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

Jun 2 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Jun 1 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

May 31 - A 25-year-old male e-scooter driver suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and wearing a helmet. The crash occurred while traveling north on Knickerbocker Avenue. The vehicle showed no damage despite the injury.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male operating an e-scooter was injured on Knickerbocker Avenue. The driver sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors without detailing driver errors. The e-scooter was traveling straight north and impacted at the center front end, yet the vehicle showed no damage. The driver was wearing a helmet, classified as safety equipment for in-line skaters or bicyclists. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - A 43-year-old male bicyclist suffered head abrasions after an SUV struck his e-bike on Troutman Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles traveled north. The SUV hit the bike’s front end, damaging its center and the SUV’s right side doors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Troutman Street in Brooklyn involving a 2007 Honda SUV and a male bicyclist on an e-bike. Both were traveling north when the SUV struck the e-bike on its right side doors and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, 43 years old, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not specify driver errors or helmet use. The SUV driver was licensed and had two occupants. The crash resulted in moderate injury to the bicyclist, who was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536755 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

May 28 - A bicyclist and a sedan collided on Evergreen Avenue. The cyclist suffered fractures to the knee and lower leg. The sedan carried one passenger who was shocked but uninjured. Unsafe speed and driver inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Evergreen Avenue. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not wearing safety equipment. The sedan carried one passenger, a 29-year-old woman, who experienced shock but no physical injuries. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors for both parties. The bicyclist was traveling north going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The impact was at the center front end of the bicycle. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4531998 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 23 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

May 23 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

May 19 - A 33-year-old male sedan driver suffered elbow and lower arm injuries in a collision on Flushing Avenue. The SUV, driven by a female making a left turn, struck the sedan’s right front bumper. Lane marking issues contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling westbound on Flushing Avenue was struck by an SUV making a left turn eastbound. The sedan’s driver, a 33-year-old male, was injured with elbow and lower arm trauma and complained of whiplash. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front areas. The report lists 'Lane Marking Improper/Inadequate' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors were specified. The sedan driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The crash highlights the dangers posed by poor lane markings in complex traffic maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530637 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

May 16 - 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 2022-05-16

May 10 - A new report shows most NYC road deaths happen when speed cameras are off. Advocates and officials push Albany to let the city run cameras all day, every day. The state stalls. Lives hang in the balance. The data is clear. Action lags.

Senate Bill 5602, still pending in Albany, would let New York City control and expand speed camera enforcement to 24/7. The Transportation Alternatives report, 'Speeding Doesn’t Sleep,' warns that 59 percent of city road deaths occur when cameras are off. The report urges full-time operation, noting cameras cut speeding by 72 percent where installed. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez calls passage 'very important.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Governor Hochul support local control. Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives says, 'We need Albany to allow New York City to operate speed safety cameras 24/7 so every neighborhood is protected from speeding drivers every hour of the day, every day of the week.' Despite strong public support, the legislature has not acted. The evidence is stark: when cameras are off, people die.

• Yet Another Report Makes Clear Case for City Control of Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-10

May 5 - A sedan hit a 21-year-old woman crossing Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered fractured knee and leg. The car’s right front quarter panel took the impact. The driver was licensed. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a westbound sedan while crossing Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, outside an intersection. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg. The impact damaged the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4525128 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 22 - A 24-year-old woman was injured when a motorcycle hit her at a Brooklyn intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious and treated for contusions. No driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with a 24-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection of Knickerbocker Avenue and Stockholm Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. She remained conscious after the crash. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The motorcycle had no occupants other than the driver, and no details on driver license status or vehicle damage were provided. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The pedestrian was at the intersection when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - A 12-year-old boy crossing Hart Street was struck by a westbound sedan. The impact hit the pedestrian’s face, causing abrasions. The driver was distracted. The boy remained conscious but injured. The sedan’s right front bumper took damage.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Hart Street outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his face and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling westbound, which struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The pedestrian’s injury severity was classified as moderate, with no mention of safety equipment or signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4518865 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a motorcycle going straight on Flushing Avenue. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver distraction caused the collision. The motorcyclist was conscious and wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, a sedan making a U-turn on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn collided with a motorcycle traveling straight ahead. The motorcyclist, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedan's driver was licensed and making the U-turn, while the motorcyclist was unlicensed but wearing a helmet. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the motorcycle and the center front end of the sedan. The motorcyclist remained conscious despite abrasions and serious leg injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4518755 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - Manhattan and Brooklyn borough presidents pressed DOT to let Citi Bike add more e-bikes. They say more e-bikes mean fewer cars, safer streets. DOT did not commit. The cap stands. Riders wait. The city’s car problem grows.

On April 7, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) urging it to raise the 20 percent cap on e-bikes in the Citi Bike fleet. The matter, titled 'Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents Ask DOT To Raise Cap on E-Bikes in Citi Bike Fleet,' argues that 'increasing the availability of Citi Bike electric bikes is essential' for shifting commuters out of cars. Levine and Reynoso both support expanding e-bike access and public subsidies for Citi Bike, opposing the current pricing structure. DOT acknowledged the request but did not promise action. The council members stress that more e-bikes mean more safe, reliable trips for New Yorkers, especially for short journeys that now fill city streets with cars.

• Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents Ask DOT To Raise Cap on E-Bikes in Citi Bike Fleet, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-07

Mar 29 - A box truck made a left turn on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. It struck a 66-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling northeast on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 66-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the truck, making a left turn, hit her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The truck showed no damage after the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4515722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - An e-bike rider was ejected and suffered a head injury after a side impact with an SUV on Central Avenue. The rider was semiconscious with a concussion. The SUV struck the bike’s front center, hitting the rider’s right side.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male e-bike rider was injured and ejected in a collision with a 2020 Jeep SUV on Central Avenue. The rider suffered a head injury and concussion and was semiconscious at the scene. The crash involved the SUV striking the right side doors while the e-bike was hit at the center front end. The report lists driver errors including "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The rider was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list it as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver failures to obey traffic controls and yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4512733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - Garbage piles choke New York sidewalks. Rats swarm. Pedestrians dodge filth. Council Member Sandy Nurse and Borough President Antonio Reynoso push for organics recycling and fair funding. City agencies stall. Mayor Adams sends mixed signals. Streets stay dangerous for those on foot.

On March 22, 2022, the New York City Council’s Sanitation Committee debated the city’s trash crisis. The hearing, covered by Streetsblog NYC, spotlighted Council Member Sandy Nurse and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Nurse demanded full funding for sanitation, calling the crisis 'unprecedented.' Reynoso urged immediate action on 'save-as-you-throw' and mandatory organics recycling, saying, 'We have full authority to implement both.' The matter title reads: 'TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy.' The committee reviewed stalled pilot programs and budget cuts. Nurse stressed the need for equitable services and investment in public transit and clean streets. The debate exposed political inertia and underfunding, leaving sidewalks hazardous for pedestrians and failing neighborhoods most at risk.

• TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-22