No More Names on the List: End the Killing on Atlantic Avenue Now

Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A young man on a ZHILONG e-scooter was hurled mid-turn at Lafayette and Carlton. His face split open, blood pooled on the street. Disoriented, he spoke in fragments. The city’s traffic pressed on, indifferent to the violence.

A 24-year-old man suffered severe facial injuries after being thrown from his ZHILONG e-scooter while making a left turn at the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Carlton Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 13:14. The report describes the rider as 'incoherent,' with 'severe bleeding' and no helmet. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The narrative states the man was 'thrown from his ZHILONG e-scooter mid-turn,' resulting in his 'face split open' and 'blood on the pavement.' No other vehicles were involved. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the key error leading to the crash. The absence of safety equipment is noted only after the driver’s inattention. The street remained active as the injured rider struggled to speak, underscoring the relentless pace of city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757306, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 1039-2024 would stop bike share operators from charging members more than a subway fare for short rides. The cap covers e-bikes up to one hour and regular bikes up to two hours. The bill sits in committee.

Int 1039-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on September 12, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to setting maximum amounts for certain member usage fees charged by a bike share operator.' Council Member Chi A. Ossé leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Marte, Hudson, Cabán, Brannan, Hanif, Brewer, and Abreu. The bill would prohibit bike share companies from charging members more than the base subway fare for e-bike rides of one hour or less, or regular bike rides of two hours or less. The law would take effect 120 days after passage and apply to new or renewed contracts. This measure aims to keep bike share affordable for New Yorkers, making cycling a more accessible option.

• File Int 1039-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-12

A 57-year-old man, helmeted but unlicensed, rode his motorcycle straight into a parked Hino van on Saint Johns Place. The van did not move. He struck headfirst and died there. The crash report cites driver inattention or distraction.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old man operating a Jiajue motorcycle collided headfirst with the center back end of a parked Hino refrigerated van on Saint Johns Place near Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The report states the motorcyclist was helmeted but unlicensed. The van was stationary and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The narrative describes the motorcycle crumpling on impact and the rider dying at the scene from head injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. No actions by the van or its driver contributed to the incident, as the vehicle was parked. The report notes the rider's helmet use and unlicensed status, but cites driver inattention as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745063, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Transit advocates and unions demand a Flatbush Avenue bus lane. Mayor Adams stalls. Council Members Hudson and Joseph back the plan. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Working-class New Yorkers bear the brunt. The city delays. Streets stay dangerous. Justice deferred.

On July 10, 2024, a coalition of transit advocates and labor unions renewed calls for a Flatbush Avenue bus lane. The campaign, not tied to a specific council bill, has drawn support from Council Members Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph. The matter, described as a 'no-brainer solution,' highlights slow bus speeds—often under 5 mph—and the urgent need for safer, faster transit. Jolyse Race of Riders Alliance stressed the economic justice at stake, noting bus riders earn half as much as car owners. Mayor Eric Adams has withheld support, citing community engagement and raising concerns about gentrification. The Department of Transportation's plans have stalled under his administration. Healthcare workers and union leaders spoke of missed shifts and unreliable service. Advocates now plan to survey bus riders to show support. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the campaign centers the needs of vulnerable bus riders and pedestrians.

• Bus Advocates Renew Push For Flatbush Avenue Bus Lane Despite Mayor’s Lack of Support, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-10

Council Member Rita Joseph joins activists and unions. They demand a full-length bus lane on Flatbush Avenue. Riders face slow, crowded buses. DOT’s plan covers only the north. Advocates say the whole corridor needs protection. Adams administration lags on promises.

On July 9, 2024, Council Member Rita Joseph (District 40) joined activists and labor unions to demand a bus lane along the entire length of Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue. The Department of Transportation’s current proposal covers only the northern section, leaving out areas with poor subway access. The matter, titled 'Activists, labor push for expanded bus lane along Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue,' highlights slow bus speeds and chronic delays. Joseph, along with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Crystal Hudson, supports the expansion. Labor unions TWU Local 100 and 1199 SEIU also back the effort. Mayor Eric Adams has not met the bus lane targets set by the 2019 Streets Master Plan. Advocates say the city’s piecemeal approach leaves vulnerable riders exposed to traffic danger and unreliable service.

• Activists, labor push for expanded bus lane along Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue, amny.com, Published 2024-07-09

A man on a bike slammed into a parked SUV’s door on Schenectady Avenue. He flew headfirst, blood pooling, skin scorched by the street. The SUV’s door buckled. He lay broken but conscious, the city’s danger etched in flesh.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old man riding a bike collided with the left side doors of a parked SUV near 296 Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:09 a.m. The report describes the cyclist being ejected from his bike, landing headfirst, and suffering severe burns and a head injury. The SUV’s door was folded inward from the impact. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors to the crash. The narrative details blood on the pavement and the cyclist lying conscious but broken. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed after the driver errors and contributing factors. The focus remains on the systemic dangers and driver actions that led to this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736603, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 39-year-old man died beneath the streetlights of Atlantic Avenue. First struck by a box truck, then an SUV, his head shattered, bones crushed. Alone, far from the crosswalk, he became another casualty of unchecked steel and speed.

A deadly crash unfolded midblock on Atlantic Avenue when a 39-year-old man stepped into the roadway and was struck by two vehicles, according to the police report. The report states, 'The box truck hit him first. The SUV followed. Head shattered. Bones crushed. He died there, beneath the streetlights, far from the crosswalk, alone on the asphalt.' Both vehicles—a box truck and a sport utility vehicle—were traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, offering no further detail on specific driver errors. The pedestrian was crossing the street at a location not marked by a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal impact of large vehicles moving unchecked through city streets, leaving a man dead and unanswered questions in their wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727579, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes, and riders must take a DOT safety course. Ignore the rule, lose your bike. The pilot runs three years. DOT must track completions, impounds, and results. Law aims to curb reckless riding.

Int 0874-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on May 16, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a pilot abatement program for unsafe operators of pedal-assist bicycles,' orders the Department of Transportation to launch a three-year pilot. Riders with three or more moving violations must complete a DOT-run safety course. Fail, and their pedal-assist bike can be seized until proof of course completion. The bill requires DOT to report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. Council Member Joann Ariola leads as primary sponsor, joined by Crystal Hudson, Farah N. Louis, Darlene Mealy, Chris Banks, and Kamillah Hanks. The measure seeks to hold repeat offenders accountable and reduce harm to pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council wants lights on city step streets. The bill orders the DOT to brighten at least 25 stairways a year. Dark stairs mean danger. Light means fewer falls, fewer hidden threats. The push comes from a broad coalition. The goal is simple: safer steps.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, it commands the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian lighting on at least 25 step streets each year. The bill’s matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola leads, joined by Council Members Hanks, Ayala, Salaam, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Restler, Brannan, Ung, Gutiérrez, Louis, Hudson, Schulman, Ossé, Krishnan, Nurse, Moya, and Marmorato. Step streets are public staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to ensure these stairs are well-lit, reducing risk for walkers. Once all step streets are lit, the mandate ends. The measure targets a clear hazard: darkness on city stairs.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A man on a bike slammed into a parked SUV’s door on Fulton Street. He flew forward, blood pooling, arm torn. The SUV stood still. The street did not. The cyclist wore no helmet. Metal and flesh collided. The city kept moving.

A 57-year-old man riding a bicycle was severely injured on Fulton Street near Rockwell Place in Brooklyn after striking the door of a parked SUV, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist 'hit a parked SUV’s door,' was 'ejected,' and landed hard, sustaining 'severe lacerations' to his arm. Blood pooled at the scene. The SUV was stationary at the time of the crash, with the point of impact listed as the 'left side doors.' The police report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factor, offering no further detail on driver actions or dooring. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail is mentioned only after the account of the crash. The SUV sustained no damage. The incident underscores the persistent danger for cyclists navigating streets lined with parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724820, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

City officials defend curbside EV charging. Critics warn it locks in car dominance. Council members slam DOT for slow bus and bike lane rollouts. Advocates demand space for people, not cars. The city plans 10,000 new chargers. Streets stay dangerous.

At a May 9, 2024 City Council budget hearing, DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton argued that New York’s widespread free on-street parking justifies dedicating curb space to electric vehicle (EV) charging. Beaton testified, 'Half of our vehicles are stored on the street overnight.' The Adams administration aims to install up to 10,000 curbside chargers over the next decade. Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized DOT for failing to meet bus and bike lane expansion mandates. Sara Lind of Open Plans countered, 'DOT and the administration are fully capable of changing the status quo and rethinking curb parking.' Advocates warned that more EV chargers could block future sidewalk, bike lane, or outdoor dining expansions. The hearing exposed a city stuck in car-first policy, with vulnerable road users left waiting for safer streets.

• DOT Official: All Our Free Parking Justifies Keeping Curb Space for EVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-09

Brooklyn Community Board 9 wants a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board passed a resolution after years of crashes and deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have paid the price. Local officials back the call. DOT has not acted.

On April 18, 2024, Brooklyn Community Board 9 passed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation to build a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board wants to upgrade the faded painted lane, which runs west to Flatbush Boulevard, to a 'vehicle-protected' lane. The matter summary states: 'bring much-needed road safety to a neighborhood.' Council Members Rita Joseph and Crystal Hudson represent the area. Hudson's spokesperson called the resolution 'a necessary step to protect cyclists and pedestrians.' Joseph and DOT did not comment. Between 2021 and 2023, Empire Boulevard saw 406 crashes, injuring 29 cyclists and 52 pedestrians. Two cyclists and two pedestrians have died since 2011. Community Board 9 has zero miles of protected bike lanes. Advocates say improvements are overdue. DOT has yet to propose changes.

• Community Board Wants Protected Bike Lane on Empire Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-26

Abandoned cars choke sidewalks and crossings. Int 0857-2024 orders city crews to tow vehicles that block streets or hide their plates. Council pushes for swift removal—seventy-two hours after notice. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced April 18, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to towing vehicles that are an encumbrance on the street.' It requires the Department of Sanitation to remove vehicles blocking the street within 72 hours of notice. The NYPD must tow cars with missing, obscured, or improper plates and stickers. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca, Brannan, Feliz, Ayala, Louis, Brewer, Avilés, Mealy, Ung, Restler, Farías, Hudson, Riley, and Schulman. The bill targets vehicles that endanger pedestrians and cyclists by blocking sightlines and crossings. It aims to clear hazards fast, making streets safer for all vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

A Mercedes swung right on Clermont Avenue. An unlicensed driver hit a woman crossing. Her hip shattered, blood pooling from deep wounds. She lay on the pavement, limbs twisted, eyes fixed on the unreachable sky above.

According to the police report, a Mercedes sedan making a right turn on Clermont Avenue struck a 35-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection. The report states the driver was unlicensed and failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact broke the woman’s hip and caused severe lacerations, leaving her conscious but immobilized on the pavement. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The collision occurred when the sedan’s right front bumper hit the pedestrian, who was in the crosswalk. No evidence in the report suggests any pedestrian error contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s actions and the systemic danger posed by drivers who disregard basic traffic laws.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717531, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

DOT slashed Willoughby Avenue’s open street hours from 24/7 to 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily. Cyclists, joggers, and parents lose safe, car-free space. Volunteers and advocates protest. DOT claims improved access for elderly and disabled. Council Member Hudson stays neutral, watching safety.

On April 11, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a policy change reducing Willoughby Avenue Open Street hours from 24/7 to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The DOT claims, 'the revised hours will provide older New Yorkers and people with disabilities better street access while preserving the Open Street during its peak hours.' Council Member Crystal Hudson, a known supporter of livable streets, has not taken a clear stance but is monitoring the situation for safety. The Fort Greene Open Streets Coalition opposes the change, stating, 'Opening the street to vehicles during prime early morning hours and throughout the late evenings as the days grow longer will be an unfortunate mistake, and increases the potential for conflict with street safety impacts.' The coalition also disputes the DOT’s financial rationale, arguing the change will increase city costs due to extra staffing for barricades. The move reflects a broader city trend of reduced support for open streets.

• DOT Trims Willoughby Ave. Open Street Hours Because ‘Streets Are For All New Yorkers’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-11

A FLY WING, driven by an unlicensed man, crashed face-first into a slowing SUV on South Portland Avenue. Blood streaked the pavement. Speed and distraction ruled. No passengers. Only the sound of metal and skin in Brooklyn’s daylight.

According to the police report, a FLY WING vehicle operated by an unlicensed 31-year-old man crashed into the rear of a slowing SUV near 160 South Portland Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:57. The report states the driver struck the SUV 'face-first,' suffering severe facial bleeding. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The unlicensed status of the driver is explicitly noted. The SUV was slowing or stopping when it was hit, and the impact was to the center back end of the SUV. No passengers were involved. The narrative describes 'blood trailing down his chin,' underscoring the violence of the collision. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s unsafe speed and inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716120, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 52-year-old man lay bleeding on Eastern Parkway, head struck by a Nissan sedan. The driver, unlicensed and inattentive, left the street empty but for silence and blood. Metal crumpled. The man did not move.

A 52-year-old pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and lay unconscious on Eastern Parkway after being struck head-on by a 2012 Nissan sedan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 3:18 a.m. The report states the driver was unlicensed and operating a vehicle registered in Pennsylvania. The car's left front quarter panel was crushed from the impact. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the victim bleeding in the road, unmoving, after the collision. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The police report makes clear the driver's lack of a valid license and inattention were central to this crash, underscoring the systemic danger posed by unlicensed, inattentive drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713356, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A westbound SUV struck a cyclist head-on on Atlantic Avenue. The rider flew from his bike, landing hard and bleeding from the head. The SUV’s front end caved. The bicycle twisted, silent witness to the crash.

According to the police report, a cyclist turning left on Atlantic Avenue was struck head-on by a westbound Honda SUV. The impact ejected the 32-year-old male cyclist from his bike, leaving him semiconscious and bleeding severely from the head. The report notes that the SUV’s front end caved in, while the bicycle was left twisted at the scene. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error as central to the crash. The narrative describes blood pooling from the cyclist’s head and confirms he was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver’s actions. Systemic danger persists on Atlantic Avenue, where vulnerable road users face lethal force from vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710546, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ram truck plowed into a man crossing Atlantic Avenue. The front end smashed his face. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, pain sharp in the night. Driver distraction left flesh torn and the street marked.

A 38-year-old man was struck by a Ram truck while crossing Atlantic Avenue, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 23:32 near Council District 35. The report states the truck’s front end crushed the pedestrian’s face, leaving him with severe lacerations, though he remained conscious. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. The vehicle, registered in North Carolina, was traveling east and struck the pedestrian outside a crosswalk. The police report makes no mention of pedestrian error as a contributing factor, focusing entirely on the driver’s distraction. The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by inattentive drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709459, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15