Main Street Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safer Streets Now

A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The driver fled. The man died at Jamaica Hospital. Police search for answers. Seventeen killed in Queens South this year. The toll climbs.

Gothamist (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th Street and South Conduit Avenue near JFK Airport at 2:30 a.m. The driver fled. Police said, "the driver hit the 52-year-old man as he crossed" and left the scene. No vehicle description was released. NYPD data shows 17 traffic deaths in Queens South this year, up from 13 last year. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers in the area.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-13

Astoria shopkeepers fight a protected bike lane on 31st Street. They claim city plans threaten their business and public safety. The lawsuit lands in Queens Supreme Court. The city faces pushback, progress stalls.

NY1 reported on August 11, 2025, that over a dozen Astoria business owners filed suit to block a protected bike lane on 31st Street. The petition, lodged in Queens Supreme Court, claims the redesign from 36th Avenue to Newton Avenue would 'hurt their day-to-day operations and jeopardize public safety.' Owners accuse the city of acting in an 'arbitrary and capricious' way, moving forward despite objections. The case highlights ongoing tension between street safety projects and local business concerns. The outcome could shape future protected bike lane installations citywide.

• Astoria Businesses Sue Over Bike Lane, NY1, Published 2025-08-11

Two sedans crashed in Queens. One driver, age sixty-one, suffered whiplash. Metal twisted. No clear cause named. Streets stayed dangerous. The system failed to protect.

Two sedans collided at Lawrence Street and 58th Road in Queens. A sixty-one-year-old male driver was injured, suffering whiplash. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead before the crash. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The report notes damage to the center front end of one sedan and the right side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by road users in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Floods drowned Bay Terrace. Streets vanished. Leaders demand signs and real fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists still face danger. Signs warn, but water keeps coming.

"Just as Queens was about to get hundreds of millions of dollars in the federal infrastructure plan to address some of the severe flooding issues right here in Queens, the Trump administration yanked it, revoked that funding, and this is what we’re going to have to be faced with even more." -- John Liu

On August 8, 2025, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Vickie Paladino, joined by State Sen. John Liu and others, called for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation in Bay Terrace. They urged the Department of Transportation to act after flash floods submerged the Cross Island Parkway. The matter, described as a 'call for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation efforts,' saw Richards call signage a 'small step' and Paladino stress the need for warnings. The safety analyst notes these efforts may help general conditions but do not address the core safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists or shift burdens away from vulnerable users.

• Queens leaders call for flood signage and infrastructure in Bay Terrace, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Box truck and SUV collided on Long Island Expressway. Five passengers hurt. Police cite driver inexperience. Metal, glass, pain. System failed the vulnerable again.

A box truck and an SUV crashed on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Five people, all passengers, suffered injuries to the neck, back, and legs. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV driver held only a permit. Both vehicles were traveling east. The impact left metal twisted and passengers in pain. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The system put vulnerable passengers at risk, and the road delivered pain.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831133 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

City and business leaders back a $3 million study to overhaul 14th Street. The plan aims to carve out space for walkers, bikers, and buses. Cars lose ground. Streets grow safer. The city bets on change.

On July 29, 2025, Christopher Bonanos reported a sweeping proposal to remake 14th Street. No council bill number or committee is listed. The Adams administration, local BIDs, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation pledged $3 million for a 24-month study. The plan, described as 'transformative' and 'generational,' aims to create a 'complete street' for pedestrians, cyclists, delivery workers, and transit. Mayor Eric Adams and city officials support the move. According to safety analysts, such overhauls, especially when led by city and business groups, often yield safer, more equitable streets for vulnerable users.

• Everyone Wants to Fix 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29

A 38-year-old man suffered a head injury on 62 Ave in Queens. Police cite driver inexperience. The crash left the victim with a concussion. The street saw another wound, another mark.

A 38-year-old male driver was injured on 62 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The man, operating a motorized vehicle, suffered a concussion and head injury. The incident involved a standing vehicle struck at the left front quarter panel. No other injuries were reported. The report lists no helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash underscores the risk when driver inexperience enters city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A moped and SUV collided on 148th Street. The moped rider was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw violence. Metal met flesh. The system failed again.

A moped and a Honda SUV collided at 148th Street and 58th Road in Queens. One moped rider, a 26-year-old man, was ejected and suffered injuries to his entire body. Another occupant, age 35, was also hurt. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The moped rider was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary listed cause was driver inattention. The impact was severe. Vulnerable road users paid the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827401 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A 15-year-old boy fell from a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He landed on the tracks. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The city mourns another young life lost to the subway’s hard edge.

According to amny (July 8, 2025), Carlos Oliver, 15, died after falling from atop a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. Police found him on the tracks around 2:45 a.m. and he was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. The article quotes NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow: “This was as avoidable as it is tragic.” The MTA has updated its “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign, broadcasting warnings every 10 to 15 minutes along the 7 line. The incident highlights ongoing risks in the subway system and the need for effective deterrence and safety measures.

• Teen Dies Falling From 7 Train, amny, Published 2025-07-08

City aims to carve bike lanes into 31st Street. Merchants fear lost access. Residents cite danger. DOT points to dozens hurt, two killed. The street stays deadly. The fight over space continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), the NYC Department of Transportation plans to narrow lanes and add bike paths on 31st Street in Astoria, Queens. The DOT cites 126 injured vehicle occupants, 33 injured pedestrians, 24 injured cyclists, and two deaths from 2020 to 2024, calling it 'one of the most dangerous streets in Queens.' Business owners warn the changes will block deliveries and threaten livelihoods. Residents worry about access and safety, especially for the elderly and students. The plan highlights the tension between street redesigns and the needs of vulnerable road users.

• City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

SUV and motorcycle slammed head-on on Long Island Expressway. One motorcyclist hurt. Police cite driver distraction for both vehicles. Metal, speed, and inattention met at the center line.

A station wagon SUV and a motorcycle crashed head-on at the center front on Long Island Expressway near Main Street in Queens. One motorcyclist, a 34-year-old woman, suffered a knee and foot injury. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The injured motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825065 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a young woman crossing Kissena Blvd at 58 Ave. She bled from her leg. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed dangerous.

A 23-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Kissena Blvd at 58 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, she was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when the sedan, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered minor bleeding and a leg injury. The driver, a 49-year-old woman, was not injured. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The report does not mention any other errors or equipment issues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

E-bike struck a seven-year-old girl off Geranium Avenue. She suffered a leg abrasion. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Thirteen-year-old boy operated the e-bike.

A seven-year-old girl was injured when an e-bike, driven by a thirteen-year-old boy, struck her off Geranium Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the girl suffered an abrasion to her lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The girl was not in the roadway at the time of the crash. The e-bike's center front end was damaged. No safety equipment was reported for the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

A cyclist died on Astoria Boulevard. A fleeing driver struck her. She flew from her bike, hit a parked car, and never got up. Police stopped the chase. The driver kept going. The street stayed deadly.

According to the New York Post (published June 24, 2025), Bekim Fiseku, 53, was charged after fatally striking cyclist Amanda Servedio, 36, while fleeing a burglary in Queens. Surveillance video showed Servedio "went flying off her bicycle and slammed into a parked BMW while Fiseku sped off." Police ended their pursuit to help Servedio, who died at Elmhurst Hospital. Fiseku was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction at the time. The article highlights that Fiseku had three passengers and was fleeing police, raising questions about police pursuit protocols and the risks to vulnerable road users. The crash underscores ongoing dangers for cyclists on city streets.

• Cyclist Killed In Queens Hit-And-Run, New York Post, Published 2025-06-24

Two sedans crashed on Booth Memorial Avenue. One driver bruised his back. Police cite inexperience and alcohol. Passengers shaken. Streets stay unforgiving.

Two sedans collided on Booth Memorial Avenue at Kissena Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 47-year-old male driver suffered a back contusion. Four other occupants, including another driver and passengers, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. Fatigue was also noted for several involved. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt. The crash highlights the risks when drivers lack experience and drive under the influence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16