Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Queens CB13?
Queens Streets: 25 Dead, 4,400 Hurt—Who's Next?
Queens CB13: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 18, 2025
The Toll in Queens CB13
The streets do not forgive. In Queens CB13, the numbers do not lie. Twenty-five people are dead. Twenty-eight more are left with serious injuries. Over 4,400 have been hurt since 2022. The crashes keep coming. The pain does not fade.
Just last month, a 39-year-old man was killed on Nashville Boulevard. He was ejected from his motorized scooter after an SUV turned left. The crash report lists the cause as “driver inattention.” The man died from crush injuries. He did not get a second chance. See NYC Open Data.
On the Belt Parkway, a 27-year-old woman lost her life in February. She was driving. The car was going straight. The report says “unsafe speed.” She was ejected and died at the scene. Her passenger was injured. The road stayed open. The city moved on.
Buses, Cars, and the Human Cost
The machines are heavy. The people are not. SUVs and cars caused the most harm—four deaths, 397 injuries. Trucks and buses killed two, injured 27. Bikes left two with minor wounds. The numbers are cold, but the stories burn. A van crash in February killed a 78-year-old woman. She sat in the back seat. She never made it home.
What Leaders Have Done—and Not Done
The politicians talk. Some act. Senator Leroy Comrie voted yes to curb repeat speeders, backing a bill to require speed-limiting devices for drivers who rack up violations. Assembly Member Clyde Vanel voted to extend school speed zones, a move to protect children on foot.
But the deaths keep coming. The crashes do not wait for new laws. The city has the power to lower speed limits. It has not done enough. The streets are still wide. The cars are still fast. The bodies are still broken.
Call to Action: Demand More Than Words
Call your council member. Call your senator. Call your assembly member. Tell them the numbers are not just numbers. They are lives. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people walking and cycling. Do not wait for another name on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Where does Queens CB13 sit politically?
▸ Which areas are in Queens CB13?
▸ What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in Queens CB13?
▸ Are these crashes just accidents, or are they preventable?
▸ What can local politicians do to make streets safer?
▸ What is CrashCount?
Citations
▸ Citations
- MTA Bus Slams Curb, Injures Seven, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-11
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-18
- File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11
- Vanel votes yes to extend school speed zones, improving child pedestrian safety., Open States, Published 2025-06-17
- E-Bike Rider Killed In Police Chase, New York Post, Published 2025-07-13
- Bus Jumps Curb, Eight Injured In Flushing, ABC7, Published 2025-07-11
- Eight Injured As MTA Bus Hits Pole, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-11
- Chain-Reaction Crash Kills Two On Belt Parkway, amny, Published 2025-07-10
- A ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation: DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, amny.com, Published 2024-11-12
- Comprehensive NYC Greenway plan for bike, pedestrian infrastructure passes City Council, amny.com, Published 2022-10-27
- Meet the Council’s Transportation Committee Chair: Selvena Brooks-Powers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-20
Other Representatives
District 33
97-01 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11429
Room 424, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 27
172-12 Linden Boulevard, St. Albans, NY 11434
718-527-4356
250 Broadway, Suite 1850, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6984
District 14
113-43 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11412
Room 913, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
Queens CB13 Queens Community Board 13 sits in Queens, Precinct 105, District 27, AD 33, SD 14.
It contains Glen Oaks-Floral Park-New Hyde Park, Bellerose, Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville, Rosedale, Montefiore Cemetery.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Queens Community Board 13
Sanders Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Stavisky Supports Safety Boosting Queens Express Bus Expansion▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Unlicensed Moped Driver Injures Cyclist in Queens▸A moped driver without a license struck a bicyclist on 93 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Slippery pavement and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to the police report.
According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:50 a.m. on 93 Avenue in Queens. A moped traveling north, driven by an unlicensed male, collided with a bicyclist traveling east on a sedan. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 65-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'unsafe speed' and 'pavement slippery' as contributing factors linked to the moped driver. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian errors or victim fault are noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating at unsafe speeds in hazardous conditions.
Taxi Makes Improper U-Turn Injuring Van Driver▸A taxi driver executing an improper U-turn struck a van traveling east on Merrick Boulevard. The van’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to the taxi but no damage to the van.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 on Merrick Boulevard. The taxi driver was making an improper U-turn when the collision happened, striking the left front quarter panel of a van traveling straight east. The van driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi sustained center front end damage, while the van showed no damage. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The van driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.
Pickup Hits Convertible Turning on Hillside Avenue▸Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
- Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16
Stavisky Supports Safety Boosting Queens Express Bus Expansion▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Unlicensed Moped Driver Injures Cyclist in Queens▸A moped driver without a license struck a bicyclist on 93 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Slippery pavement and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to the police report.
According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:50 a.m. on 93 Avenue in Queens. A moped traveling north, driven by an unlicensed male, collided with a bicyclist traveling east on a sedan. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 65-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'unsafe speed' and 'pavement slippery' as contributing factors linked to the moped driver. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian errors or victim fault are noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating at unsafe speeds in hazardous conditions.
Taxi Makes Improper U-Turn Injuring Van Driver▸A taxi driver executing an improper U-turn struck a van traveling east on Merrick Boulevard. The van’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to the taxi but no damage to the van.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 on Merrick Boulevard. The taxi driver was making an improper U-turn when the collision happened, striking the left front quarter panel of a van traveling straight east. The van driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi sustained center front end damage, while the van showed no damage. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The van driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.
Pickup Hits Convertible Turning on Hillside Avenue▸Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
- Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16
Unlicensed Moped Driver Injures Cyclist in Queens▸A moped driver without a license struck a bicyclist on 93 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Slippery pavement and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to the police report.
According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:50 a.m. on 93 Avenue in Queens. A moped traveling north, driven by an unlicensed male, collided with a bicyclist traveling east on a sedan. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 65-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'unsafe speed' and 'pavement slippery' as contributing factors linked to the moped driver. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian errors or victim fault are noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating at unsafe speeds in hazardous conditions.
Taxi Makes Improper U-Turn Injuring Van Driver▸A taxi driver executing an improper U-turn struck a van traveling east on Merrick Boulevard. The van’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to the taxi but no damage to the van.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 on Merrick Boulevard. The taxi driver was making an improper U-turn when the collision happened, striking the left front quarter panel of a van traveling straight east. The van driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi sustained center front end damage, while the van showed no damage. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The van driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.
Pickup Hits Convertible Turning on Hillside Avenue▸Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A moped driver without a license struck a bicyclist on 93 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Slippery pavement and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to the police report.
According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:50 a.m. on 93 Avenue in Queens. A moped traveling north, driven by an unlicensed male, collided with a bicyclist traveling east on a sedan. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 65-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'unsafe speed' and 'pavement slippery' as contributing factors linked to the moped driver. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian errors or victim fault are noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating at unsafe speeds in hazardous conditions.
Taxi Makes Improper U-Turn Injuring Van Driver▸A taxi driver executing an improper U-turn struck a van traveling east on Merrick Boulevard. The van’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to the taxi but no damage to the van.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 on Merrick Boulevard. The taxi driver was making an improper U-turn when the collision happened, striking the left front quarter panel of a van traveling straight east. The van driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi sustained center front end damage, while the van showed no damage. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The van driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.
Pickup Hits Convertible Turning on Hillside Avenue▸Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A taxi driver executing an improper U-turn struck a van traveling east on Merrick Boulevard. The van’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to the taxi but no damage to the van.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 on Merrick Boulevard. The taxi driver was making an improper U-turn when the collision happened, striking the left front quarter panel of a van traveling straight east. The van driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi sustained center front end damage, while the van showed no damage. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The van driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers.
Pickup Hits Convertible Turning on Hillside Avenue▸Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Pickup slammed into a convertible’s right side as it turned left on Hillside Avenue. The convertible driver, age 33, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Impact shows danger for turning vehicles at busy Queens intersections.
According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight struck a convertible making a left turn on Hillside Avenue at 21:10 in Queens. The impact hit the convertible’s right side doors. The 33-year-old convertible driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The pickup had two occupants and was registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York male. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not detail specific driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by turning vehicles at intersections.
Two Sedans Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard▸Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 55-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling north and east on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 10:30. The northbound vehicle was struck on its left side doors by the eastbound vehicle's center front end. The 55-year-old male driver of the northbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed or permitted in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver, but does not specify driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The collision's impact points and injury severity indicate a significant side impact crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor.
SUV and Sedan Collide in Queens Intersection▸A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A collision between an SUV and a sedan on 223 Street in Queens left the sedan driver injured with neck trauma. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as key factors. The sedan driver suffered whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:15 on 223 Street near 112 Avenue in Queens. The vehicles involved were a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west and a sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors in obeying traffic signals and controlling speed. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and an unspecified area on the SUV, suggesting a collision at or near the intersection. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls and unsafe driving speeds in Queens intersections.
Brooks-Powers Criticizes DOT Slow Bus Bike Lane Rollout▸City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
-
DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.
At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.
- DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-09
Brooks-Powers Supports Community Input on Lower Speed Limits▸Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
-
Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Mayor Adams backs lower speed limits but calls crashes ‘accidents.’ He urges drivers to slow down, yet hedges on citywide changes. The Council and DOT hold the power. Advocates say language matters. Streets remain deadly. Action lags. Lives hang in balance.
On May 8, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported lowering speed limits after the passage of 'Sammy’s Law,' which allows New York City to reduce limits to 20 mph on most roads. The law, passed in the state budget, excludes wide, multi-lane roads in the outer boroughs. Adams said, 'I do believe as New Yorkers we need to slow down,' but repeatedly referred to preventable crashes as 'accidents,' a term advocates reject for removing driver responsibility. The City Council must legislate any citywide speed limit change, while the Department of Transportation (DOT) can adjust limits on specific streets after community input. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to 'collaborate and negotiate' with City Hall. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi stressed the need for street redesign and legal reform, noting, 'This is not a problem that goes away on its own.' Despite new authority, the Adams administration has lagged on safe street infrastructure. The city faces its deadliest start to a year in the Vision Zero era, with 60 killed in the first quarter.
- Adams Backs Lower Speed Limits, Calls Crashes ‘Accidents’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-08
SUV Left Turn Hits Westbound Bicyclist▸A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:07 on Hook Creek Boulevard in Queens. A northbound Station Wagon/SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center back end. The 23-year-old male bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. No other contributing factors, including victim behavior, were noted in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.
Unsafe Speed Causes Queens Sedan Collision▸Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Two sedans collided head-on on 130 Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed and defective headlights as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.
According to the police report, the collision occurred at 1:35 AM on 130 Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, a 2007 BMW traveling west and a 2017 Ford traveling south, collided with impact centered on their front ends. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed and defective headlights, contributing to the crash. A 19-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Headlights Defective' as contributing factors, underscoring driver errors that led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.
Unlicensed Driver Hits Passenger in Queens▸A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A sedan driven by an unlicensed male struck a passenger inside the vehicle in Queens. The passenger suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The crash caused significant front-end damage to the sedan.
According to the police report, the crash occurred on 135 Avenue in Queens at 4:30 AM. The sedan, traveling south, was driven by an unlicensed male driver. The vehicle sustained center front end damage from a left front bumper impact. The passenger, a 51-year-old female seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with chest trauma and abrasions but was conscious. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol involvement highlight critical driver errors leading to this injury. The passenger was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.
Chain Collision on Laurelton Parkway Injures Driver▸Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Three vehicles collided traveling west on Laurelton Parkway. The driver of a 2011 BMW sedan suffered upper arm injuries. Police identified unsafe speed as a key factor in the crash. Damage spanned front, rear, and rear quarter panels of involved vehicles.
According to the police report, at 12:50, three vehicles—a 2011 BMW sedan, a 2010 Honda sedan, and a 2022 Infiniti SUV—were traveling westbound on Laurelton Parkway when a collision occurred. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old male occupant, sustained an upper arm injury and contusion but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The BMW sustained center front end damage, the Honda had center back end damage, and the Infiniti SUV was damaged on the left rear quarter panel. All drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The police report highlights driver error through unsafe speed as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.
Pick-up Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on Union Turnpike▸A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan from behind on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling west struck the rear of a stopped 2013 Toyota sedan, also westbound. The sedan’s 56-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" by the pick-up truck driver as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the center front end of the pick-up truck and the center back end of the sedan. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to maintain adequate distance behind stopped vehicles.
SUV Passes Too Close, Sedan Driver Hurt▸SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
SUV clipped sedan on Nashville Boulevard. Sedan driver, 31, took the hit. Full-body pain. Shock. Passing too close did the damage. Metal bent. Lives shaken.
According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV passed too closely to a 2010 Honda sedan on Nashville Boulevard in Queens at 18:40. The SUV struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The impact damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness.
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Speed Limit Reduction▸Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
-
Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Albany passed Sammy’s Law. The city can now set lower speed limits. Lawmakers carved out wide roads, leaving many deadly corridors untouched. Advocates fought for years. Families of crash victims cheered. The fight for safer streets is not over.
Sammy’s Law, passed on April 22, 2024, as part of New York’s $273-billion state budget, grants New York City the authority to set its own speed limits on most roads. The bill, long blocked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, finally moved forward under Governor Kathy Hochul’s push. The measure, described as 'a significant legislative achievement,' excludes roads outside Manhattan with three or more travel lanes in one direction—a concession to car-centric lawmakers. The law requires community board notification and comment, but their input is only advisory. Families of road violence victims and street safety advocates celebrated the win. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Transportation Chair, conditioned her support on street redesigns in underserved neighborhoods. The law’s carve-out leaves many of the city’s deadliest roads unchanged, withholding proven safety benefits from major thoroughfares.
- Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-22
Int 0857-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.▸Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
-
File Int 0857-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.
Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
- File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18
SUV Strikes 11-Year-Old Boy Crossing Street▸An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
An 11-year-old boy suffered head injuries and shock after being hit by an SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens. The collision occurred while the boy crossed outside an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian's head.
According to the police report, an 11-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling north on 213 Street in Queens struck him with the vehicle's center front end, impacting the left front bumper. The boy was crossing the street outside of an intersection or crosswalk, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk highlights systemic dangers posed by vehicle movements in uncontrolled crossing areas.
Int 0745-2024Brooks-Powers sponsors bill to require DOT to report micromobility activity data.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
- File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11
Brooks-Powers Supports QueensLink Rail Reactivation and Public Input▸Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
-
Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-04-04
Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.
This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.
- Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04