Queens Bleeds While Leaders Stall—How Many More Must Die?

A motorcycle driver was ejected and injured after defective brakes caused a crash on Mott Avenue in Queens. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and abdominal-pelvic injuries. The vehicle's undercarriage was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured and ejected due to defective brakes while traveling northwest on Mott Avenue in Queens at 11:59. The report states the primary contributing factor was 'Brakes Defective,' which led to the crash. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. The motorcycle's undercarriage was damaged at the point of impact. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

A Ford pickup slammed into a parked SUV on Beach 19th. The woman inside, forty-five, died in her seat. Police cite driver distraction. The truck showed no damage. The road stayed quiet, but the toll was final.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck struck a parked SUV near 233 Beach 19th Street in Queens at 3:45 p.m. The SUV's occupant, a 45-year-old woman, was killed in the crash. The report states, 'A Ford pickup struck a parked SUV. The woman inside, 45, wore no seatbelt. She died there, still in her seat.' Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck showed no damage, while the SUV was struck on the left rear quarter panel. The woman was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly impact underscores the consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two SUVs slammed together on Beach Channel Drive. A six-year-old girl, strapped in back, took glass to the face. Blood marked the spot. Obstructed view left her wounded in daylight.

At Beach Channel Drive and Beach 45 Street in Queens, two SUVs collided at 12:05 PM. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they crashed. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor. A six-year-old girl, riding in the rear seat, suffered severe facial lacerations from shattered glass. She was restrained in a child seat. The drivers were licensed and no other driver errors were cited. The crash shows how blocked sightlines at intersections put vulnerable passengers at risk when heavy vehicles collide.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Parking mandates choke streets, raise rents, and trap New Yorkers in car dependence. Council Member Marmorato and Borough President Richards defend these rules, blocking safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Ending mandates means more housing, cleaner air, and safer streets for people, not cars.

This opinion, published September 3, 2024, in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Council Member Kristy Marmorato and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for defending parking mandates. Richards opposes lifting mandates in Queens, citing poor transit. Marmorato lobbied to restore mandates in a Bronx rezoning near new Metro North stations, arguing, 'We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities.' The editorial rebukes this logic, stating, 'We should not cling to parking mandates when we know they encourage car ownership, make streets less vibrant, increase rents, and pollute our air.' The piece urges officials to break the cycle of car-first policy, invest in transit, and end mandates that block affordable housing and safer streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the editorial centers the harm parking mandates inflict on vulnerable road users and the city’s livability.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Say ‘No’ to Car Drivers and ‘Yes’ to Ending Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03

A motorcycle fleeing police crashed into an SUV’s rear on Beach 45th Street. The unlicensed rider, helmetless, flew headfirst onto the asphalt. He bled from a torn scalp, conscious but alone. Aggressive driving and road rage tore through Queens.

According to the police report, a motorcycle operated by an unlicensed 27-year-old male was fleeing police on Beach 45th Street near Beach Channel Drive when it crashed into the rear of a Honda SUV. The report states the motorcycle was involved in 'aggressive driving/road rage' and was being pursued by police at the time of the collision. The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations, described as a torn scalp, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a licensed male, sustained damage to the right rear quarter panel. The police report highlights 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor, underscoring the systemic danger posed by reckless vehicle operation. The victim’s lack of helmet use is noted in the report, but the focus remains on the aggressive driving and police pursuit that led to this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans collided on Beach 56 Street in Queens after one driver made a left turn. The impact injured a rear passenger, causing a head contusion. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:29 AM on Beach 56 Street in Queens. A sedan traveling west attempted a left turn and collided with an eastbound sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the eastbound vehicle and the center front end of the left-turning vehicle. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. A 29-year-old female rear passenger in the eastbound sedan sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The drivers' license status was noted for the left-turning driver, who was licensed in New York. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Queens Borough President Richards backs Adams’s housing plan but blocks citywide parking reform. He wants parking mandates gone in dense, transit-rich hubs but kept in car-dependent outer Queens. The split stance leaves vulnerable road users exposed in sprawling, car-heavy neighborhoods.

On August 27, 2024, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards issued a statement on Mayor Adams’s ‘City of Yes’ zoning proposal. Richards supports removing parking mandates in high-density, transit-rich areas—like downtown Jamaica, Flushing, and Long Island City—saying, “Parking mandates in major transit hubs... should be eliminated, in order to increase housing opportunities there.” But he opposes ending parking mandates citywide, insisting they remain in low-density, outer transit-oriented development areas (OTODAs) due to infrequent Long Island Rail Road service and car dependence. Richards claims, “This is the reality of living in a transit desert.” The move splits the city, keeping car-centric policies in place for much of Queens. Housing advocates and the mayor’s office argue that citywide parking reform is needed to spur housing and reduce car reliance, but Richards’s stance preserves systemic danger for vulnerable road users in sprawling neighborhoods.

• Queens BP Says ‘Yes’ to Adams Zoning Plan, But ‘No’ to Ending Costly Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-27

A male pedestrian crossing Cornaga Avenue in a marked crosswalk was struck by a westbound SUV. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, resulting in a contusion to the pedestrian’s elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured while crossing Cornaga Avenue at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The collision occurred at 1:59 PM in Queens. The vehicle involved was a 2019 Toyota SUV traveling westbound, driven by a licensed male driver. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and bruising to the elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas with pedestrian crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two vehicles collided on Rockaway Freeway in Queens. Both drivers, men, were traveling west when the SUV struck the sedan’s left rear quarter panel. The SUV driver suffered a back contusion. Police cited driver inattention as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:24 AM on Rockaway Freeway near Beach 41 Street in Queens. The collision involved a 2020 BMW SUV and a 2016 Ford sedan, both traveling westbound. The SUV impacted the sedan’s left rear quarter panel with its right front quarter panel. The sole occupant of the SUV, a 22-year-old male driver, sustained a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the crash. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed by driver distraction in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750029 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A sedan backing north on Beach 100 Street hit a northbound e-bike rider. The e-bike driver suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. The crash exposed dangers of unsafe vehicle maneuvers in Queens’ streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:33 in Queens near Beach 100 Street. A sedan was backing north when it struck an e-bike traveling straight ahead in the same direction. The sedan’s left rear bumper impacted the e-bike’s right front bumper. The e-bike rider, a 52-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his face but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the sedan driver’s contributing factor as "Backing Unsafely," highlighting a critical driver error. The e-bike rider was licensed and traveling straight, with no contributing factors listed against him. This collision underscores the hazards posed by unsafe backing maneuvers by motor vehicles, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: '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, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

An SUV making a left turn on red collided with a sedan traveling straight on Seagirt Boulevard in Queens. The sedan’s front passenger, a 33-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage on impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:40 PM on Seagirt Boulevard in Queens. The SUV driver was making a left turn on red when the collision happened. The sedan was traveling straight ahead when struck. The front passenger of the sedan, a 33-year-old woman, was injured with back trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' factors contributing to the crash, highlighting the SUV driver's error in turning on red. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers, indicating a direct impact. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The report emphasizes driver error as the cause, with no blame placed on the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Two passengers suffered neck injuries in a rear-end crash on Beach 13 Street in Queens. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts. The SUV struck the sedan from behind while traveling westbound, causing whiplash but no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, at 3:55 PM on Beach 13 Street in Queens, a 2019 SUV traveling westbound struck the rear of a stopped 2004 sedan also heading west. The impact was to the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. The sedan carried two male occupants, aged 44 and 18, both passengers wearing lap belts. Both suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and were conscious after the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision dynamics indicate a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the SUV driver. Neither vehicle sustained damage. The report does not attribute any fault or contributing factors to the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746745 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards rejects citywide parking reform. He backs lifting mandates in dense, transit-rich zones but blocks changes in car-dependent areas. Civic leaders echo him. The move keeps cars central, leaving pedestrians and cyclists exposed.

On August 9, 2024, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards issued a public statement opposing the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity rezoning as it relates to eliminating mandatory parking requirements citywide. Richards said, "You can't use the one-size-fits-all approach here. There are really parts of Queens that are transit deserts." He supports removing parking mandates only in high-density, transit-rich areas, not in low-density, car-dependent neighborhoods. Community board leaders and civic groups in Queens joined him, arguing the reform threatens their way of life. Richards's stance contrasts with Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Bronx officials, who support ending parking minimums. The decision preserves car dominance in Queens, leaving vulnerable road users at risk and blocking safer, people-first streets.

• ‘City of No’: Queens Borough President Suddenly Joins ‘Suburban’ Crowd Demanding More Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-09