Greenpoint Bleeds—Demand Safe Streets Now

A sedan traveling south collided with a bicyclist on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered facial injuries. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2020 Fiat sedan traveling south on Manhattan Avenue collided with a 39-year-old male bicyclist, also traveling south. The impact occurred on the left side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained facial injuries, classified as injury severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and unsafe passing distances in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Jeep turned right on McGuinness. A moped slammed into its side. The rider, thirty-three, chest crushed, partly thrown, breathing but battered. Steel and flesh collided. The street fell silent, danger written in bent metal.

A collision unfolded on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn when, according to the police report, a Jeep made a right turn and a northbound moped struck its side. The moped rider, a 33-year-old man, suffered chest crush injuries and was partially ejected from his vehicle. He remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors in the crash. The Jeep’s right side doors bore the brunt of the impact. The moped’s front end was destroyed. The moped rider was unlicensed, but the report centers driver error—failure to yield—as a primary cause. The violence of the crash left the street quiet, the aftermath marked by twisted metal and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old male bicyclist suffered a fractured elbow and partial ejection after a collision with a pick-up truck on West Street in Brooklyn. The truck struck the bike’s center front end as both traveled straight ahead. Driver distraction contributed.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West Street in Brooklyn involving a 2023 Ford pick-up truck and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained a fractured elbow, lower arm, and hand. The truck, traveling east, struck the bike, which was traveling south, at the center front end. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Additionally, bicyclist error or confusion was noted but not detailed as a primary cause. The truck driver held a valid New York license, while the bicyclist had a permit. The crash happened around 3:15 PM. Vehicle damage was recorded at the truck’s center front end. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An unlicensed male driver backing a 2012 SUV on Java Street struck an 87-year-old woman crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and shock. The crash exposed dangers of unsafe vehicle maneuvers in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:35 AM on Java Street in Brooklyn. The driver, a male operating a 2012 Chevrolet SUV, was unlicensed and was "Entering Parked Position" when he backed the vehicle unsafely. This action is cited as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian, an 87-year-old female, was crossing outside a crosswalk when struck. She sustained a back injury and was in shock, with no visible complaints noted. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The report explicitly lists "Backing Unsafely" as the driver error, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian. This incident highlights the systemic danger posed by unlicensed drivers performing unsafe backing maneuvers in Brooklyn neighborhoods.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765220 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bicyclist suffered elbow and arm injuries after colliding with a parked taxi in Brooklyn. The taxi driver’s obstructed view contributed to the crash. The cyclist, traveling west, was not ejected but left in shock and pain.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:45 in Brooklyn near Greenpoint Avenue. A licensed taxi driver, parked and facing west, had a limited or obstructed view, which the report cites as a contributing factor. The bicyclist, also traveling west, collided with the taxi’s center front end, sustaining injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was not ejected and was reported in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The taxi showed no damage, indicating the collision impact was primarily on the bike. The report identifies the taxi driver’s failure to maintain a clear view as the key driver error leading to the crash. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck a 26-year-old man crossing Engert Avenue. Driver’s view was blocked. Victim suffered upper arm injuries and whiplash. He stayed conscious. No vehicle damage. Danger rose from limited visibility.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Engert Avenue and Russell Street in Brooklyn around 1 PM. The man was crossing in a marked crosswalk when a northbound Jeep SUV hit him. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' twice as the contributing factor, showing the driver’s visibility was blocked. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries and complained of whiplash but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage. No pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the risk when drivers cannot see clearly at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

City reverses its own reversal. DOT will cut a traffic lane and add parking-protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard’s southern half. Local officials and advocates forced the city’s hand. The northern half stays unchanged. Vulnerable road users get a win.

On October 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a policy reversal on McGuinness Boulevard. The original lane reduction and protected bike lane plan, previously scrapped, will now move forward for the southern half of the street, between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The matter, described as a return to 'the road diet it had previously finalized and then rejected,' follows months of community outcry and advocacy. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and other local officials celebrated the move, crediting the Make McGuinness Safe coalition for relentless pressure. Restler stated, 'this is a decision that enhances safety in our community, and that's what matters.' The northern half of the boulevard remains unchanged, with two traffic lanes and barrier-protected bike lanes. The city’s action signals a renewed commitment to street safety after repeated delays and political interference.

• Another U-turn on McGuinness Boulevard as city returns to original lane reduction plan, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-10-02

A motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan making a left turn on Norman Avenue. The sedan driver was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and lower leg trauma. Police cited traffic control disregard as the primary cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 9:16 AM on Norman Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a motorcycle. The sedan, traveling north, was making a left turn when it was struck on its left rear quarter panel by a motorcycle traveling east. The motorcycle's front center end impacted the sedan. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old male occupant, was ejected despite wearing a lap belt and harness, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or rules. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to obey traffic controls, leading to severe injuries even with occupant restraints.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn hit a bicyclist traveling straight on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:27 on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling southeast was making a left turn when its right front bumper struck a bicyclist going straight west. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver, a licensed male, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The collision highlights the danger posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face deadly risk. Lawmakers demand action. Streets must protect the vulnerable.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The measure calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program' using cameras to enforce bike lane rules. Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the resolution. The text states: 'enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The council demands Albany act. Cyclists die while drivers block lanes. The bill aims to hold motorists accountable and protect those most at risk.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

On September 8, 2024, advocates and officials rallied in Manhattan. They demanded Governor Hochul reinstate congestion pricing. The pause gutted $15 billion from MTA plans. Twenty-three subway elevator projects died. Disabled riders, parents, and seniors lost out. Anger filled the streets.

On September 8, 2024, a coalition of transit advocates and elected officials, including Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, gathered in Manhattan to protest Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of congestion pricing. The event, described as a 'citywide subway accessibility day of action,' spotlighted the $15 billion shortfall now facing the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital plan. According to the event summary, 'the cancellation of elevator installations at 23 subway stations' followed the funding cut. Gallagher condemned the decision, declaring, 'We all matter, and we all need elevators, and we all need congestion pricing.' Comptroller Brad Lander called the move 'shameful.' The rally demanded immediate reinstatement of congestion pricing to restore funding for subway accessibility, directly impacting disabled New Yorkers, parents, and seniors. The protest underscored the systemic danger of underfunded transit and the toll on vulnerable road users.

• Day of action: Congestion pricing supporters in Manhattan demand Hochul unpause toll plan, support mass transit, amny.com, Published 2024-09-08

A moped struck a bicyclist from behind on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a neck fracture and dislocation. Police cited the moped driver for following too closely. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 AM on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn. A moped traveling eastbound rear-ended a bicyclist also moving eastbound. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the bike and the right front quarter panel of the moped. The bicyclist, a 38-year-old male, sustained a neck fracture and dislocation and was conscious after the collision. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor attributed to the moped driver. There is no indication of any fault or contributing behavior from the bicyclist. The moped driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance directly led to the collision and the bicyclist’s serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753946 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

G train rolls again. After months of silence, trains run from Queens to Brooklyn. Riders endured shuttle buses, slow streets, no dedicated lanes. Council Member Restler praises upgrades, slams city for missing bus lanes. Modern signals promise speed, but funding future hangs in balance.

On September 3, 2024, the G train returned to full service after a summer shutdown for signal modernization. The $368 million project, led by the MTA, replaced century-old signals with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), aiming for faster, more reliable service. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) praised the MTA’s handling and shuttle bus communication but criticized the city for not creating dedicated bus lanes during the closure, saying, 'They expressed dismay, however, that the city had not constructed a dedicated lane so shuttle buses could move faster.' Restler called for renewed investment in the MTA, including the resumption of congestion pricing, to fund future upgrades. The project continues through 2027, but no more full shutdowns are planned. The lack of bus lanes during the outage left vulnerable riders exposed to slow, crowded streets.

• Back on track: G train returns to full service following summer shutdown, amny.com, Published 2024-09-03

A 37-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a shoulder fracture and dislocation in a collision with an e-scooter in Brooklyn. The bike sustained front-end damage; the e-scooter showed no damage. The crash occurred near Eagle Street at 11:30.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 11:30 near 89 Eagle Street in Brooklyn involving a bicyclist and an e-scooter. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm injury. The bike showed center front-end damage, while the e-scooter had no damage. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors or victim behaviors as causes. The e-scooter was unoccupied at the time, and both vehicles were traveling in unknown directions. The incident highlights the dangers of collisions between vulnerable road users on shared streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle rider was ejected and severely injured when an SUV made a left turn and struck the bike’s front end. The crash caused a hip and upper leg fracture. The SUV’s improper lane usage was a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, at 6:28 AM on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn, a 22-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected after a collision with a 2023 Nissan SUV. The SUV was making a left turn southbound when it struck the motorcycle traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper and the motorcycle’s center front end. The motorcycle driver sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated hip and upper leg injury, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to properly navigate the turn or lane. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, but no contributing victim behaviors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but committed a critical error leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Mayor Adams caved to business pressure, gutting a proven safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The city scrapped lane reductions and protected bike lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Elected officials condemned the move. The mayor put politics before lives.

On August 26, 2024, Mayor Adams reversed a key street safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. The Department of Transportation's original plan, announced after a fatal crash in 2021, would have reduced travel lanes and added a parking-protected bike lane. DOT data showed this 'would reduce deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent.' Under pressure from business interests, especially Broadway Stages, Adams first weakened the plan in July 2023, then scaled it back further in August 2024. Council Member Lincoln Restler said, 'Mayor Adams says he cares about safety, except when it comes to McGuinness Boulevard.' Assembly Member Emily Gallagher called the compromise 'a plan that does nothing to address the central safety concerns of our community.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged the city to follow the evidence and protect lives. The mayor’s decision leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Anatomy of a Debacle: How Adams Put Safety Last on McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-26

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15