Aug 8 - Businesses sued to block protected bike lanes on 31st Street. DOT stands firm. Two killed, 190 injured here since 2020. The street stays dangerous. The fight is over space, speed, and who gets to survive.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports that Astoria businesses sued to stop a DOT project adding protected bike lanes and traffic calming to 31st Street. The suit claims the redesign would "jeopardize" safety and hinder emergency access, despite DOT data showing 190 injuries and two deaths in the area since 2020. DOT says the project targets "unpredictable vehicle movements" and double parking, with design elements "found on streets across the city." The agency says it incorporated feedback from 90% of local businesses. The legal fight spotlights tension between safety improvements and business concerns, as the corridor ranks among Queens' most crash-prone.

• Astoria Bike Lane Lawsuit Challenges Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 7 - City scales back Creedmoor plan. Density cut 27%. The car-free model dies. Walkers and cyclists lose safety and 'safety in numbers'. Local pols beat back bold urban design. Streets stay hostile. The chance for a people-first, low-car neighborhood vanishes.

Bill number: none — this is a policy statement, not legislation. Status: announced August 7, 2025; no committee review. Matter quoted: "NYC Could Have Its First Car-Free Neighborhood (But Won’t Get It Due To Revanchist Pols)." Eastern Queens Greenway condemned the decision to downscale the Creedmoor redevelopment from 2,775 units by 27 percent. Assembly Member Ed Braunstein and Council Member Joann Ariola opposed higher density and pressed the rollback. Empire State Development framed the change as a compromise. Safety impact: the cut reduces potential mode shift, walkability, and "safety in numbers" for pedestrians and cyclists, preserving car dependence and dangerous streets.

• NYC Could Have Its First Car-Free Neighborhood (But Won’t Get It Due To Revanchist Pols), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A horse named Lady died in Hell's Kitchen. Photos reignited calls to ban carriages. The City Council stalled. Unions and leaders blocked hearings. Advocates warned of more injuries. Analysts say the ban would have minimal direct effect on pedestrians and cyclists.

Bill 2025, proposed to ban horse-drawn carriages, remained stalled as of August 6, 2025. The measure sits in the City Council health committee chaired by Lynn C. Schulman. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden is the bill's sponsor. Speaker Adrienne Adams has not publicly taken a position. The article ran under the headline "Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages." Advocates rallied and warned, "without a ban there will be more crashes, injuries, and possibly deaths." TWU Local 100 opposes the ban. The proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages may have minimal direct impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety, as these vehicles are a small share of street traffic; the primary safety risks for vulnerable road users stem from motor vehicles and street design.

• Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 2 - On 82nd Street at Atlantic Avenue, a driver reversing a sedan hit a man on a moped. The 53-year-old bled from deep leg cuts. Night in Queens. The report listed no driver errors.

A driver reversing a sedan on 82nd Street at Atlantic Avenue in Queens hit a man riding a moped. The rider, 53, suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot. According to the police report, no contributing factors or driver errors were listed. The sedan was backing and the moped was traveling straight east. Impact was to the sedan’s right rear bumper and the moped’s front end. It was night. No other injuries were reported. The report notes the moped rider was unlicensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832491 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Aug 2 - A driver in an SUV turned left at 91st Avenue and 77th Street and hit a standing scooter. The 33-year-old rider was partially ejected and suffered a head abrasion.

A driver in a 2025 Honda SUV making a left turn hit a standing scooter at 91st Avenue and 77th Street in Queens. The scooter was traveling west. The 33-year-old rider was partially ejected and suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" contributed to the collision. The data lists no driver errors. The point of impact on the SUV was the left front quarter panel; the scooter showed damage to the center front. The crash happened at 10:31 p.m.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Aug 2 - A driver in a sedan going east hit a man at 86-15 Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Head wound. Severe bleeding. He was incoherent. Police recorded unsafe speed by the driver.

A driver in a sedan traveling east hit a 38-year-old man at 86-15 Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The impact left the pedestrian with a head wound and severe bleeding. He was incoherent at the scene. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was the contributing factor. Police recorded unsafe speed by the driver. The data places the pedestrian at the intersection when he was struck. No other contributing factors were recorded in the report. The crash occurred in the 102nd Precinct area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832481 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 31 - A sedan and a taxi collided on 101 Ave at Woodhaven Blvd in Queens. The taxi driver, 31, suffered back and crush injuries. Police recorded "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

The driver of a sedan and the driver of a taxi collided on 101 Ave at Woodhaven Blvd in Queens. The taxi driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered back and crush injuries and remained conscious. "According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.'" Police recorded passing or lane usage improper by the driver. The report lists damage to the sedan’s right rear quarter panel and the taxi’s left front quarter panel. The record notes no pedestrians or cyclists were involved and documents the taxi driver’s injuries without attributing fault to the injured person.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 22 - SUV hit a 17-year-old cyclist on 127th Street. The teen was thrown, injured his arm. Police cite failure to yield and driver distraction. The street stayed open. The system failed the rider.

A 17-year-old bicyclist was struck and injured by an SUV making a left turn on 127th Street at 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The teen cyclist suffered arm abrasions and was partially ejected from his bike. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old man, was not reported injured. The report lists no helmet or signaling issues for the cyclist. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 20 - A sedan driver fell asleep on Myrtle Ave, crashing into parked SUVs. Four passengers suffered injuries. The street turned violent in a blink. Sleep behind the wheel left bodies bruised.

A sedan traveling east on Myrtle Ave struck several parked vehicles after the driver fell asleep. Four occupants, including two children, were injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by the driver 'Fell Asleep.' The impact left one driver with a knee and foot injury. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors before the driver’s loss of control. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose alertness behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 16 - The driver of a taxi disregarded traffic control and hit a cyclist on 95 Ave near the Van Wyck Expressway. The 29-year-old man suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

A taxi and a bicycle collided on 95 Ave near the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. The driver of a taxi hit a 29-year-old male cyclist. The cyclist was treated for a contusion to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Both the taxi and the bicycle were traveling straight when the taxi struck the cyclist; the report lists the taxi's center front end and the bike's left side doors as points of impact. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 15 - The motorcycle driver hit a parked bus on Woodhaven Blvd near 85 Rd in Queens. The 28-year-old rider suffered abrasions across his entire body. Police recorded driver inattention as a contributing factor.

A motorcycle driver collided with a parked bus on Woodhaven Blvd near 85 Rd in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 28-year-old man, was injured and suffered abrasions to his entire body. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The bus was parked and its driver was not reported injured. Police recorded impact to the motorcycle's center front end and damage to the bus's left rear quarter panel. No pedestrians or other vehicle occupants were reported injured and no other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 14 - Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.

• File Int 1339-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-07-14

Jul 13 - A Lexus driver with a suspended license struck and killed a 15-year-old on an e-bike in Nassau County. The driver fled but was caught. The teen died at the scene. The car had dozens of prior violations.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-13), a 15-year-old fleeing police on an e-bike was killed by a Lexus driver with a suspended license and a long record of violations. The driver, Ruyan Ali, crossed into oncoming traffic to pass a stopped car and struck the teen, then tried to flee. Police said Ali had 'at least three license suspensions' and the Lexus had '53 speeding camera violations.' Ali faces charges for leaving the scene and unlicensed operation. The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is investigating.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Teen On E-Bike, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 10 - A moving sedan hit a parked car in Queens. One driver, age 65, was injured and left unconscious. Police cite physical disability as a factor. Two others suffered unspecified injuries.

A sedan traveling south struck a parked car on 97th Street in Queens. According to the police report, three people were hurt: a 65-year-old male driver, found unconscious with injuries to his entire body, and two other occupants with unspecified injuries. Police list 'Physical Disability' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 9 - A driver making a left turn hit a 35-year-old woman crossing with the signal at 101 Ave and 112 St in Queens. She suffered a contusion to her lower leg and remained conscious. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

A driver making a left turn struck a 35-year-old woman who was crossing 101 Ave at 112 St with the pedestrian signal. According to the police report, "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" was listed as the driver's contributing factor. The vehicle's pre-crash action is recorded as making a left turn and the point of impact was the center front end. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to the knee/lower leg/foot and was conscious after the collision. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The report notes no vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.

• Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-08

Jun 30 - 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

Jun 30 - 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

Jun 30 - 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