Linden Boulevard Bleeds—How Many Dead Before Council Acts?

Councilman Lincoln Restler, a fierce street safety advocate, was ousted from the Transportation Committee. Speaker Adrienne Adams led the reshuffle. Restler vows to keep fighting for safer streets. Advocates expect him to push hard for vulnerable road users despite the setback.

On January 18, 2024, Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler was removed from the New York City Council's Transportation Committee during a committee reshuffle by Speaker Adrienne Adams. The move shifted Restler, known for championing safe streets, to chair the Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation Committee. The matter summary notes Restler's intent to remain active: 'I am reintroducing 501, the citizen reporting bill, and will push as hard as I can to get it over the finish line.' Restler has sponsored bills to curb illegal parking, speed up bike lane installations, and fight placard abuse. Despite his removal, advocates and colleagues, including Jon Orcutt, voiced confidence that Restler will continue to fight for pedestrian and cyclist safety. The committee change may slow progress on key safety bills, but Restler's record and resolve remain strong.

• Pro-Safety Council Member Lincoln Restler Booted from Transportation Committee, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-18

Mayor Adams missed the law’s targets for protected bike and bus lanes in 2023. Projects stalled. Promises broken. Streets stayed dangerous. City Council called out the failure. Vulnerable road users paid the price. The plan sits ignored. Lives remain at risk.

In 2023, under Mayor Adams, New York City failed to meet the Streets Master Plan’s legal mandate: 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected or enhanced bus lanes. This was the second year of missed targets since the law’s 2019 passage. The plan, created by then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson, aimed to make streets safer and more equitable. Key projects—like McGuinness Boulevard bike lanes and Fordham Road bus lanes—were delayed or canceled. The Department of Transportation blamed staff shortages and budget cuts. Transportation Committee Chairwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' She also criticized the DOT’s lack of transparency. Speaker Adrienne Adams joined calls for compliance but admitted the Council’s enforcement tools are limited. Without mayoral commitment, the plan’s promise for safer streets remains unfulfilled.

• In 2023, Mayor Adams Basically Erased the ‘Streets Master Plan’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-02

Mayor Adams missed legal targets for protected bike and bus lanes in 2023. Projects were delayed or canceled. The city cited staff shortages and budget cuts. Council members condemned the failures. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. Promises faded. Danger persists.

In 2023, Mayor Adams failed to meet the mandates of the 2019 Streets Master Plan, which required 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected or enhanced bus lanes. The law, championed by then-Speaker Corey Johnson, aimed for safer, more equitable streets. Key projects, including bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard and Ashland Place, and bus lanes on Fordham Road, were stalled or abandoned. The Department of Transportation blamed staff shortages and budget cuts. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and other members voiced frustration but admitted limited power to enforce compliance. Council Member Chi Ossé was mentioned in coverage. Without mayoral commitment, the plan’s promise to protect vulnerable road users remains unfulfilled. The city’s vision for safer streets is at risk.

• In 2023, Mayor Adams Basically Erased the 'Streets Master Plan', streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-02

A man on an e-scooter smashed into a parked delivery truck on Baisley Boulevard. His face split open. Blood ran. He stayed conscious. The truck did not move. The street was quiet. Dawn broke over Queens.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old man riding an e-scooter struck a parked 2003 Freightliner delivery truck on Baisley Boulevard near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens at 5:57 a.m. The report states the e-scooter operator hit the truck face-first, causing severe facial bleeding. The delivery truck was stationary and unoccupied. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the narrative, but this detail appears only after the primary factor of unsafe speed. The truck sustained no damage. The rider remained conscious despite his injuries. No other contributing factors or actions by the truck or its operator are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691606, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan took a hit from behind on Brewer Boulevard. Metal folded. The driver, a 52-year-old man, stayed conscious. His back bore the force. The car’s rear crumpled. Flesh and bone held. The street stayed silent.

A sedan was rear-ended near Sayres Avenue on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The impact crushed the back of the car. According to the police report, a 52-year-old man sat belted in the driver’s seat. He suffered back injuries but remained conscious. The report states, 'A sedan struck from behind. The rear crumpled like foil.' The data lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The injured man wore a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the driver with crush injuries and a broken car, but the cause remains unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676985, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A red moped hit a 56-year-old woman near 107th Avenue in Queens. She stepped from behind a parked car. Metal met flesh. Her hip broke. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious. The pain was sharp and deep.

A crash occurred near 119-12 107th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a red moped traveling east struck a 56-year-old woman as she emerged from behind a parked car. The impact broke her hip and caused severe lacerations. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. The woman was not at an intersection when struck. No helmet or signal use is mentioned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676491, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Member Crystal Hudson demands urgent street fixes after a tow-truck driver killed Kamari Hughes, age 7. She pushes for bike lanes, crossing guards, and tougher rules. Hudson vows to fight for safer streets in District 35. Advocates watch closely.

On October 30, 2023, Council Member Crystal Hudson issued a forceful call for street safety reforms following the death of Kamari Hughes, a 7-year-old struck by a tow-truck driver. In her statement, Hudson said the tragedy 'underscores the dire need to continue our fight for safer streets in District 35 and across the city.' She outlined demands: finish the Ashland Place bike lane, reauthorize and strengthen the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, add crossing guards and shift oversight from NYPD to DOT, install bulb-outs and daylighting near schools, speed up DOT review for speed humps, and build more protected bike lanes. Hudson also announced a District 35 Street Infrastructure Advisory Board. She acknowledged past hesitancy but now commits to stronger advocacy. Advocates welcomed her renewed push but remain wary of delays. No formal bill number or committee action yet.

• Council Member Crystal Hudson Demands More Street Safety Projects, Including Ashland Pl., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-30

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died on October 26, 2023. No new law replaced it. Repeat speeders now face only $50 fines. City leaders showed no urgency. State bills to curb reckless driving have stalled. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 26, 2023. No replacement policy was enacted. The program, which targeted drivers with 15 or more speed camera violations in a year, was criticized for weak enforcement: only 885 took the mandated safety course, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, District 31, was mentioned in coverage, but city officials, including Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, "We need sharper tools." State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed new bills, including mandatory speed governors for repeat offenders. With DVAP gone, repeat speeders face only minor fines, leaving dangerous drivers unchecked. The city and state have failed to act, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• A 'Dangerous' Sunset: What's Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-25

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died. No new law stands in its place. City Hall drags its feet. Reckless drivers keep rolling. State efforts stall. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed. The streets stay dangerous. The clock runs out. Nothing changes.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 25, 2023, with no replacement from the City Council or Mayor Adams. The bill targeted drivers with 15 camera-issued speeding tickets in a year, but few took the mandated safety course and almost no vehicles were seized. The matter summary: 'The program launched with a simple idea of getting reckless drivers' vehicles off our streets, so it's incredibly frustrating and disappointing that we're in this situation,' said Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, 'We will look to the advocacy world for support to go to the state and get better restrictions and better enforcement tools.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is pushing for speed governors and tougher laws, but state efforts have failed. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No effective tools remain.

• A ‘Dangerous’ Sunset: What’s Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-25

DOT will let the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program die. The program failed to curb reckless driving. Few drivers faced consequences. Most kept breaking the law. City leaders blame weak enforcement and legal hurdles. Streets remain unsafe for those on foot and bike.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), introduced in 2018 and passed in 2020, will expire after its pilot ends on October 26, 2023. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends ending DVAP, citing 'uncertain effects, high cost per participant, and the complexity of its implementation.' City Comptroller Brad Lander, who drafted the bill, criticized DOT for 'slow and limited implementation,' calling the program a failure. Only 885 drivers took the mandated safety course, with little impact on violations. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Holding reckless drivers accountable and keeping our streets safe for all New Yorkers remains a priority.' DOT now supports state-level bills to suspend registrations for repeat red-light violators. No Council legislation will reauthorize or expand DVAP.

• Analysis: ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’ is a Failure By All Measures, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-22

A bike slammed into a sedan’s bumper on 109th Avenue. The rider, 26, flew headfirst to the pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious, scalp torn, deep cuts marking his head. Steel and flesh collided. One man left broken on the street.

A 26-year-old cyclist was injured on 109th Avenue when his bike struck the left front bumper of a northbound sedan. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected and landed headfirst, suffering severe lacerations and a torn scalp. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors were cited in the data. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted after the contributing factors. The impact left the cyclist conscious but badly hurt, with blood pooling on the pavement. The crash underscores the brutal consequences when bike and car paths cross on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663669, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Mercedes slammed into a turning sedan on North Conduit Avenue. Metal twisted. A 29-year-old man in the back seat screamed. His spine broke. He stayed awake. He felt every second. The crash left him crushed and conscious.

A violent collision unfolded on North Conduit Avenue near 122nd Place in Queens. According to the police report, a 2005 Mercedes struck the rear of a turning sedan. The impact crumpled metal and left a 29-year-old rear passenger with severe crush injuries to his back. He remained conscious throughout. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The Mercedes hit the sedan’s left rear bumper, crushing the back end. The injured man wore a lap belt and harness. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to keep safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661232, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on an e-bike slammed into the left side at speed. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. No other driver stopped. The highway rolled on. Metal and flesh met. The city kept moving.

A 35-year-old man riding an e-bike northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway suffered severe crush injuries to his leg after a high-speed collision. According to the police report, 'He hit at speed. The left side tore open. His leg was crushed. He stayed awake. No other driver stopped.' The crash data lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The injured rider was the only person reported hurt. No other vehicles or drivers were identified as stopping or involved. The report notes the use of a lap belt and harness, but no other safety equipment or helmet is mentioned as a factor. The expressway traffic continued as the injured man remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665054, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council locks in outdoor dining, but cars reclaim curb space each winter. Sidewalk tables stay year-round. Curbside setups vanish from November to April. Lawmakers call it balance. Advocates see lost ground. Streets shift, but cars still win cold months.

On August 3, 2023, the New York City Council passed a bill to make outdoor dining permanent, but with limits. The measure, approved 34-11, moves through the Council and awaits Mayor Adams’s signature. The bill states: 'curbside set-ups were designed to be temporary and should not be in the permanent program.' Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, the bill’s sponsor, said, 'We want to strike a chord and a balance and this is it.' Speaker Adrienne Adams backed the winter pause. Council Member Chi Ossé voted yes, but noted hardship for small businesses. The law allows sidewalk seating all year, but curbside dining only from April to November. Fees apply, and old sheds must go by November 2024. The Department of Transportation will set design rules. Advocates call the bill historic but incomplete, as curb space returns to cars in winter, limiting gains for people on foot and bike.

• Council Approves Diminished Permanent Outdoor Dining Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Council members push to end jaywalking penalties. Supporters cite biased enforcement. Critics warn of danger for pedestrians. The bill faces debate as traffic deaths fall but injuries persist. The city weighs safety against fairness in street crossings.

On July 22, 2023, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to legalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure, supported by Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, aims to 'greenlight pedestrians to freely cross streets outside the crosswalk or without obeying traffic signals.' The bill responds to claims of biased enforcement against Black and Latino New Yorkers. Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli and Councilwoman Joann Ariola oppose the bill, warning it could endanger pedestrians. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or received a hearing. The NYPD and Mayor's office are reviewing the legislation. The debate highlights the tension between enforcement fairness and the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users. No formal safety analysis has been provided.

• Far-left NYC Council Dems push to legalize jaywalking, nypost.com, Published 2023-07-22

Council backs home rule for Sammy’s Law. The move lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Lawmakers and advocates say lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. The vote puts safety first.

Bill: Home rule message for Sammy’s Law. Status: Poised for passage by the City Council on May 24, 2023. Committee: State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu. The measure, titled 'City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday,' lets New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council Member Jen Gutierrez announced the Council’s intent to pass it, calling it crucial for safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'The city's ability to control the speed limits on its streets plays a crucial role in delivering traffic safety.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes all support the move. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. Data cited shows lower speed limits increase pedestrian survival. Advocates stress urgency to protect New Yorkers.

• City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

A BMW hit a parked UPS truck on North Conduit Avenue. A 14-year-old girl in the front seat was thrown out and killed. The driver, just 16, was hurt. The crash left blood and silence on the Queens street.

A BMW sedan crashed into a parked UPS truck on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'A BMW slammed into a parked UPS truck. A 14-year-old girl, unbelted in the front seat, was thrown from the car. Her head struck pavement. She died there, crushed and still.' The 16-year-old driver was injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No errors are attributed to the UPS truck. The young passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, but this is noted only after the driver error. The crash ended a young life and left pain behind, the result of a single violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629782, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers signed onto the Sammy’s Law resolution. The bill would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Brooks-Powers stressed pairing lower speeds with street redesigns. The resolution now has 23 co-sponsors, still short of a majority.

On May 17, 2023, Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers joined the resolution for Sammy’s Law, a measure urging Albany to let New York City set speed limits under 25 mph. The resolution, led by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, is a required step before state passage. Brooks-Powers had withheld support until the bill included street redesigns for safety, especially in low-income communities of color. She said, 'Lowering speed limits works best when paired with traffic calming and street safety infrastructure.' The resolution now has 23 co-sponsors, three short of a majority. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has not signed on. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal sponsors the bill in Albany. Sammy’s Law is named for a child killed by a reckless driver. Last year, the Council failed to pass a home rule message under Speaker Adams.

• Council Transportation Chair Signs Onto ‘Sammy’s Law’ Resolution, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-17

Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph, failed to make the state budget. The Council now holds the power. Lawmakers stall. Streets stay deadly. Victims’ families and advocates demand action. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, would let New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. The bill failed to enter the 2023 state budget, shifting responsibility to the City Council. In 2021, the Council backed a home rule message 42-6, but the Assembly blocked it. Last year, the Council reversed course and failed to pass the message. This session, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez introduced a resolution urging passage, with 10 sponsors. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers must hold a hearing before a vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Brooks-Powers have not signed on, citing negotiations. The bill’s summary states: 'Life-saving legislation that would allow New York City to set speed limits below 25 miles per hour failed to make it into this year's state budget.' Data show slower speeds save lives. Advocates and victims’ families keep pushing. The Council’s inaction keeps streets dangerous.

• With ‘Sammy’s Law’ Not in the State Budget, It’s Up to the City Council to Push It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

City Council passed two bills. One speeds up crash reporting. The other mandates traffic calming in senior zones. Both aim to slow cars and force transparency. Unanimous vote. Speaker Adams called it a step for safer streets. The mayor must now sign.

On April 27, 2023, the New York City Council passed a slate of transportation safety bills. The measures, now headed to Mayor Eric Adams, require the Department of Transportation to report on traffic violence more often and to install traffic calming devices in areas with many senior pedestrians. The matter summary reads: 'Traffic calming devices that are designed to slow down traffic will now be mandated in parts of the five boroughs where a large number of senior citizens reside as the city plans to speed up part of its response to serious and fatal car crashes.' Speaker Adrienne Adams voted for the bills, stating, 'It's important that the Council advance equitable policies like the legislation we're voting on today to ensure that all New Yorkers can live, work and commute on safer streets.' Councilmember Rita C. Joseph, sponsor of the senior zones bill, said, 'It is our duty as this Council to take action to protect our most vulnerable residents.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, sponsor of the crash data bill, said the legislation 'would increase transparency, aid collaboration and help prevent traffic violence.' Both bills passed unanimously.

• NYC Council passes bills on traffic crashes, senior pedestrian zones, gothamist.com, Published 2023-04-27