Williamsburg Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Children Pay

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 7 - A 53-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bedford Avenue with the signal. The sedan driver was making a left turn and had tinted windows, impairing visibility. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and South 5th Street in Brooklyn at 10:05 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2013 Infiniti sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report cites tinted windows on the vehicle as a contributing factor, which likely impaired the driver's visibility. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruise to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and had no reported damage to the vehicle. The collision highlights driver error related to impaired visibility due to tinted windows during a turning maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 3 - Congestion pricing hits Manhattan at midnight. Cars pay to cross south of 60th. Lawmakers split. Some call it a burden. Others hail cleaner air, safer streets, and better transit. The toll stirs anger, hope, and a fight over who pays and who breathes.

On January 3, 2025, congestion pricing (no bill number cited) will begin in Manhattan after a federal judge allowed the toll to proceed. The policy charges most drivers $9 to enter south of 60th Street during peak hours. The matter, titled 'Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll,' has drawn sharp lines. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) opposes the toll, warning, 'I don't know how my district is going to be impacted.' He fears more cars parking in Queens and unclear pollution risks. Council Member Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) calls it a 'cash grab.' In contrast, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas support the measure, citing cleaner air, safer streets, and transit upgrades. González-Rojas says, 'Congestion pricing isn't about penalizing anyone—it's about modernizing our transportation system and tackling climate change.' The judge ordered further study on environmental impacts, but the toll begins as scheduled.

• Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll, amny.com, Published 2025-01-03

Jan 2 - A box truck making a right turn struck a 27-year-old bicyclist going straight on Bedford Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered lower leg injuries, left in shock and pain. Driver distraction and bicyclist confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north on Bedford Avenue was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling north. The point of impact was the truck's right side doors and the bike's left side doors. The 27-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck driver was licensed and operating a 2019 box truck registered in New Jersey. This collision highlights driver distraction and confusion among vulnerable road users as key elements in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 24 - A motorcycle and a Bobcat collided head-on on the Williamsburg Bridge. Both motorcycle occupants were ejected and suffered severe whole-body injuries including fractures and dislocations. Unsafe speed by one vehicle was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Williamsburg Bridge at 6:45 involving a motorcycle and a Bobcat vehicle. The motorcycle, traveling east, and the Bobcat, traveling west, collided front-to-front. Both motorcycle occupants, a 31-year-old male driver and a 41-year-old female passenger, were ejected from the motorcycle and sustained severe injuries affecting their entire bodies, including fractures, distortions, and dislocations. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both motorcycle occupants were not using any safety equipment. The Bobcat driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage primarily to the center front ends of both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - A 23-year-old male SUV driver suffered full-body injuries and a fracture in a multi-vehicle collision on S 5 St. Alcohol involvement was noted. Several parked vehicles were struck from behind as the SUV driver traveled eastbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on S 5 St in Brooklyn at 1:39 AM. The 23-year-old male driver of a 2019 Toyota SUV was injured with fractures and full-body trauma. The report cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The SUV was traveling eastbound and collided with multiple parked vehicles, including a 2012 Toyota sedan, a 2025 Mini SUV, and a 2023 Hyundai sedan, all struck at their center back ends. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The collision pattern and alcohol involvement indicate driver error as the primary cause. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 12 - A 36-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured when a sedan made a right turn on Marcy Ave in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, resulting in bruises and arm injuries for the cyclist, who wore a helmet.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 PM on Marcy Ave in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south made a right turn and struck a bicyclist traveling southeast. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged at the point of impact. The cyclist suffered shock and bruising but was not at fault. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while turning created a dangerous situation that led to the bicyclist’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Dec 9 - A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on S 3 St in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 33-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered bruises and arm injuries. The crash involved passing too closely by the sedan.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on S 3 St near Keap St in Brooklyn around 1:30 AM. A sedan, traveling east and making a left turn, struck the right side doors of an eastbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 33-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance from the e-bike. The e-bike rider was conscious and injured but was not cited for any contributing factors. The sedan had damage to its left front bumper, confirming the point of impact. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and not using safety equipment, but these were not listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicle drivers passing vulnerable road users too closely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Nov 30 - A distracted SUV driver making a right turn struck a bicyclist traveling straight on Roebling Street in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Neither vehicle showed damage, but the impact caused injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:15 on Roebling Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, licensed and traveling west, was making a right turn when the collision happened. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old man traveling eastbound straight ahead, was injured with abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain focus. No damage was recorded on either vehicle, and the bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The incident underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775241 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Nov 25 - Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

Nov 24 - A 32-year-old female bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV struck her on Berry Street in Brooklyn. The police report cites driver inattention and distraction as key factors. The SUV showed no damage; the bike’s right side was damaged.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at noon on Berry Street in Brooklyn. A 32-year-old female bicyclist was injured with contusions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike, traveling south, while the SUV was traveling east. The SUV struck the bicyclist on the right side doors, causing damage to the bike’s right side doors but no damage to the SUV. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the crash, specifically noting this twice. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The bicyclist was not ejected and was injured but not fatally. The report highlights systemic danger from distracted driving leading to serious injuries for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790190 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 22 - Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""The consequences of today's decision to exempt R1, R2, and R3 contextual districts from City of Yes are severe," he said in a statement. "The housing pressure on every other neighborhood will go up, which means if Queens or Staten Island doesn't grow, Brooklyn is asked to do more than our fair share."" -- Antonio Reynoso

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22