Blood on Their Hands: Slow Queens Streets or Count More Dead

Council wants helmets on every cyclist. No helmet, fifty-dollar fine. Law targets riders not covered by other rules. The bill sits in committee. Streets stay deadly. Blame stays off victims.

Bill Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced January 23, 2025, by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Robert Holden, with co-sponsors Zhuang, Brannan, Hanks, Louis, Schulman, Moya, Narcisse, and Vernikov. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' It would fine any cyclist not wearing a helmet up to $50, unless already required by other laws. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill has not passed. No votes recorded.

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

Council wants helmets on every cyclist. No helmet, fifty-dollar fine. Law targets riders not covered by other rules. The bill sits in committee. Streets stay deadly. Blame stays off victims.

Bill Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced January 23, 2025, by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Robert Holden, with co-sponsors Zhuang, Brannan, Hanks, Louis, Schulman, Moya, Narcisse, and Vernikov. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' It would fine any cyclist not wearing a helmet up to $50, unless already required by other laws. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill has not passed. No votes recorded.

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

A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Two SUVs collided head-on on Cypress Avenue in Queens. The 32-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police report cites steering failure and driver inattention as causes. Both vehicles sustained left front bumper damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cypress Avenue in Queens at 4:45 p.m. Two sport utility vehicles collided head-on, each impacting the other's left front bumper. The 32-year-old male driver of a 2017 Nissan SUV was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Steering Failure' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in opposite directions prior to impact. There is no mention of pedestrian or cyclist involvement, nor any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision highlights vehicle mechanical failure combined with driver distraction as the primary causes of the injury crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787566 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A taxi swung right on Fresh Pond Road. A cyclist turned left. Steel struck flesh. A 23-year-old man’s leg shattered on cold pavement. No helmet, no warning, just the sharp snap of bone and the city’s indifference.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Fresh Pond Road and Gates Avenue in Queens when a taxi made a right turn and a cyclist turned left. The report states, 'A taxi turned right. A bike turned left. Steel struck bone.' The 23-year-old cyclist was thrown to the pavement, suffering crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'his leg crushed. No helmet. No horn. Just pain, shock, and cold January light.' The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but lists no driver errors or additional contributing factors. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when turning vehicles and vulnerable road users cross paths in New York City’s chaotic streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Three SUVs collided on Eliot Ave in Queens, sending a rear-seat passenger into shock with back injuries. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. The injured occupant wore a lap belt but suffered significant pain and nausea from the impact.

According to the police report, a collision involving three sport utility vehicles occurred on Eliot Ave in Queens at 7:32 pm. The crash involved vehicles traveling straight ahead from opposite directions. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. A 35-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position suffered back injuries and was not ejected. She experienced shock and complained of pain and nausea. She was restrained by a lap belt. Vehicle damage was noted on the center front end and left front bumpers of the involved SUVs. The report does not list any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding, but the hazardous road condition played a key role in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 27-year-old man was injured crossing Flushing Avenue at a marked crosswalk. The SUV hit him head-on, causing abrasions and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered serious trauma. Driver errors remain unspecified in the report.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured at 17:39 on Flushing Avenue in Queens while crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The collision involved a 2013 Honda SUV traveling west, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The pedestrian was conscious upon impact. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for the pedestrian and does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans collided on Woodhaven Blvd. One was parked, one turned left. Both drivers and a front passenger suffered head injuries and shock. Metal hit metal. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Woodhaven Blvd. One car was parked, the other made a left turn. The impact struck both vehicles at the left front bumpers. Both drivers and a front-seat passenger were injured, suffering head trauma and concussions. Shock followed. The driver of the moving sedan was licensed in North Carolina; the parked car’s driver held a New York license. No driver errors or contributing factors such as failure to yield were listed in the report. The driver wore a lap belt. The report does not assign fault or blame.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786931 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Governor Hochul pledged more police and brighter lights in the subway. Barriers and new fare gates will come to a few stations. Critics called the plans symbolic, lacking funding and detail. Andrea Stewart-Cousins stood with Hochul as the city waits for real change.

On January 14, 2025, during the State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced new subway safety measures. The proposals include NYPD officers on every overnight train, LED lighting in all stations, and limited installation of platform barriers and modern fare gates. The matter summary states: 'Hochul finally acknowledges NYC subway crime in State of the State speech—but proposals slammed as largely symbolic.' Andrea Stewart-Cousins, mentioned in the announcement, stood with Hochul. Critics, including State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, called the measures 'symbolic.' The Working Families Party warned that tax cuts without new revenue could threaten transit funding. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided, but advocates and lawmakers questioned whether these steps will protect riders or simply signal action.

• Hochul finally acknowledges NYC subway crime in ‘State of the State’ speech — but proposals slammed as largely ‘symbolic’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a bicyclist traveling straight on 80 St in Queens. The bicyclist suffered bruising but was conscious and not ejected. According to the police report, pedestrian/bicyclist confusion was noted as a contributing factor.

At 10:00 AM on 80 St in Queens, a 2023 Toyota sedan driven by a licensed female driver was making a left turn when it collided with a 37-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight northbound. According to the police report, the point of impact was the sedan's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, indicating confusion in the interaction between the vehicle and bicyclist. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly listed in the report. The bicyclist's helmet use or crossing signal status was not reported as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Two SUVs collided on Grand Avenue in Queens. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash occurred, damaging front and rear ends.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:27 on Grand Avenue in Queens. Two SUVs, both traveling eastbound, collided when the rear vehicle struck the front vehicle's center front end with its center back end. The driver of the rear SUV, a 62-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and shock, reporting complaints of pain or nausea. The police report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights driver error in maintaining unsafe following distance, resulting in injury and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785528 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 14-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV hit her at an intersection on Myrtle Ave. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the vehicle, traveling west, struck her with its right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Myrtle Ave and 68 St when a 2021 Jeep SUV traveling west struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the time of the collision. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as 3. The SUV driver, a licensed female from Pennsylvania, was going straight ahead prior to impact. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver, but the pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal is noted. The collision caused damage to the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on 69 Rd near Cooper Ave. The 33-year-old bicyclist was ejected, suffering facial injuries and minor bleeding. Driver inattention was a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 69 Rd was making a left turn when it struck an eastbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 33-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained facial injuries with minor bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to properly observe the bicyclist. The bicyclist's own confusion or error is noted but does not mitigate the primary driver fault. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper hitting the e-bike's center front end. The crash occurred at 17:10, and the bicyclist was left in shock. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2003 Volkswagen SUV. This collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted drivers making turns in the presence of vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785334 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A lane change cut too close on the Long Island Expressway. Steel slammed steel. Two taxi passengers suffered head injuries amid shattered glass. Shock and bruises followed. The crash exposed dangerous driver errors and left victims broken and silent.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the eastbound Long Island Expressway around 8:30. The collision resulted from an 'Unsafe Lane Changing' maneuver by a vehicle, which cut too close and struck a taxi. The taxi sustained damage to its left side doors, while the SUV hit the taxi with its right front bumper. Two passengers in the taxi’s rear seats, a 33-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both suffered head injuries including a concussion and contusions. Both were not wearing safety equipment and were left in shock. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as causes. The violent impact shattered glass and caused serious injuries. The police report clearly attributes the crash to driver errors, with no fault assigned to the injured passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A sedan making a right turn hit a 14-year-old bicyclist traveling north on Madison Street. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, bruised but conscious. Police cite the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:05 on Madison Street in Queens. A sedan, traveling northwest and making a right turn, collided with a northbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the bike, which sustained damage, while the sedan showed no damage. The 14-year-old bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver did not yield to the bicyclist. No other contributing factors were noted for the bicyclist. The crash highlights driver error and systemic risk to vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784631 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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

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