Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

Int 1353-2025 forces DOT to move fast near schools. When a traffic study finds a calming or control device is needed, installation must finish within 60 days. The bill was referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure committee on Aug. 14, 2025.

Int. No. 1353 (status: Committee) was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Aug. 14, 2025 (agenda and first vote listed Aug. 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." It was introduced by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez and cosponsored by Tiffany Cabán, Lincoln Restler and Farah N. Louis. The bill would "complete the installation... by no later than 60 days after the department issues such traffic study determination." It takes effect immediately.

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

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

A speeding driver killed himself and two pedestrians in Astoria. Politicians demand lower speed limits, protected lanes, and daylighting. Slower speeds save lives. The city holds the power. Action is overdue.

""I also strongly support the 31st Street Safety Plan, Council Member [Julie] Won’s Universal Daylighting legislation, and the full implementation of Sammy’s Law and other traffic calming measures,"" -- Tiffany Cabán

On August 12, 2025, after a deadly Astoria crash, Council Member Tiffany Caban, Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, and Zohran Mamdani called for urgent street safety reforms. Caban demanded a 20 mph limit, protected bike lanes, and universal daylighting. Mamdani backed Sammy’s Law and curbs on car traffic near schools. Transportation Alternatives urged the city to use its new authority to lower speed limits, stating, "Slower speeds are proven to reduce crashes dramatically." Safety analysts confirm: lowering limits cuts crash severity and frequency, protecting pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. No bill was filed, but the call is clear—speed kills, and the city can stop it.

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

A speeding driver killed himself and two pedestrians in Astoria. Politicians demand lower speed limits, protected lanes, and daylighting. Slower speeds save lives. The city holds the power. Action is overdue.

On August 12, 2025, after a deadly Astoria crash, Council Member Tiffany Caban, Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, and Zohran Mamdani called for urgent street safety reforms. Caban demanded a 20 mph limit, protected bike lanes, and universal daylighting. Mamdani backed Sammy’s Law and curbs on car traffic near schools. Transportation Alternatives urged the city to use its new authority to lower speed limits, stating, "Slower speeds are proven to reduce crashes dramatically." Safety analysts confirm: lowering limits cuts crash severity and frequency, protecting pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. No bill was filed, but the call is clear—speed kills, and the city can stop it.

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

A speeding driver killed himself and two pedestrians in Astoria. Politicians demand lower speed limits, protected lanes, and daylighting. Slower speeds save lives. The city holds the power. Action is overdue.

""In addition to working with city leaders to make our streets more pedestrian-friendly and safe for all New Yorkers, Zohran supports the acceleration of the adoption of Sammy's Law and has proposed a plan to limit car traffic outside our schools."" -- Zohran Mamdani

On August 12, 2025, after a deadly Astoria crash, Council Member Tiffany Caban, Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, and Zohran Mamdani called for urgent street safety reforms. Caban demanded a 20 mph limit, protected bike lanes, and universal daylighting. Mamdani backed Sammy’s Law and curbs on car traffic near schools. Transportation Alternatives urged the city to use its new authority to lower speed limits, stating, "Slower speeds are proven to reduce crashes dramatically." Safety analysts confirm: lowering limits cuts crash severity and frequency, protecting pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. No bill was filed, but the call is clear—speed kills, and the city can stop it.

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

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

DOT stands firm on Astoria’s protected bike lanes. Businesses sue. Misinformation clouds facts. Cyclists and pedestrians face delay. Safety waits while lawsuits drag on.

On August 8, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its commitment to protected bike lanes and traffic calming on 31st Street in Astoria, despite a lawsuit from local businesses. The project, not tied to a council bill or committee, aims to cut injuries on a deadly corridor. 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 Gonzalez-Rojas backed the redesign in June. The safety analyst warns: opposition and misinformation from businesses can stall proven safety measures, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

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

Officials and advocates raced the M34 bus in Midtown. Walking beat the bus. The street choked with traffic. Buses crawled. Riders waited. The city failed its most vulnerable. Cars ruled. Transit lost.

"We should never have it where any one of us feels confident about smoking the bus in a race, but today I feel very confident because of how slow these buses are. These are the slowest buses in the United States of America." -- Zohran Mamdani

On August 8, 2025, Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joined transit advocates in Midtown. They raced the M34 bus across 34th Street to expose slow bus speeds. The event asked: 'Is it faster to walk across town or take the bus?' Russo-Lennon and others backed bus improvements, highlighting how cars choke streets and trap riders. The demonstration drew support from Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, and city officials. The safety analyst notes this was a demonstration, not a policy change, so it does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety or system-wide outcomes.

• Victory on 34th Street: Transit groups, Manhattan pols leave bus in the dust in bustling Midtown, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

Mamdani draws a line. Bus projects move if they help riders. No more delays, no more politics. Riders first. Streets hang in the balance.

""Everything has to be assessed on its merits, and the merit that we are measuring these projects by is whether or not they deliver for working class New Yorkers who are currently taking the slowest buses in the country."" -- Zohran Mamdani

On August 8, 2025, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, Democratic nominee and likely successor to Mayor Adams, issued a policy statement on bus projects. He declared, "Everything has to be assessed on its merits, and the merit that we are measuring these projects by is whether or not they deliver for working class New Yorkers who are currently taking the slowest buses in the country." Mamdani criticized the current administration for delays and politicizing bus lanes. No council bill or vote is attached. The safety analyst notes: focusing bus improvements solely on bus riders may overlook opportunities to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, resulting in no direct positive or negative impact on their safety.

• Mamdani Promises New Path For Bus Projects As MTA Leader Finally Loses Patience With Mayor Adams, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Gianaris backs Mamdani for mayor. Both pushed for subway funding and fare-free buses. Their alliance signals power in transit fights. No direct safety change yet for walkers or riders.

On August 4, 2025, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The two worked together on the 'Fix the MTA Act,' which invested in subways and piloted fare-free buses. Gianaris said Mamdani 'provides the energy and ideas' New Yorkers need. Mamdani thanked Gianaris for helping secure 'historic investments in subway and bus services.' This event, reported by City & State NY, shows political unity on transit. However, as no specific policy action or outcome is detailed, analysts find no direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Mike Gianaris backs Zohran Mamdani for mayor, City & State NY, Published 2025-08-04

Gianaris backs Mamdani for mayor. Both pushed for subway funding and fare-free buses. Their alliance signals power in transit fights. No direct safety change yet for walkers or riders.

"'I was proud to partner with Senator Gianaris to secure historic investments in subway and bus services – and now I'm grateful for support as we turn the page on the politics of the past, and build a better future for New York City.'" -- Zohran Mamdani

On August 4, 2025, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The two worked together on the 'Fix the MTA Act,' which invested in subways and piloted fare-free buses. Gianaris said Mamdani 'provides the energy and ideas' New Yorkers need. Mamdani thanked Gianaris for helping secure 'historic investments in subway and bus services.' This event, reported by City & State NY, shows political unity on transit. However, as no specific policy action or outcome is detailed, analysts find no direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Mike Gianaris backs Zohran Mamdani for mayor, City & State NY, Published 2025-08-04

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

A sedan struck a stopped motorcycle on Steinway Street. One rider suffered leg injuries. Police cite unsafe speed and traffic control ignored. The crash left scars and questions in Queens.

A sedan hit a motorcycle stopped in traffic on Steinway Street near 30th Avenue in Queens. One motorcycle rider, age 26, was injured in the leg. According to the police report, both unsafe speed and disregarding traffic control contributed to the crash. The sedan’s front end struck the motorcycle’s rear. The report lists helmet use for the injured rider, but only after noting driver errors. The toll: one injured, two vehicles damaged, and another night of danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833517 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-31

A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

SUV struck a stopped cyclist on Broadway. Rider suffered back injury. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. Streets remain perilous for those outside steel shells.

A sport utility vehicle hit a stopped bicyclist on Broadway at 42nd Street in Queens. The 38-year-old cyclist suffered a back injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. Two SUV occupants, ages 38 and 80, were also listed in the report but had unspecified injuries. The SUV’s front end struck the back of the bicycle. The cyclist was not ejected. The report does not mention helmet use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and follow too closely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two SUVs slammed together on 45th Street. One driver, a 71-year-old woman, suffered back injuries. Police cite following too closely. Metal met metal. Pain followed.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on 45th Street at 25th Avenue in Queens. A 71-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. According to the police report, the cause was 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers and two other occupants were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left one person hurt and underscores the danger when drivers tailgate.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A moped sped down the BQE. It crashed. Two men were ejected. One suffered fractures. Unsafe speed and bad lane use led to blood on the asphalt.

A moped crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway left two men injured, both ejected from the vehicle. According to the police report, the crash involved unsafe speed and improper lane usage. One passenger suffered fractures and dislocation, while the driver had minor bleeding. The driver wore a helmet, but the passenger did not. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact was severe enough to eject both occupants, underscoring the danger of reckless driving on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A left-turning SUV struck a sedan on 25 Ave at Steinway St. One driver suffered arm and internal injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The crash left shock and pain in its wake.

A crash at 25 Ave and Steinway St in Queens involved a left-turning SUV and a northbound sedan. According to the police report, a 35-year-old male driver was injured, suffering arm and internal injuries, and was in shock. Two other occupants, aged 41 and 85, had unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV was making a left turn when it collided with the sedan. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV turned left on Steinway. Sedan struck front end. Driver hurt. Elderly woman and man in cars. Police cite failure to yield. Metal and flesh met in Queens night.

A sedan and an SUV collided at 25 Ave and Steinway St in Queens. One driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered arm and internal injuries. An 85-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man, both vehicle occupants, were also involved. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The SUV was making a left turn when the collision occurred. No other contributing factors were listed in the report. The impact struck the center front ends of both vehicles. The report does not specify injuries for the other occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18