Ariola’s Deadly Delay: How Many More Lives Before She Acts?

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A Jeep struck a Volkswagen at Woodhaven Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue. The right side of the Volkswagen caved in. A 32-year-old woman in the front seat died as the airbag burst. The street went silent. Metal and silence remained.

At the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in Queens, a Jeep collided broadside with a Volkswagen, according to the police report. The impact crushed the Volkswagen’s right side, killing a 32-year-old woman seated in the front passenger seat. The report states, 'A Jeep struck a Volkswagen broadside. The right side folded in. A 32-year-old woman in the front seat died. The airbag bloomed.' Police cite 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, drawing attention to driver error and systemic visibility hazards at this intersection. The victim was not ejected and the airbag deployed, but the force proved fatal. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls and sightlines are compromised.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A fleeing Honda reversed down 84th Street, crushing a man’s leg beneath steel. The driver had no license. Sirens echoed. The pedestrian stayed conscious, pain radiating in the dark as streetlights flickered over Dumont Avenue.

A 33-year-old man suffered crush injuries to his leg when a Honda sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, reversed into him on 84th Street near Dumont Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred during a police pursuit. The report states the driver was 'Backing Unsafely' and did not possess a valid license. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time, but the report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the scene: 'A fleeing Honda reversed into a man, not at a crosswalk. His leg was crushed under steel. He stayed conscious. The driver had no license. The streetlights flickered. Sirens followed.' The focus remains on the driver’s unlawful actions—operating without a license and reversing unsafely while fleeing police—which directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A man, 47, crossed Woodhaven Boulevard before dawn. A Toyota hit him head-on. A Jeep struck next. His head broke the silence. He died there, between two sedans and the cold.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old man was killed on Woodhaven Boulevard in the early morning. The report states he was crossing outside the crosswalk when a Toyota sedan struck him head-on. A Jeep sedan hit him next. The victim suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, with no further detail on specific driver errors. The victim’s location—crossing not at an intersection and not at a signal or crosswalk—is described, but not listed as a contributing factor. The lethal impact of two sedans in rapid succession highlights the persistent danger for pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota sedan tore down Cross Bay Boulevard. It hit hard, left side first. The driver, alone, was thrown from the car. Chest crushed. Unsafe speed and alcohol fueled the crash. He died on the street, harness strapped, darkness all around.

A 27-year-old man driving a 1993 Toyota sedan on Cross Bay Boulevard near East 1st Road in Queens was killed after his car struck left-side first and he was ejected from the vehicle. According to the police report, 'Speed and alcohol behind the wheel. Dead on the street.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The driver was alone and wearing a lap belt and harness. The impact crushed his chest. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of unsafe speed, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans struck a man and woman on Woodhaven Boulevard. Blood pooled on the asphalt. Head trauma. Crush injuries. Both died where they fell. Southbound traffic did not stop. The street swallowed them whole.

Two sedans, both heading south on Woodhaven Boulevard, struck a 71-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man. Both pedestrians were walking outside the crosswalk. According to the police report, 'Head trauma. Crush injuries. Blood on the asphalt. Both died where they fell. Southbound traffic did not stop in time.' The report lists no specific driver errors, only 'Unspecified' contributing factors for both victims. The impact was severe: both pedestrians suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus turned left at dawn in Queens. A 73-year-old woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The front of the bus hit her. She died on the street. The engine idled. The city stayed silent.

A 73-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 86th Street and 107th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a bus turned left at dawn and struck her as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The bus, a Ford, was making a left turn when its front end hit the pedestrian. No damage was reported to the bus. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors from the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Jeep lunged from the curb on Jamaica Avenue. Two boys on an e-bike slammed into its nose. Metal met flesh. Legs crushed, arms broken. Both boys hurled onto the street, conscious, bleeding, no helmets. The night echoed with pain and sirens.

Two boys, ages 16 and 19, riding an e-bike west on Jamaica Avenue, collided with the front of a Jeep SUV that pulled from the curb near 92nd Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'A Jeep pulled from the curb. An e-bike with two boys struck its nose. No helmets. No chance. One boy’s legs crushed, the other’s arms broken. Both thrown. Both conscious. Both bleeding on the asphalt.' The listed contributing factor is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Both boys were ejected from the e-bike and suffered serious crush injuries to their arms and legs. The report notes neither wore helmets, but the primary cause was the Jeep driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677781 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A dump truck turned right at Atlantic Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. Its front bumper struck a 63-year-old woman working in the road. She died beneath the truck. The driver’s view was blocked. The truck showed no damage. Her body bore the weight.

A fatal crash took place at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a dump truck made a right turn and struck a 63-year-old woman who was working in the roadway. She was killed, suffering crush injuries to her entire body. The report states, “The view was blocked.” Contributing factors listed include 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Oversized Vehicle.' The truck, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage. The woman was working at the intersection when the truck’s right front bumper hit her. No helmet or signal issues were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on an e-bike crossed Pitkin Avenue at 95th Street. He ran the light. A Kia struck him head-on. He flew, landed hard. Blood pooled under the streetlamp. He died there, alone in the dark.

A 58-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed at Pitkin Avenue and 95th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the e-bike rider 'ran the light.' A Kia SUV, traveling south, struck him head-on. The impact ejected the rider, causing fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The man was not wearing a helmet, but the primary error cited is the disregard for traffic control. No other injuries were reported. The crash left the rider dead at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Hyundai sedan crashed into a parked Volkswagen SUV on Cross Bay Boulevard. The driver, a 31-year-old woman, was crushed in her seat. She stayed conscious. Her whole body hurt. Unsafe speed and improper turning led to pain and chaos.

A Hyundai sedan struck the back of a parked Volkswagen SUV near 160th Avenue on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The 31-year-old driver of the Hyundai was crushed in her seat and suffered injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The Volkswagen SUV was parked at the time of the collision. The impact damaged the right front of the Hyundai and the left rear of the SUV. The report does not list any helmet or signal issues. The crash left one person hurt and highlighted driver errors as key causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A sedan veered onto the sidewalk on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The driver had fallen asleep. The car struck a 19-year-old woman head-on. She died at the scene. The street stayed quiet. The danger was sudden and final.

A 2021 Hyundai sedan traveling west on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Beach 108th Street left the roadway and mounted the sidewalk. According to the police report, the driver 'fell asleep.' The sedan struck a 19-year-old woman who was standing on the sidewalk. She suffered fatal head injuries and died where she stood. The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. The victim was not in the roadway and played no role in the crash. The impact came from the center front end of the sedan. No other contributing factors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04