Queens Streets Bleed While City Stalls

Adams administration opens a pedestrian path on Queensboro Bridge. Federal Secretary Duffy objects. Critics say his stance ignores history and safety. The bridge once belonged to walkers. Now, the city returns space to people, not cars. Tensions flare. Vulnerable users watch.

On May 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the Adams administration's move to open a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. The event, not a council bill but a city action, drew sharp criticism from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who opposed removing a vehicle lane for pedestrians and cyclists. The article states: 'forcing pedestrians and cyclists in both directions to share a single lane on a bridge with nine lanes for car drivers was unsafe.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Julie Won attended the opening. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety to assess.' Still, the move restores space to those on foot and bike, challenging car dominance and federal resistance.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

Lawmakers stripped Hochul’s safety plans from the state budget. No daylighting near schools. No lower bike lane speed limits. No new e-bike rules. City and state leaders bickered. Streets stay dangerous. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. The system failed them again.

On May 9, 2025, during New York State’s $254-million budget negotiations, lawmakers rejected Governor Hochul’s proposed street safety measures. The legislature dropped a mandate for daylighting—banning parking at corners near elementary schools—deferring instead to New York City, where Council Member Julie Won’s universal daylighting bill faces opposition from the Department of Transportation. Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, herself a crash survivor, vowed to keep fighting for daylighting, saying, 'I think daylighting would have helped me.' Hochul’s proposals to let the city set lower bike lane speed limits and to reclassify heavy e-bikes as mopeds were also cut. Critics argued these would not address core safety issues. The Adams administration opposes a City Council bill for e-bike registration and plates, while State Sen. Jenifer Rajkumar’s state version would shift licensing to the DMV. As Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives put it, 'A daylighting requirement would have made intersections safer around elementary schools, and it’s disappointing that this provision was cut from the New York State budget.'

• Live from Albany: Hochul’s ‘Safety’ Measures Stripped from Budget, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-09

A judge tossed a lawsuit blocking the DOT’s Review Avenue bike lane. The court backed DOT’s right to act. The lane will run through Blissville, where cyclists have died. Council Member Julie Won and locals support it. Cyclists and pedestrians may soon breathe easier.

On May 7, 2025, a judge dismissed a lawsuit from industrial businesses that tried to halt the NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) plan for a bike lane on Review Avenue in Blissville, Queens. The court ruled DOT can build the lane without an environmental review. The project, part of the 'Blissville Greenway,' targets one of Queens’ most dangerous corridors. The matter summary states the lane will 'protect not only the bicyclists but also the greenery... and the sidewalk.' Council Member Julie Won, Community Board 2, and the Blissville Civic Association all back the project. DOT spokesperson Vin Barone thanked the court, while DOT lawyer Kevin Rizzo noted strong community demand. The area has seen multiple injuries and two cyclist deaths in 2019. The lane aims to shield cyclists, pedestrians, and local green space, connecting Queens and Brooklyn’s bike networks.

• Case Closed: Judge Allows DOT to Build a Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-07

A Queens judge tossed a business-backed lawsuit, unblocking a protected bike lane on Review Avenue. The ruling ends months of delay. Councilmember Julie Won called the area deadly. The city says the lane will close a dangerous gap and save lives.

On May 5, 2025, a Queens judge ruled in favor of the city’s Department of Transportation, allowing a long-delayed protected bike lane on Review Avenue in Long Island City to proceed. The case, brought by local businesses, claimed the project would harm truck access and parking. Justice Kevin Kerrigan dismissed these arguments, writing that DOT had shown the lane’s purpose and careful planning. Councilmember Julie Won, representing District 26, had urged DOT to act, citing over 400 injuries and four deaths in Blissville in five years. Won wrote, 'It is DOT’s responsibility to ensure zero New Yorkers are killed or seriously injured from traffic violence.' DOT described the corridor as one of the most dangerous in Queens, with 15 killed or seriously hurt in five years. The agency says the new lane will protect all street users and close a critical gap in the bike network.

• Queens judge clears way for long-delayed Long Island City bike lane, gothamist.com, Published 2025-05-05

Council passed a bill forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post warnings on rear doors. The decals tell riders to watch for cyclists before swinging open. The law aims to cut dooring. Signs come free from the city. Cyclists face less risk.

Int 0193-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed the Council on May 1, 2025. The bill reads: 'requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door.' Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Jennifer Gutiérrez and a long list of co-sponsors. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law orders all taxis and for-hire vehicles to post warning decals on rear passenger doors, alerting riders to check for cyclists before opening. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure targets dooring, a common threat to cyclists. The bill takes effect 120 days after becoming law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

A woman in an SUV swung a U-turn on Skillman Avenue, her bumper smashing into a man riding straight. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. He stayed hurt. The street swallowed another cyclist in daylight.

According to the police report, a woman driving an SUV on Skillman Avenue near 43rd Street made a U-turn and struck a 45-year-old man riding a bike. The report states, 'The front bumper struck a man on a bike. He was crushed in the leg.' The cyclist, who was traveling straight ahead, suffered crush injuries to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting dangerous driver actions that led to the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is noted only after the primary driver errors. The collision underscores the risks faced by cyclists when drivers disregard traffic controls and execute improper turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809294, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young rider merges west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal meets Ford’s rear bumper. The Kawasaki skids. The rider’s leg splits, blood pooling. No helmet. The Ford rolls on, untouched. The city’s highway claims another body.

A 22-year-old man riding a Kawasaki motorcycle was injured while merging westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, according to the police report. The report states, 'A Kawasaki motorcycle merges. Metal strikes left rear bumper. The rider, twenty-two, crumples to the pavement. Blood pools near his leg, torn and raw. No helmet. He is awake. The Ford shows no wounds.' The collision left the motorcyclist with severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot. Police data lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The Ford car involved sustained no damage and its driver is not reported as injured. The report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but does not identify this as a contributing factor. No driver errors are cited in the official record. The narrative centers on the violence of impact and the vulnerability of the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808178, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

DOT stands firm against a citywide ban on corner parking. Council members press for daylighting to save lives. DOT claims high costs and flawed data. Advocates cite proven safety gains. The battle pits parking against pedestrian survival.

On April 22, 2025, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of intersections—known as daylighting. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won and backed by 25 sponsors, aims to improve visibility and protect pedestrians. DOT officials opposed the measure, citing a study that warns of increased injuries without costly infrastructure, estimating a $3 billion price tag. Won called the study 'deeply flawed.' Council Member Lincoln Restler blasted DOT for ignoring dangerous corners in his district. Chris Banks opposed the bill over parking concerns. Advocates and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla countered, pointing to cheap, effective daylighting elsewhere. The debate exposes a stark choice: keep parking or save lives at the curb.

• DOT Still Opposes Push to Ban Corner Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-22

Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Council grilled DOT on parking rules. Three bills on the table: daylighting, truck parking, fine relief. Lawmakers pressed for safer intersections and less chaos. Advocates rallied for clear corners. Truckers and drivers want relief. Streets remain dangerous. Action still pending.

On April 21, 2025, the City Council’s transportation committee held a hearing on parking policy. Three bills were considered: a daylighting bill by Councilmember Julie Won to ban parking near crosswalks and require 1,000 daylighting barriers per year; a bill by Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse to waive extra fees for late parking ticket responses; and a bill by Councilmember Natasha Williams to create overnight truck parking in industrial zones. The matter summary reads: 'NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes.' Narcisse’s bill targets fee relief for drivers who respond to violations between 45 and 90 days. Won’s daylighting bill drew support from 120 organizations. DOT faced questions on loading zones, permit abuse, and intersection safety. The hearing spotlighted the city’s struggle to balance safety for pedestrians and cyclists with business and driver concerns. No final votes yet.

• NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes, gothamist.com, Published 2025-04-21

Activists marched the Queensboro Bridge, demanding space for people on foot. The city ignored them. Nine lanes for cars, one cramped path for everyone else. The mayor delayed the fix. The danger remains. The lane went back to cars.

On April 12, 2025, activists and elected officials gathered on the Queensboro Bridge to protest the city’s failure to restore the South Outer Roadway for pedestrians. The Department of Transportation had planned a ribbon-cutting for March 16, but Mayor Adams canceled it. Council Member Julie Won and State Senator Michael Gianaris attended, both supporting the reconfiguration. Won said, 'I have received no new information since Mayor Adams canceled the March 16 ribbon-cutting.' The protest highlighted the ongoing crisis: nine lanes for cars, one narrow, shared lane for cyclists and pedestrians. Crashes and near-misses are common. City Hall claims the project will impact several communities, but offers no timeline. The lane reverted to car use after the protest, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• Activists Walk the Queensboro Bridge to Demand More Space for Pedestrians, But Lane Reverts to Cars Anyway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-12

Council passed two bills forcing DOT to show its work. Lawmakers demand public trackers for street safety projects. DOT resists, citing complexity. Advocates want more than data—they want action. Transparency is a start, but not the finish.

On April 11, 2025, the City Council passed Intro 1105 and Intro 1114. Both bills require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create public trackers for capital projects tied to the Streets Master Plan. Intro 1105, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, mandates a tracker for projects that count toward safety benchmarks. Intro 1114, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, calls for a broader capital projects tracker. The bills respond to the Adams administration's failure to meet legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, 'Today’s legislation will advance greater transparency.' DOT officials pushed back, arguing project work is not linear and trackers have limited use. Won countered, 'It is [the DOT's] responsibility to take their capital plan and implement it.' Advocates and council members agree: tracking is only a first step. Without real follow-through, data alone will not save lives.

• Council To DOT: Do Better At Tracking Projects (So We Can See When You Fail), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-11

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post updates on every street safety project. Each month, the public will see which projects are planned, which are stalled, and which are done. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. Sunlight on every mile.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now on the Mayor's desk, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced November 13, 2024, and passed committee and full Council votes on April 10, 2025. The law, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan,' demands the Department of Transportation post annual and monthly updates on all benchmark projects—protected bike lanes, bus lanes, signals, and upgrades. Council Member Julie Won led as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law requires public reporting on project status, funding, delays, and overruns. This measure brings hard oversight and transparency to the city’s street safety promises.

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

Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Federal attack on congestion pricing draws fire in Queens. Rep. Velázquez vows court fight. Council Member Julie Won joins call for activism. Panel slams rollback of protections. The crowd demands action to defend New Yorkers from federal threats.

On February 20, 2025, Rep. Nydia Velázquez led a Queens town hall to rally opposition against Trump Administration policies, including the federal move to block New York City's congestion pricing plan. The event, held at Sunnyside Community Services, featured Council Member Julie Won (District 26) and other local officials. The panel condemned the rollback of protections for immigrants and the firing of NLRB board member Gwynne A. Wilcox. Velázquez declared, 'We’ll see him in court,' after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoked federal approval for congestion pricing. She pledged to fight budget cuts targeting vulnerable communities and criticized tax breaks for the wealthy. Julie Won joined the call for grassroots activism. The town hall spotlighted the threat to New York’s sovereignty and the urgent need to defend city streets and programs from federal interference.

• Velázquez leads Queens town hall against Trump policies, calls for activism, amny.com, Published 2025-02-20

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to repaint pavement markings within five days after resurfacing. Streets stripped bare by fresh asphalt must get lines back fast. Delays require public notice. The law aims to keep crosswalks and lanes visible, protecting walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced January 8, 2025, passed March 15, and became Local Law 28 of 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law orders DOT to install pavement or temporary markings within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must post notices explaining the delay and set a new timeline. DOT must also report yearly on compliance. The law responds to a simple fact: missing markings mean danger for people on foot and bike. With this law, the city moves to close that deadly gap.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Council leadership handed street policy to car-first politicians. Safety bills stalled. Parking won. Cyclists and pedestrians lost. Deaths stayed high. Advocates condemned the shift. The Speaker and committee heads blocked reforms. Vulnerable New Yorkers paid the price.

On January 21, 2025, the City Council, under Speaker Adrienne Adams, set its transportation agenda. The session saw progressives sidelined as the Council prioritized car-centric bills, including Intros 103 and 104 (parking protection) and hearings on Intro 606 (e-bike registration). The Common Sense Caucus, known for opposing bike lanes and congestion pricing, led the charge. Progressive members lost key committee seats. Universal daylighting (Intro 1138) and other safety reforms stalled. Council Member Julie Won continued to push for daylighting but faced resistance. As Streetsblog reported, 'roadway safety is simply not a priority.' Advocates and former members criticized the Council for failing to hold the mayor accountable on the Streets Master Plan and for focusing on parking over safety. The Council's actions marked a retreat from previous street safety gains, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• ‘Progressives’ Turn Council’s Transportation Policy Over to Republicans, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-21

DOT’s new report questions daylighting. It claims intersections with banned parking see more injuries. Critics slam the data. Councilmember Julie Won pushes a bill for universal daylighting, citing lives lost. Advocates say the report ignores proven safety gains in other cities.

On January 18, 2025, the Department of Transportation released a report challenging the safety benefits of universal daylighting, as a City Council bill requiring it gained momentum. The report, discussed in the Transportation Committee, found higher injury rates at intersections where parking is banned, but DOT officials, including Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton, admitted they could not prove daylighting causes more injuries. The matter summary states: 'Universal daylighting, as evidenced in DOT’s hydrant zone analysis, does not have the widespread safety benefits anticipated and may have negative effects on safety.' Councilmember Julie Won, the bill’s sponsor, argued, 'That could've been prevented with universal daylighting,' referencing children killed by traffic violence. The bill has 20 co-sponsors. Advocates and researchers, including Marcel Moran and Alex Morano, criticized the report’s lack of data and focus on negatives, noting no city has improved safety by blocking visibility. The report’s timing drew skepticism as cities like San Francisco and Hoboken have seen safety gains from daylighting.

• New DOT Report Questions Daylighting As Council Bill Gains Steam, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-18

Julie Won introduced a bill to daylight every intersection. DOT’s new study shows removing parking alone can backfire. Injury rates rose where only hydrant zones cleared sightlines. Hardened barriers—bollards, planters—work. Advocates demand real protection, not empty space.

On January 17, 2025, Councilmember Julie Won (District 26) introduced a bill mandating universal daylighting at all New York City intersections. The bill, now under council debate, follows a DOT study required by earlier council legislation. The study’s summary: 'simply removing parking or adding signage had little or even negative impact on safety, with injury rates 30% higher at intersections with only hydrant zones.' Won said, 'Daylighting must be supplemented with hardened barriers like planters and boulders.' DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton warned that sign-only daylighting can actually increase danger by letting drivers speed through wider turns. Advocates and DOT officials agree: daylighting without physical barriers fails to protect. The bill’s fate now rests with the council and the mayor’s pledge to daylight 1,000 intersections.

• Should parking next to NYC intersections be banned? New analysis finds mixed results., gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-17

Council wants autism warning plaques on city streets. Parents could request signs. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors say it alerts drivers. No proven safety gain for children. The city keeps counting on signs. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 1142-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 19, 2024. The bill is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing child with autism warning plaques on streets." Council Member Kevin C. Riley is the primary sponsor, joined by Ariola, Joseph, Moya, Won, Banks, Narcisse, Paladino, and Marmorato. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install warning plaques at the request of a parent or guardian. It details the process for requesting, installing, and removing these signs. The stated aim is to alert motorists to the presence of a child with autism. There is no evidence these plaques reduce crashes or protect children. The city continues to rely on signage, not street redesign, to address systemic danger.

• File Int 1142-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19