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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr 4 - A woman without a license lost control near a Queens school. Her car hit two girls and a man on the sidewalk. The crash broke bones and sent all three to the hospital. Police charged her. Residents demand safer streets.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that Salmata Bah, driving without a license, struck two girls and a man outside an Astoria elementary school. Police said Bah 'lost control of her Nissan Versa and drove onto the sidewalk,' injuring the pedestrians. The younger girl suffered a broken leg and head injury; the older girl and a 58-year-old man had leg injuries. Bah was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and driving without a license. She has never held a valid New York driver's license. The Highway Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing how control was lost. Residents called for 'increased safety measures, like speed bumps.' The case highlights ongoing risks from unlicensed drivers and the need for stronger street protections.

• Unlicensed Driver Injures Three in Queens Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 2 - A box truck turned right on Rockaway Beach Blvd. The driver failed to see a cyclist heading straight. The cyclist, 48, hit the truck and suffered a hip injury. Police cite driver distraction.

A box truck making a right turn on Rockaway Beach Blvd in Queens struck a cyclist traveling straight. The 48-year-old cyclist suffered a hip and upper leg injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The truck's right rear quarter panel was hit by the front of the bike. No injuries were reported for the truck driver or other occupants. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the police report highlights driver distraction as the key factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Apr 1 - Two men slammed head-on in Queens. Both drivers hurt. Chest and back injuries. Metal twisted. Streets silent after impact.

Two vehicles collided head-on at 10-23 Gipson Street in Queens. According to the police report, a sedan and a pickup truck struck each other front-to-front. Both drivers, men aged 36 and 65, suffered injuries—one to the chest, one to the back. Both were conscious after the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles damaged at the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

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

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

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

Mar 27 - Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive. Both drivers were distracted. A 24-year-old front passenger suffered back bruises. The crash tore into the center ends of both vehicles. Distraction behind the wheel left a mark.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive in Queens at 13:10. Both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The first SUV, heading west, struck the stopped second SUV from behind. A 24-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat of the second vehicle was injured, suffering back contusions and bruises. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists no contributing factors for the passenger. Damage hit the center front and back ends of the vehicles. The crash was caused by driver distraction, as detailed in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 24 - Council Transportation Chair Brooks-Powers wants the Beach 20th Street protected bike lane gone. She blames illegal parking, not enforcement. Cyclists lose space. The city risks more danger. DOT says it will look at hardening the lane and boosting enforcement.

On March 24, 2025, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for the removal of the protected bike lane on Beach 20th Street in Arverne, Queens. At a community meeting, Brooks-Powers said, "We’ve been trying to get [the bike lane] removed for three years. It wasn’t supported by the community. ... In effect it’s not a bike lane quite honestly; no one uses it, they [drivers] park there. We would like to see the hard infrastructure removed." Instead of demanding enforcement against illegal parking, she wants the lane ripped out, returning the street to a more dangerous state for cyclists and pedestrians. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez replied that building safe bike lanes requires support from local leaders. DOT spokesperson Will Livingston said the agency remains committed to safety and will explore hardening the lane and increasing enforcement.

• Council Transportation Chair Asks DOT To Rip Up a Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-24

Mar 22 - A sedan making a right turn collided with an eastbound bicyclist on Rockaway Beach Blvd in Queens. The bicyclist suffered moderate back injuries and burns. Police cited driver inattention and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Beach Blvd in Queens at 1:30 PM. A sedan traveling north was making a right turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling east. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper and the bike's left rear quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 59-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained moderate back injuries and burns but was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to properly observe the bicyclist. The bicyclist's own confusion or error is also noted but only after the driver’s fault. The sedan driver’s license status and identity were not specified, but the bike rider was unlicensed. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers making turns in busy urban corridors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803459 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 20 - A sedan driver suffered bruises and arm injuries after losing control on slippery pavement along Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The crash occurred early morning, highlighting hazardous road conditions and driver vulnerability in Queens.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male sedan driver was injured in a crash on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens at 5:17 a.m. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, indicating loss of control while traveling east. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing driver errors were noted, and no pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by road surface conditions and their impact on vehicle control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 19 - Council grilled the MTA over a $4 billion ask. Riders braced for another ‘Summer of Hell.’ Lawmakers slammed waste and threats. No strong opposition in the chamber. Outside, anger simmered. Vulnerable riders left in limbo as funding fights drag on.

"Instead of insulting us with baseless threats, the agency that spends $30 million on a staircase should find ways to cut its wasteful spending and bloated payroll before asking for more taxpayer money." -- Joann Ariola

On March 19, 2025, the City Council held a budget hearing on the MTA’s 2025-29 capital plan funding. The MTA demanded $4 billion from the city—a 33% jump from the last plan—warning of major subway disruptions if denied. The matter, titled 'MTA threatens another ‘Summer of Hell’ of subway disruptions if NYC doesn’t cough up billions,' drew sharp words. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Queens) blasted the agency: 'Instead of insulting us with baseless threats, the agency that spends $30 million on a staircase should find ways to cut its wasteful spending and bloated payroll before asking for more taxpayer money.' Other lawmakers and advocates echoed frustration, questioning MTA management and calling for state responsibility. Despite heated criticism, council members did not strongly oppose the request in session. The hearing left the city’s most vulnerable riders—those who rely on safe, reliable transit—caught between political fights and crumbling infrastructure.

• MTA threatens another ‘Summer of Hell’ of subway disruptions if NYC doesn’t cough up billions — as transit agency touts its ‘great service’, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-19

Mar 14 - A 57-year-old woman driving east on Beach 88 St lost consciousness after a collision. The sedan struck an object front-center, causing chest injuries and bruising. Alcohol involvement was a key factor in the crash and injury severity.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old female driver was operating a 2021 Toyota sedan eastbound on Beach 88 St in Queens at 11:40 PM. The vehicle sustained damage to the center front end, indicating a frontal collision. The driver was injured with chest contusions and bruises and remained conscious after the crash. The report identifies alcohol involvement and loss of consciousness as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report highlights the driver’s impairment due to alcohol as the primary cause of the crash and subsequent injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 14 - Open Streets are shrinking. Volunteers warn more cuts loom unless City Hall steps up. Federal relief is gone. Groups want $48 million over three years. Current grants barely keep programs alive. The city’s inaction puts public space and safety at risk.

On March 14, 2025, a coalition of 16 volunteer open street groups sent a letter to City Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers. They warned, 'The limited funding and decreases in funding that have occurred over the years jeopardize the continuity and future of the program—funding pressure is already leading to downsizing and the disappearance of Open Streets programs.' The groups seek $48 million over three years, separate from the city’s $30 million contract with the Horticultural Society. Current grants max out at $20,000 per year, forcing cutbacks. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams are starting budget talks. Council spokesperson Julia Agos called Open Streets 'critical components of our city's public realm.' The Department of Transportation said suggestions will be reviewed. Volunteer groups handle most operations, but stalled redesigns and lack of resources threaten the program’s survival.

• Open Streets Won’t Survive Without More Money From the City, Organizers Warn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

Mar 13 - A 46-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries after a sedan struck her while she emerged from in front of a parked vehicle. The driver’s improper lane usage and distraction caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock with internal complaints.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2017 Jeep sedan struck her at 7:05 AM in Queens near 15-19 Central Ave. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of a parked vehicle when the collision occurred. The report cites the driver’s contributing factors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan’s point of impact was the center front end, with damage to the right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock with internal complaints. The driver was licensed and slowing or stopping before impact. The crash highlights driver errors in lane usage and distraction as the primary causes of the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 13 - A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Mar 10 - Three drivers suffered neck and back injuries in a Queens collision involving multiple sedans and SUVs. Unsafe speed and traffic control disregard by one driver led to a violent impact on Beach Channel Drive, leaving all conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Beach Channel Drive in Queens at 13:32. The collision involved multiple vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. Three male drivers, ages 30, 37, and 55, were injured with neck and back injuries, all conscious and not ejected from their vehicles. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for one driver, while others had unspecified factors. The impact was centered on the front ends of the vehicles. All injured occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses, with airbags deployed in at least one vehicle. The driver errors of unsafe speed and ignoring traffic controls directly contributed to the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Mar 4 - A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Mar 1 - DOT will erase a car lane on Sixth Avenue. The bike lane grows from six to ten feet. Community Board 5 backs the plan. Critics shout about gridlock. Supporters call for safer streets. The city moves ahead. Cyclists and pedestrians wait.

""The anti-car insanity has gotten so extreme. The Department of Tyrants is not just trying to make it impossible for anyone to drive in this city, it is willing to jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers by creating conditions that will seriously impede emergency responders."" -- Joann Ariola

On March 1, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a plan to remove one of four vehicle lanes on Sixth Avenue, Manhattan, expanding the bike lane from six to ten feet between West 14th and West 35th Streets. The proposal, presented to Community Board 5's transportation committee, passed with a 10-2 vote. The matter summary reads: 'DOT plans to widen the Sixth Avenue bike lane... eliminating one of the four vehicle lanes.' Council Member Joann Ariola, mentioned in the debate, strongly opposed the move, warning it 'will seriously impede emergency responders.' Other council members and residents voiced sharp criticism, calling the redesign dangerous and disruptive. DOT officials insist the plan is rooted in community input and data. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided for vulnerable road users.

• Car-hating NYC bureaucrats quietly making congestion worse with plan to cut vehicle lanes, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-01