No More Blood on Cropsey: Hold Brannan Accountable for Every Broken Body

StreetsPAC picks Brad Lander for mayor. They praise his sweeping plan for safer streets and better transit. The group rejects weak promises. They demand bold action to protect people outside cars. Lander vows real change for New Yorkers.

On June 11, 2025, StreetsPAC, a political action committee for livable streets, endorsed Brad Lander for New York City mayor. The endorsement, reported by Streetsblog NYC and covered by Gersh Kuntzman, followed a review of candidate plans. StreetsPAC called Lander’s proposal 'by far the most comprehensive blueprint ... we've ever seen from a candidate for any office.' Lander promised more protected bike lanes, a citywide Bus Rapid Transit network, and using congestion pricing revenue for busways and bikeways. He pledged six-minute service on subways and buses and action on street homelessness. StreetsPAC’s endorsement signals strong support for policies that prioritize vulnerable road users. Their safety analyst noted: 'A comprehensive plan for safer streets and better public transit typically prioritizes vulnerable road users, supports mode shift, and aligns with best practices for population-level safety improvements.'

• StreetsPAC Ranks Lander #1 for Mayor, Offers Other Picks for Comptroller, Beeps and Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

Council calls for speed limiters in cars of repeat speeders. The resolution urges Albany to pass S.7621/A.7979. The measure targets reckless drivers. It aims to cut deadly crashes. The bill sits in committee. Streets remain dangerous.

Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges the state to pass S.7621/A.7979. The resolution, introduced April 24, 2025, calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Salaam, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Banks, and Brannan. The bill would force drivers with eleven or more points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting tech. The Council cites data: 265 killed, 52,949 injured on city streets in 2023. The measure aims to put a brake on reckless driving. The committee has not yet advanced the resolution. Vulnerable road users wait for action.

• File Res 0854-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

Council bill orders new medians between bike lanes and car traffic to hold trees and plants. Parks and Transportation must decide what’s possible, then plant. The law aims to shield cyclists, break up the street, and cool the city’s hard edges.

Int 1233-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on April 10, 2025. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the planting of vegetation on new medians separating bicycle lanes from motorized vehicle traffic.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Bottcher, Ossé, Brannan, Hanif, and Brooks-Powers. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to build new medians between bike lanes and car lanes that can support trees and other vegetation, subject to feasibility. Parks and Recreation must plant or allow planting in these medians. The move promises a harder barrier between cyclists and cars, with green infrastructure as a shield.

• File Int 1233-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

A Ford SUV swung left at Cropsey and 24th. Its bumper struck a 95-year-old woman’s head. She fell, blood pooling on cold pavement. She died in the street, winter sky above, another life ended by steel and speed.

At the intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 24th Avenue, a Ford SUV making a left turn struck a 95-year-old woman, according to the police report. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the woman’s head, causing her to fall and suffer severe bleeding. She died at the scene. The police report notes the SUV was making a left turn when the impact occurred, and describes the pedestrian as being at the intersection. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the narrative details the SUV’s movement and the fatal contact. The victim’s actions are described only as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with no indication of contributing behavior. The focus remains on the lethal outcome of a turning vehicle meeting a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788054, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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

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 moves to test bold pavement markings at crash sites. Five spots per borough. Focus: places where drivers have killed or hurt the most. The city must report back. The law dies when the pilot ends. Streets remember every scar.

Int 1154-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill orders a pilot for high visibility pavement markings. The official title: 'A Local Law in relation to establishing a high visibility pavement marking pilot program and the repeal of this local law upon the expiration thereof.' Council Member Yusef Salaam leads as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, De La Rosa, Brooks-Powers, Cabán, Brannan, and Hanif. The bill demands at least five marked sites per borough, targeting places with the most injuries and deaths from bad driving. After the pilot, the city must report on results and recommend next steps. The law sunsets when the pilot ends. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1154-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Council calls on the MTA to lock in Access-A-Ride’s on-demand e-hail pilot. Riders with disabilities and seniors need fast, flexible trips. Demand surges. The program means fewer waits, more freedom. The city urges permanence. Vulnerable New Yorkers depend on it.

Resolution 0695-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, it urges the MTA to make the Access-A-Ride On-Demand E-Hail Pilot Program permanent. The resolution states: 'The Council of the City of New York calls on the MTA to make permanent the Access-A-Ride On-Demand E-Hail Pilot Program.' Council Member Nantasha M. Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Riley, Cabán, Brannan, and Hanif. The program, launched in 2017, lets people with disabilities and seniors book paratransit rides on demand, not days in advance. Ridership jumped from 7,386 to 22,372 monthly trips in one year. The council wants the MTA to expand access and improve service. The resolution centers vulnerable riders, demanding transit that meets their needs.

• File Res 0695-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Council bill Int 1138-2024 would ban parking and standing within 20 feet of crosswalks. It forces the city to install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections each year. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors include Bottcher, Won, and the Public Advocate.

Int 1138-2024, introduced December 5, 2024, is under review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill is 'Laid Over in Committee.' Its title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.' Council Member Erik D. Bottcher is the primary sponsor, joined by Julie Won, Jumaane Williams, and others. The bill prohibits standing or parking within 20 feet of crosswalks and mandates the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections per year. The law also requires citywide outreach and reporting. This measure aims to keep sightlines clear at crossings, a known danger zone for people on foot and bike. The bill has not yet received a vote.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

A Lexus hurtled down Neptune Avenue, speed unchecked. The driver, unbelted, was thrown from the car. Metal twisted, flesh broken. The street claimed him, the night held tight. Systemic danger, one man down.

A violent crash unfolded on Neptune Avenue near West 24th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 2004 Lexus sedan was traveling west at an unsafe speed when the collision occurred. The 24-year-old male driver, the car's sole occupant, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The driver suffered severe crush injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious at the scene. The report details the vehicle's center front end as the point of impact and damage. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The data underscores the lethal consequences of excessive speed and lack of restraint, as documented by responding officers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768222, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council backs a state bill to hike registration fees for big, heavy vehicles. The move targets SUVs and trucks that kill and injure New Yorkers. Sponsors say the law will cut deaths, push smaller cars, and clear the air. The fight is on.

Resolution 0601-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced October 10, 2024, it urges Albany to pass S.6657A/A.7978. The resolution calls for 'amend[ing] the Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to registration fees for certain vehicles.' Council Members Justin L. Brannan (primary sponsor, District 47) and Lincoln Restler (co-sponsor, District 33) lead the charge. The bill would raise registration fees for larger, heavier vehicles, with a break for electric car batteries. The resolution cites grim numbers: 103 pedestrians killed in New York City in 2023, and research showing heavy vehicles are deadlier. The Council says this law could deter the spread of oversized cars, protect people on foot and bike, and cut emissions. The measure is still in committee.

• File Res 0601-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-10-10

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 sedan’s front bumper slammed into a 43-year-old cyclist on Belt Parkway. The man was ejected, suffering fatal head trauma. He died alone in the darkness, the highway silent but for the hum of passing cars.

A 43-year-old man riding a bike westbound on Belt Parkway was killed when a sedan, traveling east, struck him with its left front bumper. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head trauma, dying at the scene before dawn. The narrative states, 'A 43-year-old man on a bike, no helmet, struck by a sedan’s front bumper. Ejected. Head trauma. He died there in the dark, alone, the road lit only by headlights and the hush before dawn.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as 'Failure to Yield' or 'Distraction' are cited in the data. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail appears after the description of the collision and is not listed as a contributing factor. The impact and fatality underscore the lethal consequences when cars and vulnerable road users collide on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755430, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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 white SUV struck and killed a 74-year-old man in a Bay Ridge crosswalk. The driver fled. Council Member Justin Brannan called out the violence. Police search for answers. Grief and anger grip the neighborhood. The victim’s family mourns. Justice remains elusive.

On September 12, 2024, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) responded to a deadly hit-and-run in Bay Ridge. The incident, reported by brooklynpaper.com, saw a 74-year-old pedestrian killed while crossing Ridge Boulevard at Bay Ridge Avenue. The matter, titled 'Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run,' details how the driver fled, leaving the victim and several damaged vehicles behind. Brannan posted: 'This is not the news any of us wanted to wake up to today. One of our neighbors was killed by a driver in a white SUV last night. The driver took off, and all of it was captured on video.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes also voiced outrage and concern. Both officials pledged to support the investigation and seek justice for the victim. No safety analyst assessment was provided for this event.

• Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-09-12

A 74-year-old man crossed Bay Ridge Avenue. A northbound Honda SUV hit him with its right front bumper. His body broke on metal. The street stayed quiet. He did not rise. The crash ended one life in Brooklyn’s dark.

A 74-year-old man was killed while crossing Bay Ridge Avenue near Ridge Boulevard in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 8:56 p.m. when a northbound Honda SUV struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The report states, 'A 74-year-old man stepped into the dark against the light. A northbound Honda SUV struck him with its right front bumper. His body broke against metal. The street stayed quiet. He did not rise.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The pedestrian was noted as 'Crossing Against Signal,' but no driver errors or additional contributing factors were cited by police. The SUV sustained damage to its right front bumper. The crash resulted in fatal injuries to the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755010, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 17-year-old rider on a westbound Honda motorcycle struck something hard on Belt Parkway. His helmet could not save him. The crash ended his life in the night, leaving only silence and broken metal behind.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old operating a 2007 Honda motorcycle westbound on Belt Parkway was killed after striking an unidentified hard object. The report notes the rider was wearing a helmet, but suffered fatal head injuries. The crash occurred at 21:55 and involved no other vehicles or persons. The police narrative states: 'A 17-year-old on a 2007 Honda hit something hard. His helmet held, but his head didn’t. The night took him. One rider. One crash. No second chance.' Contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the report, and the only vehicle involved was the motorcycle. The rider held a permit. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the fatal impact and the systemic dangers faced by young riders on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738842, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council backs tougher fines for drivers who hide plates. Obscured tags let reckless motorists dodge cameras and tickets. The problem grows. Lawmakers want stiffer penalties to stop the evasion and protect people on city streets.

Resolution 0467-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced June 20, 2024, it urges Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The measure’s title: 'increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' Council Members Justin L. Brannan (primary sponsor, District 47) and Robert F. Holden (co-sponsor, District 30) lead the push. The bill targets drivers who cover or deface plates to evade speed, red-light, and bus-lane cameras. Data shows unreadable plates rose from 3.98% to 4.66% in one year. The city lost up to $38.7 million in unissued tickets between 2019 and 2022. The resolution calls for higher fines, confiscation of plate coverings, and registration suspensions. Lawmakers say this crackdown is needed to keep dangerous drivers from slipping through the cracks and to make streets safer for everyone.

• File Res 0467-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-20

A Jeep swung into a U-turn on Bay 25 Street. A woman stepped from behind a parked car. The bumper smashed her face. Blood pooled on the asphalt. She stayed conscious, her face torn, eyes open.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV made a U-turn on Bay 25 Street near Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. As the vehicle swung around, a 31-year-old woman emerged from behind a parked car. The Jeep’s right front bumper struck her in the face, causing severe lacerations. The report describes blood pooling on the asphalt and notes the woman remained conscious, her face torn and eyes open. The crash occurred at 19:30. The police report lists the Jeep’s pre-crash action as 'Making U Turn.' No driver errors are explicitly cited in the report’s contributing factors field. The victim’s action—'Emerging from in Front of/Behind Parked Vehicle'—is noted in the data but not listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the Jeep’s maneuver and the resulting impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732943, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14