Flatbush Bleeds While City Hall Delays

A sedan turned left on Clarendon Road. A motorcycle sped east. The two collided. The motorcyclist flew from his bike. He suffered a head injury. The sedan driver walked away. Failure to yield and unsafe speed fueled the crash.

A sedan and a motorcycle collided at Clarendon Road and East 56th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn while the motorcycle was going straight. The 21-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe lacerations. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old man, was not seriously hurt. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The motorcyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield and speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817197, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill pushes cheaper bike share for students sixteen and up. City’s Department of Transportation must set new rates. More teens could ride. Bill sits in committee. Streets may see more young cyclists. Danger remains. System must protect them.

Int 1287-2025, introduced May 28, 2025, sits with 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 a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older,” would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted rate for eligible students. Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Gale A. Brewer, Shahana K. Hanif, Sandy Nurse, Linda Lee, Keith Powers, Lincoln Restler, Chi A. Ossé, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Althea V. Stevens, and Farah N. Louis. The measure aims to make cycling more accessible for youth, but the city must ensure safe streets as more young riders join traffic. The bill remains under committee review.

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

A motorcycle and SUV collided on Schenectady Avenue. The motorcycle driver was ejected, suffered head wounds, and was found unconscious. A one-year-old passenger in the SUV was also injured. Children and adults filled both vehicles. The street bore the brunt.

A crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV unfolded on Schenectady Avenue at Tilden Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. He was found unconscious at the scene. A one-year-old boy, riding as a rear passenger in the SUV, was also injured. Several other children and adults were present in both vehicles, but their injuries were listed as unspecified. No contributing factors or driver errors were recorded in the police report. The report notes the motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment. The collision left a mark on a street crowded with vulnerable passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814216, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a bill forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post warnings on rear doors. The decals tell riders to watch for cyclists before swinging open. The law aims to cut dooring. Signs come free from the city. Cyclists face less risk.

Int 0193-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed the Council on May 1, 2025. The bill reads: 'requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door.' Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Jennifer Gutiérrez and a long list of co-sponsors. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law orders all taxis and for-hire vehicles to post warning decals on rear passenger doors, alerting riders to check for cyclists before opening. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure targets dooring, a common threat to cyclists. The bill takes effect 120 days after becoming law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council bill orders NYPD to verify temporary plates and VINs on ticketed cars. Cops must publish quarterly parking enforcement reports. Sponsors push for sunlight on enforcement. Committee shelves the bill for now. Streets wait. Danger lingers.

Int 1252-2025, introduced April 24, 2025, sits with the Committee on Public Safety. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department parking enforcement," demands the NYPD confirm license plates and VINs on vehicles with temporary tags or those ticketed for violations. The NYPD must also release quarterly reports on parking enforcement. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary), Oswald Feliz, Lincoln Restler, Robert F. Holden, and Chris Banks sponsor the measure. On April 28, 2025, the committee laid the bill over. The bill aims to expose enforcement gaps and bring accountability, but for now, the city’s most vulnerable—pedestrians and cyclists—see no immediate relief. The system stalls. The risk remains.

• File Int 1252-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

A northbound pickup turned left at E 51st and Clarendon, striking a 50-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Blood streamed from her eye. The driver, a 25-year-old man with a permit, walked away unscathed. The street stayed loud and indifferent.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old woman was crossing at the intersection of E 51st Street and Clarendon Road in Brooklyn when she was struck by a northbound GMC pickup truck making a left turn. The report states the woman was 'crossing with the signal.' She suffered severe bleeding from her eye and was listed as conscious at the scene. The driver, a 25-year-old man operating with only a permit, was uninjured. The point of impact was the truck's left front bumper. The police report does not list any driver contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified,' but the narrative makes clear the driver turned left into the path of a pedestrian who had the signal. No victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the persistent danger faced by pedestrians even when following traffic signals, especially at intersections where drivers turn across crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806851, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post updates on every street safety project. Each month, the public will see which projects are planned, which are stalled, and which are done. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. Sunlight on every mile.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now on the Mayor's desk, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced November 13, 2024, and passed committee and full Council votes on April 10, 2025. The law, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan,' demands the Department of Transportation post annual and monthly updates on all benchmark projects—protected bike lanes, bus lanes, signals, and upgrades. Council Member Julie Won led as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law requires public reporting on project status, funding, delays, and overruns. This measure brings hard oversight and transparency to the city’s street safety promises.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

A motorcycle struck the rear of a reversing SUV near E 53rd Street. The rider, thirty-seven, went headfirst onto the pavement. His helmetless head split open. The bike twisted, silent. The street froze, marked by metal and blood.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the rear of an SUV that was backing up near 1053 E 53rd Street in Brooklyn at 23:44. The rider, a 37-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations but remained conscious. The report states the SUV was 'Backing Unsafely,' with 'Other Vehicular' factors also cited. The motorcycle was traveling straight when it struck the SUV's left rear bumper. The responding officers noted the motorcycle was left crumpled and overturned. The police report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as a contributing factor, drawing attention to the SUV driver's actions. The rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail appears only after the documented driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803006, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill 1195-2025 orders a citywide study and plan for tactile paving on sidewalks. The measure targets safer crossings for blind and low-vision New Yorkers. Sponsors demand action. The bill sits in committee. The city must report progress each year.

Int 1195-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 13, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law in relation to requiring a study and plan regarding the installation of tactile paving on sidewalks,' mandates a one-year study and a five-year plan for tactile paving across New York City. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Chris Banks, and Sandra Ung back the measure. The Department of Transportation must identify high-priority blocks, consult disability advocates, and review best practices. The Commissioner must submit a plan and annual progress reports to the Mayor and Council Speaker, all posted online. The bill aims to set design standards, clarify maintenance and liability, and ensure public outreach. The legislation focuses on making sidewalks safer and more accessible for people with vision loss.

• File Int 1195-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to repaint pavement markings within five days after resurfacing. Streets stripped bare by fresh asphalt must get lines back fast. Delays require public notice. The law aims to keep crosswalks and lanes visible, protecting walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced January 8, 2025, passed March 15, and became Local Law 28 of 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law orders DOT to install pavement or temporary markings within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must post notices explaining the delay and set a new timeline. DOT must also report yearly on compliance. The law responds to a simple fact: missing markings mean danger for people on foot and bike. With this law, the city moves to close that deadly gap.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

A pickup truck turned left into blinding sun at E 59 St and Beverley Rd. Its bumper smashed a 14-year-old girl’s face as she crossed with the signal. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stood, hands pressed to her wound.

According to the police report, a pickup truck was making a left turn at the corner of E 59 St and Beverley Rd in Brooklyn when it struck a 14-year-old pedestrian. The incident occurred at 15:17. The report states the driver turned 'into the sun,' with 'glare' listed as a contributing factor. The left front bumper of the truck hit the girl in the face, causing severe bleeding. She remained conscious and standing, hands pressed to her wound. The police narrative confirms the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor, but explicitly notes the driver's action—turning left into glare—preceded the impact. The data underscores the persistent danger posed by turning vehicles at signalized crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790784, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 61-year-old cyclist was thrown from his bike when a southbound sedan hit him on East 46th Street near Foster Avenue. Blood pooled on the pavement. The car’s front end crumpled. The man lay still, head split, the street marked by violence.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old man riding a bike eastbound on East 46th Street near Foster Avenue was struck by a southbound Honda sedan at approximately 1:00 PM in Brooklyn. The report states the cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered severe head trauma, with blood pooling on the pavement. The sedan’s center front end was crumpled from the impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the police report does not list helmet use as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were described as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no details on specific driver errors. The impact location and narrative underscore the violence of the collision and the vulnerability of the cyclist in the face of a fast-moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789911, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Council calls for Albany to pass the PAWS Act. The bill adds pets to protected victims in traffic law. It hikes fines for drivers who hit animals and flee. Lawmakers push for real consequences when cars strike dogs, cats, and other companions.

Resolution 0723-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced January 23, 2025, it urges the state to pass A10660/S9915, the Protecting Animals Walking on the Street (PAWS) Act. The resolution states: 'add the term companion animals to the list of possible victim classes should a driver fail to exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians and to increase the fine for striking a pet with a vehicle and leaving the scene without reporting the incident.' Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Lynn C. Schulman, Carlina Rivera, and Justin L. Brannan back the measure. The PAWS Act would raise fines for drivers who hit pets and leave, and would recognize companion animals as protected victims under traffic law. The move targets a gap in current law, where penalties for striking animals are minor—on par with an illegal U-turn. The Council’s action signals a push for stronger accountability when vehicles harm the city’s most vulnerable, including its animals.

• File Res 0723-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A southbound SUV plows into a 16-year-old boy on Nostrand Avenue. The bumper smashes his face. Blood pours onto the street. He is conscious, cut deep, stunned by the blow. Driver inattention marks the scene.

A 16-year-old pedestrian suffered severe facial lacerations after being struck by a southbound SUV on Nostrand Avenue near Avenue M in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The collision occurred at 18:06, when the teen stepped into the roadway outside a crosswalk or signal. The report states, 'A southbound SUV hits him head-on. The bumper strikes his face. He falls. Blood spills. He is awake, bleeding, cut deep.' Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, underscoring the driver’s failure to notice or respond to the pedestrian in time. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary cause remains the driver’s lack of attention. The impact left the teen conscious but badly injured, highlighting the persistent threat posed by inattentive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787726, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turned left on Ocean Avenue. An e-scooter carried a 10-year-old boy straight through. Metal struck metal. The boy was thrown, his leg crushed. He wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. The street swallowed his scream.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Ocean Avenue near Avenue J collided with an e-scooter traveling straight. The impact threw a 10-year-old boy from the scooter, resulting in severe crush injuries to his lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The sedan’s driver, licensed in New York, struck the scooter with the vehicle’s left front bumper while turning. The boy, riding outside and wearing a helmet, remained conscious after the crash. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785665, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to check with FDNY before approving open streets, bike lanes, or big street changes. Firehouses get notified. Council members and boards get updates. The law aims for more eyes, more voices, but adds hurdles for street redesigns.

Bill Int 0104-2024, now Local Law 6 of 2025, was enacted by the City Council on January 18, 2025, after passing both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the full Council in December 2024. The law requires the Department of Transportation to consult with the Fire Department before approving open street applications, bicycle lane projects, or major transportation projects. The official matter title states the law amends the city code to require DOT to consult with FDNY and notify affected firehouses before moving forward. Primary sponsor Kalman Yeger, with co-sponsors including Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, Lynn Schulman, and others, pushed the bill through. The law expands notification and comment rights for firehouses and community boards, adding new steps before any street or lane changes. No safety analyst assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users. The law’s effect: more agencies weigh in, but the process for safer streets grows longer and more complex.

• File Int 0104-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

A Dodge sedan struck from behind on Cortelyou Road. Rear passenger, thirty-one, sliced at the neck. Two sedans mangled, one parked car crushed. Blood on the seat, silence on the street. Distraction behind the wheel left violence in its wake.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on Cortelyou Road near East 31st Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. A Dodge sedan was struck from behind, leaving its left rear passenger, a 31-year-old man, with severe neck lacerations. The report states, 'A Dodge sedan struck from behind. Rear passenger, 31, gashed at the neck. Two sedans wrecked. One parked car crushed. Distraction behind the wheel.' The primary contributing factor cited is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The impact also damaged a parked sedan. The police report makes no mention of passenger actions as contributing factors. The crash underscores the consequences of driver distraction, with blood and silence marking the aftermath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782167, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A RAM SUV struck a 23-year-old e-bike rider on Avenue J. The rider, thrown and bleeding from the head, lay unconscious in the street. The SUV’s right side bore the mark of impact. Failure to yield shattered the morning calm.

A violent collision unfolded on Avenue J near East 28th Street in Brooklyn when a RAM SUV struck an eastbound e-bike, according to the police report. The 23-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and landed on the pavement, unconscious and bleeding from the head. The police report states the SUV’s right side bore the wound of the crash. The primary contributing factor cited is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The report also notes 'Unsafe Speed' as a factor. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and wore no protective equipment, but these details are mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The crash left the cyclist with severe head injuries, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779922, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 1131-2024 would create a task force to study safer street design as e-bike use surges. The group must report back in 270 days. The bill sits in committee. Streets remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users wait for action.

Int 1131-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, calls for a task force to study street design and infrastructure safety in response to rising electric bicycle use and related collisions. The bill was introduced December 5, 2024, with Council Member Gale A. Brewer as primary sponsor and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Julie Won, Julie Menin, Shekar Krishnan, Farah N. Louis, Chi A. Ossé, Nantasha M. Williams, Alexa Avilés, Crystal Hudson, Carlina Rivera, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams as co-sponsors. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law in relation to the establishment of a task force to study options for making street design and infrastructure safer in consideration of increased use of electric bicycles and related collisions.' The committee laid the bill over on December 11, 2024. The task force, if created, must deliver recommendations for legislation and policy within 270 days. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, e-bike riders—remain at risk while the city studies its next move.

• File Int 1131-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05