Steel Rules, Children Die—Albany Stalls

Aug 25 - Locals rallied after indictments allege a mayoral aide took bribes to derail DOT’s McGuinness road diet. DOT had approved removing a vehicle lane for parking‑protected bike lanes. The compromise went through instead. Cyclists and pedestrians remain exposed. Activists demand the original redesign now.

No bill number. Status: advocacy/sponsorship. Committee: N/A. Key date: Aug 25, 2025 (rally and reporting). The matter was headlined: “’Now is the time’: Locals demand full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard after bribery allegations.” The story names former Adams advisor Ingrid Lewis‑Martin in indictments and alleges she pushed DOT to water down a plan that would have removed a vehicle lane and installed parking‑protected bike lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized Lewis‑Martin and urged safety for every block. Activist Bronwyn Breitner and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani demanded the full redesign. No formal safety‑impact assessment or safety_impact_note was included in the report.

• ‘Now is the time’: Locals demand full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard after bribery allegations, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-08-25

Aug 15 - Two sedans collided on the BQE. One driver took a hit to the back end. The other struck with a mangled front. A 30-year-old driver was injured. Night. Steel. Impact. Brooklyn bore the brunt.

Two New Jersey-registered sedans collided on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, one traveling east with front-end damage and one traveling west with rear-end damage. A 30-year-old male driver was injured; the other driver’s injuries were unspecified. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as “Unspecified.” With no clear driver errors recorded beyond that, the pattern of rear-end damage on the Lexus and front-end damage on the Mazda shows a forceful impact between vehicles traveling straight ahead. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data lists no helmet or signal factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-07

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.

"calls upon 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

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 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Cameras would ticket vehicle owners for parking-rule violations. The stated aim: clear bike lanes and crosswalks, restore sight lines, and reduce drivers blocking space for people walking and cycling.

""A.5440 would authorize NYC to establish a new camera enforcement demonstration program that holds vehicle owners financially responsible when a car they own is photographed by cameras"" -- Lincoln Restler

Res 1024-2025 (file Res 1024-2025) is a City Council resolution introduced August 14, 2025 and referred the same day to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 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 and backed the resolution; Assemblymember Steven Raga sponsors A.5440 in Albany. The bill would authorize a six-year camera enforcement pilot with owner fines and a two-year public report. Automated owner-liability enforcement should deter illegal standing and bike-lane/crosswalk blocking that forces cyclists into traffic and reduces pedestrian visibility, making streets safer.

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

Aug 14 - Res 1024-2025 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Owner-liability cameras would fine vehicle owners when cars flout posted parking rules. The measure targets illegal standing that blocks bike lanes and crosswalks, forcing cyclists into traffic and cutting pedestrian visibility.

""A.5440 would authorize NYC to establish a new camera enforcement demonstration program that holds vehicle owners financially responsible when a car they own is photographed by cameras"" -- Lincoln Restler

Res 1024-2025 (File Res 1024-2025) is a Council resolution introduced August 14, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. 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 introduced the measure. Assemblymember Steven Raga sponsors A.5440 in Albany. Restler framed the bill as an owner-liability camera pilot. A safety analysis says automated owner-liability enforcement should deter illegal standing and bike-lane/crosswalk blocking that forces cyclists into traffic and reduces pedestrian visibility, and that it can scale citywide to improve safety.

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

Aug 14 - Int. 1353 forces DOT to install approved traffic calming or control devices on streets adjacent to schools within 60 days of a traffic study. Exempts major projects. Cuts delays that keep walkers and cyclists exposed to danger.

Bill: Int. 1353 (Int 1353-2025). Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Key dates: filed 07/14/2025; published 08/14/2025. The matter "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" requires DOT to complete installation within 60 days of a traffic study determination, except for major projects. Primary sponsor: Farah N. Louis. Co-sponsors: Jennifer Gutiérrez, Justin L. Brannan, Lincoln Restler, Tiffany Cabán. Safety analysts say the 60-day deadline shrinks harmful delays, likely improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, aiding crossings, encouraging walking and biking to school, and advancing equity — but benefits depend on enforcement and funding.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int. 1353 orders the department to finish traffic calming or control devices on streets next to schools within 60 days of a study determination. The law takes effect immediately. Sponsors moved to speed protective infrastructure for children.

Bill Int. 1353-2025 is at SPONSORSHIP and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced 07/14/2025 and recorded 08/14/2025, 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." The bill requires the department to complete installation within 60 days of a traffic study determination. Primary sponsor Farah N. Louis introduced it. Co-sponsors Jennifer Gutiérrez, Justin L. Brannan, Tiffany Cabán, Lincoln Restler and Shahana K. Hanif signed on. Requiring installation of traffic calming or control devices near schools within 60 days after a study determination is likely to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by accelerating protective infrastructure, encouraging safer driving, and supporting ‘safety in numbers’ and equitable protection for children; however impact depends on timely, evidence-based device selection and adequate resourcing for implementation.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1353 forces DOT to install traffic calming by schools within 60 days of a study. Faster hardware cuts speeds and protects walkers and cyclists.

Int 1353-2025 was introduced Aug. 14, 2025 and is in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It would amend the administrative code to require DOT to install traffic-calming or control devices on streets adjacent to schools within 60 days of a study. The bill states: "the department shall complete the installation of such traffic calming device or traffic control device by no later than 60 days after the department issues such traffic study determination." Sponsors: Farah N. Louis (primary), with co-sponsors Jennifer Gutiérrez and Lincoln Restler. It takes effect immediately if enacted. Requiring installation within 60 days accelerates proven infrastructure that lowers speeds and crash risk, encouraging walking and biking and improving safety and equity for many vulnerable users.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

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 9 - A driver in an SUV hit a 32-year-old cyclist at 655 Flushing Ave in Brooklyn. The rider was partially ejected and suffered a fractured arm. He was conscious. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

A driver in an SUV struck a 32-year-old bicyclist at 655 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider was partially ejected and suffered fractures to the elbow and lower arm; he was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. The SUV showed no damage; the bicycle sustained left-front damage and the SUV's left front bumper was listed as the point of impact. The report lists the cyclist's safety equipment as "None."

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-07

Aug 8 - The driver of a sedan struck two people inside the car on Heyward Street. A 65-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman suffered bruises and contusions to arms and legs. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

The driver of a sedan was traveling west on Heyward Street and went straight ahead when the right front bumper took the impact. A 65-year-old man, the driver, suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries. A 68-year-old woman, the front passenger, suffered knee and lower-leg injuries. According to the police report, both were conscious with contusions and bruises. Police recorded contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for the occupants. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The official record names the injuries and point of impact but does not attribute a specific driver error beyond the 'Unspecified' designation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-07

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 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

Jul 31 - A bicyclist struck the left-side doors of a parked SUV on Flushing Avenue. The rider was ejected and suffered severe hip and upper-leg lacerations. Police listed driver inattention and other vehicular factors.

A 28-year-old male bicyclist riding west collided with the left-side doors of a parked SUV and was ejected. He suffered severe lacerations to the hip and upper leg. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Other Vehicular" were contributing factors. The SUV was parked before the impact and the point of impact was recorded as the vehicle's left-side doors. Police recorded the bicyclist as ejected and injured; the report lists the bicyclist's complaint as severe lacerations and notes no reported injury to the SUV occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-07

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