No More Names on Asphalt: Demand Action Before the Next Death

Mayor Adams approved a diluted redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will come, but car lanes stay open during peak hours. The plan falls short of full safety measures. The road remains dangerous. Victims still count. No one is satisfied.

On August 16, 2023, Mayor Adams announced a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard, a notorious Brooklyn corridor. The Department of Transportation will install curbside protected bike lanes and reduce car lanes from two to one in each direction on most of the strip. However, north of Calyer Street, two lanes for cars will remain open during weekdays, reverting to parking lanes at night and on weekends. The plan, shaped after lobbying by business interests and mayoral adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, mixes two previous DOT proposals. Mayoral spokesman Charles Lutvak said, 'Traffic safety is a key priority for Mayor Adams, and we are delivering with a redesign of McGuinness Boulevard that will make this corridor safer for all road users.' Local officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, called it a 'critical step' but noted it lacks key safety elements. The compromise leaves gaps. Since 2021, 62 people have been injured on this stretch. The carnage continues.

• Mayor Adams Signs Off On Compromise for Deadly McGuinness Blvd.; No One Truly Happy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-16

DOT will install seven new Citi Bike docks in Hasidic Williamsburg. The move chips away at a decade-old gap. Council Member Restler backs the plan. The expansion leaves parts of the neighborhood uncovered. Most residents do not own cars. Demand is high.

On August 16, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced plans to install seven new Citi Bike docking stations in Hasidic Williamsburg. This action addresses a coverage gap that has existed since Citi Bike’s 2013 arrival in the area. The matter, described as closing the 'black hat black hole,' faces resistance from some community members, but data show high demand and low car ownership. Council Member Lincoln Restler, a strong supporter, stated, 'I have been working with DOT to help expand access to Citi Bike for South Williamsburg residents.' He praised DOT’s outreach and progress. Despite the expansion, a significant part of the neighborhood will remain without Citi Bike access. Political resistance has slowed progress, but the new docks mark a step forward for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, affordable transportation.

• L’Chaim! DOT Will Begin to Close Citi Bike ‘Hole’ in Hasidic Williamsburg, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-16

City officials slam a developer’s push to add 95 parking spaces in Downtown Brooklyn. They call it dangerous and wasteful. The site sits by major transit and a new bike lane. Leaders demand housing, not more cars, to protect people on foot and bike.

On August 11, 2023, city officials and advocates opposed a plan to expand a parking lot at Schermerhorn and Hoyt streets in Downtown Brooklyn. The proposal, by Edison Properties, would add 95 parking spaces. Dan Garodnick, chair of the City Planning Commission, called the site 'ideal for housing.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, who represents the area, stated he is an unequivocal 'no' on the expansion and wants a use that benefits the community. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso urged the city to discourage private vehicles, citing high pedestrian traffic and strong transit access. City Planning Commissioner Juan Camilo Osorio highlighted policies to cut car use and decarbonize the city. Officials warn that more parking means more cars and more danger for people walking and biking, especially after a major bike lane was added to Schermerhorn Street.

• City Wants More Housing, Not Parking, in Downtown Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-11

A driver struck a moped rider on McGuinness Boulevard. The rider’s leg broke. Politicians and neighbors demand the mayor act. The city delays a safety plan. The street stays deadly. The call is clear: fix McGuinness now.

On August 11, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler and other Northern Brooklyn officials responded to a crash on McGuinness Boulevard, where a driver hit and injured a moped rider. The incident happened near Meeker Avenue, one block from where teacher Matthew Jensen was killed in 2021. The matter, titled 'Locals call for mayor to take immediate action after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard,' highlights the urgent need for the Department of Transportation’s proposed safety redesign. Restler, along with U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, issued a joint statement: 'Lives are being put at risk. We need immediate action by the Mayor's office to implement the Department of Transportation's proposed safety improvements so that everyone in our community can feel confident that McGuinness Boulevard will not cause more tragedies.' The safety plan remains blocked, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• Locals call for mayor to take ‘immediate action’ after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-11

A Toyota SUV hit a young e-bike rider from behind on Meeker Avenue. The crash tore open his leg. Blood pooled on the street. Speed fueled the violence. The rider wore no helmet. The SUV’s front end did the damage.

A 20-year-old man riding an e-bike southbound on Meeker Avenue near Humboldt Street was struck from behind by a Toyota SUV. According to the police report, 'A Toyota SUV slammed into the rear of a southbound e-bike. The 20-year-old rider hit the pavement hard. His leg split open. Blood pooled on hot asphalt. Speed did the damage.' The crash left the e-bike rider with severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The SUV’s center front end struck the e-bike’s rear, causing the rider to fall. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause was the SUV driver’s unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661868, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A driver tore through McGuinness Boulevard, smashing cars and leaving a moped rider badly hurt. The carnage reignited calls for long-delayed safety fixes. Local leaders say the crash was no surprise. The city’s promise to protect lives remains unfulfilled.

On August 10, 2023, a motorist seriously injured a moped rider and crashed into several vehicles on McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The incident, near the site of a 2021 fatality, drew a joint statement from Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Council Member Lincoln Restler. They called the crash 'entirely predictable' and demanded Mayor Adams immediately implement the Department of Transportation’s stalled safety redesign. The DOT’s plan, which includes narrowing the street and adding a protected bike lane, faces opposition from powerful donors. The mayor’s office claims traffic safety is a priority, but the plan remains in limbo. Advocates and officials say every delay puts more lives at risk.

• Outrage on Bloody McGuinness Blvd. as Motorist Severely Injures Moped Rider, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-10

Mayor Adams met Greenpoint parents. He would not promise the full McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The city now pushes a weaker plan. Parents and advocates call it a betrayal. Council Member Restler says compromise means more danger. The mayor’s office stays silent.

On August 3, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams faced Greenpoint parents demanding the original McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The meeting followed the death of a P.S. 110 teacher on this deadly street. The original plan, now shelved, promised parking-protected bike lanes and safer crossings. Adams, who once approved the overhaul, reversed course after business pushback. The city now proposes a compromise: two moving lanes for cars and trucks remain on 30% of the corridor. Council Member Lincoln Restler condemned the reversal, saying, 'A compromise plan is a compromise on safety.' Parents echoed this, noting Adams would not commit to the promised changes. Broadway Stages, a local business, backed the compromise. The mayor’s office declined comment. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Adams Weighs McGuinness Redesigns, But Tells Parents He Can’t Commit to Original Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Council pushed for 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill demanded action—100 new devices each year. It called for a hard look at results. But the session ended. The bill died. Streets wait. Pedestrians keep crossing in the dark.

Int 1151-2023, introduced August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to require the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The bill also ordered a study comparing these devices to unlit signs, probing their power to deter traffic violations and mapping out logistical hurdles. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and over thirty others. The bill was filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided. The city’s crosswalks remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

• File Int 1151-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

The Council passed a law forcing DOT to map every bike lane, hazard, and obstruction. Cyclists and pedestrians get a clear look at danger. The searchable map must show blocked lanes, crash sites, and repairs. No more hiding unsafe streets.

Int 0289-2022, now Local Law 124 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council on September 3, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law requires the Department of Transportation to publish a monthly-updated, searchable map of all city bike lanes. The map must show obstructions, construction, crash patterns, shared paths, conflict points, resurfacing, parking, bike share docks, open streets, repair shops, and reporting tools. The bill’s matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to develop a map of bicycle infrastructure conditions.' Council Member Crystal Hudson sponsored the bill, joined by Rivera, Sanchez, Stevens, Yeger, Restler, Avilés, and others. The law brings sunlight to hidden hazards, giving vulnerable road users the facts they need to see the city’s dangers in plain sight.

• File Int 0289-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

A cyclist suffered a concussion and stitches after a crash with scooters on the Manhattan Bridge. Cyclists say enforcement is weak. E-bikes and mopeds speed through bike lanes. Councilmember Restler hesitates on crackdowns, citing delivery workers’ risks. Danger grows. Action stalls.

On July 31, 2023, the City Council held a public debate on e-bike and scooter enforcement and safety on NYC bridges. The discussion, involving Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33), focused on the matter: 'Cyclists say e-bikes, scooters are making bridges more dangerous, with ‘laughable’ enforcement.' Restler, whose district covers DUMBO, Greenpoint, and Brooklyn Heights, expressed reluctance to push for stricter enforcement, noting that many scooter riders are deliveristas pressured by food delivery apps. Cyclists described collisions, injuries, and a lack of NYPD action. One cyclist, Shari Stadel, suffered a concussion and stitches after a crash with scooters on the Manhattan Bridge. Cyclists and witnesses questioned why laws are not enforced. The debate highlighted a growing danger for vulnerable road users, with enforcement lagging behind the surge in high-speed vehicles on narrow bridge paths.

• Cyclists say e-bikes, scooters are making bridges more dangerous, with ‘laughable’ enforcement, gothamist.com, Published 2023-07-31

Four riders hit the deck on the Manhattan Bridge. Blood on the path. Cyclists rattled. Councilmember Restler blames weak e-bike infrastructure. He defends delivery workers. City agencies dodge questions. Cyclists demand action. The danger remains. The city stalls.

On July 28, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a violent crash on the Manhattan Bridge bike path. Four electric scooter riders collided late at night, leaving a trail of blood and fear. The matter, titled '‘Inevitable carnage’: Cyclists shaken after bloody scooter crash on Manhattan Bridge,' highlights the chaos as cyclists and motorized riders share narrow space. Restler stated, 'It's the lack of e-bike infrastructure in New York City that has pushed deliveristas to mopeds.' He called for safer, easier travel for delivery workers and better infrastructure for charging and storage. Restler criticized enforcement stings as ineffective and defended underpaid workers forced into risky conditions by delivery apps. The NYPD and DOT offered no answers. Cyclists and witnesses voiced frustration at the lack of government response. No safety analyst assessment was provided for this event.

• ‘Inevitable carnage’: Cyclists shaken after bloody scooter crash on Manhattan Bridge, gothamist.com, Published 2023-07-28

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

A Tesla slammed into a woman on an e-scooter at Franklin and Milton. Blood spilled from her leg. Her helmet stayed on. The car’s bumper cracked. The street gave no room. She was left hurt, the city cold.

A Tesla sedan struck a 27-year-old woman riding an e-scooter at the corner of Franklin Street and Milton Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the woman suffered severe bleeding from her leg and remained conscious at the scene. The Tesla’s left front bumper was damaged. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The driver of the Tesla was a 37-year-old man. The e-scooter rider wore a helmet, which stayed on during the crash. The data shows no errors attributed to the e-scooter rider. The helmet is noted only after the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647860, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Mayor Adams ordered DOT to pause the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The plan would have cut car lanes for bike lanes. Local businesses and some residents fought back. Council Member Restler and others supported the redesign. Delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

On July 12, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams intervened in the planned redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, instructing the Department of Transportation to rethink its proposal. The redesign, shaped by months of public meetings, aimed to remove a vehicle lane in each direction to add protected bike lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher backed the safety-focused plan. The mayor’s reversal followed pressure from local businesses and the 'Keep McGuinness Moving' campaign. Over 7,000 people signed a petition for the redesign, while about 4,000 opposed it. The official matter summary states: 'Mayor Eric Adams appears to have ordered the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) to reverse course on a planned redesign of McGuinness Boulevard after powerful locals and influential members of the administration voiced their opposition.' The delay means the street remains dangerous for people walking and biking. Supporters warn that every day without changes puts lives at risk.

• Adams orders DOT to rethink McGuinness Boulevard redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-07-12

Mayor Adams scrapped the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign, overruling Council Member Restler and thousands who demanded safer streets. Adams cited business-led opposition. Restler blasted the reversal, pointing to weekly crashes and years of community work now ignored.

On July 10, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams reversed his support for the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign, a plan developed by the Department of Transportation and approved by the community board after two years of work. The matter, described as a 'NYC transportation policy dispute: McGuinness Blvd safety redesign reversal,' saw Adams cite opposition from a business-organized town hall, despite over 7,000 residents signing a petition for the redesign. Council Member Lincoln Restler, who supported the plan, criticized Adams, stating, 'We experience a crash per week on McGuinness.' Restler called for renewed efforts to implement the safety measures, highlighting the ongoing danger to pedestrians and cyclists. The mayor’s decision, influenced by his chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, leaves vulnerable road users at risk and delays long-promised protections.

• Mayor Disses Local Councilman, Saying ‘Community’ Opposes McGuinness Safety Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-10

Residents filled the street. They called out Mayor Adams for backtracking on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Parents, advocates, and local officials demanded safer crossings. They named business interests as the obstacle. The crowd stood firm: safety over profit, lives over traffic.

On July 8, 2023, Greenpoint residents rallied to support the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign. The event followed Mayor Adams' reversal of a previously approved plan, which came after a fatal 2021 hit-and-run. The rally, organized by Make McGuinness Safe, drew support from Council Members Jennifer Gutierrez and Lincoln Restler. The matter, titled 'Greenpoint to Mayor: We Are the Residents and We Support a Safer McGuinness!', saw speakers denounce the influence of the Argento family and Broadway Stages, who opposed the redesign to protect business interests. Residents cited high crash and injury rates, especially for children crossing to local schools. DOT is now refining the plan based on community feedback. The message was clear: Greenpoint wants action, not delay, to protect vulnerable road users.

• Greenpoint to Mayor: We Are the Residents and We Support a Safer McGuinness!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-08

Two bikes slammed head-on on Tillary Street. Steel met steel. An 18-year-old boy fell, face torn, blood pooling on the dark pavement. No helmets. The street stayed silent. Driver inexperience marked the night. Flesh broke. The city watched.

Two bicyclists collided head-on on Tillary Street. An 18-year-old male rider was left unconscious, suffering severe bleeding and facial injuries. According to the police report, 'Two bikes collided head-on in the dark. No helmets. No warning. An 18-year-old boy lay unconscious, his face torn, bleeding on the pavement.' The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No other vehicles were involved. Both bikes were traveling straight, one east and one west. The data notes that neither rider wore a helmet, but this is only mentioned after the primary cause: driver inexperience. The crash left the street quiet, marked by blood and broken flesh.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641690, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Opponents of the McGuinness Boulevard safety overhaul packed a closed-door town hall. Political heavyweights and business donors rallied against lane cuts and bike lanes. Protesters for safer streets were barred. DOT defended the plan. Council Member Restler and activists stood firm.

On June 16, 2023, a contentious town hall convened over the city’s proposed safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The meeting, billed as an 'awareness town hall,' was dominated by opponents, including Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn and business leaders like Tony Argento of Broadway Stages. Bichotte-Hermelyn, whose district is far from the site, admitted limited knowledge of the plan but cited business concerns. The session excluded supporters of the redesign, who rallied outside. The Department of Transportation defended its proposal to reduce lanes and add parking-protected bike lanes, citing proven safety benefits. Council Member Lincoln Restler and activists later rallied for the overhaul, insisting that safety for all road users must not be compromised. The event highlighted deep divisions and the influence of business interests over street safety reforms.

• Donor Class McGuinness Safety Opponents Reel in Brooklyn Dem Boss, DOT Commish for ‘Sham’ Town Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-16

Dealers clog streets with cars for sale and repair. Council bill Int 1097-2023 targets this. Fines and impoundment threaten violators. Owners get legal cover if ticketed while dealers hold their cars. The bill died at session’s end.

Bill Int 1097-2023 was introduced June 8, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill sought to make it unlawful for any dealer to park, store, or maintain vehicles on city streets for sale, repair, or while awaiting return to owners, except for emergencies. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to limiting the parking of motor vehicles by dealers.' Council Members Francisco P. Moya (primary sponsor), Sandra Ung, Lincoln Restler, Kevin C. Riley, Nantasha M. Williams, and Shahana K. Hanif sponsored the bill. The bill imposed fines of $250–$400 per day and allowed for vehicle impoundment. Owners could defend against tickets if their car was with a dealer. The bill was filed at the end of session and did not become law.

• File Int 1097-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-06-08