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

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

Mar 22 - Garbage piles choke sidewalks. Rats swarm. Pedestrians dodge filth. Council Member Sandy Nurse calls the city’s trash crisis ‘unprecedented.’ She demands full funding for sanitation. She backs organics recycling, pay-as-you-throw, and fewer cars. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous.

On March 22, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on sanitation, waste management, and budget cuts. Council Member Sandy Nurse (District 37) led the charge, declaring, ‘the cuts to Sanitation cannot be negotiated, must be fully funded,’ and warning of an ‘unprecedented sanitation crisis.’ The hearing, covered in the article ‘TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy,’ spotlighted stalled reforms like containerized waste, mandatory organics recycling, and pay-as-you-throw. Nurse and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso demanded immediate action and opposed further cuts. The debate exposed how trash piles and budget slashes endanger pedestrians, block sidewalks, and worsen city life. The article’s conclusion: real safety and cleanliness require investment in transit, clean streets, and fewer cars.

• TRASH CITY: Here’s Why New York is So Filthy, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-03-22

Mar 21 - A box truck turning right struck a 24-year-old male e-bicyclist going straight. The rider was ejected and suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage. Failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck making a right turn collided with an e-bike traveling straight on Bushwick Avenue. The 24-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The truck sustained no damage. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or safety equipment details were noted. The driver of the truck did not yield to the bicyclist, leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4512385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - A sedan struck a 28-year-old male bicyclist on Suydam Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a head abrasion but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan's right side doors were damaged. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Suydam Street collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, a 28-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and remained conscious. The sedan's right rear quarter panel impacted the bike's front center. The driver of the sedan was licensed and had three occupants. The crash was caused by driver inattention or distraction. No other contributing factors were listed. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the part of the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 4 - 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

Mar 4 - 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

Mar 4 - 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

Mar 3 - 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

Mar 3 - 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

Mar 1 - 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

Mar 1 - 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

Feb 28 - A 47-year-old woman was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk on Jefferson Street. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was inattentive.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Jefferson Street. The sedan, traveling east and previously parked, struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian's own error or confusion was also noted but no fault is assigned. The driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Toyota sedan. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4506185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - 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

Feb 23 - A 52-year-old man was struck while crossing Flushing Avenue with the signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Flushing Avenue and Harrison Place in Brooklyn. The 52-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, traveling straight ahead, struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - A 52-year-old man was struck while crossing Wyckoff Avenue with the signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered fractures to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Wyckoff Avenue and Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The 52-year-old man was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling east struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The vehicle was going straight ahead and showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - A 13-year-old boy driving an unlicensed SUV crashed into multiple parked vehicles on Himrod Street. The SUV overturned, trapping the boy inside. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body. Driver distraction was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male occupant driving a 2019 GMC SUV on Himrod Street lost control and overturned the vehicle after colliding with several parked cars. The boy was trapped inside the overturned SUV and sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. Multiple parked vehicles, including sedans and a pickup truck, were damaged in the collision. No other occupants or pedestrians were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4506195 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 17 - 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

Jan 21 - 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

Jan 20 - Two sedans collided on Wyckoff Avenue. A 7-year-old girl in the back seat was hurt. Both drivers faced blocked views. Metal twisted. The child suffered whiplash. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Wyckoff Avenue at Grove Street in Brooklyn. A 7-year-old girl riding in the rear seat was injured, suffering whiplash. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both drivers. The Hyundai struck with its right front bumper; the Chevrolet was hit on its left front quarter panel. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The child was restrained with a child restraint. Both drivers were licensed and operating legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4496116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 14 - 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