No More Names on the Asphalt: Demand Safe Streets Now

Council bill Int 1069-2024 slashes legal parking time for tractor-trailers and similar trucks to 90 minutes. Commercial vehicles clogging curbs will face tighter limits. The measure targets streets where hulking rigs linger, blocking sightlines and endangering walkers and riders.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." It limits parking for tractor-trailer combinations, tractors, truck trailers, and semi-trailers to 90 minutes, down from three hours. Council Member Kevin C. Riley leads as primary sponsor, joined by Nantasha M. Williams, Darlene Mealy, Sandy Nurse, and others. The bill was referred to committee the day it was introduced. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the measure aims to keep large trucks from blocking curbs and crosswalks, where they threaten pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Council bill targets shared e-scooters in downtown Flushing. Sponsors want them off certain streets. The measure now sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Riders and pedestrians face new rules. The city debates who gets space—and who gets squeezed.

Int 1045-2024, now in committee, aims to ban shared electric scooter systems on select streets in downtown Flushing, Queens. The bill was introduced on September 12, 2024, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of shared electric scooter systems on certain streets in the Borough of Queens.' Council Members Lynn C. Schulman (District 29, primary sponsor) and Sandra Ung (District 20, co-sponsor) back the measure. The bill would stop shared e-scooter organizations from operating in a dense, contested part of Queens. No safety analysis was provided. The legislation draws a hard line on who can move—and how—on city streets.

• File Int 1045-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-12

A van struck a Ford SUV near 39th Avenue. A woman in front suffered a head wound. A young man in back could not move his leg. Blood pooled. Engines cooled. Both passengers remained trapped by their belts.

According to the police report, a van collided with a Ford SUV on College Point Boulevard near 39th Avenue in Queens. The crash left two passengers in the SUV injured: a 49-year-old woman in the front seat suffered head injuries, while a 21-year-old man in the rear seat sustained crush injuries to his lower leg. The report describes, 'The woman in front took the blow to her head. The young man behind could not move his leg. Belts held them in place. Blood pooled. Engines cooled.' Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both injured passengers and does not cite any specific driver error. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the vulnerability of vehicle occupants in crashes involving larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742054, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Nine greenway gaps in Eastern Queens remain untouched. Six are fully funded. Three lack $25 million. The Parks Department blames slow progress on agency overlap. Cyclists and walkers face broken paths and car danger. Advocates and Council Member Ung demand action, not excuses.

This report covers the ongoing delay in completing the Eastern Queens Greenway, a project with $40 million allocated but no construction timeline. The Parks Department has not started work on nine segments, despite six being fully funded. Council Member Sandra Ung has prioritized funding for her district’s portion, stating, 'I am proud that today nearly the entire greenway through District 20 is fully funded.' Advocates like John Kelly and Joby Jacob push for transparency and urgency, warning, 'Now is the time to ensure that this great work isn't watered down or indefinitely delayed.' The Parks Department cites multi-agency involvement for the holdup. Meanwhile, existing paths crumble, forcing cyclists and pedestrians into traffic. The lack of progress leaves vulnerable road users exposed and the promise of safe passage unfulfilled.

• Parks Dept. Has Money But No Timeline to Finish Eastern Queens Greenway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-19

A Toyota sedan turned left on 32nd Avenue and struck a 77-year-old woman crossing with the light. The car’s front bumper caught her head-on. She bled from the head but stayed conscious. Driver inattention marked the crash.

According to the police report, a 77-year-old woman was crossing 32nd Avenue at an intersection, walking with the signal, when a Toyota sedan making a left turn struck her head-on. The report states the vehicle’s front bumper hit her directly, causing severe bleeding from her head. The woman remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was reportedly distracted at the time of the collision. The police narrative confirms the pedestrian was crossing with the light, emphasizing that driver error—specifically distraction—led to the impact. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian’s actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738364, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford SUV turned left at Bowne Street and 41st Avenue. A woman on a bike, age sixty-three, pedaled west. Steel struck flesh. She flew, her head hit pavement. She died alone, her bicycle twisted beside her.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 41st Avenue and Bowne Street in Queens when it struck a 63-year-old woman riding her bicycle westbound. The report states the SUV's driver was inattentive or distracted at the moment of impact. The cyclist was ejected from her bike, suffering fatal head injuries. The narrative notes, 'Her head struck pavement. She died there, alone on the asphalt, her bike crumpled beside her.' The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' No contributing factors are attributed to the cyclist. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to pay attention, especially during turning movements at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731666, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Lexus SUV crashed into the back of a city bus on Union Street. The SUV’s front crumpled. The 63-year-old driver suffered head trauma and crushed limbs. The bus stood firm. Following too closely led to blood and metal.

A violent collision unfolded on Union Street when a Lexus SUV rear-ended a city bus, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled north. The SUV’s front end folded, and its sole occupant—a 63-year-old man—remained conscious despite sustaining head trauma and crush injuries. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, both attributed to the SUV driver. The bus, a 2016 New Flyer, showed no damage and its driver was uninjured. The report makes no mention of any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The impact underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to maintain safe following distances and proper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730112, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man’s body shattered at the intersection. The car fled. He remained conscious, pain unending. Roosevelt Avenue swallowed the driver’s silence, leaving only broken bones and the echo of impact.

A 39-year-old man was struck and severely injured while crossing at an intersection on Roosevelt Avenue, according to the police report. The narrative states he suffered crush injuries to his entire body yet remained conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved fled, leaving the man behind, his injuries described as 'entire body' and 'crush injuries.' The police report does not specify the type of vehicle, the direction of travel, or any contributing factors from the driver, but it makes clear the driver left the scene without stopping. No driver errors are explicitly listed in the data, but the act of fleeing after a collision is a grave systemic failure. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The report centers the violence of the impact and the abandonment that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729669, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Mercedes SUV hit a 60-year-old man crossing 41st Avenue. The impact split his head. Blood pooled on the hot pavement. The SUV showed no mark. The man stayed conscious, motionless, as traffic moved around him.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was struck head-on by a westbound Mercedes SUV while crossing 41st Avenue, near Flushing, according to the police report. The report states the man was crossing without a signal when the SUV, traveling straight ahead, hit him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations and remained conscious, lying still on the pavement. Blood pooled at the scene. The SUV bore no visible damage. Police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both driver and pedestrian. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal, but does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the violent impact and the systemic danger posed by large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728482, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound SUV struck a 13-year-old boy head-on as he crossed Parsons Boulevard. His body was crushed, yet he stayed conscious. The SUV showed no damage. The street offered no protection. No driver errors were cited in the report.

A 13-year-old pedestrian was struck head-on by a northbound SUV while crossing Parsons Boulevard, according to the police report. The boy suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes the SUV sustained no damage. The collision occurred as the boy was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' and not at an intersection. The police report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the pedestrian, and does not cite any explicit driver error such as 'Failure to Yield.' The narrative underscores that 'the street offered no protection.' The focus remains on the impact and the lack of systemic safeguards for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728478, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup rolled west on 43rd Avenue. A 53-year-old woman stepped into its path. Metal struck flesh. She was crushed from head to toe, left conscious but broken in the street.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck was traveling west on 43rd Avenue near 164th Street when it struck a 53-year-old woman. The narrative states, 'A Ford pickup rolled west. A 53-year-old woman stepped into the street, outside the crosswalk. Metal struck flesh. Her body broke beneath the weight. She lay conscious, crushed from head to toe.' The report lists the pedestrian's injuries as 'crush injuries' to her entire body, with the victim remaining conscious after impact. The police data records the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no details on specific driver errors or external conditions. The point of impact was the right side doors of the truck, which continued straight ahead. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal force of the vehicle and the systemic exposure of pedestrians to danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728427, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old e-bike rider crashed into a parked SUV on Roosevelt Avenue, face-first. He flew forward, blood pooling on the pavement. He was conscious, bleeding hard, his body sprawled on the street. Metal and flesh collided in Queens.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man riding an e-bike was traveling east on Roosevelt Avenue near Parsons Boulevard when he collided with the back of a parked SUV. The report states the e-bike rider 'slammed into the back of a parked SUV,' resulting in the rider being ejected and landing face-first on the pavement. The report describes 'blood pooled on the pavement' and notes the rider was 'conscious' but suffering from 'severe bleeding.' The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV was parked and unoccupied at the time of the collision. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned after the driver errors. The crash underscores the lethal mix of speed, steel, and inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727480, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council wants lights on city step streets. The bill orders the DOT to brighten at least 25 stairways a year. Dark stairs mean danger. Light means fewer falls, fewer hidden threats. The push comes from a broad coalition. The goal is simple: safer steps.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, it commands the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian lighting on at least 25 step streets each year. The bill’s matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola leads, joined by Council Members Hanks, Ayala, Salaam, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Restler, Brannan, Ung, Gutiérrez, Louis, Hudson, Schulman, Ossé, Krishnan, Nurse, Moya, and Marmorato. Step streets are public staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to ensure these stairs are well-lit, reducing risk for walkers. Once all step streets are lit, the mandate ends. The measure targets a clear hazard: darkness on city stairs.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A garbage truck struck a cyclist on College Point Boulevard, tearing his arm and mangling his bike. The man, conscious but bleeding, lost more than metal. The street bore witness to the violence of heavy machinery against flesh.

A 45-year-old man riding a bicycle was struck by a garbage truck on College Point Boulevard near 59th Avenue in Queens at 2:51 a.m., according to the police report. The report states the cyclist was 'thrown, conscious, bleeding,' with his arm torn and the bike mangled. The collision resulted in an amputation injury to the cyclist's upper arm. The point of impact for both vehicles was the center front end, indicating a direct collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative describes the violence of the crash: 'A garbage truck crushed a cyclist... He lost more than metal.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail is not cited as a contributing factor. The data underscores the lethal risk posed by large vehicles sharing city streets with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721236, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Abandoned cars choke sidewalks and crossings. Int 0857-2024 orders city crews to tow vehicles that block streets or hide their plates. Council pushes for swift removal—seventy-two hours after notice. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced April 18, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to towing vehicles that are an encumbrance on the street.' It requires the Department of Sanitation to remove vehicles blocking the street within 72 hours of notice. The NYPD must tow cars with missing, obscured, or improper plates and stickers. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca, Brannan, Feliz, Ayala, Louis, Brewer, Avilés, Mealy, Ung, Restler, Farías, Hudson, Riley, and Schulman. The bill targets vehicles that endanger pedestrians and cyclists by blocking sightlines and crossings. It aims to clear hazards fast, making streets safer for all vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council bill Int 0856-2024 would hike fines for illegal ATV and dirt bike use. First offense: $375 to $750. Repeat: $750 to $1,500. The bill sits in the Public Safety Committee. Lawmakers say it targets reckless riders who endanger city streets.

Int 0856-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced April 18, 2024. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing the fines for the unlawful use of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes.' Prime sponsor: Carmen N. De La Rosa. Co-sponsors: Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, Farías. The bill would raise fines for operating ATVs and dirt bikes illegally—$375 to $750 for a first offense, $750 to $1,500 for repeat offenses. Council referred the bill to committee on April 18. Lawmakers frame the measure as a crackdown on vehicles that threaten pedestrians and cyclists, aiming to curb dangerous street behavior.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council targets hidden plates. Bill slaps fines and jail time on drivers who cover or deface tags. No more hiding from cameras. Law aims to strip shields from reckless motorists. Committee weighs next steps. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 11, 2024, the bill bans parking, standing, stopping, or operating a vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.' Council Member Oswald Feliz leads as primary sponsor, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill hits violators with up to $1,000 fines, possible jail, and escalating penalties for repeat offenses. The measure aims to end the dodge—drivers hiding plates to evade enforcement. The committee now holds the bill for review.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

A Ford SUV turned left on Northern Boulevard. Metal struck a 78-year-old man in the crosswalk. He fell, head bleeding onto the paint-striped street. The SUV stood unmarked. He stayed awake, blood pooling in daylight.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV making a left turn at Northern Boulevard and 157th Street struck a 78-year-old man who was crossing in a marked crosswalk. The report states the pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV showed no visible damage. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The pedestrian was located at the intersection, crossing without a signal but within the marked crosswalk. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield and improper turning, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708416, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A parked SUV rolled down 158th Street in Queens. Brakes failed. The vehicle struck an obstacle, crumpling its front. Inside, a 78-year-old man was crushed but conscious. The car did not stop. Metal and flesh bore the cost of mechanical neglect.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV was parked on 158th Street in Queens when it began rolling west due to defective brakes. The report states, 'A parked 2022 Toyota SUV rolled west with failed brakes. It struck, crumpling its front.' Inside the vehicle, a 78-year-old man, belted in and alone, suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The police report explicitly cites 'Brakes Defective' as the contributing factor in the crash. The vehicle did not stop until after the collision, and the impact left the driver injured. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior are listed in the report. The incident underscores the lethal risk posed by mechanical failure in vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707961, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15