Blood on Graham Avenue—How Many More Will Die Before City Hall Acts?

SUV turned left and hit a northbound cyclist in Brooklyn. The rider, 36, was thrown and injured. Police cite failure to yield. The cyclist suffered leg wounds. No helmet or safety gear reported.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan SUV made a left turn westbound at Manhattan Avenue and 145 in Brooklyn and struck a 36-year-old male bicyclist traveling north. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was partially ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious at the scene. No helmet or safety equipment was reported for the cyclist. The SUV's left front bumper was the point of impact. The data highlights driver error in yielding as the cause of the crash. No contributing factors were attributed to the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City reverses its own reversal. DOT will cut a traffic lane and add parking-protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard’s southern half. Local officials and advocates forced the city’s hand. The northern half stays unchanged. Vulnerable road users get a win.

On October 2, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a policy reversal on McGuinness Boulevard. The original lane reduction and protected bike lane plan, previously scrapped, will now move forward for the southern half of the street, between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The matter, described as a return to 'the road diet it had previously finalized and then rejected,' follows months of community outcry and advocacy. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and other local officials celebrated the move, crediting the Make McGuinness Safe coalition for relentless pressure. Restler stated, 'this is a decision that enhances safety in our community, and that's what matters.' The northern half of the boulevard remains unchanged, with two traffic lanes and barrier-protected bike lanes. The city’s action signals a renewed commitment to street safety after repeated delays and political interference.

• Another U-turn on McGuinness Boulevard as city returns to original lane reduction plan, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-10-02

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A 17-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a distracted driver hit her at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the truck, traveling west, struck her center front end. The victim was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Meserole Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn at 8:05 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2007 Chevrolet truck traveling west went straight ahead and struck her at the center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and emotional shock. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report explicitly identifies the driver's distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Morgan Avenue. An unlicensed driver sped north and struck another car turning right. Two female passengers were hurt. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn at 19:10. An unlicensed male driver in a 2014 Cadillac sedan, traveling north, collided head-on with a 2011 Buick sedan making a right turn. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. Two female front passengers were injured: a 23-year-old suffered arm injuries and pain, while a 43-year-old, wearing a lap belt, was in shock with unknown injuries. The report does not list any contributing factors for the victims. Driver errors included unlicensed operation, unsafe speed, and aggressive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A chassis cab truck making a right turn collided with multiple parked vehicles on Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused neck injuries to the truck driver, who suffered whiplash and remained conscious. The oversized vehicle contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:45. A chassis cab truck, described as an oversized vehicle, was making a right turn when it struck several parked vehicles, including SUVs and sedans. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the truck, which sustained no damage, while the parked vehicles suffered center back end damage. The truck driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report cites the contributing factor as 'Oversized Vehicle,' indicating the truck's size played a role in the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a bicyclist traveling north on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises and arm injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision’s right rear quarter impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:35 on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. A 42-year-old female bicyclist was traveling north when a 2019 Chevrolet sedan, also heading north, struck her on the left side doors. The point of impact on the sedan was the right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors, emphasizing the sedan driver's failure to maintain attention. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided eastbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver, age 73, suffered whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the cause. Rear-end impact. Both drivers licensed. No ejection.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided when one vehicle followed too closely and struck the rear of the other. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The 73-year-old male driver of the striking sedan was injured, suffering whiplash, but remained conscious and was not ejected. The struck sedan sustained damage to its center back end. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756940 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling north on Bushwick Avenue struck the rear of a box truck. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The truck showed no damage.

According to the police report, at 5:27 AM on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn, a 33-year-old female sedan driver, licensed in New Jersey, collided with the rear of a northbound box truck. The sedan's left rear bumper was damaged, while the truck showed no damage. The driver was conscious but sustained a head injury and whiplash, wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the sedan driver. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck turning right collided with a northbound bicyclist on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. The 23-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered a severe shoulder injury. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to yield and improper turning as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:55 on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling northeast was making a right turn when it struck a 23-year-old male bicyclist going straight north. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained a fractured, dislocated upper arm injury. The report explicitly lists the truck driver’s errors as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly.' The truck impacted the left side doors of the bike, while the truck itself showed no damage. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report places responsibility on the vehicle driver’s failure to yield and improper turning, with no contributing factors attributed to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 35-year-old man was thrown from his motorcycle on Johnson Avenue. He hit the street hard. Shoulder and arm injured. Police blame driver distraction. No other vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male motorcyclist was partially ejected and injured on Johnson Avenue near Morgan Avenue at 17:18. The motorcycle was traveling east, going straight, when it crashed. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, noted twice. The rider suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury, classified as severity 3, and complained of internal pain. He was wearing a helmet. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the danger of distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

City pushes ahead with a scaled-back McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes come, but dangerous elements stay. Councilmember Restler slams the compromise. Advocates and officials say safety is sacrificed for politics. DOT claims improvements, but critics remain unsatisfied.

On August 20, 2024, the city announced it will proceed with a controversial redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The plan, not a council bill but a Department of Transportation decision, extends parking-protected bike lanes from Calyer Street to Meeker Avenue. Councilmember Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, criticized the move, saying, 'The mayor has put forward a compromise that nobody likes.' A coalition of elected officials—including Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso—called for a more thorough redesign, arguing the current plan preserves dangerous elements. DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone claimed the redesign will make the corridor safer for all users, with new bike lanes and sidewalk extensions. Despite these claims, advocates and local leaders argue the plan fails to address core dangers and puts vulnerable road users at continued risk.

• City proceeds with controversial McGuinness Boulevard redesign despite opposition, gothamist.com, Published 2024-08-20

A box truck struck the rear of a taxi traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The taxi driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 18:11, a box truck traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with the center back end of a taxi going straight ahead in the same direction. The impact damaged the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the truck. The taxi driver, a 25-year-old male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the contributing factor as "Following Too Closely" by the box truck driver. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 53-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured when a northbound SUV made a right turn on Hausman Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver failed to yield and was inattentive, striking the scooter rider on the right side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:30 PM on Hausman Street near Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn. A 53-year-old male e-scooter rider traveling west was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The SUV driver, also male and licensed in New Jersey, was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The scooter rider sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries, including abrasions, but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attention as the primary causes of the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750467 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A bus traveling south on Graham Avenue struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The impact to the pedestrian’s head caused abrasions and moderate injury. The bus’s right front bumper sustained damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2011 bus traveling straight south on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection near Skillman Avenue around 18:58. The point of impact was the bus’s right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and abrasions, classified as moderate severity. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no contributing factors for the bus driver. The driver was licensed and operating the bus legally. The collision caused damage to the bus’s right front bumper. The report does not attribute fault to the pedestrian and does not indicate any pedestrian behavior contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the vehicle’s involvement and the resulting injuries to the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22