Brooklyn Heights: Two Dead on Cadman and the BQE. The Rest Is Bruises and Waiting.

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 - Summer Streets expands. Streets close to cars for weekends. Crowds swell and bikes and feet fill the asphalt. The city dangles more, but the reach is small. Where cars vanish, walking and cycling flourish; most streets remain unchanged.

"The tallest subway station in NYC is finally getting an elevator. The Smith-9th St station in Gowanus is nearly 90' high. Soon, you'll be able to take an elevator to get there." -- Andrew Gounardes

File number: none. Status: statement, not legislation. Committee action: none. On August 11, 2025, David Meyer published a Streetsblog NYC piece and wrote, "Summer Streets is bigger and better than ever and New Yorkers are begging for more." There is no council bill or sponsor. Meyer praises the expansion while criticizing its limited scale. A safety analyst notes: "Expanding Summer Streets increases car-free space, encourages mode shift to walking and cycling, and demonstrates the safety and enjoyment possible with reduced vehicle traffic, supporting system-wide safety and equity for vulnerable road users." The car-free weekends run Aug. 16 in Manhattan and Aug. 23 in Brooklyn and the Bronx, showing safety gains that remain localized.

• Monday’s Headlines: All Hail Summer Streets Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 11 - MTA will add elevators to Smith‑9th Street, ending a brutal 90‑foot climb. The change opens the station to seniors and people with disabilities. More transit riders may mean fewer cars, cutting pedestrian and cyclist exposure to traffic danger.

"the station will get elevators as part of the MTA's approved $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029" -- Andrew Gounardes

Bill number: none — this is an MTA capital plan project. Status: announced Aug. 11, 2025. Committee: N/A. Key dates: funded in the MTA’s approved $68.4 billion 2025–2029 capital plan. The announcement quotes the article title: "Tall order: Smith-9th Streets subway station, city’s highest, to get elevators." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said, “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.” Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the MTA for prioritizing accessibility. Safety analysts note: improved subway accessibility encourages mode shift from driving to transit, reducing pedestrian and cyclist exposure to traffic danger and supporting safer, more equitable streets.

• Tall order: Smith-9th Streets subway station, city’s highest, to get elevators, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 11 - Elevators planned for Smith‑9th Street, NYC's tallest station. Stairs end. Riders with limited mobility win. NYCHA residents and seniors regain access to jobs and care. Project cuts forced walking or biking along hazardous routes and shifts trips onto public transit.

"the addition of elevators will make the subway accessible to all." -- Andrew Gounardes

Bill/file number: none. Status: MTA announced planned installation on August 11, 2025. Committee: none listed. BKReader ran the piece titled "Brooklyn’s Steepest Subway Stop to Get a Lift," noting "The MTA will install an elevator at the Smith-9th Street station." State Senator Andrew Gounardes praised the plan. Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon backed it. NYCHA leaders voiced support. MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo called the stop the clearest case for access. Installing elevators improves transit accessibility for people with mobility challenges, reducing reliance on walking or cycling along potentially hazardous routes and supporting an equitable, safe mode shift to public transit.

• Brooklyn’s Steepest Subway Stop to Get a Lift, BKReader, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 11 - MTA will add elevators to Smith‑9th Street, ending a brutal 90‑foot climb. The change opens the station to seniors and people with disabilities. More transit riders may mean fewer cars, cutting pedestrian and cyclist exposure to traffic danger.

"praised the MTA for prioritizing accessibility" -- Jo Anne Simon

Bill number: none — this is an MTA capital plan project. Status: announced Aug. 11, 2025. Committee: N/A. Key dates: funded in the MTA’s approved $68.4 billion 2025–2029 capital plan. The announcement quotes the article title: "Tall order: Smith-9th Streets subway station, city’s highest, to get elevators." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said, “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.” Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the MTA for prioritizing accessibility. Safety analysts note: improved subway accessibility encourages mode shift from driving to transit, reducing pedestrian and cyclist exposure to traffic danger and supporting safer, more equitable streets.

• Tall order: Smith-9th Streets subway station, city’s highest, to get elevators, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 11 - Elevators planned for Smith‑9th Street, NYC's tallest station. Stairs end. Riders with limited mobility win. NYCHA residents and seniors regain access to jobs and care. Project cuts forced walking or biking along hazardous routes and shifts trips onto public transit.

Bill/file number: none. Status: MTA announced planned installation on August 11, 2025. Committee: none listed. BKReader ran the piece titled "Brooklyn’s Steepest Subway Stop to Get a Lift," noting "The MTA will install an elevator at the Smith-9th Street station." State Senator Andrew Gounardes praised the plan. Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon backed it. NYCHA leaders voiced support. MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo called the stop the clearest case for access. Installing elevators improves transit accessibility for people with mobility challenges, reducing reliance on walking or cycling along potentially hazardous routes and supporting an equitable, safe mode shift to public transit.

• Brooklyn’s Steepest Subway Stop to Get a Lift, BKReader, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 10 - State officials will add elevators to Smith-9th Street station, ending a brutal 90‑foot climb. The lifts expand access and push riders toward transit — cutting pedestrian and cyclist exposure to street car traffic and easing danger for vulnerable users.

Bill number: none. Status: included in the MTA's approved $68.4 billion Capital Plan for 2025–2029. Committee: N/A. Key date: announcement Aug 10, 2025. The matter: "New York City's tallest subway station, Smith-9th Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn, will soon have elevators, ending the difficult climb to the platform." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes led the announcement. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the move. MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo said the upgrades push system access past 50%. The MTA must meet a court settlement to make 95% of stations ADA-accessible by 2055. Improved subway accessibility encourages mode shift from driving to transit, reducing pedestrian and cyclist exposure to car traffic and supporting safer, more equitable streets for vulnerable users.

• Tall order: NYC’s tallest subway station to get elevators, putting accessibility on the ascent, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-10

Aug 10 - State officials will add elevators to Smith-9th Street station, ending a brutal 90‑foot climb. The lifts expand access and push riders toward transit — cutting pedestrian and cyclist exposure to street car traffic and easing danger for vulnerable users.

"the station's history of broken escalators" -- Jo Anne Simon

Bill number: none. Status: included in the MTA's approved $68.4 billion Capital Plan for 2025–2029. Committee: N/A. Key date: announcement Aug 10, 2025. The matter: "New York City's tallest subway station, Smith-9th Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn, will soon have elevators, ending the difficult climb to the platform." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes led the announcement. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the move. MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo said the upgrades push system access past 50%. The MTA must meet a court settlement to make 95% of stations ADA-accessible by 2055. Improved subway accessibility encourages mode shift from driving to transit, reducing pedestrian and cyclist exposure to car traffic and supporting safer, more equitable streets for vulnerable users.

• Tall order: NYC’s tallest subway station to get elevators, putting accessibility on the ascent, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-10

Aug 8 - Two sedans collided on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. A driver and a front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited failure to yield as the contributing factor.

Two sedans collided at 211 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, two men — the driver (26) and the front passenger (31) — sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. Both were listed injured; one was conscious, the other in shock. Both vehicles were traveling east: one was going straight ahead; the other was starting in traffic. Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. Damage focused on the right rear of both cars, with points of impact noted at the center back end and right rear quarter panel. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Aug 4 - A sedan rear-ended a taxi on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. An 88-year-old woman in the taxi's right rear seat suffered a head contusion. Police recorded unsafe speed by the sedan driver. Three other occupants were involved.

The driver of a sedan struck the center back of a taxi on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. An 88-year-old woman riding in the taxi's right rear seat suffered a head contusion. “According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed.'” Police recorded unsafe speed by the driver of the sedan. Both vehicles were traveling west and going straight before the impact. The sedan's center front and left front bumper hit the taxi's center back end. Three other occupants — both drivers and another passenger — were involved and not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

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

Aug 3 - A driver made a left turn and hit a 34-year-old woman crossing Boerum Place at Livingston Street. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. She suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg and foot and was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a driver made a left turn on Boerum Place and failed to yield. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and list "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The driver hit a 34-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal at Livingston Street. She suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg and foot and was in shock at the scene. The vehicle was a 2008 Ford sedan traveling north. No other contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02