Queens Kids Bleed, Politicians Wait—Who Will Stop the Next Hit-and-Run?

The Council passed Int 0291-2022, forcing city agencies to map, plan, and report on greenways. The law demands annual updates and public engagement. It aims to carve out safe, car-free corridors for walkers and cyclists. The mayor returned it unsigned.

Int 0291-2022, now Local Law 115 of 2022, was enacted by the City Council on November 27, 2022. The bill came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, first introduced April 28, 2022. The law's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a citywide greenway plan.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by dozens of co-sponsors including Rivera, Hudson, and others. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor on October 27, 2022. The law orders the Department of Transportation and Parks to identify, map, and report on greenways, and to consult with community boards. Proposals for new greenway segments or repairs must be presented to affected communities within 60 days. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law. The measure compels the city to plan and maintain safe routes for non-drivers, with regular public reporting and accountability.

• File Int 0291-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-10-27

On Halloween, the city will ban cars from 100 streets. Kids will walk free. No engines, no rush, no threat. The move follows a 42% drop in pedestrian injuries on 34th Avenue. Officials say car-free streets mean fewer dead children.

On October 24, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a major expansion of car-free streets for Halloween. The initiative, called 'Trick-or-Streets,' will close 100 streets—across all boroughs except Staten Island—from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The DOT will extend hours on 40 existing open streets and keep another 60 car-free through the evening, partnering with the Street Activity Permit Office for more pedestrian zones. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'I am incredibly excited to build on the triumph of our thriving Open Streets program ... this Halloween, providing greater access to safer, shared community spaces.' Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Council Member Shekar Krishnan backed the move, stressing the deadly risk cars pose to children. DOT data shows a 42% drop in pedestrian injury crashes on 34th Avenue since it went car-free. The city cites national spikes in child pedestrian deaths on Halloween. The message is clear: car-free streets save lives.

• NO TRICK, ALL TREAT: City to Ban Cars on Some Streets for Halloween, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-24

A Volkswagen hit a man crossing Northern Boulevard. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The street fell silent. The crash left the man injured and the city colder.

A westbound Volkswagen sedan struck a 43-year-old man crossing Northern Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, 'a man stepped into the dark road against the light. A westbound Volkswagen struck him head-on. Blood poured from his head. He stayed conscious.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. No driver errors were listed in the data. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but does not cite any contributing factors for the driver. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572743, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council filed a bill to study truck route compliance and GPS mapping. The measure called for tracking trucks off-route, web-based maps, and new street designs. Avilés led, with Gutiérrez and others co-sponsoring. The session ended before action. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 0721-2022 was introduced to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on September 29, 2022. The bill required the Department of Transportation to study truck drivers’ compliance with city truck routes and to assess integrating truck maps with GPS technology. The matter’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a truck route GPS study.' Alexa Avilés sponsored the bill, joined by Gutiérrez, Hanif, Restler, Brooks-Powers, Hudson, Krishnan, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill called for measures like converting two-way streets to one-way, posting truck route signs, and outreach to the trucking industry. The study’s results were to be posted online and sent to the council by January 1, 2023. The bill was filed at session’s end, with no further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0721-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-09-29

Opponents of the 34th Avenue Open Street hurled slurs and lies. Community Board 3 spread false claims. Volunteers faced homophobia and xenophobia. Officials condemned the hate. The city’s plan aims to cut car traffic and give space to people, not cars.

On September 13, 2022, Queens Community Board 3 and the Jackson Heights Coop Alliance opposed the Department of Transportation’s Paseo Park plan for 34th Avenue. The board circulated an email with misinformation about emergency access and parking. Jim Burke, the open street’s volunteer leader, was targeted with homophobic and xenophobic abuse. Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Borough President Donovan Richards condemned the hate, with Krishnan stating, 'Hate, homophobia, bigotry, threats have no place in our community.' Richards, a supporter of Paseo Park, said, 'We can disagree, but we need to be adults.' DOT spokesman Scott Gastel said the open street benefits the entire community, prioritizing pedestrians and children. The city’s plan removes curbside parking and adds plaza blocks, making streets safer for people.

• Opponents of 34th Ave. Open Street Resort to Bigotry, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-13

A parked Ford sedan on Britton Avenue. Rear crushed by a motorcycle. A man, 46, lifeless in the driver’s seat. Morning light on twisted metal. No sound. No movement. Just the aftermath on a quiet Queens street.

A fatal crash unfolded on Britton Avenue near Judge Street in Queens. According to the police report, a parked Ford sedan was struck in the rear by a motorcycle. The impact left the rear of the car crumpled. Inside the sedan, officers found a 46-year-old man, the driver, dead at the scene. The report states, 'A man, 46, found lifeless in a Ford sedan. A parked motorcycle struck. Rear of the car crumpled.' No contributing factors or driver errors were specified in the police data. The crash involved both a sedan and a motorcycle, both listed as parked before the collision. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560846, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 0596-2022 would force DOT to repair broken curbs when streets get resurfaced. Curbs shape the border between sidewalk and street. Broken curbs trip walkers, let cars mount sidewalks, and endanger the frail. The bill died in committee.

Int 0596-2022 was introduced on July 14, 2022, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to repair any curb deemed a safety hazard during street resurfacing. The matter summary reads: 'requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by Schulman, Brewer, Dinowitz, Krishnan, Narcisse, Menin, Yeger, Avilés, Nurse, Gutiérrez, Riley, Brannan, Sanchez, and Louis. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not advance. Broken curbs are a daily threat to pedestrians, especially the elderly and disabled. The bill would have forced the city to address these hazards as part of routine work, but the effort stalled.

• File Int 0596-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-07-14

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilians can report violators. Each offense draws a $175 fine. The city pays whistleblowers a cut. The bill stalled. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 0501-2022 was introduced to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 2, 2022. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints to the department of transportation for hazardous obstruction violations,' aimed to create a new civil penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 1,320 feet of a school. The penalty: $175 per violation, enforced through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Civilians, except city employees, could file complaints and receive 25% of collected fines. The Department of Transportation would support this with a phased-in reporting program and annual public reports. Council Member Carlina Rivera led as primary sponsor, joined by over two dozen co-sponsors. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0501-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-06-02

Council filed a bill to force the city to study dangerous driving. The measure called for annual reports on driver behavior tied to crashes, injuries, and deaths. The bill died at session’s end. No action, no data, no change for the vulnerable.

Int 0415-2022 was introduced on May 19, 2022, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation, with the NYPD and other agencies, to conduct an annual study of dangerous driving behaviors linked to crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring a study of dangerous driving.' Council Members Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary sponsor), Keith Powers, Gale A. Brewer, Rita C. Joseph, Sandy Nurse, Shekar Krishnan, Lincoln Restler, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Marjorie Velázquez, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Borough Presidents sponsored the bill. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. Without passage, the city remains without mandated, public-facing data on the patterns that put pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

• File Int 0415-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-05-19

Council bill Int 0401-2022 would force the city to install speed humps on streets bordering parks over one acre. The measure targets reckless driving near green spaces. The transportation committee filed the bill at session’s end. No action taken.

Int 0401-2022 was introduced in the City Council on May 19, 2022, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by sixteen co-sponsors. The bill would have required the Department of Transportation to install speed humps on all roadways next to parks at least one acre in size, unless the DOT commissioner found installation unsafe or inconsistent with guidelines. The bill was filed without passage at the end of the session. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0401-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-05-19

Council bill Int 0256-2022 would force NYPD to count every time an officer uses a car to control someone. The law closes a reporting loophole. Police vehicles are now named as weapons. The bill was filed at session’s end. No action taken.

Int 0256-2022, introduced April 28, 2022, in the Committee on Public Safety, sought to amend the city code to require NYPD to report when officers use a motor vehicle as force. The bill’s matter title reads: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle.” Council Member Althea V. Stevens led as primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Hudson, Williams, Restler, Krishnan, and others. The bill would have added 'use of a motor vehicle to gain control of a subject' as a reporting category. It was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not advance. This measure aimed to expose police vehicle violence by demanding full transparency in use-of-force reporting.

• File Int 0256-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-04-28

Council tried to create an Office of Pedestrians. The bill died in committee. No new office. No new power. Pedestrians remain at risk. The city missed a chance to stand up for those on foot.

Int 0288-2022 was introduced on April 28, 2022, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill aimed to establish an Office of Pedestrians, led by a mayoral appointee, to advise on safety and act as a bridge between walkers and city agencies. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of pedestrians.' Council Member Althea V. Stevens sponsored the bill, with Julie Won, Sandy Nurse, Shekar Krishnan, Lincoln Restler, and Carlina Rivera as co-sponsors. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, without a vote or enactment. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill’s failure means no dedicated city office for pedestrian safety. The city keeps walking, unprotected.

• File Int 0288-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-04-28

Council bill Int 0261-2022 would force the city to build curb extensions at deadly crossings. Five intersections per borough, every year. The aim: block cars from parking near crosswalks, boost pedestrian sightlines, and cut crashes where people walk.

Int 0261-2022 was introduced on April 28, 2022, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring curb extensions at certain dangerous intersections,' was sponsored by Council Members Hanif (primary), Menin, Hudson, Stevens, Ayala, Abreu, Krishnan, Nurse, and Riley. The bill required the Department of Transportation to identify intersections with high pedestrian crash rates and install curb extensions—prohibiting parking within 15 feet of crosswalks—at a minimum of five such intersections in each borough per year. The measure was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. Curb extensions are designed to increase pedestrian visibility and reduce deadly conflicts at crossings, directly targeting systemic dangers faced by people on foot.

• File Int 0261-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-04-28

DOT will turn 34th Avenue into Paseo Park. Cars slow to five miles per hour. Two blocks go fully to people. Five more half-blocks close to traffic. Councilmember Krishnan backs it. Advocates cheer. Implementation starts June. Streets shift. Safety rises.

On April 28, 2022, the Department of Transportation presented its final plan for 34th Avenue, now called Paseo Park, to Community Board 3. The plan, described as 'bold,' creates a 1.3-mile stretch where vehicles are guests on shared streets, with two blocks and five half-blocks fully pedestrianized. Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, who campaigned for this change, voiced strong support: 'This design improves pedestrian safety and expands accessibility for all people.' DOT officials committed to ongoing collaboration. Some Community Board 3 leaders raised concerns about transparency, scooters, disability access, and environmental review, but DOT called these minor and solvable. The plan has broad support from local advocates and is set to begin implementation in June, with more improvements in 2023. The move marks a major shift for Jackson Heights, prioritizing people over cars and setting a new standard for city streets.

• 34TH AVE. UPDATE: DOT Presents ‘Bold’ Plan for the Permanent Open Street Called ‘Paseo Park’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-28

Council members and advocates rallied at City Hall. They demanded $3.1 billion for the Streets Master Plan. Traffic deaths surged 44 percent in early 2022. The mayor’s budget falls short. The city stalls. Streets remain deadly. The call: fund safety now.

On April 22, 2022, more than a dozen City Council members and advocates gathered at City Hall to demand full funding for the Streets Master Plan. The plan, passed in 2019, requires hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safer sidewalks. Council Member Alexa Avilés led the call: "We want $3.1 billion, a little tiny fraction of the [nearly $100-billion] city budget, to make sure our streets belong to us, and to make sure New Yorkers are safe." Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, Carlina Rivera, Lincoln Restler, Sandy Nurse, Chi Ossé, Crystal Hudson, Shekar Krishnan, and Amanda Farías joined her. Traffic fatalities rose 44 percent in the first quarter of 2022, the deadliest start since Vision Zero began. The mayor’s proposed $98.5-billion budget did not allocate significant funds for the plan. Advocates say the city must act now to stem the bloodshed on its streets.

• Pols and Advocates to Mayor: Put More Money Into the Streets Master Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-22

A Cadillac struck a 70-year-old man standing off Broadway near Baxter Avenue. His head split. Blood pooled. He stayed awake. Two parked SUVs took the crash’s force. Steel crumpled. The street fell silent. The man was badly hurt. Others suffered pain.

A Cadillac sedan hit a 70-year-old man who was standing off the roadway on Broadway near Baxter Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'A Cadillac struck a 70-year-old man standing off the roadway. His head split. Blood pooled. He stayed awake. Two parked SUVs caught the crash’s force. Steel crumpled. The street fell silent.' The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations but remained conscious. Two parked SUVs were damaged in the impact. A 53-year-old male driver also reported neck pain. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. No mention of helmet use or signaling as a factor. The crash left the pedestrian and at least one driver injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4517798, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Member Krishnan slammed the city for letting cars invade park space. He called the move a broken promise. He demanded the Adams administration remove the car dealership’s access. Parks officials pledged to work with DOT. The fight for safe, car-free streets continues.

On March 29, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on the pedestrianization of 78th Street in Jackson Heights. The matter, described as a 'broken promise and failure of the prior administration,' centers on the city’s failure to ban cars from the full length of 78th Street between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard. Council Member Shekar Krishnan led the charge, criticizing the city for allowing Koeppel Mazda to use park space as a service entrance. Krishnan called this 'offensive to the notion of parks equity' and demanded urgent action to remove car access. Parks Commissioner Susan Donoghue acknowledged the issue and committed to working with DOT and City Hall to resolve it. The push aims to reclaim public space for pedestrians and children, not cars.

• Jackson Heights Pol to Mayor Adams: Fix de Blasio’s Travers Park Failure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-29

Parks Commissioner Donoghue praised the 34th Avenue open street but refused to commit. She deferred to DOT. Council Member Krishnan pushed for a linear park and more parks funding. The city’s most vulnerable wait as agencies talk.

On March 23, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on open streets and parks funding. Parks Commissioner Susan Donoghue called the 34th Avenue open street 'absolutely amazing,' but said she cannot unilaterally convert it into a linear park. She stressed the need for interagency cooperation, especially with the Department of Transportation. Council Member Shekar Krishnan, a supporter of the park conversion, said, 'We are so excited to work on transforming it into a linear park for a community that needs it so badly.' Krishnan also called for the Parks budget to be raised to 1 percent of the city budget. Donoghue made no firm commitment, repeating the administration’s focus on collaboration. Budget talks with the mayor continue. No direct safety assessment was provided.

• Parks Commish Was ‘Impressed’ By 34th Avenue Open Street, But Will Defer to DOT, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-23

Mayor Adams toured 34th Avenue’s open street. He played with kids. He listened to locals. He made no promises. Council Member Krishnan pushed for a car-free park. The mayor stayed silent on funding. The street’s future remains in limbo.

On February 20, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams visited the 34th Avenue open street in Queens, a 1.5-mile stretch hailed as the 'gold standard' of open space. The visit drew Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who lobbied Adams to convert the street into a permanent, car-free linear park. Krishnan said, 'I advocated for a linear park and how transformative it would be for our city.' Despite Adams’ past support—he once signed a petition for the park—he made no commitments during the visit. Funding for the conversion and for Citi Bike expansion was left out of the Department of Transportation budget. DOT and City Hall offered no clear answers on future plans or funding. The future of 34th Avenue’s open street remains uncertain, leaving vulnerable road users waiting.

• SEE IT! Mayor Adams Visits 34th Avenue — But His Plans for ‘Gold Standard’ Open Street Remain Unclear, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-20

A 17-year-old boy crossed 37th Avenue in Queens. An SUV struck him head-on. His leg split open. Blood marked the street. The driver was distracted. The boy stayed conscious. The car showed no damage.

A 17-year-old pedestrian was struck by a westbound Toyota SUV while crossing 37th Avenue near 71st Street in Queens. According to the police report, the boy was in a marked crosswalk when the SUV hit him head-on, causing severe lacerations to his leg. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' The crash left blood on the pavement, but the vehicle showed no damage. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The boy remained conscious after the impact. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The data does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4500733, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15