Park Slope Bleeds While Leaders Stall—Demand Streets That Protect People, Not Cars

An SUV collided with an e-scooter traveling north on 10th Street in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver was ejected and suffered back injuries. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:30 PM on 10th Street near 7th Avenue in Brooklyn. A station wagon/SUV traveling east struck an e-scooter going straight ahead northbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end hitting the e-scooter’s left front bumper. The e-scooter driver, a 40-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained a back injury classified as severity level 3. Police identified the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The e-scooter driver was licensed but was not using any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were listed. The report focuses on the SUV driver’s error, highlighting a systemic danger to vulnerable micromobility users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780534 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

At a heated mayoral forum, Zellnor Myrie demanded a dedicated busway for Flatbush Avenue. Candidates slammed slow buses and empty promises. They called for more bus lanes, free rides, and less fare policing. Riders want action, not talk. Streets remain dangerous.

On December 6, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum spotlighted New York City's broken bus service. State Senator Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, called for a dedicated busway on Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue, echoing the success of Manhattan's 14th Street. The forum, hosted by Riders Alliance, saw candidates—including Myrie, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debate urgent transit reforms. The matter: 'improving NYC's slow bus service.' Myrie and others backed more bus lanes, fare-free buses, and expanding Fair Fares for low-income riders. Mamdani vowed not to cave to local opposition. All criticized Mayor Adams for stalled bus projects. The forum exposed deep frustration with city inaction and highlighted the need for bold, street-level changes to protect riders and speed up commutes.

• Could a new mayor fix New York City's terrible bus service?, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-06

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

DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

MTA’s congestion pricing plan splits New Yorkers. Council Member Holden calls it betrayal. Poll shows narrow support. Some see a cash grab, others hope for better transit. The $9 fee hits drivers. The city waits for the impact.

On November 18, 2024, the MTA approved congestion pricing, set to start January 5, 2025. The plan charges $9 for cars and $14.40 for trucks entering Manhattan below 60th Street. amNew York Metro polled nearly 3,000 residents: 53.8% support, 44.9% oppose. The matter, titled 'Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing,' reveals sharp divides. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) condemned the move, calling it a 'blatant political move and a shameless betrayal of New Yorkers.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the plan, citing needed transit upgrades. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed. The debate centers on funding transit versus burdening drivers. The city stands at a crossroads.

• Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

Mayoral hopefuls hammered Eric Adams for broken bus lane promises. At a transit forum, they called out City Hall’s slow pace. The law demands 30 miles a year. Adams delivered half. Candidates pledged pro-transit reforms. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum on NYC bus service and transportation policy spotlighted City Hall’s failures. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, saw candidates attack Mayor Eric Adams for not meeting the Streets Master Plan law, which mandates 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. Adams’ administration installed only 15.7 miles last fiscal year. State Sen. Jessica Ramos said, 'The current mayor promised 150 miles of bus lanes and hasn't delivered.' Comptroller Brad Lander promised a 'professional, world-class DOT commissioner.' Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani vowed to resist business interests blocking bus projects. Sen. Zellnor Myrie, mentioned at the forum, made pro-transit promises. The forum exposed how political inaction and broken promises keep streets unsafe for bus riders and pedestrians.

• Mayoral candidates hit Adams on failed promises to boost NYC's bus service, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-03

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They clashed over congestion pricing, bus expansion, and subway safety. Zellnor Myrie pledged to defend congestion pricing. Others called for more police, more buses, and mental health teams. Streets and subways remain battlegrounds.

On December 3, 2024, at a Riders Alliance forum, six Democratic mayoral candidates—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debated New York City transit policy. The event focused on congestion pricing, set to begin January 5, and subway safety. The matter summary reads: 'NYC mayoral candidates participated in a transit-focused forum... discussing congestion pricing, subway safety, and transit upgrades.' Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, criticized Mayor Adams for not defending congestion pricing and promised to support it regardless of federal politics. Ramos pushed for congestion pricing revenue to fund the MTA. Stringer called for bus expansion and DOT reform. Walden wanted more police and exemptions for seniors and disabled riders. Lander and Mamdani argued for housing and outreach teams over policing. The forum highlighted sharp divides on how to protect vulnerable New Yorkers on streets and subways.

• 2025 NYC mayoral candidates sound off on congestion pricing, subway safety, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03

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

Two SUVs collided on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The left rear passenger of one vehicle suffered a concussion and head injury. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe lane changing as causes. The injured occupant remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:03 on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling north. One driver was merging while the other was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the merging SUV and the right front bumper of the other vehicle. The report cites driver inattention and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. A 57-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear of the merging SUV sustained a concussion and head injury. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No safety equipment was reported for the injured passenger. The collision and injuries resulted directly from driver errors, specifically inattention and unsafe lane changes, as documented in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773956 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck struck a sedan from behind on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue. Both the driver and front passenger of the sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash unfolded in the afternoon, spotlighting following too closely as the key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2024 Nissan sedan traveling east was hit in the center back end by a 2023 RAM pick-up truck also traveling east. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan carried two occupants: a 45-year-old female driver and a 58-year-old male front passenger. Both were conscious but injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash. Neither occupant was ejected or using safety equipment. The collision’s impact was centered on the sedan’s rear and the truck’s front. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victims, focusing solely on the truck driver’s error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

A driver executing an unsafe lane change on Atlantic Avenue triggered a multi-vehicle crash. A 25-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision involved three westbound vehicles, with significant damage to front and rear panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:07 AM on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The primary contributing factor was 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by one driver. The report details a collision involving three westbound vehicles: a sedan changing lanes, a sedan traveling straight, and an SUV stopped in traffic. The driver who changed lanes unsafely was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash, and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The impact points included the left front quarter panel of the lane-changing sedan, the right front bumper of the other sedan, and the left rear quarter panel of the SUV. All drivers were licensed. The report explicitly cites unsafe lane changing as the driver error leading to the crash, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Metal screamed near 5th Avenue. A motorcycle clipped a sedan pulling into a spot. A woman, helmeted, crushed her leg. Northbound traffic, one slowed, one did not. The pavement held the silence. Brooklyn’s streets demand attention.

A collision unfolded near 5th Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn at 17:40, involving a motorcycle and a sedan, according to the police report. The report states that a motorcycle 'clipped a sedan pulling into a spot.' The impact left a 52-year-old woman, riding as a rear passenger on the motorcycle, with crush injuries to her leg. She was helmeted and remained conscious after the crash. Both vehicles were traveling northbound; the sedan was entering a parked position while the motorcycle was passing. The police report cites 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. This driver error—failing to maintain adequate distance—directly preceded the collision and the resulting injury. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the persistent danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770876 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul cuts the congestion toll to $9. The move aims to beat a Trump block. Experts warn the lower fee will not cut traffic like the original $15 plan. Urgency grows as the MTA stalls projects. Vulnerable road users wait for relief.

""It’s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

On November 8, 2024, State Senator Andrew Gounardes responded to Governor Hochul’s revised congestion pricing plan. The new proposal drops the peak toll from $15 to $9. The plan’s status is pending, with urgency to implement before a new presidential administration. Gounardes stressed, “It’s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it.” The bill aims to fund the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital plan, but economist Charles Komanoff warns, “You don’t get the immediate traffic speed gain that a $15 toll would give.” The measure is meant to reduce traffic and improve transit, but the lower toll means less impact. The MTA has already paused $16 billion in work. The focus is on starting the program, but advocates note the diluted toll will not deliver the same safety and quality-of-life gains for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Analysis: Hochul's $9 Congestion Toll May Stave Off Trump, But Won't Reduce Traffic as Much, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-11-08

Governor Hochul slashes NYC’s congestion toll to $9. The move aims to beat a federal block but guts traffic reduction. Streets will see less relief. The plan leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city trades speed and safety for political timing.

""It s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it," said state Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn). "The time to commit to better public transit, less traffic and cleaner air is now."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On November 8, 2024, Governor Hochul proposed lowering New York City’s congestion pricing toll from $15 to $9. The plan, a policy proposal to adjust congestion pricing, comes as officials rush to implement it before a new presidential administration can intervene. The original $15 toll, crafted by the Traffic Mobility Review Board and approved by the MTA Board, promised strong traffic reduction and included credits and caps. The $9 version, previously reviewed in environmental assessments, may lack those protections. Economist Charles Komanoff warns, 'You lose other benefits. Most noticeably, you don’t get the immediate traffic speed gain that a $15 toll would give.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes urges swift action, saying, 'The time to commit to better public transit, less traffic and cleaner air is now.' The lower toll is projected to improve traffic speeds by only 6.4 percent, far less than the 17 percent expected from the original plan. With less traffic reduction, streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Analysis: Hochul’s $9 Congestion Toll May Stave Off Trump, But Won’t Reduce Traffic as Much, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-08

A pickup truck hit a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike on 4th Avenue at Sackett Street. He was thrown, his body broken. He died under the Brooklyn night, helmet still strapped to his head. The street swallowed another cyclist.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was struck by a northbound pickup truck at 4th Avenue and Sackett Street in Brooklyn. The report states the cyclist was 'thrown' and suffered fatal injuries to his entire body. The narrative describes the victim as having his 'helmet strapped' and notes he 'died there, under the Brooklyn night.' The e-bike was demolished, with the point of impact listed as the right side doors, while the pickup truck sustained damage to its right front bumper. The police report does not specify any contributing factors or driver errors, listing them as 'Unspecified.' The cyclist’s helmet use is mentioned only as a detail, not as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the impact and the deadly consequences for the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding SUV changed lanes improperly and collided with a sedan making a left turn on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries, enduring shock and pain. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:04 on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver was traveling north, changing lanes at unsafe speed when the collision happened. The sedan was making a left turn at the time. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors on the SUV's part. The SUV's left front bumper struck the sedan's right rear bumper. The 24-year-old male SUV driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan driver was licensed and driving north as well. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04