Holden’s Streets, Holden’s Blood: The Toll Grows in District 30

Seventeen council members back Ryder’s Law to ban horse-drawn carriages. The bill stalls. Horses bolt, people get hurt. Speaker Adrienne Adams blocks a hearing. The city’s inaction leaves pedestrians, cyclists, and horses at risk. No change for street safety.

On June 2, 2025, City & State NY published an opinion urging action on Ryder’s Law, the stalled NYC Council bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. The article states, "Forcing horses to pound the pavement with heavy carriages in Midtown, where they compete with motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, is inhumane." Seventeen council members, led by Robert Holden (bill sponsor) and Erik Bottcher (district includes stables), support the ban. Speaker Adrienne Adams has blocked a hearing and vote. The piece highlights recent incidents where bolting horses injured at least four people, including a pedicab driver. Despite the vivid danger, the safety analyst notes: "The event text does not describe any policy or legislative change affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so there is no direct impact on their safety." The bill remains stalled in committee, with no relief for vulnerable road users.

• Opinion: Stop our political blindness on inhumane horse-drawn carriages, City & State NY, Published 2025-06-02

An SUV hit a 61-year-old man in Queens. He crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe lacerations. The street ran red with danger. The system failed him.

A 61-year-old pedestrian was struck by a station wagon/SUV while crossing Maspeth Ave at 59th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the SUV, making a left turn, hit him. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe lacerations and was described as semiconscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2010 Nissan SUV. No injuries were reported for the driver or passenger. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers fail to yield and pay attention, even when pedestrians follow the law.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812649, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A BMW SUV turned left on Woodhaven. It cut across a Honda’s path. Metal shrieked. A 76-year-old man was crushed behind the wheel. Another man, same age, hurt. An infant survived the chaos. All lived. This time.

Two cars collided at Woodhaven Blvd near Eliot Ave. According to the police report, a BMW SUV turned left into the path of a northbound Honda. The crash left a 76-year-old man with crush injuries and another man, also 76, injured. An infant was among the shaken but survived. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The BMW SUV was making a left turn when it struck the Honda, which was going straight. Both drivers were licensed. The data does not list any helmet or signal issues. The impact was severe, but all occupants survived.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809181, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill orders NYPD to verify temporary plates and VINs on ticketed cars. Cops must publish quarterly parking enforcement reports. Sponsors push for sunlight on enforcement. Committee shelves the bill for now. Streets wait. Danger lingers.

Int 1252-2025, introduced April 24, 2025, sits with the Committee on Public Safety. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department parking enforcement," demands the NYPD confirm license plates and VINs on vehicles with temporary tags or those ticketed for violations. The NYPD must also release quarterly reports on parking enforcement. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary), Oswald Feliz, Lincoln Restler, Robert F. Holden, and Chris Banks sponsor the measure. On April 28, 2025, the committee laid the bill over. The bill aims to expose enforcement gaps and bring accountability, but for now, the city’s most vulnerable—pedestrians and cyclists—see no immediate relief. The system stalls. The risk remains.

• File Int 1252-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

A box truck turned right at Juniper Boulevard North and 80th Street, crushing a helmeted cyclist. The bike was demolished. The rider was ejected and killed by massive crush injuries. Six truck occupants survived. The driver was injured.

According to the police report, a box truck made a right turn at Juniper Boulevard North and 80th Street in Queens, striking a bicyclist. The report states the truck 'turned right and crushed a bicyclist.' The impact demolished the bicycle and ejected the cyclist, who died from crush injuries. Six people were inside the truck; all survived, though the driver was injured. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause cited is the truck driver's disregard for traffic control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807280, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North and struck a cyclist. The man died at the scene. No arrests. Police investigate. The street outside the park became a site of sudden, final impact.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist at 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article reports, "An FDNY fire truck was traveling north on 80th St. and was turning onto Juniper Blvd North just outside Juniper Valley Park when it collided with an unidentified man riding a bicycle." The cyclist died at the scene. Police have not made arrests. It is unclear if the truck was responding to an emergency. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The crash highlights the risk at intersections where large vehicles turn across paths used by cyclists. No information on traffic signals or right-of-way was provided.

• Cyclist Killed By FDNY Truck In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

Metal screams on Woodhaven Boulevard. A sedan, SUV, and motorcycle collide. The motorcycle is crushed, its rider ejected, lifeless on the street. Dazed survivors crawl from twisted wrecks. Failure to yield leaves silence and broken bodies behind.

A violent collision unfolded at Woodhaven Boulevard and 60th Drive in Queens, involving a sedan, motorcycle, and SUV. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:22 a.m. when all vehicles were traveling south. The report states 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The motorcycle was 'demolished,' and its 55-year-old male rider was 'ejected' and killed, suffering 'crush injuries' to his entire body. The narrative describes the scene: 'A sedan, motorcycle, and SUV collide, metal shrieks. The motorcycle is crushed. A 55-year-old man, ejected, dies on the street. Others crawl from wrecks, dazed, bodies aching.' The police report makes no mention of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the cited driver error—failure to yield—which set off a chain of destruction, ending in death and injury for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803498, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police continue to investigate. The street bore the marks of violence and loss.

According to NY Daily News (published April 5, 2025), a BMW SUV and a motorcycle collided while traveling south on 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. The article reports, 'Both vehicles caught on fire, with only the car driver surviving the collision, police said.' Emergency services pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made and police are still investigating. The crash highlights the lethal risks faced by vulnerable road users on major city corridors, underscoring ongoing dangers in street design and traffic enforcement.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Fire, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

A 58-year-old man on an e-bike slammed into a parked sedan on 80th Street. He flew from his seat, arm crushed against steel. Blood marked the door. The helmet offered no shield. The street stayed quiet, danger lingering.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old man riding an e-bike was traveling north on 80th Street near 67th Drive in Queens when he struck the left side doors of a parked sedan. The impact ejected the rider, who suffered crush injuries to his arm. The report states the contributing factor as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan was unoccupied and legally parked at the time of the crash. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but the report notes that it did not prevent injury. The sequence of events underscores the persistent danger posed by inattentive operation, even in the absence of moving vehicles. The police report makes no mention of any errors or contributing behaviors by the injured e-bike rider beyond the cited inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802165, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 23-year-old cyclist lay still on Queens Boulevard, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit hard. Two hoods crumpled. Eastbound traffic rolled on. Police cite drivers disregarding traffic control. Another life lost to steel and speed.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male cyclist was killed on Queens Boulevard near 63rd Drive after being struck by both a Ford SUV and a Mercedes sedan. The crash occurred as the cyclist traveled north and the vehicles moved eastbound. The report states, 'A 23-year-old cyclist, no helmet, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit. He died in the street. Two crumpled hoods. One still body. Eastbound traffic kept moving.' Police explicitly cite 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not list any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor; the focus remains on the actions of the drivers and the systemic dangers present on Queens Boulevard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799953, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Dozens gathered in Midtown. They demanded e-bike registration and license plates. Priscilla’s Law, named for a pedestrian killed by an e-bike, drove the call. Council Member Holden and Assembly Member Rajkumar led. Advocates want accountability. They say e-bike chaos endangers walkers and cyclists.

On March 12, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and advocates in Midtown to rally for Priscilla’s Law (A339). The bill would require all e-bikes to have license plates and be registered with the DMV or DOT. The rally, held near Governor Hochul’s office, drew support from the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. The matter title: 'New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC.' Holden supports both city and state versions, stating, 'We need the state DMV to issue license plates for e-bikes.' Rajkumar declared, 'We will usher in a new era free of e-bikes blasting through red lights.' The bill is named for Priscilla Loke, killed by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates say e-bike collisions often end in hit-and-runs. They demand rules and consequences to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

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

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

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

Federal power crushed New York’s congestion pricing. The Trump administration yanked approval, just weeks after tolls began. Council Member Holden called it a win for drivers. Transit leaders vowed to fight. Streets grow more dangerous as cars flood back.

On February 19, 2025, the Trump administration moved to end New York City’s congestion pricing program, which had launched only six weeks earlier. The U.S. Department of Transportation revoked federal approval for the Central Business District Tolling Program, which charged vehicles to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The matter summary states the program was called 'a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners.' Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) praised the federal intervention, calling congestion pricing 'unfair and burdensome for working families.' The MTA, Governor Hochul, and transit advocates condemned the move and pledged legal action. No safety analyst assessed the impact, but the rollback means more cars, more danger, and more risk for New York’s walkers and riders.

• Trump admin moves to kill NYC congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2025-02-19

Council Member Holden’s push for e-bike registration sits idle. City Hall eyes tougher rules for delivery apps. New mandates target company accountability, safer batteries, and rider IDs. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk. Lawmakers promise action but deliver delay.

Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) previously introduced a bill requiring e-bike registration, but it has not become law. On February 5, 2025, City Hall advanced a new proposal to regulate e-bikes used by food-delivery services. The plan would license delivery companies through the Department of Transportation, mandate certified batteries, assign rider ID cards, and require safety training. The mayor’s office calls this a 'new approach to regulating e-devices,' aiming to protect both pedestrians and e-bike riders. Transportation Alternatives supports the move, demanding comprehensive oversight of delivery apps. The proposal also sets fines for companies that fail safety standards. Holden’s earlier bill remains stalled, while the city promises stricter rules to curb chaos and injury on the streets.

• Bite the dust: Food-delivery services could face uphill battle if new e-bike mandates pass City Hall, amny.com, Published 2025-02-05

Council Member Holden cheered a possible federal move to kill congestion pricing. Transit leaders warned ending the toll would bring more cars, dirtier air, and slower buses. The fight over Manhattan’s $9 entry fee now pits safety against politics.

On January 30, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) welcomed reports that the Trump Administration may halt New York City’s congestion pricing plan. The policy, effective since January 5, charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The matter, titled 'New York officials, orgs denounce reports of Trump move to halt congestion pricing,' drew sharp lines. Holden called the toll a 'scam' and hoped the federal government would end it. Transit advocates and city officials, including MTA CEO Janno Lieber and Comptroller Brad Lander, warned that stopping the program would mean more traffic, dirtier air, and worse transit. Lieber said, 'Better bus service, faster drive times and safer streets are good for all New Yorkers.' The debate now centers on whether to keep or kill a measure credited with reducing cars and making streets safer for those outside vehicles.

• New York officials, orgs denounce reports of Trump move to halt congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2025-01-30

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A taxi swung right on Fresh Pond Road. A cyclist turned left. Steel struck flesh. A 23-year-old man’s leg shattered on cold pavement. No helmet, no warning, just the sharp snap of bone and the city’s indifference.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Fresh Pond Road and Gates Avenue in Queens when a taxi made a right turn and a cyclist turned left. The report states, 'A taxi turned right. A bike turned left. Steel struck bone.' The 23-year-old cyclist was thrown to the pavement, suffering crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'his leg crushed. No helmet. No horn. Just pain, shock, and cold January light.' The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but lists no driver errors or additional contributing factors. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when turning vehicles and vulnerable road users cross paths in New York City’s chaotic streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787570, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Councilman Holden calls out city leaders for dodging the congestion toll they championed. While straphangers pay, officials ride free in NYPD cars. Critics say this double standard erodes trust and leaves vulnerable road users in the lurch.

On January 12, 2025, Councilman Robert F. Holden (District 30) criticized the exemption of top city officials from New York’s $9 congestion toll. The controversy centers on the MTA’s emergency vehicle exemption, which lets law enforcement vehicles—including those chauffeuring Mayor Eric Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams—avoid the toll. The bill’s matter summary highlights the hypocrisy: 'They shouldn’t be exempt from congestion pricing. They shouldn’t have chauffeurs. It’s disgusting,' Holden said. Lander and Williams previously celebrated the toll’s benefits for transit and air quality, but now face backlash for not paying it themselves. The measure’s status is controversial, with no direct safety analyst note, but critics argue the exemption undermines public trust and leaves the city’s most vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders—bearing the burden.

• These NYC politicians, including Eric Adams, supported the congestion toll — but they don’t have to pay it: ‘How convenient’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-12