The Dead Don’t Wait—Why Should We?

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 29-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an eastbound SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. Driver inattention and limited view contributed to the collision at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Palmetto Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and limited visibility during turning maneuvers, resulting in serious harm to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped’s bumper slammed into a young man working in the street. Blood streaked his face under the streetlights. He stood conscious, wounded, while the driver’s inattention left him bleeding in the dark Brooklyn night.

A 21-year-old man was injured when a westbound moped struck him as he worked in the roadway at Myrtle Avenue and Bleecker Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the moped’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian’s head, leaving him bleeding but conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was performing work in the road at the time of the collision. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior are listed in the police report. This incident underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving to people working or moving in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A motorcycle driver suffered full-body contusions after a collision on Bushwick Avenue. Both vehicles showed no damage. Limited visibility contributed to the crash, highlighting dangers of obstructed views in busy Brooklyn streets.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female motorcycle driver was injured while making a left turn on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:05. The motorcycle and a northbound sedan collided, though neither vehicle sustained damage. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered contusions across her entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the primary contributing factor for both vehicles, indicating that limited visibility played a critical role in the crash. There is no mention of pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The incident underscores the systemic danger posed by obstructed sight lines and driver errors related to limited visibility on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

A 20-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after an SUV struck him on Cornelia Street in Brooklyn. The crash caused significant trauma and shock, with the driver failing to yield and distracted at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:20 on Cornelia Street near Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn. A 20-year-old male bicyclist was riding eastbound when a 2018 Honda SUV, also traveling east, was entering a parked position. The SUV struck the bicyclist on its left front quarter panel, causing the bicyclist to be ejected and sustain head injuries. The bicyclist was reported in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors on the part of the SUV driver. The bicyclist was wearing a harness but no other victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to both vehicles' front quarter panels, underscoring the impact severity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749929 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted SUV driver struck another car’s rear in Brooklyn. A 1-year-old boy, riding on a lap, suffered a head contusion. The crash left the infant conscious but hurt. Impact and inattention marked the night.

According to the police report, a 2023 Tesla SUV traveling west on Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn struck the center back end of another vehicle at 22:40. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. A 1-year-old male passenger, seated on another person's lap without safety equipment, suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The infant was not ejected but sustained an injury rated as severity 3. No other contributing factors related to the infant’s actions were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and injured with neck trauma after a vehicle made an improper U-turn on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles and left the rider with whiplash and serious injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:40 on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. A vehicle was making an improper U-turn when it collided with a southbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 24-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained neck injuries, including whiplash. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error in executing the U-turn. The motorcycle suffered damage to its left front quarter panel, while the other vehicle had front-end damage. The rider was conscious but seriously injured, with no mention of helmet use or other victim behaviors contributing to the crash. This incident underscores the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749910 - 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

A Jeep struck a northbound moped on Bushwick Avenue. The 65-year-old rider was thrown headfirst to the pavement. Blood pooled. The SUV’s front end crumpled. The man died in the street. The driver was unlicensed, according to police.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling west on Bushwick Avenue near Putnam Avenue collided with a northbound moped. The impact was severe: 'A Jeep slammed into a northbound moped. The 65-year-old rider flew from the seat, struck the pavement headfirst. Blood pooled in the street. The SUV’s front end folded. He died there.' The moped rider, a 65-year-old man, was killed instantly, suffering fatal head injuries after being ejected from his vehicle. The police report notes the SUV driver was unlicensed, with a license from Georgia that was not valid in New York. No driver errors beyond 'unspecified' are listed, but the unlicensed status is a critical systemic failure. Helmet use is mentioned only to note its absence, after the primary driver error. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when unlicensed drivers operate vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748017 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Cooper Street in Brooklyn. The rear vehicle struck the front one’s center back end. A 55-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, at 22:50 on Cooper Street in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling west stopped in traffic when another sedan rear-ended it at the center back end. The collision involved two sedans, one a 2022 Mercedes with two occupants, the other a 2014 Chevrolet with one occupant. The front passenger, a 55-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash, wearing a lap belt and not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver of the rear vehicle failed to maintain attention, causing the impact and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 26-year-old unlicensed scooter driver struck the right rear bumper of a turning SUV on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience as factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:20 on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. A 26-year-old male scooter driver, unlicensed and inexperienced, was traveling south when he collided with the right rear bumper of a westbound SUV making a right turn. The scooter's point of impact was the center front end, and the SUV sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The scooter driver was not ejected but suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the scooter driver, highlighting critical driver errors leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans traveling southeast collided on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact injured two passengers, causing whiplash and head injuries. Driver inexperience and distraction contributed to the crash, highlighting systemic dangers in vehicle operation.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling southeast on Bushwick Avenue collided, with impact points at the right rear bumper of the Nissan and the left front bumper of the Hyundai. The crash injured two passengers: a 53-year-old female front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash, and a 32-year-old male rear passenger sustained head injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. Additional 'Other Vehicular' factors were also noted. The drivers were licensed, with one from North Carolina and the other from New York. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the right rear quarter panel of the Nissan and the left front bumper of the Hyundai.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted SUV driver struck a 55-year-old bicyclist traveling south on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured, dislocated elbow and lower arm injury. The SUV’s left front quarter panel bore the impact damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:00 a.m. The collision involved a 2023 Jeep SUV and a bicyclist. The SUV was parked before the crash and struck the bicyclist on its left front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 55-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his elbow and lower arm. The police report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. The bicyclist was unhelmeted, but no victim behavior was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV driver’s distraction directly led to the collision, highlighting systemic danger from inattentive vehicle operators in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan driver hit a parked box truck on Linden Street. He suffered a head injury and shock. Police cite driver inattention and physical disability. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male sedan driver collided with a parked box truck on Linden Street in Brooklyn at 3:15 PM. The sedan struck the truck's right rear bumper, damaging its own front end. The driver, restrained by a lap belt, suffered a head injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Physical Disability' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash. The parked truck was unoccupied at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742268 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan on Central Avenue. The driver disregarded traffic control and was inattentive, striking the cyclist who suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:16 on Central Avenue involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 17-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries including a contusion to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating the sedan driver failed to obey traffic signals and was distracted. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper striking the cyclist. The bicyclist was noted to have a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary driver errors were failure to yield and disregard of traffic control. The cyclist was conscious after the crash but was injured seriously enough to be classified with injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741516 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV turned left on Gates Avenue and struck a 26-year-old woman riding an e-scooter. She flew headfirst, hit the ground, and bled in the street. The SUV’s bumper cracked. She was conscious, badly hurt, and wore no helmet.

According to the police report, an SUV made a left turn on Gates Avenue and collided with a 26-year-old woman operating an e-scooter. The report states the SUV struck the e-scooter, causing the rider to be ejected, land headfirst, and suffer severe bleeding. She was conscious at the scene but sustained a significant head injury. The SUV’s right front bumper was damaged in the impact. The police report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor in the crash, pointing to driver error as a primary cause. The report also notes the e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s failure to yield. The crash underscores the lethal risks faced by vulnerable road users when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 7-year-old boy crossing with the signal on Myrtle Avenue was struck by a westbound bicyclist. The child suffered a shoulder contusion and bruise. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 7-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Myrtle Avenue at an intersection, obeying the crossing signal. The collision involved a westbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The child sustained an upper arm shoulder contusion and bruise, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report explicitly identifies the bicyclist's "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was reported. The bicyclist was licensed and operating the bike without noted impairment or other violations. The victim’s compliance with the crossing signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers failing to yield to pedestrians, especially vulnerable children.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04