No More Widows for Van Buren: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

A motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan on Broadway. The motorcycle driver, ejected and injured with whiplash and full-body trauma, was traveling at unsafe speed and disregarded traffic control, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Broadway involving a 2023 motorcycle and a 2013 sedan. The motorcycle was traveling south, going straight ahead, when it impacted the left rear quarter panel of the sedan, which was traveling east. The motorcycle driver, a 23-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash. The injury severity was rated as level 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors to the crash, both attributed to the motorcycle driver. The sedan driver was not reported injured. The motorcycle's right front bumper and the sedan's left rear quarter panel were damaged. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752067 - 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

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

Two SUVs crashed on Stuyvesant Avenue in Brooklyn, injuring three occupants. The impact struck the right rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. Driver distraction was cited as the cause, leaving passengers with whiplash.

According to the police report, two station wagon/SUV vehicles collided on Stuyvesant Avenue near Kosciuszko Street in Brooklyn at 11:15 AM. The first vehicle, a 2023 Chevrolet SUV traveling south, was struck on its right rear quarter panel by a 2003 Ford SUV traveling east, which sustained damage to its left front bumper. The crash injured three occupants: a 57-year-old female front passenger with neck injuries, a 52-year-old female driver with back injuries, and a 62-year-old male driver with chest injuries. All occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error as the cause. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744636 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle hit a parked SUV on Fulton Street. The rider suffered arm injuries. Police cite passing too closely and inattention. The SUV was empty. Metal and flesh met hard pavement.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on Fulton Street in Brooklyn struck a parked Jeep SUV at 17:58. The motorcycle's right front quarter panel hit the SUV's left front quarter panel. The motorcycle driver, a 48-year-old man, suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was wearing a helmet, remained conscious, and was not ejected. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV was stationary before impact. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Chi Ossé joined activists at Nostrand Avenue station. They blasted Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing. The delay halts elevator upgrades, trapping seniors, parents, and disabled riders. The street outside roars with traffic. The subway stays out of reach.

On July 11, 2024, Council Member Chi Ossé (District 36) stood with Riders Alliance and other advocates outside the Nostrand Avenue subway station. They protested Governor Kathy Hochul’s June 5 decision to suspend congestion pricing, a move that froze $16.5 billion in MTA upgrades, including elevators for Bed-Stuy’s busy station. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, highlighted the urgent need for accessibility: 'We want our elevators, we want our service, and we want it now,' said State Sen. Jabari Brisport. Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest called the delay a denial of basic rights. Ossé called Hochul’s move 'an attack on our most vulnerable constituents.' Only a quarter of city stations are wheelchair-accessible. The hold traps thousands—seniors, parents, disabled riders—forcing them to risk dangerous streets or skip transit altogether.

• Activists rail against Hochul’s congestion pricing delay, call for accessibility upgrades to Bed-Stuy subway station, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-11

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered back contusions after a collision on Throop Avenue. The crash involved a distracted driver making a left turn. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no helmet worn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:35 on Throop Avenue involving a bicyclist and a vehicle making a left turn. The bicyclist, a 24-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained back injuries classified as contusions. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle involved was a 2018 Jeep SUV traveling east, which struck the bicyclist at the center back end. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while making a left turn directly led to the collision and the bicyclist’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744633 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old man crashed a sedan into parked SUVs on Halsey Street. He suffered head abrasions. Police cited alcohol and lack of license as factors. The impact left the driver injured and exposed systemic road danger.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old unlicensed man driving a sedan west on Halsey Street crashed into several parked SUVs at 4:05 AM. The driver suffered head abrasions but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police listed alcohol involvement and driving without a license as contributing factors. The sedan struck the left front bumper of one SUV and the front and rear bumpers of others. No actions by other road users contributed to the crash. The collision left the sedan driver injured, underscoring the risks posed by impaired and unlicensed driving in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740528 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed on Reid Avenue. A 64-year-old woman in the rear seat took a chest injury. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed. Metal twisted. The street held the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Reid Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:25. The crash struck the right side doors of one SUV and the front center of the other. A 64-year-old female passenger in the rear seat suffered chest injuries but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured passenger was not using any safety equipment, as noted in the report. The crash shows the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and speed limits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

A 25-year-old woman was injured crossing a marked crosswalk on Lewis Avenue. The sedan, traveling west and making a right turn, struck her with its right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and elbow-lower-arm-hand injury.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Lewis Avenue at a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was struck by a westbound sedan making a right turn. The vehicle's point of impact was the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. The sedan, a 2006 Honda, showed no vehicle damage. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or other violations are explicitly noted in the data. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face even at marked crosswalks when vehicles are turning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two women suffered back injuries and shock in a Brooklyn crash involving two SUVs. The collision struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. Unsafe speed was cited as the driver error causing the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 663 Putnam Avenue at 8:37 PM. Two SUVs collided, with impact on the left side doors of a 2019 Volkswagen SUV and the right front bumper of a 2010 Jeep SUV. The driver of the Volkswagen, a 35-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash, and was wearing a lap belt. She was cited for unsafe speed, which is listed as the contributing factor to the crash. A 35-year-old female passenger in the same vehicle also suffered back injuries and shock. The report highlights unsafe speed as the sole driver error, with no contributing victim behaviors noted. Both occupants were not ejected and experienced injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted sedan driver hit a bicyclist traveling south on Broadway. The cyclist suffered a shoulder injury and bruising but remained conscious. The sedan was parked before impact, damaging its left side doors. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan was parked on Broadway near Ellery Street in Brooklyn when it struck a bicyclist traveling southbound. The bicyclist, a 48-year-old wearing a helmet, sustained an upper arm shoulder injury and contusions but was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, indicating the point of impact. The bicyclist was not ejected and was the sole occupant of their vehicle. The sedan had one occupant and was registered in Pennsylvania. The crash occurred at 11:35 a.m. Driver distraction led to the failure to avoid the collision, highlighting systemic dangers posed by inattentive vehicle operators in shared road spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan executing an improper U-turn struck a bicyclist traveling east on Flushing Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. The driver’s error caused the collision, leaving the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:28 on Flushing Avenue. A sedan traveling west was making a U-turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor for the driver of the sedan. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The cyclist was conscious at the scene but was injured. The bike showed no damage, and the sedan’s right front bumper was the point of impact. The driver of the sedan was licensed and operating the vehicle during the improper turn. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on a Fly e-bike crashed into a stopped SUV on Chauncey Street. He flew from the saddle, pelvis shattered, awake on the asphalt. The report cites following too closely and inexperience. No helmet. No license. The street stayed silent.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old man operating a Fly e-bike eastbound on Chauncey Street near 155th in Brooklyn struck the rear of a stationary SUV at 10:10 a.m. The e-bike rider, unlicensed and without a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and suffered severe crush injuries to his pelvis. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors in the crash. The SUV, driven by a licensed woman, was stopped in traffic when the collision occurred. The e-bike's center front end crumpled on impact with the SUV's right rear bumper. The police narrative describes the rider as conscious but immobilized on the asphalt, staring at the sky. The report makes no mention of any error by the SUV driver, focusing instead on the e-bike operator's actions and lack of protective equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Sedan and motorcycle collided on Chauncey Street. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. Sedan driver, 68, suffered chest injuries. Police cite road rage. Systemic danger clear. No victim blamed.

According to the police report, a sedan and a motorcycle collided on Chauncey Street in Brooklyn at 18:03. The sedan, driven by a 68-year-old licensed woman, was struck in the right rear quarter panel. She suffered chest contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The motorcycle, operated by an unlicensed male, hit the sedan's left front bumper. Both vehicles were parked before the crash. Police cite 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver errors and systemic risk, especially aggressive driving. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul froze New York’s congestion pricing days before launch. Lawmakers and advocates called her move illegal. The MTA faces lost funds, stalled upgrades, and mounting frustration. Transit riders and vulnerable road users are left exposed as car traffic surges unchecked.

On June 10, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul abruptly paused New York City’s congestion pricing program, which was set to begin June 30. The 2019 law mandates the state and MTA 'shall' implement congestion pricing, not 'may.' U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres said, 'When the will of the Executive competes with an Act of the Legislature, the law wins. Or should.' MTA board members, caught off guard, warned that without toll revenue, modernization projects—like electric buses and ADA stations—will be deprioritized. State Sen. Jabari Brisport and Riders Alliance noted a surge in public support for the program after Hochul’s decision. Hochul cited safety and community concerns, but advocates say her move robs New Yorkers of a vital tool to fund transit and cut traffic and pollution. The program’s future remains uncertain, with vulnerable road users facing continued risk from unchecked car traffic.

• Hochul’s Bid to Stop Congestion Pricing Might Be Illegal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-10

Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing days before launch. Lawmakers and advocates erupted. The MTA warned of stalled upgrades. Transit riders felt betrayed. State Sen. Jabari Brisport reported a flood of support for tolls. The fight now moves to courts and the streets.

On June 10, 2024, Governor Hochul moved to halt New York City’s congestion pricing program, which was set to begin June 30. The 2019 law’s language—'shall implement tolls'—makes her action legally questionable. The Federal Highway Administration has not finalized the agreement, giving Hochul a bureaucratic opening. State Sen. Jabari Brisport, district 25, spoke at a pro-congestion pricing rally, saying, 'A lot of senators felt the pressure from the phone calls, myself included.' The MTA warned that without toll revenue, modernization and accessibility projects will be delayed. Advocacy groups and transit riders called the pause a betrayal, emphasizing congestion pricing’s role in funding transit and reducing traffic and pollution. The matter’s title: 'Hochul's Bid to Stop Congestion Pricing Might Be Illegal.' The fight for safer, more reliable streets now intensifies.

• Hochul's Bid to Stop Congestion Pricing Might Be Illegal, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-10

Angry Brooklynites rallied at Broadway Junction. They blasted Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Signs demanded clean air and fast trains. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it betrayal. Protesters warned: more cars, less transit, and vulnerable riders left behind.

On June 10, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler joined a protest in District 33 against Governor Kathy Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The rally, organized by Riders Alliance, gathered outside Broadway Junction. Protesters held signs reading, 'Don’t cancel @ 11th hour' and 'clean air, fast trains. Fund the MTA.' The matter, titled 'Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' saw Restler declare, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us.' He called for more frequent buses, reliable trains, and less car dependence. Demonstrators warned that the delay defunds the MTA, threatens service for those without cars, and puts Black, Brown, and low-income communities at risk. State Sen. Jabari Brisport urged Hochul to reinstate the plan. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-06-10

Anger filled Broadway Junction. Protesters called out Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Councilmember Lincoln Restler said the city was betrayed. Riders demanded better buses, trains, and less car traffic. Without funding, vulnerable New Yorkers face longer waits and dangerous streets.

On June 9, 2024, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined a protest at Broadway Junction against the indefinite delay of New York’s congestion pricing plan. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, followed Governor Kathy Hochul’s last-minute decision to halt the Manhattan toll plan. The protest drew bus and subway riders, who chanted for immediate action and held signs demanding clean air and reliable transit. Restler declared, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' and called for more frequent bus service, better trains, and less dependence on cars and trucks. The demonstrators warned that without congestion pricing, the MTA faces a funding crisis. This threatens repairs and improvements, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income neighborhoods, and risks worsening traffic and delays for emergency services. The protest highlights the systemic danger: when transit funding is gutted, vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Brooklyn protesters fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, amny.com, Published 2024-06-09