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

A box truck merging southbound on Leonard Street struck a southbound sedan. The sedan’s female driver suffered chest injuries and a concussion. Police cited failure to yield and driver distraction as causes. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a box truck merging southbound on Leonard Street in Brooklyn collided with a southbound sedan. The sedan’s 30-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma and a concussion. The report lists the contributing factors as failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction by the sedan driver. The box truck’s left front bumper struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. Both vehicles were damaged at the front. The sedan driver was conscious and not ejected. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while merging. No other safety equipment or victim actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4512000 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two SUVs collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The rear vehicle struck the front one head-on at center back end. The female driver of the front SUV suffered back injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided. The rear vehicle, driven by a male, struck the center back end of the front SUV, driven by a 48-year-old female. The female driver was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors. The front driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of her vehicle. The crash caused damage to the center front end of the rear vehicle and the center back end of the front vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

North Brooklyn leaders and advocates demand real protection for cyclists on Grand Street. Plastic posts failed. Cars park in the lane. Crashes mount. They want Jersey barriers, hardened entrances, and an end to chaos. The city must act before more lives are lost.

On March 4, 2022, North Brooklyn officials and activists sent a letter to the Department of Transportation demanding a true protected bike lane on Grand Street. The letter, backed by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Julia Salazar, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and Council Members Lincoln Restler and Jennifer Gutierrez, called for 'protective jersey barricades and measures taken at each intersection to stop cars from entering the protected bike lane.' The group condemned the current plastic delineators, noting, 'From day one, the Grand Street bike lane has failed to keep people safe.' Since 2019, 67 cyclists have been injured and 196 crashes reported. The letter urges the city to replace weak barriers, fix dangerous entrances, and finally deliver safety for vulnerable road users. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor Adams are now under pressure to act.

• North Brooklyn Seeks Some of that Jersey Barrier Magic on Grand Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-04

A private garbage truck driver ran over and killed a 62-year-old man at Flatbush and Atlantic. The intersection is notorious for crashes. Only 27 percent of city garbage trucks have side guards. City delays on safety measures continue to cost lives.

On March 4, 2022, a private sanitation truck driver killed a pedestrian at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues in Brooklyn, near Barclays Center. The incident highlights ongoing failures in city safety policy. The intersection is described as 'very dangerous,' with fast turns and drivers not yielding. Only 27 percent of the city’s 5,860 heavy garbage trucks have side guards, despite a 2019 city deal requiring them by 2024. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, then a Council Member, said, 'side rails should be installed sooner.' Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives called for 'bold action' and criticized city officials for delaying redesigns and safety steps. The private carting industry remains under scrutiny after repeated fatal crashes. No council bill number is attached, but the event underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect pedestrians.

• Private Garbage Truck Driver Kills Pedestrian at Dangerous Brooklyn Intersection, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-04

North Brooklyn leaders and advocates demand real protection for cyclists on Grand Street. Plastic posts failed. Cars park in the lane. Crashes mount. They want Jersey barriers, hardened entrances, and an end to chaos. The city must act before more lives are lost.

On March 4, 2022, North Brooklyn officials and activists sent a letter to the Department of Transportation demanding a true protected bike lane on Grand Street. The letter, backed by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Julia Salazar, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and Council Members Lincoln Restler and Jennifer Gutierrez, called for 'protective jersey barricades and measures taken at each intersection to stop cars from entering the protected bike lane.' The group condemned the current plastic delineators, noting, 'From day one, the Grand Street bike lane has failed to keep people safe.' Since 2019, 67 cyclists have been injured and 196 crashes reported. The letter urges the city to replace weak barriers, fix dangerous entrances, and finally deliver safety for vulnerable road users. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor Adams are now under pressure to act.

• North Brooklyn Seeks Some of that Jersey Barrier Magic on Grand Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-04

Cyclists dodge cars on Grand Street. Plastic bollards fail. Drivers block lanes. Restler and activists push for concrete barriers. Seventy injuries since 2019. DOT delays. Riders wait. Danger remains. Lives at risk until real protection arrives.

On March 3, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined activists to demand the Department of Transportation install concrete barriers on the Grand Street bike lane. The push follows years of crashes—67 cyclist injuries and 196 total crashes since 2019—despite so-called 'protected' lanes. The matter, titled 'Activists and electeds ask DOT to add better barriers to Grand Street bike lane,' highlights how plastic bollards fail to stop drivers from blocking lanes, forcing cyclists into traffic. Restler, along with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Julia Salazar, and Borough President Antonio Reynoso, signed a letter urging Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez to act. The DOT has started hardening some lanes citywide, but Grand Street remains unprotected. Activists say, 'We knew the omission of protective jersey barriers would lead to dangerous conditions back in 2019 and we have witnessed that prediction come tragically true throughout 2021.' The call is clear: real barriers, not broken promises.

• Activists and electeds ask DOT to add better barriers to Grand Street bike lane, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-03-03

Cyclists dodge cars on Grand Street. Plastic bollards fail. Drivers block lanes. Restler and activists push for concrete barriers. Seventy injuries since 2019. DOT delays. Riders wait. Danger remains. Lives at risk until real protection arrives.

On March 3, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined activists to demand the Department of Transportation install concrete barriers on the Grand Street bike lane. The push follows years of crashes—67 cyclist injuries and 196 total crashes since 2019—despite so-called 'protected' lanes. The matter, titled 'Activists and electeds ask DOT to add better barriers to Grand Street bike lane,' highlights how plastic bollards fail to stop drivers from blocking lanes, forcing cyclists into traffic. Restler, along with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Julia Salazar, and Borough President Antonio Reynoso, signed a letter urging Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez to act. The DOT has started hardening some lanes citywide, but Grand Street remains unprotected. Activists say, 'We knew the omission of protective jersey barriers would lead to dangerous conditions back in 2019 and we have witnessed that prediction come tragically true throughout 2021.' The call is clear: real barriers, not broken promises.

• Activists and electeds ask DOT to add better barriers to Grand Street bike lane, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-03-03

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 2022-03-02

Senate Bill S6929, pushed by Sen. Luis Sepulveda, passed committee. It demands more red tape before bike lanes or racks go in. Critics say it slows safety. Advocates rally to block it. The city wants faster, not slower, bike upgrades.

Senate Bill S6929, sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepulveda, passed the Cities Committee and now faces fierce opposition. The bill requires the NYC Department of Transportation to give extra notifications and presentations to community boards and local officials before installing or removing bike lanes or racks. The matter summary reads: 'require the NYC DOT to provide additional notifications and presentations.' Advocacy groups, including Bike New York, are preparing testimony to stall the bill before it reaches the Senate floor or Assembly Cities Committee. Critics argue the DOT already must notify community boards under the 'Fidler rule,' and that this bill would gum up the process, delaying life-saving bike infrastructure. A legislative source called the bill 'boneheaded.' Public polls show strong support for more bike lanes, with only a small minority opposed. The city is seeking to streamline—not slow—bike safety upgrades.

• To the Barricades! Grassroots Effort Needed to Blunt ‘Boneheaded’ Bike Block Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-01

Brooklyn lawmakers tell developers: no more parking mandates. They want special permits to drop parking. They say parking rules drive up costs, block affordable homes, and fuel car use. The message is clear—build for people, not for cars.

On March 1, 2022, Brooklyn politicians announced a push to eliminate mandatory parking minimums for new developments. The action is not a formal bill, but a policy stance led by Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler. The group, including Council Members Jennifer Gutierrez, Crystal Hudson, Chi Osse, Sandy Nurse, Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Rita Joseph, and Farah Louis, demands that developers seeking zoning changes first apply for a special permit to waive parking requirements. Restler said, 'Developers need our consent and approval, and we are telling them, plainly, that they have to file for a special permit to end parking requirements.' Reynoso added, 'You don't need to do that anymore.' Avilés called parking mandates a barrier to affordable housing and climate action. The group argues that parking minimums raise construction costs, encourage car use, and block green space. Restler warned he is 'far more likely to vote no' on projects without a parking waiver. Advocates and policy experts back the move, and related state legislation is pending.

• Brooklyn Pols Tell Developers to Eliminate Parking or Else, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-01

Restler and city leaders stood at Brooklyn Borough Hall. They demanded faster buses, more lanes, and real enforcement. Riders choke on slow service. Cars clog bus lanes. The call: redesign routes, expand service, and put riders first. No more stalling.

On February 28, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined borough presidents and advocates at Brooklyn Borough Hall to demand urgent action on New York City’s bus system. The event, titled 'Borough beeps join city transit advocates for better bus service,' spotlighted stalled promises and called for Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul to deliver. Restler and others backed the Bus Turnaround Coalition’s push for network redesigns, expanded and more frequent service, all-door boarding, and tougher enforcement in bus lanes. Comptroller Brad Lander stressed that 'expanded bus routes must also match 21st century travel patterns.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso linked better buses to less car dependence and climate action. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez pledged 150 new miles of busways and lanes. The campaign aims to speed up buses, cut car dominance, and put vulnerable road users first.

• Borough beeps join city transit advocates for better bus service, gothamist.com, Published 2022-02-28

A sedan struck the rear of another vehicle on Montrose Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 55-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash involved following too closely and other vehicular factors.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male driver in a 2019 Ford sedan rear-ended another vehicle traveling west on Montrose Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center back end of the front vehicle and the center front end of the rear vehicle. The driver was not ejected and held a valid New York license. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver error in maintaining safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 19-year-old woman crossing Leonard Street with the signal was hit by a sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot. The driver’s vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Leonard Street at an intersection with the walk signal. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2017 Honda sedan, was making a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The sedan showed no visible damage. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of an SUV on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The motorcycle driver, 54, was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the left rear quarter panel of a 2021 Ford SUV on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The motorcycle driver, a 54-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead eastbound when the collision occurred. The SUV sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the motorcycle was damaged at its center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

State officials want answers from cyclists. They ask how, where, and why people ride. The survey digs into barriers, habits, and needs. Planners say the data will shape safer, fairer streets. Results will go public. Cyclists’ voices count.

On February 17, 2022, New York State launched the first New York Bike Census, a voluntary survey led by NYSERDA and Urban Cycling Solutions. The effort is described as 'an unprecedented effort to collect detailed data on bicycle transportation across the state.' The survey asks about riding frequency, infrastructure, barriers, and connections to transit. Assembly Member Robert Carroll and State Senator Julia Salazar have backed related legislation for an e-bike rebate program. The survey’s results will be shared with governments and advocacy groups. Officials say the data will help planners and policymakers 'invest in safer, more equitable multimodal streets.' No direct safety impact assessment was provided, but the project aims to inform future improvements for vulnerable road users.

• New York State Wants To Know Everything About Your Cycling Habits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-17

A sedan turning right hit a bicyclist going straight on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, bruised but conscious. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes. The rider wore no safety gear.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn on Bushwick Avenue collided with a bicyclist traveling straight north. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, sustained upper arm and shoulder contusions and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The cyclist was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the bike’s center front end, damaging both vehicles. No other occupants were involved. The crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attention, with injuries focused on the vulnerable bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4503081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Gov. Hochul backs a new train line linking Queens and Brooklyn. The Interborough Express uses old tracks for new rapid transit. Borough presidents Richards and Reynoso support it. The plan faces cost, freight, and construction hurdles. Public review comes next.

On January 21, 2022, Gov. Hochul announced the Interborough Express (IBX) project, a new train line connecting Bay Ridge in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens. The project is in early stages, with environmental review and public input ahead. The MTA’s feasibility study considered light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit, aiming for a 45-minute end-to-end trip. The matter summary states: 'New York City is getting a new train line, the Interborough Express (IBX), thanks to Gov. Hochul's support for passenger service on the rail right of way connecting Queens and Brooklyn.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso voiced support at the announcement. The project uses existing right-of-way, avoiding eminent domain, but faces challenges with freight integration, track upgrades, and uncertain costs. Modular station designs aim to keep expenses down. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users has been published.

• ANALYSIS: Gov. Hochul’s ‘Bi-Boro’ Train Line: How Will it Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-21

A 32-year-old man was injured crossing Metropolitan Avenue against the signal. A sedan traveling east struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. The driver passed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Metropolitan Avenue against the signal when a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling east struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain a safe distance from the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4495312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

City law now forces DOT to install 500 new loading zones each year. The move aims to curb double parking and ease delivery chaos. The original plan was bigger, but politics cut it down. DOT faces pushback from drivers and boards. Streets stay dangerous.

Bill number not specified. Passed by the City Council in late 2021, this law requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create at least 500 loading zones annually. The measure, authored by then-Council Member Antonio Reynoso, instructs DOT to use neighborhood density and public requests to guide placement. DOT spokesman Vin Barone said, 'We’re expanding our loading zone program to meet the increasing demands of deliveries and cut down on unsafe double parking.' The original bill sought 25% of curb space for loading in dense areas, but the de Blasio administration opposed it. The final law was a compromise. DOT has struggled to site zones in residential neighborhoods due to driver and community board resistance. Transportation Alternatives backed the bill, calling current street use 'inequitable' and harmful to public health, safety, and city goals. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Up Next for DOT: City Law Requires 500 New Loading Zones Every Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-14

A sedan struck a parked SUV on Bushwick Place. Metal met stillness. A 27-year-old man, riding outside, took the blow. His leg crushed. He stayed conscious. Driver inattention and inexperience set the scene. The street bore the mark.

A sedan traveling east on Bushwick Place crashed into a parked SUV. According to the police report, a 27-year-old man riding outside the sedan suffered crush injuries to his leg but remained conscious. Several other passengers, including young adults and a child, were involved but did not report serious injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan’s front end struck the SUV’s rear. No safety equipment was used by those riding outside. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus and lack experience behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4493867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11