupant, a 43-year-old woman, was inside the vehicle at the time and was held in place by her lap belt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor leading to the collision. The impact folded metal and resulted in the apparent death of the woman, who did not leave the car. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the danger created by driver distraction, which turned a parked vehicle into a scene of tragedy.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 26 - A 34-year-old woman crossing Baxter Avenue away from an intersection was struck by an eastbound SUV. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and abrasions. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control led to the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Baxter Avenue in Queens at 3:30 AM. A 34-year-old female pedestrian was crossing outside of a crosswalk or signal when she was hit by a Station Wagon/SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and abrasions but remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting the driver’s failure to yield and maintain attention. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The pedestrian’s crossing location is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving and failure to observe traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803177 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04