Fifteen Dead. Thousands Hurt. Who Will Stop the Bleeding?

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 2025-06-19

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

City Hall had no plan to cut car traffic as wildfire smoke choked New York. Officials failed to restrict driving or urge carpooling. Vulnerable New Yorkers—kids, elders, people with asthma—breathed toxic air while cars kept rolling. Activists demand action.

On June 7, 2023, as wildfire smoke blanketed New York City, officials admitted they had no emergency protocol to limit driving. The matter, titled 'There is No Plan to Limit Driving During Health Emergencies Like This One,' exposed a gap in city response. Mayor Adams and his emergency team did not roll out HOV lanes or urge residents to avoid driving, despite transportation being a top source of pollution. Council Member Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) criticized the mayor and called HOV lanes 'a prudent measure to help keep New Yorkers safe.' Advocates like Sara Lind and Elizabeth Adams pressed for a playbook to cut car use and protect vulnerable groups. The city’s inaction left children, seniors, and people with asthma exposed to dangerous air, while cars continued to pollute. No council bill was introduced, but the debate spotlights the urgent need for systemic change.

• The Fires This Time: There is No Plan to Limit Driving During Health Emergencies Like This One, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

A driver killed Teddy Orzechowski, 73, on Driggs Avenue. Neighbors gathered at the site. They mourned. They demanded action. Streets once safe for walking and biking now funnel cars. Officials pledged change. Locals want redesign, not more deaths.

On June 3, 2023, North Brooklyn residents rallied at Driggs Avenue, where a driver killed cyclist Teddy Orzechowski, 73. The event followed the removal of traffic calming measures, which had once protected pedestrians and cyclists. Chris Roberti, chair of the Safe Streets Committee at Public School 110, called for a 'comprehensive, safe street redesign.' Council Member Lincoln Restler promised to 'push like all hell' for changes at Monitor and Driggs by September. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher blamed state legislators for blocking Sammy's Law, which would let New York City lower speed limits. The rally featured a ghost bike and calls for urgent safety improvements. Locals plan further meetings to press for redesign and protection for vulnerable road users.

• Greenpointers Rally For Safer Streets Where Cyclist, 73, Was Killed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-05

A Toyota sedan struck a 46-year-old man near 465 State Street in Brooklyn. The street was dark. The man bled from his head, conscious but wounded. The car showed no damage. The night was quiet. Blood marked the asphalt.

A 46-year-old pedestrian was hit by a Toyota sedan near 465 State Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash happened in the dark. The man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but stayed conscious. The sedan, traveling east, showed no visible damage. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'other actions in roadway.' No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The street was still except for the aftermath of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633777, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-19

DOT eyes rule changes for cyclists at red lights and stop signs. Restler pushes Council resolution for Idaho Stop. Promises echo past years. State bills stalled. Cyclists wait. Streets stay dangerous. Cars rule. Pedestrians and riders pay the price.

On May 24, 2023, the New York City Department of Transportation announced plans to allow cyclists to proceed through stop signs and red lights at certain intersections, including 'Top of the T' crossings and right turns on red after yielding. Council Member Lincoln Restler introduced a resolution urging the state to pass the 'Idaho Stop' law, which would let cyclists treat red lights as stop signs. Restler said, 'This would allow bikers to treat red lights as stop signs making cycling safer and bringing us one step closer to Vision Zero!' DOT spokesman Vin Barone confirmed the agency's intent to pursue these changes, though similar efforts have failed before. The Council resolution has little support, and state bills remain stuck in committee. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk while cars dominate the streets.

• Will This Be the Year When DOT Finally Legalizes Key Pro-Cycling Rules?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

DOT will cut lanes and add protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard. Crosswalks shrink. Sight lines clear. Traffic slows. Restler backs the plan. Years of advocacy pay off. The city aims to shield children, seniors, and families from harm.

On May 12, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The plan removes one vehicle lane in each direction, adds protected bike lanes, and shortens crosswalks. The DOT developed this proposal after years of local advocacy and a fatal hit-and-run in 2021. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, voiced strong support, saying, 'for the kids going into P.S. 34 every day, for the seniors, for the families that are crossing McGuinness every day, this is a plan that sews our neighborhood back together.' The DOT chose this plan due to widespread community support. The redesign focuses on slowing vehicles and protecting vulnerable road users. New signals and crosswalks target dangerous intersections. The project marks a step toward a larger capital overhaul pledged by the city.

• McGuinness Boulevard to get bike lanes in redesign of dangerous roadway • Brooklyn Paper, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-05-12

City will cut car lanes, add protected bike lanes, and shorten crosswalks on McGuinness Boulevard. The redesign follows deadly crashes and strong advocacy. Officials call it transformative. DOT claims similar changes cut deaths and injuries by 30 percent.

On May 3, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a major redesign for McGuinness Boulevard in north Brooklyn. The plan, presented to Community Board 1's Transportation Committee, will remove a car lane in each direction and install protected bike lanes along a 1.1-mile stretch from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge. The official summary states the overhaul will 'reconfigure the 1.1-mile stretch... following advocacy for safety upgrades after multiple deaths.' Council Member Lincoln Restler and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher praised the plan, calling it 'transformative' and pledging support. DOT statistics show similar road diets reduce deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent. The redesign includes shorter crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and new loading zones. This action responds to a history of crashes and the 2021 hit-and-run killing of teacher Matthew Jensen.

• EXCLU: McGuinness Blvd. to Go On Road Diet for Protected Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-03

A driver killed Katherine Harris on Atlantic Avenue. Politicians demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, and curb extensions. They call the street a speedway. They blame city inaction. They vow to push for changes. The city promises only to study.

On May 1, 2023, after the death of Katherine Harris, Brooklyn Heights Council Member Lincoln Restler and State Senator Andrew Gounardes called for urgent safety fixes on Atlantic Avenue. At a rally, Restler said, "It is wrong how deadly this strip is." The officials demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and safer pedestrian space near BQE ramps. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized city resistance to reallocating street space, saying, "They drag their feet because they don’t want to do the inevitable." The Department of Transportation has agreed only to study new crosswalks. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a push for action after years of delay. No safety analyst assessment is available.

• In Wake of Death, Pols Want Mid-Block Crossings, Safer Atlantic Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

Flatbush Avenue. Dawn. A sedan and SUV slam head-on. Metal twists. A woman bleeds from her arm. A pickup takes the hit. Unsafe speed shreds calm. The city shrugs. Lives scar. The road stays ruthless.

A sedan and an SUV collided head-on near Flatbush Avenue and Livingston Street at dawn. According to the police report, 'Speed tore metal.' The crash left a 38-year-old woman, the sedan driver, with severe arm lacerations. A pickup truck was also struck in the crash. The only contributing factor listed in the data is 'Unsafe Speed.' No other driver errors are noted. The report states, 'The belt held her. The road did not.' The violence of speed left the woman injured and the vehicles mangled. The crash highlights the danger when drivers move too fast for city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624746, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-19

City Council urged Albany to let cyclists treat stop signs as yield, red lights as stop. The bill stalled. Supporters say it would keep cyclists moving and out of harm’s way. The measure drew broad council support but died at session’s end.

Resolution 0590-2023, filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, called on the New York State Legislature and Governor to pass S.2643/A.3986. This state bill would 'allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, and red lights as stop signs.' The resolution was introduced April 27, 2023, and filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. Sponsors included Mercedes Narcisse (primary), Lincoln Restler, Julie Won, Shekar Krishnan, Gale Brewer, Kevin Riley, Kristin Richardson Jordan, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The council cited studies showing safety benefits for all road users, noting that the Idaho stop 'gives bicyclists greater flexibility at stop signs and red lights, and thus, enhance[s] road safety.' The bill did not advance but signaled strong support for cyclist safety.

• File Res 0590-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

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

Councilmember Restler pushes a bill to let New Yorkers report cop cars blocking sidewalks and bike lanes. NYPD brass push back. The fight is public. Sidewalks and lanes stay blocked. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price.

On April 26, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) introduced a bill aimed at illegal NYPD parking. The bill would allow the public to submit photos of police vehicles parked on sidewalks and in bike lanes. The measure, highlighted in the matter title, responds to widespread complaints: 'cops have been told to stop parking illegally on sidewalks and in bike lanes.' Restler clashed with NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell over the issue. The bill’s status and committee assignment remain unlisted. Restler’s action—introducing and championing the bill—puts pressure on the NYPD to respect public space. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill’s intent is clear: reclaim sidewalks and bike lanes for those on foot and bike, not for parked police vehicles.

• Early Addition: The word among NYPD officers is, stop parking on sidewalks, gothamist.com, Published 2023-04-26

Council bill Intro 417 aims to cut red tape. It slashes the waiting period for new bike lanes from months to weeks. DOT backs the move. Advocates say delays cost lives. The bill puts safety over bureaucracy. The fight for safer streets continues.

Intro 417, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, was discussed at a City Council hearing on April 26, 2023. The bill seeks to repeal an old law that forces the Department of Transportation (DOT) to give extended notice to community boards before installing bike lanes. The current rule requires a 90-day notice and a 45-day wait after a hearing. Intro 417 would cut this to just 14 days. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez told the Council, 'We love Lincoln Restler's bill,' and called the old law 'unnecessarily burdensome.' The bill's summary states it would 'put bike lanes on the same community outreach and installation schedule as other street projects.' Council Member Farah Louis raised concerns about less community input, but DOT officials stressed that the process would still involve boards and electeds—just faster. Bike advocates and DOT say the change is vital to meet safety targets and reduce cyclist injuries, which drop by over 30 percent where bike lanes are built.

• DOT: We ‘Love’ Repeal of the Notorious Law that Delays Bike Lane Installation, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-26

Council wrangles over citizen power to report cars blocking bike and bus lanes. NYPD resists, citing risk. DOT softens stance. Bill drops bounties, expands near schools. Advocates split. Streets stay deadly. Cyclists and walkers pay the price.

On April 25, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee debated Intro. 501, a bill to let citizens report drivers blocking bike and bus lanes. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by a Council majority, was revised to remove cash bounties and require cars be unoccupied when reported. It now covers more area near schools. The NYPD, represented by Director of Legislative Affairs Michael Clarke, opposed the bill, warning of possible assaults and harassment. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said his agency is open to talks after earlier resistance. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, committee chair, voiced concerns about public conflict. Restler insisted, 'People are dying on our streets. This will save lives.' Advocates remain divided. NYPD’s rare enforcement leaves bike lanes blocked, endangering vulnerable road users.

• NYPD Opposes Watered-Down Citizen Enforcement Bill, But DOT is Now ‘Open’ to It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-25

Council Member Restler slammed NYPD for rampant illegal parking by officers. Chief Chell claimed crackdowns, but sidewalks stay blocked. Restler called for citizen reporting, saying NYPD’s failure endangers New Yorkers. The standoff laid bare a system that protects cars, not people.

On April 24, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on NYPD parking enforcement and related legislation. Council Member Lincoln Restler (D-Williamsburg) confronted NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell over widespread illegal parking by police around precincts. Restler cited a study showing 70 of 77 precincts had officers’ cars blocking sidewalks, calling NYPD enforcement 'a joke.' Chell insisted he has led 5,000 inspections and issued 39 command disciplines in four months, but Restler dismissed these efforts as inadequate. Restler used the hearing to highlight his bill allowing citizen reporting of parking infractions, bypassing the broken 311 system. He argued, 'A failure of the NYPD to enforce against this issue over many years makes our streets unsafe. So why not empower citizens to do the work that the NYPD has refused to do?' The hearing exposed deep distrust and the ongoing danger NYPD’s parking practices pose to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

• Top Cop Claims NYPD’s Parking Sins Not ‘A Joke’ To Him (And Confirms He Reads Streetsblog), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-24