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

Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

A sedan making a left turn hit a bicyclist going straight on Bushwick Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:55 PM. A 37-year-old male bicyclist, traveling southbound straight ahead, was struck by a westbound sedan making a left turn. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries, including a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The sedan's left front bumper was the point of impact, though the vehicle sustained no damage. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle with no noted license issues. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and failure to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 43-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian suffered severe full-body injuries and was incoherent at the scene.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Cypress Avenue near Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was hit by a 2015 Chevrolet SUV traveling south and making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver's failure to maintain focus led to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body and was incoherent at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but his distraction caused a severe injury to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

A driver fell asleep and veered, smashing SUVs on Wilson Avenue. One man, 42, took the brunt—body battered, mind in shock. Police cite fatigue and bad lane use. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a crash erupted on Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:41. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Fell Asleep' as the main causes. Two SUVs collided, one driven by a 42-year-old man who suffered full-body trauma and shock. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Police highlight driver fatigue and improper lane use as the key errors. No mention of victim fault or other contributing behaviors appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle traveling northwest struck a parked sedan on Willoughby Ave in Brooklyn. The solo rider, a 55-year-old man, suffered elbow and arm injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:20 on Willoughby Ave in Brooklyn. A 55-year-old male motorcycle driver, wearing a helmet, was traveling northwest when he collided with a parked sedan. The sedan was stationary, facing north, with no occupants inside. The motorcycle driver sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the crash. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. No damage was noted on the motorcycle, while the sedan sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and inexperienced vehicle operators, with no fault attributed to the parked vehicle or its absence of occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city worker crashed into three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, struck a car with a pregnant woman, and tried to flee. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her near the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist (2024-11-27) reports a New York City Housing Authority employee crashed into three vehicles near Gates Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Police say the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," dragged a person trying to get her information, and hit another car with a pregnant woman inside. She then struck a third, unoccupied vehicle before being arrested by city sheriffs nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights ongoing risks at busy intersections and underscores the consequences of fleeing after a crash.

• Driver Drags Person, Hits Pregnant Woman, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

A bus hit a 15-year-old girl as she crossed St. Nicholas Avenue with the signal. Blood marked the crosswalk. The bus kept moving. The girl stayed conscious, head bleeding, as the street bore silent witness to the violence of traffic.

According to the police report, a bus traveling north on St. Nicholas Avenue struck a 15-year-old girl in the crosswalk at Stanhope Street. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with signal' when the collision occurred. The girl suffered severe lacerations to her head but remained conscious at the scene. The narrative notes, 'Blood pooled on white paint,' underscoring the violence of the impact. The bus did not stop and was described as 'unmarked.' Police list the contributing factors as 'unspecified,' but the report makes clear the pedestrian was in the intersection, acting lawfully, with the signal in her favor. No driver errors are explicitly cited in the data, but the facts highlight the systemic dangers faced by pedestrians even when following traffic rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""The consequences of today's decision to exempt R1, R2, and R3 contextual districts from City of Yes are severe," he said in a statement. "The housing pressure on every other neighborhood will go up, which means if Queens or Staten Island doesn't grow, Brooklyn is asked to do more than our fair share."" -- Antonio Reynoso

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Private trash trucks still maim and kill. Five years after reform, chaos rules. Only one waste zone runs. No citywide plan. Streets stay dangerous. Lawmakers and survivors demand action. The city stalls. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

""If done right, CWZs can eliminate millions of truck miles traveled from our streets, keep workers and pedestrians safe, and ensure quality service for all customers. The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill."" -- Antonio Reynoso

The 2019 commercial waste zone reform aimed to cut truck carnage by dividing New York City into 20 zones, each served by specific haulers. As of October 30, 2024, only one zone is active. No timeline exists for citywide rollout. The Department of Sanitation claims caution is needed to avoid price hikes and ensure effective change, but offers no clear metrics or deadlines. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, pleads, 'We can't wait another day to enforce truck safety requirements.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso warns, 'The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill.' Delays keep streets deadly for workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The law’s promise remains unfulfilled. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

• Private Trash Haulers Are Still Killing and Injuring New Yorkers As Long-Awaited Reforms Lag, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-30

A sedan, northbound on Bushwick Avenue, struck a 28-year-old man crossing outside the crosswalk. The left front bumper hit his head. He lay unconscious, blood pooling on the quiet street. Driver inattention and unsafe speed marked the morning.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Bushwick Avenue near DeKalb Avenue struck a 28-year-old man who was crossing outside the crosswalk in the early morning. The report states, 'the left front bumper hit his head,' leaving the pedestrian unconscious and bleeding on the street. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The driver’s distraction and excessive speed directly preceded the impact. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to maintain attention and control, which led to severe injury for the man crossing Bushwick Avenue.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel swept through the crosswalk at De Kalb and Wyckoff. A van turned right, head-on into a man with the light. No screech, no skid, no mercy. The man died where he stood, body broken by the van’s front end.

A 59-year-old man was killed at the intersection of De Kalb Avenue and Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn when a van making a right turn struck him head-on. According to the police report, the pedestrian was 'crossing with signal' in the crosswalk when the van, registered in Michigan and operated by a licensed New York driver, failed to yield the right-of-way. The report states, 'A van turned right. A man, 59, walked with the light. Steel struck him head-on.' The impact was so severe that the victim suffered injuries to his entire body and died at the scene. The police report notes there were 'no skid marks' and 'no damage to the van.' The contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The pedestrian’s lawful crossing is mentioned only after the driver’s error, underscoring the systemic danger posed by vehicles failing to yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old woman crossing Flushing Avenue with the signal was struck by a garbage truck making a left turn. She suffered knee and lower leg abrasions and was left in shock. The crash exposed critical driver errors in yielding at intersections.

According to the police report, a garbage truck traveling northeast on Flushing Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a 24-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and emotional shock. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck. The report identifies the contributing factor as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion," but the data shows no vehicle damage and the driver was licensed and operating the truck legally. The truck driver's failure to yield while making the left turn created the conditions for this collision, highlighting systemic dangers at intersections involving large vehicles and vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765517 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill orders DOT to build 35 e-bike battery stations yearly. A quarter will sit curbside, letting riders lock up. Sponsors: Rivera, Nurse, Hanif. Streets may shift. City must post locations.

Int 1084-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced October 10, 2024. The bill reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to install e-bicycle battery stations.' Council Members Carlina Rivera (primary sponsor), Sandy Nurse, and Shahana K. Hanif back the measure. It mandates DOT to install at least 35 e-bike battery stations each year for five years, with at least 25% curbside for secure parking. DOT must report on station rollout and post locations online. The bill aims to reshape curb space and infrastructure for e-bike riders, but offers no direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users.

• File Int 1084-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-10-10

A sedan making a left turn collided with a moped traveling straight on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver suffered neck contusions but was conscious and not ejected. The crash was caused by unsafe lane changing by the sedan driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:20 AM on Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2013 BMW sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck a 2024 ZNEN moped also traveling north straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan's left rear quarter panel, damaging its left side doors, while the moped sustained no damage. The moped driver, a 58-year-old male, was injured with neck contusions and remained conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to execute a safe lane maneuver. The moped driver wore a helmet, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The evidence highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause of this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04