No One Died, But Everyone Bleeds: Astoria’s Streets Are Still Unsafe

• Motorcyclist killed in multiple collisions on Long Island Expressway, NYPD says, Gothamist, Published 2025-09-26

• Woman killed after being pinned under car while crossing Queens intersection, ABC7, Published 2025-09-21

• Female construction worker killed on Queens job site, hit-and-run driver arrested, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-20

• Man struck and killed by two vehicles while trying to cross Belt Parkway in South Ozone Park: NYPD, amny, Published 2025-09-16

• Suspect in deadly DWI crash sexually harassed teen before intentionally striking her with SUV, Queens DA says, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-15

• 16-year-old girl struck and killed in Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-13

Sep 10 - Int. 1375 orders DOT to install 5,000 bicycle parking stations over five years, with at least 400 per year on commercial blocks. The measure aims to make cycling more secure, cut sidewalk bike clutter, and boost safety in underserved neighborhoods.

Bill Int. 1375 (Int 1375-2025). Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Key dates: LS #14435 filed 02/26/2025; event recorded 2025-09-10; effective date: immediately. Matter title: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to expanding the bicycle parking station program." The bill requires DOT to install 5,000 bicycle parking stations over five years (1,000 per year), with at least 400 annually on commercial blocks, post locations online, and file a one-time report within six years. Prime sponsors Gale A. Brewer, Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler and Shahana K. Hanif introduced the bill. Safety note: expanding 5,000 stations—especially on commercial blocks and in underserved areas—will make cycling more convenient and secure, encourage mode shift and safety in numbers, and cut bike clutter and pedestrian conflicts.

• File Int 1375-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-09-10

Sep 10 - Int. 1375 orders DOT to install 5,000 bike parking stations over five years. 1,000 a year. 400 on commercial blocks. It cuts sidewalk clutter, houses bikes off the curb, and strengthens safety for riders and pedestrians.

Int. No. 1375 is at SPONSORSHIP. Introduced 02/26/2025; event date 2025-09-10. Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The measure, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to expanding the bicycle parking station program," would require DOT to install at least 5,000 bicycle parking stations over five years (1,000 per year; at least 400 on commercial blocks), post locations online, and deliver a one-time report within six years. Tiffany Cabán is the primary sponsor; Lincoln Restler and Gale A. Brewer are co-sponsors. Safety analysts note that expanding secure, well-sited bike parking—especially on commercial blocks and in underserved areas—supports mode shift, reduces sidewalk clutter from ad hoc parking, and improves end-of-trip safety; impact will be strongest if DOT prioritizes curb/roadway placement over sidewalks to protect pedestrian space.

• File Int 1375-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-09-10

Sep 6 - Driver on a moped going west hit a 28-year-old man not in the roadway near 11-44 30 RD in Queens. The man bled from the face. He stayed conscious. The front end took the hit.

A driver on a moped, heading west and going straight, hit a 28-year-old man who was not in the roadway near 11-44 30 RD in Queens. The pedestrian suffered severe facial bleeding and was conscious. According to the police report, the moped was “Going Straight Ahead” and the pedestrian was “Not in Roadway.” The front center of the moped took the impact. The report listed no driver errors such as failure to yield or unsafe speed. It did record “Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion” as a contributing factor; that is the official account. Two people were on the moped.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

• Zohran Mamdani vows to rescue street redesign DA says Adams adviser sidelined for bribes, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-25

Aug 22 - A driver in a Nissan sedan turned right on Broadway and hit a standing scooter. The 40-year-old scooter driver was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions across his body.

A driver in a Nissan sedan made a right turn and struck a standing scooter near 12-15 Broadway in Queens. The scooter driver, a 40-year-old man, was ejected and injured with abrasions to his entire body. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The sedan’s right front bumper made contact and showed right-front damage. The report lists the rider as conscious at the scene and notes ejection and whole-body injury. This account sticks to the police-recorded facts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 19 - Local officials backed DOT's protected bike lanes under the elevated 31st Street tracks. A New York State Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction that paused the plan. Leaders urged the city to move the separated lanes forward to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

Bill/file number: none. Status: press release; plan supported by local officials but temporarily blocked by a New York State Supreme Court temporary injunction. Committee: N/A. Key date: 2025-08-19 (press statement). The matter titled "Elected officials outline continued support for 31st Street protected bike lanes in Astoria" urges DOT to install protected lanes beneath the elevated tracks. Council Member Tiffany Cabán and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas publicly backed the project. A state senator also expressed support (name withheld). Safety analysts note protected bike lanes under elevated tracks expand safe cycling infrastructure, reduce motor-vehicle-bicycle conflicts, and support mode shift to active travel; benefits depend on continuous, well-lit, accessible design to protect equity and nighttime safety.

• Elected officials outline continued support for 31st Street protected bike lanes in Astoria, AMNY, Published 2025-08-19

Aug 14 - Int. 1353 forces DOT to install approved traffic calming or control devices on streets adjacent to schools within 60 days of a traffic study. Exempts major projects. Cuts delays that keep walkers and cyclists exposed to danger.

Bill: Int. 1353 (Int 1353-2025). Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Key dates: filed 07/14/2025; published 08/14/2025. The matter "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the time permitted for the installation of a traffic calming device or traffic control device on any street adjacent to a school" requires DOT to complete installation within 60 days of a traffic study determination, except for major projects. Primary sponsor: Farah N. Louis. Co-sponsors: Jennifer Gutiérrez, Justin L. Brannan, Lincoln Restler, Tiffany Cabán. Safety analysts say the 60-day deadline shrinks harmful delays, likely improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, aiding crossings, encouraging walking and biking to school, and advancing equity — but benefits depend on enforcement and funding.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int. 1353 orders the department to finish traffic calming or control devices on streets next to schools within 60 days of a study determination. The law takes effect immediately. Sponsors moved to speed protective infrastructure for children.

Bill Int. 1353-2025 is at SPONSORSHIP and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced 07/14/2025 and recorded 08/14/2025, the matter is titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the time permitted for the installation of a traffic calming device or traffic control device on any street adjacent to a school." The bill requires the department to complete installation within 60 days of a traffic study determination. Primary sponsor Farah N. Louis introduced it. Co-sponsors Jennifer Gutiérrez, Justin L. Brannan, Tiffany Cabán, Lincoln Restler and Shahana K. Hanif signed on. Requiring installation of traffic calming or control devices near schools within 60 days after a study determination is likely to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by accelerating protective infrastructure, encouraging safer driving, and supporting ‘safety in numbers’ and equitable protection for children; however impact depends on timely, evidence-based device selection and adequate resourcing for implementation.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1353-2025 forces DOT to install traffic calming on streets beside schools within 60 days of a study finding. It shortens long delays that leave crossings and bike lanes exposed. Major transportation projects are exempt.

Int. No. 1353-2025 (status: Sponsorship; referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) was filed Aug. 14, 2025 and sent to committee the same day. The matter is titled: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the time permitted for the installation of a traffic calming device or traffic control device on any street adjacent to a school." It was introduced by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez and cosponsored by Tiffany Cabán, Lincoln Restler and Farah N. Louis. The bill would require that "the department shall complete the installation... by no later than 60 days after the department issues such traffic study determination." The law takes effect immediately. The measure requires timely installation of proven devices within 60 days, reducing deployment delays and protecting pedestrians and cyclists—especially children—while reasonably exempting major projects.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 12 - A speeding 84-year-old driver killed himself and two pedestrians in Astoria. Elected officials demanded 20 mph limits, protected bike lanes, universal daylighting, and more automated enforcement. Analysts say systemwide changes reduce traffic violence and protect pedestrians and cyclists.

""called for a lower speed limit, more protected bike lanes, universal daylighting, and the implementation of street safety plans."," -- Tiffany Cabán

Matter: "UPDATE: Speeding Senior Driver Kills Self and Two Pedestrians in Astoria, Pols Call for 20 MPH Limit." Date: August 12, 2025. Bill number: none — no bill filed. Status: advocacy and public calls; Committee: N/A. Council Member Tiffany Cabán publicly demanded a 20 mph city limit, protected bike lanes, universal daylighting, and full street safety plans. Zohran Mamdani pushed acceleration of Sammy’s Law, limits on car traffic near schools, and expanded automated enforcement. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas voiced support. Transportation Alternatives urged using Sammy’s Law to lower limits. Safety analysts note the focus is on system-wide interventions such as lower speed limits, protected lanes, and automated enforcement, proven to cut traffic violence and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

• UPDATE: Speeding Senior Driver Kills Self and Two Pedestrians in Astoria, Pols Call for 20 MPH Limit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 11 - 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

Aug 8 - DOT will install protected bike lanes and traffic calming on 31st Street in Astoria. Business owners sued to stop it. The corridor has 190 injuries, 12 severe, 2 deaths since 2020. DOT vows to defend the redesign.

"DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit." No bill number; not before the City Council or any committee. DOT reaffirmed the redesign on August 8, 2025 after business owners sued following a heated June community board meeting. The plan adds protected bike lanes on both sides of 31st Street and painted pedestrian islands. DOT spokesman Will Livingston said, "We stand firmly behind this project and will defend our work in court." Council Member Tiffany Caban, Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas signed a letter supporting the project in June. Implementing protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures is proven to reduce injuries for all road users, encourage mode shift, and improve street equity in this high-crash corridor.

• DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 5 - Police car struck at Beach 35th and Rockaway. Three hurt. Sirens cut through Edgemere. Cause unknown. Streets stained. Investigation begins.

CBS New York reported on August 5, 2025, that an NYPD cruiser crashed at Beach 35th Street and Rockaway Freeway in Edgemere, Queens. Three people were injured. The article states, 'Police are now trying to determine the cause of the crash.' No details on driver actions or contributing factors were released. The incident highlights risks at busy intersections and the need for thorough investigation when emergency vehicles are involved.

• NYPD Cruiser Crash Injures Three In Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-05