Dead in the Crosswalk, Ignored in City Hall

A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

Council members fight congestion pricing for 5,200 drivers. Most New Yorkers ride transit. Opponents claim harm to businesses and residents. Advocates say the plan funds transit, cuts traffic, and spares the vulnerable. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

The congestion pricing debate centers on a policy to toll drivers entering Manhattan’s core. The bill faces opposition from Council Members David Weprin, Joann Ariola, and Ari Kagan, who argue it will hurt small businesses and outer-borough residents. On May 22, 2023, Ari Kagan said, 'Congestion Pricing will hurt countless New Yorkers, small businesses, residents of so-called outer-boroughs & will create huge lines of parked cars right outside of Manhattan.' Yet, the MTA’s assessment shows only 5,200 city drivers commute by car from areas far from fast transit—just 1.2% of that population. Advocates like Felicia Park-Rogers counter, 'this policy has the potential to be utterly transformational for our city.' The plan includes exemptions for disabled and low-income drivers. Most New Yorkers stand to gain safer, better-funded transit and less congestion.

• Straw Men: The Fight Over Congestion Pricing Comes Down to Just 5,200 NYC Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-22

A man lost control of his Yamaha on North Conduit Avenue. The bike slammed down. He flew from the seat. His helmet stayed on. He struck the pavement and died. No other vehicles or people were involved. The street stayed silent.

A 54-year-old man riding a Yamaha motorcycle westbound on North Conduit Avenue lost control and was ejected from his bike. According to the police report, "A 54-year-old man lost control of his Yamaha. The bike struck hard. He flew. The helmet stayed on. His body hit pavement. No one else was there. He died alone, under the noon sun." The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash. The man died at the scene from injuries to his entire body.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630447, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council passed a law forcing DOT to daylight at least 100 intersections a year. No parking near corners. Physical barriers like planters or bike corrals will block cars. High-crash spots get priority. The city must report progress. Streets change. Lives depend on it.

Int 0854-2022, now enacted as Local Law 66 of 2023, passed the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law requires the Department of Transportation to 'implement daylighting at a minimum of 100 intersections a year,' meaning no parking within 15 feet of corners. High-crash intersections must be prioritized unless deemed infeasible. DOT must also install physical daylighting features, such as planters or bike corrals, where possible. Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hudson, Ossé, and others. The law took effect 90 days after enactment. DOT must report annually on locations and reasons for any exceptions. This measure targets the blind spots that kill and injure pedestrians and cyclists at intersections. The city’s streets will see more open corners and fewer hiding places for danger.

• File Int 0854-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Council passed a law forcing DOT to study deadly and serious pedestrian crashes every three years. Reports must go to community boards, the mayor, and the public. The bill aims to expose patterns, speed up fixes, and keep pressure on city agencies.

Bill Int 0805-2022, now Local Law 65 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law was introduced on October 27, 2022, passed on May 29, 2023, and returned unsigned by the mayor. The bill amends the administrative code to require the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of all pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries every three years, instead of every five. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian safety reporting.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, Lynn C. Schulman, Kalman Yeger, Farah N. Louis, Lincoln Restler, Darlene Mealy, Eric Dinowitz, Linda Lee, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Carlina Rivera, Mercedes Narcisse, and Rita C. Joseph. The law mandates that crash reports and recommendations be sent to council members, community boards, and made public. This change increases transparency and keeps the focus on the deadly toll of cars in New York City.

• File Int 0805-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The Council passed a resolution urging Albany to fully fund the MTA. Lawmakers want more frequent, reliable, and affordable transit. They warn of a looming fiscal cliff. Without action, riders face service cuts. The vote backs millions who depend on buses and trains.

Resolution 0460-2023 was adopted by the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The resolution calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor to 'fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the State’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the measure, joined by over thirty co-sponsors. The committee vote was unanimous among present members. The resolution highlights the MTA’s critical role for millions of New Yorkers and warns of a 'looming fiscal cliff' as federal aid dries up. The Council insists that full funding is needed to prevent service cuts and keep transit affordable and frequent. The measure references the 'New York City in Six' plan, pushing for buses and trains every six minutes. The Council’s action centers the needs of riders—especially those with no other way to move safely through the city.

• File Res 0460-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The council passed a law forcing DOT to install traffic calming devices near senior centers. At least fifty new devices each year. Streets where elders walk will see more barriers between them and speeding cars. The city must report every installation.

Bill Int 0679-2022, now Local Law 63 of 2023, was enacted on May 29, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of traffic calming devices in senior pedestrian zones.' Council Member Darlene Mealy sponsored the bill, joined by co-sponsors including Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, and others. The council voted overwhelmingly in favor on April 27, 2023. The law requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department for the Aging, to annually install at least one traffic calming device in each designated senior pedestrian zone, with a minimum of fifty devices citywide per year. DOT must report installation locations to the council every year. The law aims to slow traffic and protect older pedestrians where they are most at risk.

• File Int 0679-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

A sedan hit a 73-year-old man on North Conduit Avenue. The driver was distracted. The man died on the street. Metal crushed flesh. The city moved on. The car kept west. Another life lost to inattention.

A 73-year-old man was killed while crossing North Conduit Avenue near Cohancy Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'A 73-year-old man stepped into the road without a signal. A westbound Honda struck him head-on. He died on the pavement. The driver was distracted.' The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan hit the pedestrian with its center front end. No injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants. The crash shows the fatal risk that distracted driving poses to people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620609, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on an e-scooter fell hard on 101st Avenue. His head struck the street. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious as morning traffic rolled past. No car hit him. Confusion ruled the quiet road. The city kept moving.

A 45-year-old man riding an e-scooter on 101st Avenue near 93rd Street in Queens was thrown from his vehicle. According to the police report, 'A 45-year-old man thrown from his e-scooter. No helmet. Head struck pavement. Blood pooled on the asphalt. Semiconscious.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor. No other vehicles were involved. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Helmet use was noted as absent, but only after confusion was cited as the primary cause. The street stayed quiet. The man remained on the ground, injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620090, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council moved to ban driving with fake or expired plates. Civil fines would hit drivers hard. Sponsors spanned the city. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars and reckless drivers.

Int 0987-2023 was introduced in the New York City Council on April 11, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The bill aimed to prohibit operating a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates, including temporary ones. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Civil penalties ranged from $300 to $1,000, with a 10-day cure period for expired plates. The bill was sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over thirty council members, including Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Yeger, Menin, and others, as well as the Brooklyn and Bronx Borough Presidents. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0987-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

A man walked with traffic on Cross Bay Boulevard. A northbound Honda SUV struck him with its right front bumper. He died there, head shattered, alone by the water. The driver stayed. The night swallowed the sound.

A man was killed while walking along North Channel Bridge on Cross Bay Boulevard. According to the police report, 'A northbound Honda SUV struck him with its right front bumper. He died there on the road, head shattered, alone by the water, unnamed.' The pedestrian was walking with traffic when the collision happened. The driver, operating a 2018 Honda SUV, was traveling straight ahead. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report. There was no mention of helmet use or signaling. The crash left one man dead, the road unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616786, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota sedan turned right at Cross Bay Boulevard. The driver failed to yield. The car hit a 24-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Blood marked her face. She stayed conscious. The sedan showed no damage. The street bore the wound.

A 24-year-old woman was struck by a Toyota sedan while crossing with the signal at the corner of Cross Bay Boulevard and 137th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan was making a right turn when it hit the pedestrian in the face, causing severe lacerations. The woman remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan, registered in New York, showed no visible damage. The victim was lawfully crossing at the intersection. No other contributing factors were cited by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612510, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Mercedes sped west on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The road was slick. The car slammed, crumpled, and threw its driver. He died on the pavement, head crushed. Unsafe speed and slippery asphalt left no room for mercy.

A single-car crash on Jackie Robinson Parkway killed a 28-year-old man. According to the police report, a 2011 Mercedes sedan was traveling west at unsafe speed on slick pavement. The car was demolished. The driver, unbelted, was ejected and died from head injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash left the driver alone on the road, the car destroyed. The police report states: 'The car crumpled. The unbelted driver, 28, was thrown from the wreck. He died alone on the road, head shattered, speed his final word.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611913, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 0883-2023 sought to double fines for e-bike and e-scooter violations. It aimed to restore impoundment powers and repeal recent legal protections. The measure targeted riders, not drivers. The bill died at session’s end. Vulnerable users remain exposed.

Int 0883-2023 was introduced in the City Council on January 19, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill proposed to amend the administrative code by expanding the definition of 'motorized scooter' to include e-bikes and e-scooters, raising civil penalties for violations from $250 to $500, and restoring impoundment authority. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the operation of motorized scooters, and to repeal subdivision e of section 19-176.2 of such code, relating to operators of electric scooters and bicycles with electric assist.' Council Members Althea V. Stevens (primary sponsor), Robert F. Holden, Inna Vernikov, Joann Ariola, Vickie Paladino, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Kalman Yeger, and James F. Gennaro sponsored the bill. The bill was filed at the end of the session on December 31, 2023, and did not advance. No safety analyst assessment was provided. The bill’s focus was on enforcement and penalties, not on systemic danger from cars.

• File Int 0883-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-01-19

Council members want voters to decide on the MTA’s congestion pricing plan. The resolution calls for a statewide ballot. Sponsors cite risks to outer-borough communities and doubt traffic will drop. The measure is filed, not enacted. Streets stay dangerous.

Resolution 0419-2022, filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges the New York State Legislature to require a statewide ballot proposal before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan—known as the Central Business District Tolling Program—can proceed. Introduced December 7, 2022, and filed at session’s end, the resolution states: “calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend state law to make implementation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan... subject to a statewide ballot proposal.” Council Member Kamillah Hanks led sponsorship, joined by Borelli, Carr, Louis, Yeger, Ariola, and Paladino. The sponsors raise concerns about pollution, health, and traffic impacts on outer-borough communities. The measure questions whether congestion pricing will cut traffic or fund transit improvements. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users is assessed. The bill remains filed, with no further action.

• File Res 0419-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-12-07

A Nissan SUV hit a 63-year-old woman on 84th Street at dawn. She died from head and internal injuries. The street had no crosswalk. The SUV struck her with its right front bumper. The morning was silent. The loss was total.

A 63-year-old woman was killed when a northbound Nissan SUV struck her with its right front bumper on 84th Street, just past dawn. According to the police report, the woman stepped into the roadway where there was no crosswalk. She suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The SUV was traveling straight ahead. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The data shows the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but does not cite this as a contributing factor. The police report does not mention any helmet or signal use. The street offered no protection. The impact was deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585750, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council pushes bills to curb deadly lithium-ion battery fires. FDNY supports bans on unsafe batteries and calls for more safety info. Advocates warn bans hit low-income delivery workers. Debate rages as fires, injuries, and deaths mount. City eyes safer charging.

On November 14, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on a package of bills addressing lithium-ion battery fires. The FDNY supported four out of five bills, including bans on second-use and non-certified batteries, a public safety campaign, and safety information for delivery workers. The FDNY expressed concern about resource demands for detailed annual fire reporting. The matter summary states the bills aim to address the rise of deadly fires from faulty batteries, often used by delivery workers. Council Member Joann Ariola urged the FDNY to consider international solutions and invest in safe charging infrastructure. Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas Unidos opposed the bans, arguing they punish low-income workers and miss root causes. The city recently abandoned a proposal to ban e-bikes on NYCHA property and is working on new charging stations. The debate highlights the struggle to protect vulnerable workers while preventing more deaths and injuries.

• FDNY Backing Council Bills to Address Deadly Fires from Lithium Ion Batteries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Councilmember Joann Ariola claimed open streets, bike lanes, and traffic islands slow emergency vehicles. She blamed street safety measures for longer fire response times. FDNY officials disagreed, citing traffic volume. The debate exposes tension between safety for walkers and emergency access.

On November 5, 2022, the NYC Council debated street design and emergency response. The discussion, reported by nypost.com, focused on rising fire deaths and slower FDNY response times. The matter summary reads: 'Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures.' Councilmember Joann Ariola (District 32) argued that open street programs, bike lanes, and traffic islands hinder emergency vehicles, especially when illegal parking blocks access. She called for better enforcement. Other voices, including union leaders, echoed her concerns. However, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan defended new street designs, stating they were built with emergency input. The Department of Transportation said all projects include emergency routes and are monitored. FDNY officials attributed delays to increased post-pandemic traffic, not street safety measures. The debate highlights the ongoing conflict between car-free streets for vulnerable users and emergency vehicle access.

• Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-05

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

A 27-year-old man died on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A westbound sedan struck him with its right front bumper. Rage behind the wheel. The man fell far from any crosswalk. He died in the street. The car did not stop.

A 27-year-old pedestrian was killed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Beach 87th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a westbound sedan struck the man with its right front bumper. The impact crushed his body. He died at the scene, far from any crosswalk. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the contributing factor for the driver. No other errors or factors are cited. The data shows the driver was traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The violence of the street claimed another life.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574123, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15