Astoria Park

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 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 1 - 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

Jul 30 - A driver struck a 65-year-old cyclist on Second Avenue, left him with severe head trauma, then fled. Police caught the driver. The crash left the cyclist unconscious, fighting for life in the street.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old driver hit a senior cyclist on Second Avenue, then fled. Police say the driver, Jasir Vann, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene. The victim, riding an Arrow 9 e-bike, suffered 'severe head trauma' and was found 'unconscious when paramedics arrived.' Witnesses noted the cyclist was outside the bike lane to avoid a pedestrian. The article highlights the persistent threat drivers pose to cyclists, especially on busy Manhattan streets.

• Driver Hits Senior Cyclist, Flees Scene, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 28 - The driver of an SUV hit the rear of a slowing sedan on the Triborough Bridge. A 39-year-old woman in the sedan injured her knee and leg. The 22-year-old SUV driver suffered a head abrasion. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified'.

According to the police report, the driver of an SUV hit the center back end of a sedan on the Triborough Bridge. The sedan's driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered knee and leg injuries. The SUV's driver, a 22-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and his air bag deployed. The sedan was slowing or stopping when the driver of the SUV struck its rear. Both vehicles showed damage at the points of impact. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No further causal factors are recorded in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jul 24 - A firefighter died on FDR Drive. The driver fled. At Port Authority, a bus crash left over two dozen hurt. No arrests. The city’s streets remain brutal for those on foot and in transit.

Patch reported on July 24, 2025, that an FDNY firefighter was killed in a hit-and-run on FDR Drive. The driver left the scene. No arrests have been made. The article also notes, 'More Than 2 Dozen Injured In Bus Crash At Port Authority Bus Terminal.' Both incidents highlight ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and point to gaps in enforcement and street safety. Investigations continue, but the city’s traffic violence persists.

• Firefighter Killed, Dozens Hurt In Crashes, Patch, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 14 - A 63-year-old man driving a sedan on the Triborough Bridge crashed and was found semiconscious. Police recorded prescription medication and fatigue as contributing factors. He was injured. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

The driver of a sedan crashed on the Triborough Bridge and was injured. The driver, a 63-year-old man, was found semiconscious. “According to the police report, prescription medication and fatigue or drowsiness contributed to the crash.” Police recorded prescription medication and fatigued/drowsy as contributing factors. The vehicle’s right front bumper took the impact. The driver was the sole occupant. He wore a lap belt and harness. Police noted no pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists those driver errors and records the point of impact and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828520 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jul 13 - A man on an e-bike fled police. A car struck him at a Nassau intersection. He died on the street. Blood stained the asphalt. The chase ended in silence. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-13), police chased a robbery suspect on an e-bike from Queens to Nassau County. The pursuit ended when a Lexus hit the rider at Lakeview Road and Bryant Avenue. The article states, "He was pronounced dead at the scene, cops said." Police have not released the man's name or age. The crash highlights the lethal risk to vulnerable road users during high-speed chases and at intersections. The investigation is ongoing.

• E-Bike Rider Killed In Police Chase, New York Post, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 11 - Bus veered off Main Street, slammed a pole, hurt eight. Steel tore concrete. Two bystanders escaped. Driver may have slept at the wheel. MTA pulled him from service. Streets stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that an MTA bus crashed at 57th Road and Main Street, injuring eight. Surveillance showed the bus 'jumped the curb,' striking a pole and nearly hitting two people at a stop. The 25-year-old driver, a probationary employee, told investigators he 'misjudged the curb.' Video review led officials to believe he 'had fallen asleep at the wheel.' The MTA removed the driver from service pending investigation. The incident highlights risks when operators lose focus and the need for oversight of new drivers.

• Bus Jumps Curb, Eight Injured In Flushing, ABC7, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 8 - 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

Jul 2 - Mamdani fights for fast, free buses. He builds coalitions. He wins a pilot. More buses, fewer cars. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

This review, published July 2, 2025 by Streetsblog NYC, examines Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s record on MTA policy. There is no formal bill number or committee, but the focus is his push for 'fast and free buses,' fare freezes, and bus lane enforcement. Mamdani led efforts in Albany for a fare-free bus pilot and more frequent service. Sen. Mike Gianaris credits Mamdani for getting free buses done. Safety analysts note: 'Policies promoting fast and free buses encourage mode shift from private vehicles to public transit, reducing traffic volumes and improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists through lower exposure to motor vehicle risk.'

• How Will Mamdani Govern? His Earlier MTA Advocacy Gives Some Hints, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

Jul 2 - Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

Jun 30 - 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

Jun 30 - Albany lawmakers killed a bill to make apps insure delivery workers. DoorDash lobbied hard. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. No coverage. Profits protected. Safety denied.

Bill to require app companies to provide $50,000 insurance for delivery workers, pedestrians, and cyclists was introduced by Assembly Member Robert Carroll. It passed the Senate but died in the Assembly on June 30, 2025, after DoorDash called it 'costly.' Amy Sohn reported the defeat. The bill aimed to cover injuries from crashes and bar retaliation against workers filing claims. DoorDash lobbied against it, backing a weaker bill. The safety analyst notes this defeat reduces accountability and weakens protections for pedestrians and cyclists. Corporate pressure won. Vulnerable road users lost.

• DoorDash Lobbying Sunk Bill to Require Apps to Insure Delivery Workers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - A van turned left at rush hour. The scooter rider flew from his device. He died at the hospital. The street stayed open. The investigation continues.

According to amny (2025-06-30), Shaun Lagredelle, 39, was riding a stand-up scooter west on 116th Avenue when a Ford Transit van, driven by a 43-year-old woman, turned left onto Nashville Boulevard and struck him. Police said, "As the van attempted to turn left onto Nashville Boulevard, it collided with the scooter, immediately propelling Lagredelle off the device." Lagredelle suffered fatal injuries. No arrests have been made. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The crash highlights ongoing risks at intersections for scooter riders.

• Scooter Rider Killed In Queens Collision, amny, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 26 - Zohran Mamdani beat Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic mayoral nod. He vows faster buses, more bike lanes, and car-free space. Streets remain deadly. Change hinges on action.

Bill number not assigned. On June 26, 2025, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. The matter, as reported by Sophia Lebowitz, states Mamdani's platform: 'make buses fast and free, add more protected bike lanes, and increase car-free public space.' Mamdani promises political will for proven safety measures. No specific legislation or committee action yet. The safety analyst notes: 'The event describes a political nomination outcome without reference to any specific transportation policy or legislation, so it has no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.'

• Here’s What Mamdani Can Steal From Other Candidates To Strengthen His Livable Streets Platform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-26

Jun 25 - Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

""A life of dignity should not be reserved for a fortunate few," said Mamdani, who has called for pedestrianizing streets in the congestion relief zone, expanding protected bike infrastructure, and cracking down on NYPD parking abuse." -- Zohran Mamdani

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Jun 24 - 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