Williamsburg Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Children Pay

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 14 - Res 1024 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Cameras would ticket vehicle owners for illegal parking. Enforcement clears bike lanes, crosswalks and corners. It restores space and visibility for people walking and biking.

Res 1024-2025 (file: Res 1024-2025) is a Council sponsorship resolution referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and entered August 14, 2025. It "calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York." Council Member Lincoln Restler sponsored the resolution. A.5440, sponsored in the State Assembly by Steven Raga, would authorize a six-year DOT camera pilot and shift fines to vehicle owners. City analysts say automated owner-liability enforcement will discourage illegal parking that blocks bike lanes, crosswalks, and corners, improving visibility and space for people walking and biking and aiding transit reliability.

• File Res 1024-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Council resolution urges Albany to pass A.5440, holding vehicle owners liable when operators run traffic signals. It targets red-light running to protect pedestrians and cyclists and relies on owner-based enforcement to boost compliance and safer crossings.

File Res 1024-2025. Status: resolution filed August 14, 2025 and routed to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The matter text reads: "Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York." Lincoln Restler is listed as a co-sponsor. City Council action events occurred on 2025-08-14 (City Council items at 13:25 and 13:45) with no recorded vote outcome in the record. Safety analysts say owner liability targets driver behavior, reduces red‑light running, and lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists by enabling automated, owner-based enforcement.

• File Res 1024-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1358-2025 yanks city parking permits from drivers with obscured or defaced plates. It also targets placard misuse and unpaid fines over $350. The move restores camera enforcement. Pedestrians and cyclists gain space and accountability.

Int 1358-2025. Status: Sponsorship, referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on August 14, 2025. The bill seeks the “revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates.” Primary sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. Co-sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden. The measure would revoke permits after three misuse violations, any §19-166 offense, unpaid violations over $350, or operating with an obscured plate. Revoking city-issued parking permits for obscured/defaced plates and placard misuse increases accountability, restores automated enforcement, and deters illegal parking. This reduces bike lane and crosswalk blocking and curbs impunity among placard holders, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 11 - A Freightliner truck killed a 56-year-old man crossing Morgan Avenue. Neighbors rallied at Cooper Park. They demand protected bike lanes, crosswalks, daylighting and enforcement. City has not redesigned the street. Four fatal incidents since 2022.

"Far too many preventable crashes have taken place on Morgan Ave in recent years. We must do more to ensure walkers, cyclists, and drivers are able to use Morgan Ave safely. I will continue working with local electeds and NYC DOT to increase protected bike lanes and visible crossings here and around the city." -- Emily Gallagher

Bill: none — no council bill filed. Status: community advocacy; no DOT redesign planned. Committee: N/A. Key dates: crash Aug. 6, 2025; article Aug. 11, 2025; four fatal incidents on Morgan Avenue since 2022. The matter headline reads: "‘Another neighbor is dead’: After fatal Morgan Avenue crash, locals urge city to take action." Community leaders Juan Serra and Meryl Laborde led the rally. Assembly member Emily Gallagher issued a statement urging protected bike lanes and visible crossings. Despite those calls, despite repeated fatal crashes and community advocacy, the lack of action to redesign Morgan Avenue perpetuates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, discouraging active transportation and maintaining a high risk of injury or death.

• ‘Another neighbor is dead’: After fatal Morgan Avenue crash, locals urge city to take action, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 8 - Two cyclists collided head-on on Kent Avenue at South 8th. One lay unconscious with a head wound. The other bled but stayed awake. Police recorded improper passing and improper lane use.

Two male cyclists crashed head-on on Kent Avenue at South 8th Street in Brooklyn. One rider, 28, was unconscious with a head injury. The other rider, 24, was conscious and bleeding. Both were hurt. One bike was headed south. The other was headed north. According to the police report, "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" was a contributing factor. The report also notes "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." Both cyclists were listed as drivers of their bikes. Damage was recorded to the front of one bike. No other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 7 - A pedestrian was killed on Morgan Avenue — the third in three years. Advocates call for protected bike lanes and mid-block crossings. Officials back the push. The city has not redesigned the street. Danger remains.

Bill number: none. Status: infrastructure safety advocacy with no committee action. Key date: August 7, 2025 (reporting and renewed calls). The matter: "Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe." Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez publicly backed the redesign and warned of urgency, saying, "Every single death... is 100 percentable preventable." State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher also supported the push. Advocates demand a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and new loading zones. The lack of significant street redesign after repeated fatalities perpetuates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, discouraging active transportation and failing to address systemic risks. Advocates plan a community speak-out to press DOT for action.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 7 - A pedestrian was killed on Morgan Avenue — the third in three years. Advocates call for protected bike lanes and mid-block crossings. Officials back the push. The city has not redesigned the street. Danger remains.

Bill number: none. Status: infrastructure safety advocacy with no committee action. Key date: August 7, 2025 (reporting and renewed calls). The matter: "Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe." Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez publicly backed the redesign and warned of urgency, saying, "Every single death... is 100 percentable preventable." State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher also supported the push. Advocates demand a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and new loading zones. The lack of significant street redesign after repeated fatalities perpetuates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, discouraging active transportation and failing to address systemic risks. Advocates plan a community speak-out to press DOT for action.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 7 - A pedestrian was killed on Morgan Avenue — the third in three years. Advocates call for protected bike lanes and mid-block crossings. Officials back the push. The city has not redesigned the street. Danger remains.

Bill number: none. Status: infrastructure safety advocacy with no committee action. Key date: August 7, 2025 (reporting and renewed calls). The matter: "Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe." Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez publicly backed the redesign and warned of urgency, saying, "Every single death... is 100 percentable preventable." State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher also supported the push. Advocates demand a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and new loading zones. The lack of significant street redesign after repeated fatalities perpetuates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, discouraging active transportation and failing to address systemic risks. Advocates plan a community speak-out to press DOT for action.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 4 - A driver of a sedan pulled from parking and hit a standing scooter on N 5th. The 30-year-old woman rider was ejected and suffered a head injury and concussion. Police recorded failure to yield.

A driver of a sedan starting from a parking position struck a standing scooter at 150 N 5 St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The scooter rider, a 30-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered a head injury with a reported concussion. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Vehicle records show the scooter was going straight and the sedan was beginning to pull out; the car's right front bumper hit the scooter's center front. Police listed the rider as conscious after the crash. The report attributes the crash to driver error: failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Aug 4 - A hotel awning crashed down at Clark Street station. Years of leaks, rot, and stench warned locals. No one fixed it. The city let danger fester. Pedestrians faced the risk. No injuries, but trust is broken.

On August 4, 2025, a hotel awning collapsed outside the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights. The incident, reported by Barbara Russo-Lennon and Lloyd Mitchell, followed 'years of visible disrepair, foul smells and water leaks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler confirmed no timeline for reopening. The Department of Buildings cited the owners for 'Failure to maintain' and ordered demolition. DOB Commissioner James Oddo said engineers are inspecting a second awning showing 'poor maintenance.' The collapse put pedestrians in harm's way. As safety analysts note, such failures in busy areas raise the risk of injury or death for vulnerable road users and discourage walking, undermining city safety goals.

• ‘Not surprised’: Locals say neglect to blame in Clark Street station awning collapse, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-04

Aug 3 - The driver of a sedan struck a 32-year-old man on a bicycle as he made a left turn on Union Ave at Stagg St. The cyclist was ejected and suffered elbow and arm injuries and abrasions. Police noted turning errors and limited view.

The driver of a sedan was traveling south on Union Ave when the sedan's left front bumper struck a 32-year-old male cyclist who was making a left turn northbound at Stagg St. The cyclist was ejected and suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries and abrasions. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Turning Improperly' contributed to the crash. The report also cites 'View Obstructed/Limited.' Police recorded the point of impact as the sedan's left front bumper and listed the sedan's pre-crash action as going straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 31 - 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

Jul 30 - 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

Jul 29 - Driver of an SUV turned right from Union Avenue onto Hope Street and hit a southbound cyclist. Rider was ejected and bruised in the lower leg. Brooklyn, 3:45 p.m. Police recorded an improper turn by the driver.

A driver in an SUV turned right from southbound Union Avenue onto Hope Street in Brooklyn and hit a 35-year-old cyclist who was going straight south. The rider was ejected and suffered a contusion to the lower leg. He was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the driver was “Turning Improperly” when the crash occurred. The report lists “Turning Improperly” as a driver error. No contributing factors were assigned to the cyclist. The crash time was 3:45 p.m., ZIP code 11211, in the 90th Precinct. The SUV showed no damage in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 24 - The driver of an SUV hit a 15‑year‑old riding an e‑bike at Union Ave and Montrose in Brooklyn. The boy was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower‑leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention.

The driver of an SUV hit a 15‑year‑old boy riding an e‑bike at Union Ave and Montrose Ave in Brooklyn. The rider was partially ejected and suffered trauma to his knee and lower leg and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, contributing factors were "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Both the SUV driver and the bicyclist were recorded as going straight when the collision occurred. The SUV showed no damage; the e‑bike sustained left‑front damage at the point of impact. Police listed Driver Inattention/Distraction for the motorist and also for the bicyclist. No safety equipment was noted for the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 19 - A sedan struck trouble on Roebling Street. Driver lost focus. Passenger hurt. Head injury. Police cite distraction. Streets stay dangerous.

A sedan traveling west on Roebling Street in Brooklyn crashed, injuring a passenger with a head wound. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the listed cause. The driver, a 25-year-old man, was conscious and suffered an abrasion. The passenger, also 25, was hurt. The crash damaged the car's right front bumper. Police flagged driver distraction as the key factor. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830998 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 18 - The driver of an SUV turned left on Kent Avenue and hit a southbound cyclist at North 7th Street. The 36-year-old man was partially ejected and suffered leg injuries; he remained conscious and complained of an abrasion.

The driver of an SUV turned left on Kent Avenue and hit a southbound cyclist at North 7th Street. The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg and foot and reported an abrasion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' contributed to the crash. Police recorded the bicycle’s point of impact as the center front end and that the cyclist was going straight. The report notes the cyclist wore a helmet and that officers recorded no damage to the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 18 - The driver of a GMC SUV on S 4 St at Roebling was injured when the SUV’s center front took the impact. A 44-year-old woman complained of whiplash and whole-body pain. Police recorded "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" by a driver.

A crash on S 4 St at Roebling left a 44-year-old woman driving a 2024 GMC SUV injured. She complained of whiplash and pain across her body. According to the police report, the cause was "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." Police recorded that driver error. The SUV sustained center-front damage. Two other occupants, including an infant, were listed in the report and were not reported as injured. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04