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

Mayor Adams caved to business pressure, gutting a proven safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The city scrapped lane reductions and protected bike lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Elected officials condemned the move. The mayor put politics before lives.

On August 26, 2024, Mayor Adams reversed a key street safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. The Department of Transportation's original plan, announced after a fatal crash in 2021, would have reduced travel lanes and added a parking-protected bike lane. DOT data showed this 'would reduce deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent.' Under pressure from business interests, especially Broadway Stages, Adams first weakened the plan in July 2023, then scaled it back further in August 2024. Council Member Lincoln Restler said, 'Mayor Adams says he cares about safety, except when it comes to McGuinness Boulevard.' Assembly Member Emily Gallagher called the compromise 'a plan that does nothing to address the central safety concerns of our community.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged the city to follow the evidence and protect lives. The mayor’s decision leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Anatomy of a Debacle: How Adams Put Safety Last on McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-26

City pushes ahead with a scaled-back McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes come, but dangerous elements stay. Councilmember Restler slams the compromise. Advocates and officials say safety is sacrificed for politics. DOT claims improvements, but critics remain unsatisfied.

On August 20, 2024, the city announced it will proceed with a controversial redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The plan, not a council bill but a Department of Transportation decision, extends parking-protected bike lanes from Calyer Street to Meeker Avenue. Councilmember Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, criticized the move, saying, 'The mayor has put forward a compromise that nobody likes.' A coalition of elected officials—including Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso—called for a more thorough redesign, arguing the current plan preserves dangerous elements. DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone claimed the redesign will make the corridor safer for all users, with new bike lanes and sidewalk extensions. Despite these claims, advocates and local leaders argue the plan fails to address core dangers and puts vulnerable road users at continued risk.

• City proceeds with controversial McGuinness Boulevard redesign despite opposition, gothamist.com, Published 2024-08-20

Mayor Adams scraps lane reduction for McGuinness Boulevard. DOT keeps two lanes each way, adds a bike lane with overnight parking. Advocates and officials slam the move. Cyclists face danger. Promised safety upgrades vanish. Traffic stays fast. Lives remain at risk.

On August 20, 2024, Mayor Adams announced a revised redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will install a bike lane on the southern stretch but keep two traffic lanes in each direction. The original plan called for a road diet and a parking-protected bike lane. After pushback from business interests, DOT scaled back. The new plan converts the outer lane to parking overnight, a design that has led to illegal parking and safety hazards for cyclists. Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the plan, saying, 'this plan fails to dramatically slow down traffic on this dangerous boulevard.' The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe accused the mayor of breaking his promise to prioritize safety. The compromise removes some parking, which local businesses oppose. Despite DOT claims, the redesign does not slow traffic or protect vulnerable road users as promised. The decision follows years of advocacy after a fatal crash in 2021.

• Mayor Adams Waters Down Remaining McGuinness Blvd. Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-20

The city will not remove traffic lanes on McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will run along curbs, but cars keep two lanes at rush hour. Council Member Lincoln Restler and others call the plan a failure. Deadly danger remains for pedestrians and cyclists.

On August 20, 2024, the city announced it will move forward with a pared-down redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The plan, discussed in the Transportation Committee, keeps two vehicle lanes during peak hours and adds protected bike lanes along each curb. The official matter: 'City will move forward with stripped-back redesign of McGuinness Boulevard.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, joined by eight other elected officials, condemned the move, stating, 'Mayor Adams is going forward with a plan that fails Greenpoint by preserving the most dangerous elements of this roadway.' Local safety advocates and Restler argue the redesign ignores years of calls to address deadly conditions. The city’s plan abandons a previous proposal to remove a traffic lane, leaving the street’s core dangers in place. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, children—remain exposed on a corridor with a long record of crashes and deaths.

• City will move forward with stripped-back redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-08-20

Cars vanished from Driggs Avenue for a day. Brooklynites filled the gap with bodies, music, and movement. The park breathed. For once, no engines split the green. Forty-two crashes since 2020 haunted the stretch. Cyclists and walkers claimed space. Safety replaced speed.

On August 3, 2024, a one-day closure of Driggs Avenue—dubbed 'Driggs Passage'—cut car traffic through McCarren Park in Williamsburg. The event, not a formal bill but a policy experiment, was championed by Council Member Lincoln Restler (D-Greenpoint), who said, "Today is a one-day experiment to just experience what it would be like to not have cars flying through the middle of our community's primary green space." The closure united two halves of the park, creating 1.5 acres of new open space. Organizers and residents, including Katie Denny Horowitz of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, called for a permanent ban on cars. Since 2020, city data shows 42 crashes on this stretch, injuring six cyclists and one pedestrian. The move echoes past car bans in Central and Prospect Parks, but faces resistance from city officials. The day showed what’s possible when cars yield to people.

• ‘Driggs Passage’ Shows Possible Car-Free Future for Brooklyn’s McCarren Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-03

Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

A reckless driver rammed metal barriers on Hoyt Street, scattering volunteers. The car sped off, leaving fear and twisted steel. NYPD and city workers, often parked illegally, block the open street, undermining safety. Council Member Restler calls out city agencies for endangering lives.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler publicly condemned city agency non-compliance with the Open Streets program after a driver smashed through barriers on Hoyt Street, Brooklyn. The incident, caught on camera, showed a Dodge Durango honking, then plowing through metal fences as volunteers dove for safety. The matter centers on repeated illegal parking by NYPD and municipal workers, which blocks safety measures and shrinks space for pedestrians. Restler stated, "It has been really frustrating that our city agencies that should be partners in this effort have undermined it." Kelly Carroll, Executive Director of the Atlantic Avenue BID, added, "We can't even set up a table if the cars are parked there. It renders the open street moot." No arrests have been made, but police are pursuing felony charges. The event exposes systemic failures in enforcement and agency accountability, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• Deranged Driver Blows Through Brooklyn Open Streets Barriers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-26

DOT starts safety work on Brooklyn’s deadly Atlantic Avenue. New crossings, curb islands, and lane markings arrive. But key fixes—like daylighting and hard barriers—are missing. Locals and advocates say the changes fall short. The avenue remains a threat to walkers and riders.

On July 24, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced new safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The project, not a council bill but a DOT initiative, includes a mid-block crossing, concrete pedestrian islands, and traffic signal tweaks. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi called the changes a boost for safety and growth. Councilman Lincoln Restler and Community Board 2 pushed for more: daylighting, hard barriers, and a full redesign. DOT declined, citing current priorities. Kathy Park Price of Transportation Alternatives called Atlantic Avenue 'one of the most dangerous streets in New York City' and demanded a bold overhaul. Kelly Carroll of the Atlantic Avenue BID said the fixes are 'smart and needed,' but not enough. Over the past decade, 4,414 crashes injured 1,172 people on this 1.3-mile stretch. Advocates warn: without bigger changes, danger remains.

• DOT Begins Safety Upgrades for Atlantic Av. But Locals Want More, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

A westbound sedan hit a 66-year-old man on an e-bike along Meeker Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. Both operators were distracted. The man stayed conscious despite a head wound. Machines untouched, but the body paid the price.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Meeker Avenue struck a 66-year-old man riding an e-bike. The report states that both the sedan driver and the e-bike operator were 'distracted' at the time of the crash. The impact left the e-bike rider bleeding from the head, though he remained conscious at the scene. The report notes 'severe bleeding' as the primary injury, with no damage to either vehicle. The police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both parties. The sedan made contact with its right front bumper. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by distracted driving, as documented in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741807, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A southbound taxi struck a 60-year-old woman crossing Flatbush at 4th. Her head hit pavement. Limbs crushed. She lay unconscious as sirens broke the quiet. The cab’s front end crumpled, the street marked by violence and silence.

According to the police report, a southbound taxi struck a 60-year-old woman at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn at 23:17. The report states the pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The impact was severe: her head hit first, and she suffered crush injuries to her limbs. She was found unconscious at the scene. The taxi’s center front end was wrecked, indicating a direct, forceful impact. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both parties, and does not cite any specific driver error. The narrative underscores the violence of the crash and the vulnerability of the pedestrian, who was in the intersection when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739975, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

City closed Bedford Slip to cars for six weeks. Buses run faster. Pedestrians claim the street. Planters block traffic. Locals push for permanence. A crash in 2020 sparked change. Council member Restler backs the move. The plaza’s future hangs in the balance.

On July 8, 2024, the city made the northernmost block of Bedford Avenue in Greenpoint a full-time pedestrian plaza. This temporary closure, set through mid-August, aims to ease congestion for shuttle buses during the G train shutdown. The Department of Transportation banned left turns and blocked cars, opening the street to people. Council member Lincoln Restler said, 'Having an alternative use for this space during this period for the G train [shutdown] makes a ton of sense. It gives us an opportunity to see how it goes.' DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the closure will 'enhance safety and create new public space.' The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance set up planters to keep cars out. A 2020 crash pushed locals to demand change. Over 2,000 signed a petition for a permanent plaza. The move has growing support, but its future is not yet decided.

• ‘Bedford Slip’ Plaza Returns Full-Time To Greenpoint For G Train Shutdown, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-08

Councilmember Lincoln Restler demands DOT fix Kent Avenue. Cyclists dodge cars and illegal parking. Bike lane is too narrow. Pedestrians and riders fight for space. Restler calls for wider lanes, sidewalks, curbs, and safer crossings. DOT reviews, but delays action.

On July 6, 2024, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) called on the Department of Transportation to redesign and expand the Kent Avenue bike lane and sidewalks. The matter, titled 'Cyclists call on DOT to fix ‘chaotic’ Kent Avenue bike lane in Brooklyn,' highlights chaos along the north Brooklyn waterfront. Restler is organizing local businesses to pressure DOT, demanding wider bike lanes and sidewalks, curb separation to block drivers, and safer pedestrian crossings. He says, 'If we really care about cyclists and their safety in New York City, then we should design and implement bike lanes that show it.' DOT spokesperson Will Livingston says the agency is reviewing the proposal but notes the city’s priority is elsewhere. Cyclists and pedestrians face daily danger: narrow lanes, illegal parking, and forced detours into traffic. No formal bill number or committee stage yet. Restler’s push centers vulnerable road users, demanding the city act before more are hurt.

• Cyclists call on DOT to fix ‘chaotic’ Kent Avenue bike lane in Brooklyn, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-06

Steel met steel on Greenpoint Avenue. A sedan and SUV collided head-on, metal folding, glass shattering. Speed ruled the moment. A 62-year-old man, belted in, suffered crushing injuries across his body. The parked box truck stood untouched, silent witness.

A violent head-on crash unfolded on Greenpoint Avenue at Kingsland Avenue, involving a sedan and an SUV. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they collided, crushing the front ends of both cars. The report states that a 62-year-old man, driving one of the vehicles and wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained severe crush injuries to his entire body. The police report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors to the crash. A box truck was parked nearby and was not involved in the collision. The data does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver speed and aggression, leaving a driver injured and vehicles destroyed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739637, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

DOT will study shutting the chaotic BQE Atlantic Avenue ramp. Locals and experts call it deadly. Council Member Restler wants swift closure. Hundreds of cars use it daily. Pedestrians and cyclists face danger. The city eyes safety, but change waits for federal and state approval.

On June 20, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a study to close the Queens-bound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) entrance at Atlantic Avenue. The move follows community rejection of ramp expansion plans. DOT Chief Strategy Officer Julie Bero said, 'it was well received that DOT would study closing the Queens-bound on-ramp at Atlantic Avenue, a request from many community members.' Council Member Lincoln Restler welcomed the study and pressed for immediate closure, stating, 'The community wants to see it closed now and I think it would make a big difference in improving safety on Atlantic Avenue and reducing congestion in that area.' The ramp, called 'one of the worst-designed ramps in New York City,' endangers pedestrians and cyclists and slows buses. DOT will analyze impacts as part of a larger BQE redesign, with construction set for 2029. State and federal agencies must approve any closure.

• DOT Could Close Dangerous BQE Entrance at Atlantic Av., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-20

A motorscooter struck a parked SUV on Harrison Avenue. The rider, 52, flew off, landing hard. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, torn open. The scooter’s front crumpled. The street held him in the evening heat.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old man riding a motorscooter southbound on Harrison Avenue near 83rd collided with the rear of a parked SUV. The report states, 'A motorscooter slammed into the back of a parked SUV. The rider, 52, flew off. He hit the ground hard. Conscious, torn open. Blood pooled.' The scooter’s front end was crushed, and the rider was ejected, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body. Both vehicles were traveling south, with the SUV entering a parked position at the time of impact. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, drawing attention to the circumstances of vehicle positioning and movement. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the rider injured and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735660, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Albany froze congestion pricing. Lawmakers let NYC lower speed limits and expand red light cameras. Some safety bills stalled. Advocates won ground but lost momentum. Streets remain dangerous. The fight for safer roads continues. Progress came, but not enough.

In June 2024, the New York State legislative session ended with mixed results for street safety. Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing, stalling a major funding plan. Lawmakers passed Sammy’s Law, letting New York City lower speed limits, but exempted some roads. The city can now expand red light cameras from 150 to 600 intersections. Other measures, like parking enforcement cameras on sweepers and the Idaho Stop for cyclists, passed only one chamber. Speed governors for reckless drivers and daylighting did not advance. Advocates like Eric McClure called Sammy’s Law a 'huge victory,' but noted, 'there’s so much more the legislature could be doing.' Council Member Lincoln Restler called the failure to pass sweeper camera enforcement 'super disappointing.' The congestion pricing drama overshadowed progress. Vulnerable road users gained some protections, but systemic danger remains.

• Albany Roundup: Some Victories as Congestion Pricing Drama Dominated, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-14

Angry Brooklynites rallied at Broadway Junction. They blasted Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Signs demanded clean air and fast trains. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it betrayal. Protesters warned: more cars, less transit, and vulnerable riders left behind.

On June 10, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler joined a protest in District 33 against Governor Kathy Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The rally, organized by Riders Alliance, gathered outside Broadway Junction. Protesters held signs reading, 'Don’t cancel @ 11th hour' and 'clean air, fast trains. Fund the MTA.' The matter, titled 'Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' saw Restler declare, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us.' He called for more frequent buses, reliable trains, and less car dependence. Demonstrators warned that the delay defunds the MTA, threatens service for those without cars, and puts Black, Brown, and low-income communities at risk. State Sen. Jabari Brisport urged Hochul to reinstate the plan. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-06-10

Anger filled Broadway Junction. Protesters called out Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Councilmember Lincoln Restler said the city was betrayed. Riders demanded better buses, trains, and less car traffic. Without funding, vulnerable New Yorkers face longer waits and dangerous streets.

On June 9, 2024, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined a protest at Broadway Junction against the indefinite delay of New York’s congestion pricing plan. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, followed Governor Kathy Hochul’s last-minute decision to halt the Manhattan toll plan. The protest drew bus and subway riders, who chanted for immediate action and held signs demanding clean air and reliable transit. Restler declared, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' and called for more frequent bus service, better trains, and less dependence on cars and trucks. The demonstrators warned that without congestion pricing, the MTA faces a funding crisis. This threatens repairs and improvements, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income neighborhoods, and risks worsening traffic and delays for emergency services. The protest highlights the systemic danger: when transit funding is gutted, vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Brooklyn protesters fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, amny.com, Published 2024-06-09

City Council pushed Albany to expand red light cameras from 150 to 600 intersections. The move falls short of the original goal but marks the largest growth since 1994. Advocates say cameras save lives. Debate continues over equity and coverage.

On June 6, 2024, the City Council passed a resolution urging the state to expand New York City's red light camera program from 150 to 600 intersections. The measure, led by Council Member Lincoln Restler, follows internal debate and negotiation, with some members pushing for 1,325 intersections and others preferring fewer. The final number represents a four-fold increase, covering about 4 percent of city intersections. The Council's resolution, described as a 'home rule' message, aims to prevent the program from sunsetting and to improve safety for all road users. Restler stated, 'This will expand it to about 4 percent of intersections, and it will make our city safer.' Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz called the expansion a victory, while advocates like Sara Lind of Open Plans noted no deaths at camera-protected intersections since 1994. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers highlighted the need to ensure cameras improve communities and street safety, raising concerns about fairness in enforcement. The Department of Transportation called the Council's action a critical step.

• Council Urges State to Expand City’s Tiny Red Light Camera Program to 600 Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

A bus struck a 16-year-old cyclist head-on on Broadway. The boy flew from his bike, landing hard. His head split open, blood pooling on the street. The bus rolled away, untouched. The boy lay conscious, pain etched across his face.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Broadway struck a 16-year-old male cyclist head-on. The collision ejected the cyclist from his bike, resulting in severe head lacerations. The report states the bus driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, landed hard on the pavement and remained conscious with a torn-open head. The bus sustained no damage and continued on. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The narrative details the violence of the impact and the aftermath, emphasizing the unyielding force of the bus and the vulnerability of the young cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727033, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15