Bushwick’s Blood Price: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso demands more. He wants car-free streets in Brooklyn, longer than Manhattan’s. He pledges funding. He rejects short, patchwork routes. The city drags its feet. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safe, open roads.

On November 29, 2022, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called on the Department of Transportation to expand the Summer Streets program into Brooklyn. Reynoso insists the new corridor must be at least as long as Manhattan’s six-and-a-half-mile stretch, not just a patchwork of short Open Streets. He told Streetsblog, "We have to think about, long-term, having a route that is as long if not longer than the one Manhattan does." Reynoso commits city funding to make this happen. The Adams administration has yet to announce plans. The matter, described as 'expansion of car-free Summer Streets program to Brooklyn,' remains in policy advocacy, with support from public-space advocates. Reynoso’s push centers on opening streets to pedestrians and cyclists, not just for events, but as a lasting, borough-wide change.

• Bigger and Better: Brooklyn BP Wants Summer Streets Longer Than Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-29

A taxi parked on Hart Street took a hard hit on its left side. The sedan struck the taxi’s left doors while traveling west. The taxi driver, 33, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Passenger distraction and pedestrian confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on Hart Street in Brooklyn when it was struck on the left side doors by a westbound sedan. The taxi driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists passenger distraction and pedestrian or bicyclist confusion as contributing factors. The sedan was traveling straight ahead and impacted the taxi’s left side. No ejections occurred. The taxi driver’s injury severity was moderate. The report does not indicate any fault or error by the taxi driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581098 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 23-year-old man was injured while emerging from behind a parked vehicle on Bleecker Street. Two SUVs and a sedan were involved in a collision caused by driver inexperience. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Bleecker Street while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle. The crash involved three vehicles: two Station Wagons/SUVs and one sedan. One SUV was entering a parked position when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicles showed damage primarily at their center front and back ends. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped and pick-up truck collided on Wilson Avenue. The female moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Both vehicles struck each other amid limited visibility. Unsafe speed and obstructed views contributed to the violent impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Wilson Avenue involving a moped and a pick-up truck. The moped driver, a 22-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the moped driver. The pick-up truck, driven by a man with a permit license, struck the right side doors of the truck and the center front end of the moped was damaged. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. The crash highlights the dangers posed by limited visibility and unsafe speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 22-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision with a pick-up truck on Beaver Street, Brooklyn. The rider suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. The truck showed no damage. Driver inattention was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Beaver Street in Brooklyn involving a pick-up truck and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 22-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The truck, driven by a licensed female driver from Virginia, was traveling south and showed no damage. The bicyclist was also traveling south but was unlicensed. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the bike. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 30-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered a head contusion after a collision with an SUV. The crash occurred at 5:50 a.m. on Stockholm Street. Driver inattention and unsafe speed contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Stockholm Street was struck by a 2017 SUV traveling east. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained a head contusion, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The report lists driver errors including inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV's point of impact was the left front bumper, while the bike was hit at the center front end. The crash involved a station wagon/SUV and a bike, with the bicyclist as the injured party. No pedestrian errors or helmet use were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 21-year-old woman was hit by an SUV on Wilson Avenue. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot. The driver was distracted and failed to notice the pedestrian crossing against the signal. The victim remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal at an intersection on Wilson Avenue. The vehicle involved was a 2022 Honda SUV traveling south, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. There was no damage reported to the vehicle. The pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal is noted, but the primary cause identified is the driver's failure to maintain attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577154 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

DOT refused a protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. Cyclists face danger. The city law demands protection. DOT chose traffic flow over safety. Advocates and officials condemned the move. Illegally parked cars block the shared lane. Cyclists remain exposed.

On October 20, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would not install a temporary protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during major construction, despite Local Law 124 requiring such measures when bike lanes are blocked. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who once supported the law as a council member, now claims a protected lane would worsen traffic and turning conflicts. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Alexa Aviles criticized the decision, with Reynoso stating, 'protected bike lanes are essential,' and Aviles urging the city to 'install an alternative, fully protected bike lane where the road can accommodate one.' Advocates argue the shared lane is unsafe and often blocked by cars. The DOT’s move prioritizes vehicle flow over cyclist safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• SAFETY LAST: DOT Admits To Intentionally Endangering Cyclists on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-20

A distracted driver backing a vehicle struck a 26-year-old male bicyclist on Central Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions but remained conscious. The crash involved a rear impact on the cyclist’s bike, which was parked at the time.

According to the police report, a vehicle backing on Central Avenue in Brooklyn collided with a parked bicycle ridden by a 26-year-old male bicyclist. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle struck the bike at the center back end, damaging the vehicle's rear and the bike's left front bumper. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573466 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 34-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in Brooklyn. The sedan made an improper left turn, striking the cyclist traveling west. The rider suffered knee and lower leg contusions. The driver’s error caused the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a left turn on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to execute the turn safely. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan’s left front bumper and the bike’s right front bumper were damaged. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An 18-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after colliding with a parked sedan on Troutman Street. The rider was semiconscious and injured internally. The sedan was stationary at impact. Illness was noted as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike westbound on Troutman Street collided with a parked sedan. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained head injuries and internal complaints. The sedan was parked at the time of impact, which occurred at its left front quarter panel. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment. The report lists illness as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors. No failure to yield or other driver faults were recorded. The bicyclist’s injury severity was serious, and he was semiconscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569355 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council Member Alexa Avilés pushes new rules for last-mile trucking. Trucks choke Red Hook and Sunset Park. Narrow streets shake. Residents breathe fumes. The bill demands safer, smarter routes. Data and daylighting aim to protect people, not just freight.

On September 30, 2022, Council Member Alexa Avilés (District 38) introduced a package of bills targeting last-mile trucking regulation. The measures, revived in committee, seek to redesign truck routes and gather data on facilities run by Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. The matter aims to 'reduce congestion and emissions, improve safety and increase visibility,' especially in overburdened neighborhoods like Red Hook and Sunset Park. Avilés, the lead sponsor, calls for systematic changes: 'We really need to look systematically at more improved routes to ensure people are safe.' The bills would require the Department of Transportation to daylight intersections and the Department of Environmental Protection to install air monitors on heavy-use roads. Councilwoman Jennifer Gutiérrez sponsors a related bill for public truck-route data. The legislation draws support from industry and advocates, all seeking safer streets and cleaner air for vulnerable New Yorkers.

• Trio of council bills seeks to regulate last-mile trucking routes, crainsnewyork.com, Published 2022-09-30

Brooklyn leaders stood outside Borough Hall. They demanded congestion pricing. They want fewer cars, cleaner air, safer streets. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it sweeping. He pushed for limited exemptions. The rally came as public comment closed. Pressure mounts for federal approval.

On September 22, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined Brooklyn officials at a rally supporting New York State's congestion pricing plan. The event came as the public comment period for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Central Business District Tolling Program ended. The plan would toll drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street, aiming to cut traffic and pollution. Restler said, “This is a tangible, major, sweeping policy that will dramatically reduce the number of cars and trucks on the street in New York City.” He supported limited exemptions, especially for taxis and for-hire vehicles, but stressed the need to keep cars off the road. The rally urged the Federal Highway Administration to approve the plan, which is expected to shift commuters to mass transit and modernize city infrastructure. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon also backed a taxi carveout.

• Brooklyn pols rally for congestion pricing on eve of public comment period ending, amny.com, Published 2022-09-22

Tom Wright backed congestion pricing at the MTA board. He called it vital. He said it cuts traffic, cleans air, and funds transit. Brooklyn lawmakers joined in. Critics raised minor issues. Supporters said fixes are simple. The push for safer streets continues.

On September 21, 2022, Tom Wright, president of the Regional Plan Association, spoke at the MTA board meeting to support congestion pricing. The statement, titled 'Congestion Pricing Benefits Are Inarguable; Its Minor Problems are Easily Fixable,' urged city, state, and federal leaders to advance the Central Business District Tolling Program. Wright said, 'Congestion pricing will have benefits for communities across the city and region: It will reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. It will raise vital revenue for public transit. It will make the transportation system more equitable.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler planned a rally in support. The statement acknowledged minor impacts, like increased traffic on select highways, but insisted these can be addressed by electrifying fleets and capping highways. The focus remained on the program’s broad benefits for vulnerable road users and city residents.

• Opinion: Congestion Pricing Benefits Are Inarguable; Its Minor Problems are Easily Fixable, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-21

A 29-year-old woman bicyclist was hit by an SUV starting from parking. She was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the crash. The cyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, an SUV starting from parking struck a bicyclist traveling west on Stanhope Street. The 29-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the impact. The SUV’s point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the bike was hit on the left side doors. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Brooklyn and Queens leaders want car-free Summer Streets beyond Manhattan. They urge the city to open roads for people, not cars. Advocates back them. The city says it will review. Families, children, and communities stand to gain space and safety.

On September 12, 2022, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards called for expanding the 'Summer Streets' program to their boroughs. They wrote to Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, stating, 'Every year, we see how much New Yorkers enjoy the car-free street and associated activities, and we are writing to ask you to bring this beloved event to our respective boroughs in 2023.' The Department of Transportation said it would review the request. Advocates like Juan Restrepo and Jackson Chabot joined the call, demanding more hours and borough-wide access. Community groups stressed the benefits for families and children. The program is described as cost-effective, crime-free, and vital for community building. No formal council bill or vote yet, but the push is clear: open streets for all, not just Manhattan.

• Brooklyn, Queens Beeps Want ‘Summer Streets’ Too!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-12

A 21-year-old female passenger suffered elbow and arm injuries in a Brooklyn crash. The SUV was hit on its right side by a sedan traveling west. Driver distraction caused the collision. The passenger was not ejected but went into shock.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn involving a northbound SUV and a westbound sedan. The SUV was struck on its right side doors by the sedan's front end. A 21-year-old female passenger in the SUV sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and experienced shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. Both drivers were licensed. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563250 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

E-scooter and SUV collided on Bushwick Avenue. Rider suffered leg abrasions. Both vehicles turned left. Police cited driver inattention. No vehicle damage. Rider stayed conscious.

According to the police report, an e-scooter and a 2013 Chevrolet SUV collided on Bushwick Avenue. The e-scooter rider, a 35-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not ejected and remained conscious. Both vehicles were making left turns at the time of the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The SUV had no damage despite impact to its left front quarter panel. The e-scooter was struck on its right front quarter panel. No safety equipment was noted for the e-scooter rider. The crash underscores the danger of driver distraction for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan turning left struck an eastbound e-bike on Willoughby Avenue. The e-bike rider, a 28-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver showed signs of inattention and unsafe speed. The collision damaged both vehicles’ front ends.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn collided with an e-bike traveling straight ahead on Willoughby Avenue. The e-bike rider, a 28-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver errors including inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper and the e-bike’s center front end were damaged. The e-bike rider was conscious and not ejected. The sedan driver was licensed and female. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and unsafe turning maneuvers in mixed traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A crash on De Kalb Avenue injured a 42-year-old male passenger. Two SUVs and a pick-up truck collided. The injured occupant suffered shock and unknown injuries. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash involved multiple vehicles on De Kalb Avenue, including two SUVs and a pick-up truck. A 42-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear passenger position was injured and experienced shock. The report lists aggressive driving and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The pick-up truck was making a right turn at the time of impact, which occurred at the center front end of the truck and involved the left front bumper of one SUV and the center back end of another vehicle. The injured passenger was not ejected and had no visible complaints. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4559644 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07