Williamsburg Bleeds While City Hall Turns Back

A 23-year-old female bicyclist was injured in Brooklyn after an SUV struck her while she made a right turn. She was partially ejected and suffered back abrasions. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the crash.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2022 SUV in Brooklyn near Grand Street. The bicyclist was making a right turn when the SUV, traveling straight north, struck her with its left front bumper. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained back abrasions, experiencing shock at the scene. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not yield to the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552991 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 31-year-old woman was struck on Roebling Street while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her with its front center. She suffered a bruise to her elbow and lower arm. The driver was inattentive and turned improperly.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Roebling Street made a left turn and struck a 31-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The report lists driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly.' The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals when the crash occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551378 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 15-year-old girl crossing Kent Avenue was hit by a northbound motorscooter. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was inattentive and improperly used the lane. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a motorscooter traveling north on Kent Avenue struck a 15-year-old female pedestrian crossing at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but no helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and improper lane use in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A distracted driver struck an 18-year-old cyclist on Wythe Avenue. The impact bruised the rider’s hip and leg. The crash damaged the bike’s front. The cyclist stayed conscious. System failed to protect him.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn when a collision occurred due to driver inattention or distraction. The cyclist suffered a contusion to his hip and upper leg. The crash damaged the left front bumper of the bike. The report lists driver inattention as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549406 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Gov. Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to learn about pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law closes a deadly gap in driver education. Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Gounardes led the push. The change targets inexperience behind the wheel. Lives are at stake.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a law requiring cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness in New York's driver licensing process. The bill, led by Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Senator Andrew Gounardes, updates the five-hour pre-licensing course and driver's manual. The matter summary states: 'The law addresses a longstanding gap in driver education, which had previously left generations of motorists with little awareness of road-sharing with pedestrians and cyclists.' Gov. Hochul said, 'It is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers.' Gounardes noted that driver instruction had not kept pace with the growing presence of cyclists and micro-mobility users. In 2021, driver inexperience contributed to over 2,500 injury crashes in NYC. The law took 11 years to pass, reflecting persistent advocacy for vulnerable road users.

• Gov. Hochul Signs Law Adding Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Awareness to Driver’s License Requirements, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15

A sedan hit a 12-year-old girl crossing Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was licensed. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old girl was injured when a westbound sedan struck her with its right front bumper as she crossed Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn. The girl sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was traveling straight ahead. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection or crosswalk. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545792 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

An e-scooter traveling east struck a parked sedan on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The female e-scooter driver was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and lower leg trauma. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, an e-scooter driver traveling east on Union Avenue collided with a parked sedan. The e-scooter driver, a 25-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the e-scooter and the left side doors of the sedan. The e-scooter driver was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Council Member Restler slammed DOT’s weak McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Three killed since 2014. Advocates want fewer lanes, safer crossings, protected bike lanes. DOT’s plans keep traffic flow, ignore calls for real change. Community demands safety, not parking.

On July 1, 2022, the NYC Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) preliminary redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The matter, titled 'Adams Administration’s McGuinness Redesign Options Underwhelm Street Safety Boosters,' outlined three options: only one would remove travel lanes and add protected bike lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler, joined by Assembly Member Emily Gallagher and Borough President Antonio Reynoso, criticized DOT’s proposals as 'inadequate.' Restler stated, 'The way we're going to fully connect Greenpoint community and make this street safer is by having less lanes of traffic.' Advocates and residents backed lane reductions and protected bike lanes, citing three deaths since 2014. DOT cited traffic concerns and delayed action. The hearing exposed a rift between community safety demands and DOT’s reluctance to prioritize vulnerable road users over car throughput and parking.

• Adams Administration’s McGuinness Redesign Options Underwhelm Street Safety Boosters, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-01

Council Member Restler slammed DOT’s weak McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Three killed since 2014. Advocates want fewer lanes, safer crossings, protected bike lanes. DOT’s plans keep traffic flow, ignore calls for real change. Community demands safety, not parking.

On July 1, 2022, the NYC Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) preliminary redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The matter, titled 'Adams Administration’s McGuinness Redesign Options Underwhelm Street Safety Boosters,' outlined three options: only one would remove travel lanes and add protected bike lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler, joined by Assembly Member Emily Gallagher and Borough President Antonio Reynoso, criticized DOT’s proposals as 'inadequate.' Restler stated, 'The way we're going to fully connect Greenpoint community and make this street safer is by having less lanes of traffic.' Advocates and residents backed lane reductions and protected bike lanes, citing three deaths since 2014. DOT cited traffic concerns and delayed action. The hearing exposed a rift between community safety demands and DOT’s reluctance to prioritize vulnerable road users over car throughput and parking.

• Adams Administration’s McGuinness Redesign Options Underwhelm Street Safety Boosters, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-01

A 26-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Brooklyn when a 2022 SUV made a U-turn and struck him on Broadway near Berry Street. The cyclist suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. The driver was distracted and made an improper lane usage error.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on Broadway was struck by a 2022 Lexus SUV making a U-turn southbound near Berry Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist sustained a head injury and minor bleeding, experiencing shock but was not ejected from his bike. The report lists driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The SUV impacted the left side doors, while the bike was hit at its center front end. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights driver distraction and improper maneuvering as key causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Over 2,500 neighbors demand a safer McGuinness Boulevard. The petition calls for fewer lanes, wider sidewalks, and a protected bike lane. Community anger follows deadly crashes. The city’s DOT faces pressure to act. The street remains a danger zone.

On June 28, 2022, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and over 2,500 residents backed a petition urging a full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation will present its draft plan to Brooklyn Community Board 1’s Transportation Committee on June 30. The petition, described as a call for 'wider sidewalks and a wider median, a protected bike lane, and eliminating one lane of traffic in each direction,' follows the hit-and-run death of teacher Matthew Jensen. Gallagher stated, 'Our community is speaking loud and clear: no more deaths on McGuinness.' The campaign has support from Councilmember Lincoln Restler and Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The street, a busy four-lane truck route, has seen dozens of crashes and injuries in recent years. Organizers and residents demand urgent action to end the deadly toll on vulnerable road users.

• EXCLUSIVE: More than 2,500 sign petition supporting McGuinness Boulevard redesign ahead of DOT presentation, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-06-28

Over 2,500 neighbors demand a safer McGuinness Boulevard. The petition calls for fewer lanes, wider sidewalks, and a protected bike lane. Community anger follows deadly crashes. The city’s DOT faces pressure to act. The street remains a danger zone.

On June 28, 2022, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and over 2,500 residents backed a petition urging a full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation will present its draft plan to Brooklyn Community Board 1’s Transportation Committee on June 30. The petition, described as a call for 'wider sidewalks and a wider median, a protected bike lane, and eliminating one lane of traffic in each direction,' follows the hit-and-run death of teacher Matthew Jensen. Gallagher stated, 'Our community is speaking loud and clear: no more deaths on McGuinness.' The campaign has support from Councilmember Lincoln Restler and Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The street, a busy four-lane truck route, has seen dozens of crashes and injuries in recent years. Organizers and residents demand urgent action to end the deadly toll on vulnerable road users.

• EXCLUSIVE: More than 2,500 sign petition supporting McGuinness Boulevard redesign ahead of DOT presentation, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-06-28

A sedan traveling south on Driggs Avenue struck a 22-year-old male bicyclist. The bike rider suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver passed too closely, hitting the bike’s front center and the sedan’s right side doors.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle, both traveling south on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, collided when the sedan passed too closely to the bicyclist. The 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan’s point of impact was the right side doors, while the bike was struck at its center front end. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected but was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two SUVs slammed together on South 5 Street. Both drivers hurt, necks whipped by the force. Defective brakes listed as cause. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Metal and bodies took the blow.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided while stopped in traffic on South 5 Street, Brooklyn. Both drivers, a 37-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, suffered neck injuries described as whiplash. The report lists defective brakes and other vehicular factors as contributing causes. Both drivers were conscious and restrained at the time of the crash. The impact struck the left rear bumper of one SUV and the center front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both drivers injured, but no one was ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A motorcycle slid on Metropolitan Avenue. The passenger flew off, scraping her back. The driver stayed upright, his shoulder torn. Both hurt. A sudden move for another vehicle and slick pavement led to the crash.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old man drove a motorcycle east on Metropolitan Avenue with a 21-year-old woman riding as passenger. The bike lost control after reacting to an uninvolved vehicle and slippery pavement. The passenger was ejected and suffered back abrasions. The driver was not ejected but sustained shoulder abrasions. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. Neither rider used safety equipment. The motorcycle was undamaged and was traveling straight ahead at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 34-year-old man riding an e-bike was ejected and suffered a head abrasion in a crash on Kent Avenue. The collision involved a bike traveling south and an e-bike traveling west. Driver inattention was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Kent Avenue in Brooklyn involving a bike and an e-bike. The 34-year-old e-bike driver, wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained a head abrasion. The bike was traveling south, and the e-bike was traveling west. The e-bike driver was unlicensed. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bike showed no damage, while the e-bike had damage to its left front quarter panel. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536993 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A female driver and passenger suffered injuries in a Brooklyn crash on South 5 Street. The SUV struck multiple parked vehicles at unsafe speed. Both occupants reported pain and nausea, sustaining head and full-body injuries. Shock was noted at the scene.

According to the police report, a female driver of a 2020 Dodge SUV was traveling north on South 5 Street in Brooklyn when she collided with several parked vehicles. The crash involved multiple parked sedans and SUVs, all damaged at their center back ends or front ends. The driver and a female passenger, both 33 years old, were injured. The driver suffered injuries to her entire body, while the passenger sustained head injuries. Both reported complaints of pain or nausea and were in shock. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

An ambulance turning right struck a bicyclist going straight on South 4 Street in Brooklyn. The 41-year-old woman was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. She was semiconscious at the scene. The ambulance showed no damage.

According to the police report, an ambulance making a right turn on South 4 Street in Brooklyn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained a fractured elbow and dislocation. She was semiconscious after the crash. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor, indicating the ambulance driver did not yield to the bicyclist. The bicyclist also had a contributing factor noted as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." The ambulance showed no damage, and the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537088 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01