Williamsburg Bleeds While City Hall Turns Back

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 2022-05-31

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 2022-05-25

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 2022-05-25

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 2022-05-23

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 2022-05-23

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

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 2022-05-23

A sedan hit a 31-year-old female bicyclist on Roebling Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered hip and upper leg injuries. The driver failed to yield and used improper lane passing. The bicyclist wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Roebling Street collided with a northbound bicyclist. The 31-year-old female cyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The report lists the driver's errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The impact occurred at the sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's left side doors. The cyclist remained conscious after the collision but was injured and partially ejected from her bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530823 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A drowsy driver started from parking on Berry Street and struck a parked car. The front passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered bruises and trauma to her leg and foot. Unsafe speed and fatigue listed as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan driver in Brooklyn started from a parking spot and collided with a parked vehicle on Berry Street. The front passenger, an 82-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver fatigue and unsafe speed as contributing factors. Airbags deployed and the passenger was not ejected, remaining conscious at the scene. The sedan’s front end struck the rear bumper of the parked car. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

SUV crashed into a parked sedan in Brooklyn. Driver distracted. She suffered leg bruises. No injuries to sedan occupants. Impact crushed SUV’s left side, sedan’s front bumper.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV driven by a 23-year-old woman struck a parked Lexus sedan on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV’s left side doors hit the sedan’s right front bumper. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining bruises to her knee and lower leg. The sedan had three occupants; no injuries were reported for them. The crash happened at 3:10 p.m. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The SUV had two occupants. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other factors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4528090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A new report shows most NYC road deaths happen when speed cameras are off. Advocates and officials push Albany to let the city run cameras all day, every day. The state stalls. Lives hang in the balance. The data is clear. Action lags.

Senate Bill 5602, still pending in Albany, would let New York City control and expand speed camera enforcement to 24/7. The Transportation Alternatives report, 'Speeding Doesn’t Sleep,' warns that 59 percent of city road deaths occur when cameras are off. The report urges full-time operation, noting cameras cut speeding by 72 percent where installed. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez calls passage 'very important.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Governor Hochul support local control. Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives says, 'We need Albany to allow New York City to operate speed safety cameras 24/7 so every neighborhood is protected from speeding drivers every hour of the day, every day of the week.' Despite strong public support, the legislature has not acted. The evidence is stark: when cameras are off, people die.

• Yet Another Report Makes Clear Case for City Control of Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-10

A taxi, parked on Hooper Street in Brooklyn, collided with a southbound bicyclist. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The bicyclist was conscious and wearing a helmet. Passenger distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on Hooper Street when it struck a southbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 46-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash. The taxi was damaged on its right rear quarter panel, and the bike had damage to its center front end. The report lists passenger distraction as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were specified. The bicyclist’s injuries highlight the impact of the collision with the parked taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4539643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 42-year-old man on a bike was struck while turning right on Union Avenue. He suffered facial wounds and minor bleeding. The crash left him semiconscious. An e-bike was also involved. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a crash on Union Avenue involving a bike and an e-bike. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was making a right turn when the collision occurred, striking the left front quarter panel. He suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding, and was semiconscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor and does not identify clear driver errors. The e-bike had no occupants or driver information. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Manhattan and Brooklyn borough presidents pressed DOT to let Citi Bike add more e-bikes. They say more e-bikes mean fewer cars, safer streets. DOT did not commit. The cap stands. Riders wait. The city’s car problem grows.

On April 7, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) urging it to raise the 20 percent cap on e-bikes in the Citi Bike fleet. The matter, titled 'Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents Ask DOT To Raise Cap on E-Bikes in Citi Bike Fleet,' argues that 'increasing the availability of Citi Bike electric bikes is essential' for shifting commuters out of cars. Levine and Reynoso both support expanding e-bike access and public subsidies for Citi Bike, opposing the current pricing structure. DOT acknowledged the request but did not promise action. The council members stress that more e-bikes mean more safe, reliable trips for New Yorkers, especially for short journeys that now fill city streets with cars.

• Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents Ask DOT To Raise Cap on E-Bikes in Citi Bike Fleet, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-07

A 34-year-old bicyclist was injured when a Jeep SUV pulled from parking and hit him on Powers Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash.

According to the police report, a 2017 Jeep SUV was starting from parking when it struck a 34-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Powers Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The SUV's left front bumper impacted the right side doors of the bicycle, causing damage to the bike but no damage to the SUV. The bicyclist was injured but remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4516650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan struck a 24-year-old female bicyclist on Metropolitan Avenue near Havemeyer Street. The cyclist suffered a neck abrasion but remained conscious. The driver was stopped in traffic. Limited view and driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2017 Audi sedan struck her on Metropolitan Avenue. The bicyclist sustained a neck abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The sedan was stopped in traffic before the collision. Contributing factors included the driver's inattention and distraction, as well as an obstructed or limited view. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The impact occurred at the sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's left front bumper. The driver held a valid New York license, and the bicyclist was licensed in California.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4519724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A Ford SUV made a left turn on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. It struck a 38-year-old e-bike rider going straight. The rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver showed signs of distraction and turned improperly. The rider was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male e-bike rider was injured when a 2020 Ford SUV made an improper left turn on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred at 9:02 a.m. The e-bike rider was traveling straight south when the SUV struck him on the left front quarter panel. The rider sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, along with improper turning, as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was not ejected and was wearing no safety equipment. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southbound at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4518327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Garbage piles choke New York sidewalks. Rats swarm. Pedestrians dodge filth. Council Member Sandy Nurse and Borough President Antonio Reynoso push for organics recycling and fair funding. City agencies stall. Mayor Adams sends mixed signals. Streets stay dangerous for those on foot.

On March 22, 2022, the New York City Council’s Sanitation Committee debated the city’s trash crisis. The hearing, covered by Streetsblog NYC, spotlighted Council Member Sandy Nurse and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Nurse demanded full funding for sanitation, calling the crisis 'unprecedented.' Reynoso urged immediate action on 'save-as-you-throw' and mandatory organics recycling, saying, 'We have full authority to implement both.' The matter title reads: 'TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy.' The committee reviewed stalled pilot programs and budget cuts. Nurse stressed the need for equitable services and investment in public transit and clean streets. The debate exposed political inertia and underfunding, leaving sidewalks hazardous for pedestrians and failing neighborhoods most at risk.

• TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-22