Williamsburg Bleeds While City Hall Turns Back

The Adams administration stalled a 2019 law to overhaul private carting. Key staff quit. Only half the jobs are filled. Streets stay dangerous. Trucks keep rolling. Council members and advocates demand action. The city drags its feet. Lives hang in the balance.

""There are significant delays to this process. Covid was the original reason why we had to postpone, but now the city is operating in full, why continue with delays on the implementation?"" -- Antonio Reynoso

Local Law 199 of 2019, meant to create 20 commercial waste zones and cut deadly truck traffic, faces delays under the Adams administration. The Department of Sanitation claims it needs more time to avoid mistakes and cost spikes. Council Member Antonio Reynoso questioned, 'Covid was the original reason why we had to postpone, but now the city is operating in full, why continue with delays on the implementation?' Justin Wood, an advocate, warned, 'Yet another tragic fatality involving a private sanitation truck shows the urgent need to fully implement the new commercial waste zones system.' Staff departures and unfilled positions cripple progress. Council Member Sandy Nurse lamented the loss of key leadership. The city says it remains committed, but the streets tell another story. A Council hearing is set to address the ongoing risk.

• EXCLUSIVE: Adams Administration Has Delayed Commercial Waste Reform That’s Required by Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-27

The Adams administration stalled a law to overhaul private carting. Streets stay dangerous. Trucks keep rolling. The city missed deadlines. No new zones. No relief. Advocates warn: every delay risks another life. The law waits. So do the people.

On January 27, 2023, the city delayed implementation of Local Law 199 of 2019, which would create 20 commercial waste zones and limit private carters. The law, introduced by then-Council Member Antonio Reynoso, aimed to cut truck miles and improve safety. The Department of Sanitation, led by Commissioner Jessica Tisch, missed deadlines for the program’s rollout. Council Member Sandy Nurse, District 37, voiced concern over lost expertise and stalled progress. Reynoso pressed, 'Why continue with delays?' Advocates, like Justin Wood, pointed to another fatal sanitation truck crash as proof of urgent need. The law has no set deadline, leaving the city under no obligation to act quickly. Each day of delay keeps dangerous trucks on city streets, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• EXCLUSIVE: Adams Administration Has Delayed Commercial Waste Reform That’s Required by Law, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-01-27

Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.

On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.

• What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-25

A Honda sedan struck a 14-year-old boy in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The car’s bumper tore his leg. Blood pooled on Broadway. The driver, distracted, did not stop. The boy stayed awake, bleeding in the cold street.

A 14-year-old boy was hit by a Honda sedan at the corner of Broadway and 282 in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the boy was crossing the intersection when the car’s left front bumper struck his lower leg, causing severe bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver, a 28-year-old woman, was not injured and did not remain at the scene. The boy was conscious after the crash. The police report highlights driver distraction as the primary error. No other contributing factors are listed before the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

An SUV made a left turn on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. It struck a northbound e-scooter. The rider was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as causes.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured after being struck by a 2015 Kia SUV making a left turn on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter rider was ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed. The e-scooter driver was also noted for unsafe lane changing. The SUV's right front bumper and the e-scooter's center front end were damaged. The injured rider was in shock and complained of pain or nausea. No safety equipment was reported for the e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600070 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate bill S 1952 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Hoylman-Sigal leads. Gianaris and Gonzalez back him. No safety analyst review yet. Action at sponsorship stage.

Senate bill S 1952, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 17, 2023, it 'mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate certain rules and regulations.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal sponsors, joined by Michael Gianaris and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The bill awaits further action and committee assignment.

• File S 1952, Open States, Published 2023-01-17

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

A cement truck driver turned right and struck a woman on a Citi Bike in Astoria. She died at the scene, less than a mile from home. This marks the fourth cyclist killed in the area in under three years. Streets remain deadly.

On January 5, 2023, a cement truck driver fatally struck 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao as she rode a Citi Bike in Astoria, Queens. The driver turned right from 24th Avenue onto 29th Street, hitting Kao and killing her instantly. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani called the crash 'absolutely heartbreaking,' noting Kao was the fourth cyclist killed in Astoria in 2.5 years. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez blamed 'poorly designed streets,' saying, 'traffic violence is the outcome of poorly designed streets and is a solvable problem.' The area has almost no protected bike lanes. In 2022, Community Board 1 saw 1,979 crashes, injuring 120 cyclists and 163 pedestrians. Politicians and residents demand safer streets, better enforcement, and an end to car dominance. The deadly toll continues.

• BREAKING: Cement Truck Driver Fatally Strikes Woman on Citi Bike in Astoria, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-05

Senate bill S 100 demands complete street design in state and federally funded projects. Lawmakers push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars.

Senate bill S 100 was introduced on January 4, 2023, and is 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 planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 100, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A 20-year-old e-bike driver and a 63-year-old sedan passenger were injured in a collision on South 4 Street, Brooklyn. The e-bike rider was partially ejected and suffered leg injuries. The sedan’s right side was struck. Both sustained moderate injuries.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between an e-bike and a sedan traveling north on South 4 Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike driver, a 20-year-old male, was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He wore a helmet. The sedan carried two occupants; a 63-year-old female passenger sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. The point of impact was the sedan’s right side doors. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for both parties, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. No pedestrian was involved. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. Both injured parties were conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan hit a westbound cyclist in Brooklyn. The rider took a blow to the head. Police cite confusion as a factor. The car’s front bumper was smashed. The street stayed dangerous. The cyclist stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a northbound sedan collided with a westbound bicyclist on Berry Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 45-year-old man, suffered a head contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded in the data. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged in the crash. The cyclist was wearing a motorcycle helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a factor. The crash left one vulnerable road user hurt on a Brooklyn street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590688 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

City plans to widen the BQE, restoring three lanes each way. Locals and advocates slam the move. They wanted fewer cars, less pollution, and safer streets. Officials focus on beautification. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. The fight continues.

On December 14, 2022, the city unveiled plans to redesign the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), proposing to restore three lanes of traffic in each direction. The Department of Transportation cited federal and state rules for the widening. The plan, discussed in a public meeting, drew sharp criticism. The matter summary reads: 'proposing three similar options for a redesign that will restore three lanes of traffic in each direction, with a park on top.' Liz Denys of Bridges 4 People called out the city for ignoring creative ideas and failing to reduce car and truck traffic. William Meehan criticized the focus on beautification over safety. Council Member Lincoln Restler urged a reduction in car impacts, while Borough President Antonio Reynoso condemned the neglect of environmental justice. Advocates say the plan keeps vulnerable road users in danger and misses a chance to make streets safer.

• Locals Don’t Love the City’s Long-Awaited Re-Widening of Crumbling BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso demands more. He wants car-free streets in Brooklyn, longer than Manhattan’s. He pledges funding. He rejects short, patchwork routes. The city drags its feet. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safe, open roads.

On November 29, 2022, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called on the Department of Transportation to expand the Summer Streets program into Brooklyn. Reynoso insists the new corridor must be at least as long as Manhattan’s six-and-a-half-mile stretch, not just a patchwork of short Open Streets. He told Streetsblog, "We have to think about, long-term, having a route that is as long if not longer than the one Manhattan does." Reynoso commits city funding to make this happen. The Adams administration has yet to announce plans. The matter, described as 'expansion of car-free Summer Streets program to Brooklyn,' remains in policy advocacy, with support from public-space advocates. Reynoso’s push centers on opening streets to pedestrians and cyclists, not just for events, but as a lasting, borough-wide change.

• Bigger and Better: Brooklyn BP Wants Summer Streets Longer Than Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-29

A 34-year-old man on a moped was injured in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the moped’s left front bumper. The rider suffered back pain and shock. Police cited traffic control disregard and driver distraction as causes. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on North 4 Street in Brooklyn involving a 2019 Buick SUV and a Vitacci sport moped. The moped driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with back pain and shock but was not ejected. The SUV struck the moped on its left front bumper. Police identified driver errors including Traffic Control Disregarded and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The moped rider was wearing a helmet. The crash caused no vehicle damage to the moped and minor damage to the SUV’s left front bumper. The moped was traveling east, the SUV south, both going straight ahead before impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

A 39-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered facial abrasions in a crash with a sedan on Manhattan Avenue. Both vehicles struck front center. The cyclist wore a helmet. Police cited failure to yield and following too closely as factors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a bicycle, both traveling north. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained facial abrasions. He was conscious at the scene and wore a helmet. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely. Both vehicles impacted at their center front ends. The sedan was a 2014 Toyota with a licensed male driver. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of his vehicle. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash caused injury to the vulnerable road user, the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580751 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A motorcycle rider was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan turning right on Kent Avenue. The rider suffered bruises and leg injuries. The sedan showed no damage. Failure to yield and improper turning caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old female motorcycle driver was partially ejected and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries with contusions after a collision with a sedan on Kent Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle was traveling straight east when the sedan made a right turn. The sedan showed no damage, while the motorcycle had damage to its right front bumper. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver failed to yield, causing the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan hit a 27-year-old man riding a bike on Grand Street near Kent Avenue. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver distraction and cyclist confusion as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Grand Street near Kent Avenue in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention or distraction and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors. The sedan struck the cyclist while both traveled straight. No safety equipment was noted for the cyclist. The crash left the cyclist conscious and not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14