BQE, Atlantic: fire and flight

Jun 12 - Concrete and granite now guard Brooklyn corners. Barriers force drivers to slow, protect cyclists, and clear sightlines. Seventy-nine crashes last year on Ocean Avenue alone. The city moves slow, but hard edges cut risk where cars once ruled.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 12, 2025, that the Department of Transportation will install hard barriers at six Brooklyn intersections to protect cyclists and pedestrians. The new design 'daylights' corners, using concrete, granite, and planters to keep cars back and create mini-protected bike lanes. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Using barriers to clear space at the intersection will help ensure pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles can see each other and enhance safety.' The agency targeted intersections with a history of turning crashes—Ocean Avenue saw 79 crashes in 2024, injuring 75 people, including 15 pedestrians and 13 cyclists. Advocates praised the move but called for faster, broader use of hard infrastructure. The article notes that most pedestrian injuries and deaths in New York occur at intersections, and that keeping corners clear is standard in other states. DOT opposes removing parking without barriers, citing risks of faster, more dangerous turns.

• DOT Adds Barriers to Brooklyn Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - Council bill demands bike and scooter share firms post road rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No charge for time spent reading. City aims for clarity, not confusion.

Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," compels operators to show safety rules on apps and at stations. Users must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The bill bars operators from charging for this time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Ariola, and Morano. The law aims to make safety rules visible and unavoidable for every rider.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules on apps and stations. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible rules for all. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled “A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation,” demands that operators of shared bikes and scooters display city and state traffic rules on apps and at stations. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. Sponsors include Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary), Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Ariola, and Morano. The bill bars operators from charging users for time spent reviewing safety rules. The measure aims to make the rules clear and visible to all users.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules at docks and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible reminders. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," demands operators post rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The law bars operators from charging for the review time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Gutiérrez, Ariola, and Morano. The measure aims for clear, accessible safety information but does not address street design or enforcement.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 7 - A string stretched across the Marine Parkway Bridge cut two cyclists. One suffered a slashed throat and blood loss, the other needed stitches. The string’s source remains unclear. Kite fighting blamed, but city action lags. Riders bleed. System fails.

Gothamist (2025-06-07) reports two cyclists were injured by a string suspended across the Marine Parkway Bridge. One cyclist, Robert Hillebrand, suffered a severed windpipe and required blood transfusions. Another, Jennifer Noble, received stitches and a broken finger. Police said the string was likely from kite fighting, a practice where glass-coated strings are used to cut opponents' kites. Witnesses described a yellow nylon string stretched across the bike lane. The NYPD found no criminality. The city parks department bans kite fighting but enforcement is lacking. Danny Mundy, a local civic leader, said, “It’s absolutely dangerous and unacceptable.” Previous injuries and lawsuits linked to kite string in the area highlight ongoing risks for cyclists and wildlife. No driver involvement was reported, but the incident exposes gaps in infrastructure and enforcement.

• String Slices Cyclists On Parkway Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 5 - A 71-year-old cyclist lost consciousness and died while riding north on Center Drive. No other vehicles involved. The street stayed quiet. The crash left one dead.

A 71-year-old man riding a bike north on Center Drive died after losing consciousness. According to the police report, the only contributing factor was 'Lost Consciousness.' No other vehicles or people were involved. The cyclist was found unconscious and not ejected from the bike. The report lists no vehicle damage and no other errors. The crash ended with the rider's death and no further injuries reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824644 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 4 - Flatbush Avenue will lose car lanes. Bus lanes and pedestrian islands will take their place. Fifty-five killed or badly hurt since 2019. Buses crawl. Pedestrians dodge traffic. The city moves to fix a deadly, clogged corridor.

Gothamist reported on June 4, 2025, that New York City's Department of Transportation plans to overhaul Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza. The redesign replaces two car lanes with 24/7 bus-only lanes and adds pedestrian islands. DOT officials said, 'almost 70,000 daily bus riders are stuck waiting too long for slow buses, drivers are caught in a mess of traffic and pedestrians are left crossing intersections clogged with vehicles.' Since 2019, 55 people have been killed or severely injured in crashes along this stretch. The plan removes curbside parking and bans cars from bus lanes, aiming to speed up twelve bus routes and protect people on foot. Most residents in the area do not own cars and depend on slow buses. The proposal reflects a shift toward prioritizing vulnerable road users and addressing systemic danger on one of Brooklyn's busiest corridors.

• Flatbush Avenue Bus Lanes, Pedestrian Islands Planned, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-04

Jun 1 - Three vehicles crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal twisted. One driver suffered head and crush injuries. Police blamed driver distraction. The road ran straight. The night was quiet. The system failed again.

A crash involving a pick-up truck and two SUVs tore through the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, three vehicles were traveling east when they collided. One driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered head and crush injuries. Five others, including a child, were listed as occupants but did not have specified injuries. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other errors or violations were listed. The report shows all vehicles were moving straight ahead before impact. The data does not mention helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the ongoing danger for all road users on New York’s highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 28 - A woman died behind the wheel of an SUV on Ditmas Avenue. Another occupant was hurt. Police cite driver inattention. The SUV’s front left bumper took the hit. The crash left one dead, one injured, and a street marked by impact.

A crash on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn involved a 2021 Mercedes SUV registered in Florida. According to the police report, the SUV was parked and then struck, with the point of impact at the left front bumper. The driver, a 38-year-old woman, was killed. Another 38-year-old female occupant suffered unspecified injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other vehicles are clearly identified in the report. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The report does not mention any actions by the injured occupant. The facts show a deadly collision, with inattention behind the wheel called out by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for seniors. More elders could ride. Streets may see more slow, unprotected cyclists. Danger from cars remains. Bill sits in committee. No safety fixes for traffic threats.

Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' requires the Department of Transportation to set lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The measure aims to boost senior cycling but does not address street safety or car violence. The bill was re-referred to committee on June 4, 2025.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes bill for cheaper bike share for New Yorkers over 65. More seniors could ride. The city’s streets may see older cyclists in the mix. The committee now holds the bill.

Bill Int 1288-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 28, 2025, and re-referred June 4, it mandates a discounted bike share rate for seniors 65 and older. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors.” Council Member Farah N. Louis leads, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, and Menin. The Department of Transportation would require bike share operators to offer this rate. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council bill pushes for discounted bike share rates for New Yorkers 65 and up. The move aims to open city streets to older riders. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. No safety review yet.

Int 1288-2025 was introduced on May 28, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for seniors, defined as those 65 or older. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors.' Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, and Gutiérrez. The bill was re-referred to committee on June 4, 2025. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes a bill to cut bike share costs for New Yorkers over 65. The measure aims to open city cycling to more seniors. The committee now weighs its next move.

Bill Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' would require the Department of Transportation to mandate lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, Gutiérrez, and Restler. The bill was re-referred to committee June 4. The move aims to make cycling more accessible for older New Yorkers.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 26 - A driver struck Tiffany Cifuni after a fender-bender in Bedford-Stuyvesant. She was pregnant. The driver dragged her down a one-way street, crashed again, then fled. Cifuni’s family mourns. The street holds the mark of violence and loss.

NY Daily News reported on May 26, 2025, that Tiffany Cifuni, 32, was killed after a Chevy Trax rear-ended her on Van Buren St. in Brooklyn. Cifuni exited her vehicle to confront the driver, who then ran her over and dragged her down the street. The driver fled, crashing into two more vehicles before abandoning the car. The article quotes Cifuni’s husband: “I lost my whole family tonight.” Surveillance footage captured the confrontation and the fatal impact. The incident highlights the lethal risk of driver aggression and the dangers of hit-and-run crashes. The driver’s decision to flee and drive the wrong way down a one-way street escalated the harm, underscoring systemic failures in street safety and enforcement.

• Pregnant Woman Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-26

May 25 - A pregnant woman stood in the street after a fender bender. The other driver hit her, dragged her, then sped off. She died at the scene. The driver fled on foot. Family waits for answers. The street holds the silence.

ABC7 reported on May 25, 2025, that a 32-year-old pregnant woman was killed in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, after a traffic incident at Van Buren Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard. The article states, "Authorities say a female driver slammed into the victim as she stood in the roadway after a traffic incident." The victim, Tiffany Cifuni, had exited her SUV following a minor collision and approached the other vehicle. The driver then accelerated, dragging Cifuni and driving the wrong way before striking parked cars and fleeing on foot. The crash highlights the dangers of post-collision interactions and reckless driving. Police continue to search for the suspect.

• Pregnant Woman Killed In Brooklyn Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-25

May 15 - Larry Maxwell crossed Sutter Avenue. A fleeing driver struck him. Maxwell fell hard. His son ran to his side. Paramedics rushed him to Brookdale Hospital. Maxwell died. The driver vanished. Cameras watched. No arrest. Family left with grief.

NY Daily News reported on May 15, 2025, that Larry Maxwell, 72, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Sutter Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Maxwell was heading to a family cookout when a driver, fleeing another crash, struck him and left the scene. The article quotes Maxwell’s son, Larnce Vargas: “There are so many cameras. So why is he still at large?” Despite surveillance in the area, the driver remains unidentified. The incident highlights gaps in enforcement and the persistent danger for pedestrians, even near their homes. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed by drivers who flee collisions and the limits of current city surveillance and response.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-And-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-15

May 12 - Cyclists filed a federal class action against NYPD for illegal red light tickets. The law lets cyclists go with the walk signal. NYPD ignored it. Officers escalated to criminal summonses. Immigrant workers hit hardest. Council Member Hanif seeks civil, not criminal, penalties.

On May 12, 2025, a federal class action lawsuit was filed against the NYPD for issuing red light tickets and criminal summonses to cyclists who legally proceed through intersections during the pedestrian 'Walk' signal, as allowed by a 2019 law. The suit seeks an injunction, damages, and better officer training. The NYPD continued ticketing, despite the law. Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif is 'exploring' ways for the City Council to 'restore the previous protocol of issuing civil summonses.' The lawsuit highlights that the NYPD's actions disproportionately harm immigrant workers who rely on cycling for work. Attorney Mariann Wang said, 'This action seeks to ensure the NYPD finally follows the law as it has been written for years, and stops unlawfully detaining and prosecuting cyclists when they've done nothing wrong.' The NYPD declined to comment.

• Cyclist Launches Class Action Suit For Bogus NYPD Red Light Tickets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-12

May 7 - A sedan hit an e-bike on McDonald Ave. The cyclist, ejected and bleeding from the face, lay hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and flesh met in Brooklyn’s morning light.

A sedan collided with an e-bike on McDonald Ave near Greenwood Ave in Brooklyn. The 60-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered severe facial lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment, but the police report lists driver distraction as the primary factor. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupant. The crash underscores the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811100 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 6 - A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06