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

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered knee and foot injuries after a collision with a sedan on 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was unlicensed and injured while the sedan made a right turn. The crash caused a concussion.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on 7 Avenue was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with a concussion. The bicyclist was unlicensed and was changing lanes when the collision occurred. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a right turn and struck the bicyclist on the right front quarter panel. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating errors in lane changing. The bicyclist's partial ejection and injuries highlight the severity of the impact. No helmet use was noted. The sedan sustained no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Mayor Adams left Ashland Place unfinished. Cyclists lost a safe route. Advocates, officials, and residents rallied. They blamed City Hall for caving to a developer. The most dangerous block remains untouched. Eighty-eight crashes scar the street. Safety took a back seat.

On October 13, 2023, local officials and advocates criticized Mayor Adams for halting the Ashland Place redesign. The project, led by the Department of Transportation, aimed to create a protected bike lane from the Manhattan Bridge to Barclays Center. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "New York City is regressing on meeting its Vision Zero goals ... and stalled street safety improvements, like those slated for Ashland Place, are a part of the reason why." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Crystal Hudson joined the outcry, with Hudson lamenting the incomplete corridor for cyclists. The DOT confirmed the southernmost block would not be converted, following objections from developer Two Trees Management. Advocates cited 88 crashes and multiple injuries in two years, with the most dangerous block excluded from improvements. Residents and advocates rallied, accusing the mayor of prioritizing business over public safety. City Hall deflected, blaming e-bikes for rising cyclist deaths.

• Pols, Advocates Slam Mayor Adams for Unfinished Ashland Place, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

A 46-year-old man was hit while crossing Atlantic Avenue with the signal. He suffered a neck contusion and bruising. The driver, traveling eastbound, was inexperienced. The crash left the pedestrian conscious but injured at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Atlantic Avenue at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver was traveling eastbound, going straight ahead. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a neck contusion and bruising but remained conscious. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A cyclist lies in critical condition after a crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street. Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out the city’s inaction. The intersection has claimed lives before. The community rallies, but danger remains. Cyclists keep dying. The city stalls.

On September 26, 2023, Councilmember Shahana Hanif (District 39) issued a statement following a severe crash at Fifth Avenue and Union Street in Park Slope. The incident left Jacob Priley, a cyclist and advocate, critically injured. Hanif highlighted the intersection’s deadly history, referencing the 2021 death of Arcellie Muschamp. She pressed the Department of Transportation for urgent safety upgrades, saying, 'How many more crashes until the DOT pays attention?' Hanif noted the recent completion of a protected bike lane on Ninth Street but stressed that more action is needed. She thanked neighbors for their support and vowed to work with the DOT. So far in 2023, 3,702 cyclists have been injured and 22 killed on New York City streets. The city’s pace on safety remains too slow for those at risk.

• Brooklyn rallies behind biker critically injured in Park Slope crash, raises funds for medical bills, amny.com, Published 2023-09-26

A 29-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the e-bike on its left front bumper. The rider was not wearing a helmet. The crash happened on 5 Avenue near Union Street at 7:29 p.m.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist on an e-bike was injured and ejected after a collision with a Nissan SUV traveling south on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike was making a left turn when the SUV struck it on the left front bumper. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and suffered head injuries. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The impact caused significant injury to the bicyclist, who was the sole occupant of the e-bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664590 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan and an SUV collided on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. Both male drivers suffered neck injuries but remained conscious. The crash involved left side and front-end impacts. Police cited traffic control disregard as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2017 sedan traveling west on 4 Avenue collided with a 2020 SUV traveling north. Both drivers, men aged 40 and 37, were injured with neck trauma but remained conscious. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, while the SUV was damaged at the center front end. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as the contributing factor for the sedan driver. Both drivers were properly licensed and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers fail to obey traffic controls, resulting in serious injuries to vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A repeat offender killed Xia Ying Chen, 66, in Bath Beach. Senator Gounardes called for tougher laws and real consequences for reckless drivers. He slammed weak enforcement. Streets remain deadly. Calls for redesign and accountability echo. The system failed again.

On September 19, 2023, after a deadly crash in Bath Beach, State Senator Andrew Gounardes demanded action. The driver, Faheem Shabazz, had a record of speeding violations. Gounardes, a safe streets advocate, said, 'That's really what this conversation should be about—how are we holding people accountable when they have violations to their record and zero consequences for it.' He supports lowering speed limits and tougher penalties but stressed that enforcement is lacking. Senator Iwen Chu urged the NYC DOT to study the area for safety upgrades, stating, 'We must recognize that our streets need to be designed with safety in mind.' The DOT is reviewing the intersection. The call is clear: repeat offenders face little consequence, and street design still puts pedestrians at risk.

• ‘A real damn shame’: After grandmother killed in Bath Beach crash, pol says reckless drivers must be held accountable, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-09-19

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

A 73-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured in Brooklyn after a taxi struck his bike’s left side. The crash happened at night on 7 Avenue. The rider suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver distraction as a factor.

According to the police report, a taxi starting from parking struck a bicyclist traveling north on 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact hit the bike’s left side doors and the taxi’s left front bumper. The 73-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, including contusions. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim actions were specified. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but seriously injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663577 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

An unlicensed e-bike driver sped east on 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveled south. The e-bike struck the sedan’s right front bumper. The rider suffered a neck fracture and dislocation. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male e-bike driver, unlicensed and traveling east on 6 Avenue, collided with a southbound sedan at the intersection near Berkeley Place in Brooklyn. The e-bike struck the sedan’s right front bumper, causing center front-end damage to the bike. The rider sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated neck injury but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and female. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of speeding and distracted driving in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662363 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

MTA promised faster R trains in Brooklyn. Riders waited up to 16 minutes. Senator Gounardes called out the agency for misleading the public. Track work on another line delayed improvements. Riders left stranded. Trust broken. Transparency demanded.

On September 7, 2023, the MTA faced backlash for failing to deliver on its pledge of eight-minute weekday headways for the R train in southern Brooklyn. The issue, reported by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, surfaced after riders complained of waits as long as 16 minutes. The MTA had announced service upgrades, but later changed its press release, citing F line track work as the cause for delay—work unrelated to the R train. Gounardes, who fought for MTA funding in Albany, accused the agency of misrepresenting the improvements, saying, 'I’m shocked and frustrated that the MTA would misrepresent these service upgrades to the riding public.' Transit advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance echoed calls for honesty: 'Public transit shouldn’t be a rollercoaster of mismatched expectations.' The incident has strained relations between the MTA and its legislative supporters, highlighting the need for transparency and reliability in transit service.

• MTA ‘Bungles’ Increased R Train Service Promise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

A 38-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV made a right turn on 3 Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved failure to yield and following too closely. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2022 Ford SUV made a right turn on 3 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was traveling straight ahead when the SUV turned right, causing a collision. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver errors including "Following Too Closely" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown. The impact occurred at the center front end of the bike, which also sustained damage. The SUV had one occupant and was traveling east.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a pickup truck on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. The rider suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Both drivers were distracted at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike was partially ejected and injured after colliding with a pickup truck traveling west on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the bicyclist and the truck driver. The pickup truck had no visible damage and was going straight ahead. The e-bike was parked before the crash and struck on its left front quarter panel. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in Brooklyn traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 22-year-old woman was struck on Warren Street in Brooklyn. The driver showed aggressive driving. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The vehicle had no visible damage. The victim was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on Warren Street in Brooklyn after a collision involving aggressive driving and road rage. The 22-year-old female pedestrian was at an intersection when the incident occurred. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The vehicle involved was traveling west, going straight ahead, and showed no damage after the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and complaining of pain at the scene. No driver license or vehicle details were provided. The report does not indicate any fault or blame on the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656915 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 34-year-old man on an e-scooter was struck on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan hit the scooter’s right side doors. The rider was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash involved disregarded traffic control and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan traveling west and an e-scooter traveling north. The e-scooter driver, a 34-year-old man, was struck on the right side doors by the sedan’s center front end. He was ejected from the scooter and sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists the contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Unsafe Speed" by the e-scooter driver. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. No other occupants were involved. The sedan had damage to its center front end, while the e-scooter’s right front quarter panel was damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Assembly bill A 7979 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers a speed limiter. Lawmakers move to curb repeat danger. No more unchecked speeding. Streets demand it.

Assembly bill A 7979, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Assembly. Introduced August 18, 2023, it 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during an eighteen month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Assemblymember Emily Gallagher leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, Tony Simone, Jo Anne Simon, and others. The bill aims to force chronic speeders to slow down. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear: rein in repeat offenders, protect those outside the car.

• File A 7979, Open States, Published 2023-08-18