Dragged to Death: City Lets Kids Bleed for Parking Spots

Six mayoral hopefuls vow to fix New York’s crawling buses. They promise more bus lanes, tougher enforcement, and faster boarding. Each candidate slams City Hall’s slow pace. Riders wait. Cars clog the lanes. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

Mayoral Question 2, posed to 2025 candidates, asks how they will address New York City’s slow bus system. The candidates—Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani—support more dedicated bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster boarding. Scott Stringer calls for 'dedicated bus lanes, more enforcement, more shelters, better curbs, more transit signal priority, all-door boarding, and more frequent off-peak services.' Ramos blasts DOT for building only 23 of 150 mandated bus miles. Myrie pledges to exceed the city’s 30-mile annual target. Lander wants immediate all-door boarding and new busways. Mamdani promises rapid expansion and free buses. Each candidate frames bus reform as urgent, with vulnerable riders suffering most from delays and car dominance. The city’s next mayor will shape the streets—and the safety of those who use them.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

Candidates faced the facts. Buses crawl. Streets choke. Each hopeful promised faster rides, more lanes, tougher enforcement. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. No action yet. No relief for those on foot or bike. Words, not change.

On May 5, 2025, Streetsblog NYC hosted a mayoral forum focused on bus service. The event, titled 'Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses,' asked candidates how they would fix New York’s slowest-in-the-nation bus system. Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani answered. They called for more bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster service. No council bill was introduced; this was a public policy test, not legislation. According to the safety analyst, the event discussed bus speeds but did not specify any policy action affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so no direct safety impact can be assessed. The debate showed urgency but left vulnerable road users waiting for real change.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

SUV struck cyclist on Atlantic Ave. Driver ignored traffic control. Cyclist suffered head injury. Police cite driver distraction. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sport utility vehicle hit a cyclist on Atlantic Avenue at Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 32-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and abrasions. According to the police report, the SUV driver was inattentive and disregarded traffic control. Both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' are listed as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver's errors. The crash highlights the danger faced by people on bikes when drivers fail to pay attention and obey signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Streetsblog grilled mayoral hopefuls on congestion pricing. The question was sharp. Congestion pricing cuts traffic. What comes after? Candidates must answer. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

On May 2, 2025, Streetsblog NYC launched a mayoral policy debate, pressing candidates on congestion pricing. The event was not a council bill, but a public challenge. Streetsblog asked: 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson responded, each supporting congestion pricing and further transit investment. Streetsblog’s demand was clear—protect vulnerable road users. The safety analyst notes that congestion pricing reduces car traffic, lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists, encourages mode shift, and opens the door for street redesigns that put vulnerable users first. The debate underscores urgency: congestion pricing helps, but more must be done to make streets safe for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

Mayoral hopefuls call for more bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian space. They defend congestion pricing. They want fewer cars, more transit, and safer streets. Each promises to fight federal threats and push for citywide changes that put people first.

This is a candidate policy statement for the 2025 mayoral race, published May 2, 2025, by Streetsblog NYC. The questionnaire asks, 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson all support congestion pricing, bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and pedestrianization. Stringer promises a full bus network overhaul and more protected lanes. Myrie vows to defend congestion pricing from federal attacks. Ramos pushes for Bus Rapid Transit in all boroughs. Lander calls for pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan. Tilson wants dynamic pricing and expansion citywide. The candidates agree: fewer cars, more transit, safer streets for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

A sedan slammed into a stopped box truck on Bedford Avenue. One driver was injured. Alcohol and distraction fueled the crash. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

A sedan crashed into the back of a stopped box truck on Bedford Avenue near Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver was injured and left unconscious. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling west. The sedan hit the truck's rear. The driver of the sedan was not using safety equipment. The crash shows the cost of driver error and impairment on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

A stolen Porsche sped through Brooklyn. Police set a trap. The driver tried to break through, nearly hitting an officer. A shot rang out. The car crashed. The driver died. The passenger survived. The street bore the cost.

According to the New York Post (April 30, 2025), police shot and killed the driver of a stolen Porsche after he "nearly struck an NYPD officer" while attempting to evade a roadblock near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Officers first noticed the vehicle due to stolen plates and tried to pull it over on Cropsey Avenue. The driver fled, leading police to set up a blockade. As the car tried to pass, an officer fired one round, striking the driver. The wounded man crashed into a police car and was later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. The passenger was unharmed and taken into custody. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and roadblocks in dense urban areas, where bystanders and officers face sudden danger.

• Police Shoot Driver At Brooklyn Roadblock, New York Post, Published 2025-04-30

A sedan turned left across St Marks Avenue. It struck a northbound motorcycle. The rider suffered a leg injury. Police cite failure to yield and improper turning.

A sedan traveling south on St Marks Avenue made a left turn and collided with a northbound motorcycle. The motorcycle rider, a 32-year-old man, was injured in the leg. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' were listed as contributing factors. The rider was wearing a helmet. No other serious injuries were reported. The sedan showed no damage, while the motorcycle was struck at the left front bumper. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield and turn improperly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809290 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 101-year-old woman crossed with the light. An SUV turned left. The driver was unlicensed. She died days later. Her family mourns. The street remains the same.

According to the New York Post (April 24, 2025), Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Police say Brod had the light. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, 65, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod's grandson: "She was extremely independent till her last day." Brod died less than two weeks after the crash. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers. Shagalow was released with a desk appearance ticket. The case underscores persistent gaps in enforcement and street design that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Matriarch, New York Post, Published 2025-04-24

An SUV hit a 26-year-old man crossing Bedford Avenue. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Brooklyn pavement stained again.

A 26-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by an SUV at Bedford Avenue and Park Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian, crossing without a signal or crosswalk, suffered a head injury and was in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No vehicle damage was noted. The driver was licensed and headed south. The crash left the pedestrian hurt on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle and sedan crashed on Brooklyn Ave at Park Pl. One rider was injured. Police cite following too closely and improper lane use. Metal met flesh. The street stayed hard.

A motorcycle and a sedan collided on Brooklyn Ave near Park Pl in Brooklyn. One motorcycle rider, age 30, suffered a leg injury and abrasion. According to the police report, both drivers were 'following too closely' and engaged in 'passing or lane usage improper.' The rider was partially ejected. The report lists helmet use for the motorcycle rider, but driver errors are the primary factors. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the dangers of close following and poor lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. Three lives ended. One child clings to life. The car never slowed. The street became a grave. Metal and flesh collided. The city mourns. Justice waits in a courtroom.

According to NY Daily News (April 16, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove 68 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a Brooklyn crosswalk, striking Natasha Saada and her three children. Prosecutors say Yarimi never braked, ran a red light, and crashed into another car before hitting the family. Saada and two daughters died; her son remains in a coma. Yarimi had a suspended license and $11,000 in unpaid violations, including 21 speed camera and five red light tickets. Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez called it 'one of the worst collisions I've ever seen on a New York City street.' Yarimi faces manslaughter and assault charges. The case highlights persistent enforcement gaps and the deadly consequences of unchecked reckless driving.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-16

A Siena poll shows most New Yorkers fear for their lives on city streets. Women, seniors, Bronx residents feel it most. Candidates split: some push for safer street design, others target e-bikes. Cars and trucks remain the deadliest threat. Voters want action.

On April 15, 2025, a Siena College poll revealed that 77% of New York City voters rank pedestrian safety as a top concern. The poll, highlighted in Streetsblog NYC, found deep worry among women, seniors, and Bronx residents. The matter summary reads: '77% of NYC voters consider pedestrian safety a serious issue.' Mayoral candidates responded. Ben Furnas (Transportation Alternatives) called for universal daylighting and laws against super speeders, urging street redesign and enforcement. Zellnor Myrie backed robust street designs to separate bikers, pedestrians, and drivers. Jessica Ramos supported protected bike lanes for both analog and e-bikes, calling e-bikes 'a vital tool for reducing car dependency.' Whitney Tilson demanded speed caps and insurance for e-bike riders. Despite some focus on e-bikes, advocates and data point to car and truck drivers as the main source of injury and death. The poll signals a mandate: fix the streets, protect the vulnerable.

• Voters to Pols: Don’t Forget Street Safety (Um, But How Do You Define It?), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-15

A moped slammed head-on in Brooklyn. The driver was ejected, struck his head, and lost consciousness. Police cite driver inattention. Blood on the street. The night was not quiet.

A moped crashed on Atlantic Avenue at Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, a 44-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with minor bleeding. He was found unconscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The driver was not using any safety equipment. No other vehicles or road users were involved. The impact was at the center front end of the moped.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit a woman crossing Eastern Parkway. She took the blow to her hip and leg. Police cite obstructed view. No injuries reported for driver or passenger.

A 34-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing Eastern Parkway in a marked crosswalk. She suffered a hip and leg contusion. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was listed as the contributing factor. The driver and a passenger, both women, were not injured. The crash highlights the danger when drivers cannot see clearly at intersections. No other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805951 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on an e-bike struck debris on New York Ave. He crashed. Blood from his head pooled on the street. Helmet on. Fifty years old. Shocked. The night closed in.

A 50-year-old man riding a Fly Wing e-bike crashed after hitting debris near 265 New York Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the rider was helmeted but suffered a head injury and was in shock. The report lists 'Obstruction/Debris' as the main contributing factor. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The man bled from the head but was not ejected from the bike. Helmet use is noted in the report, after the debris hazard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805774 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, amny, Published 2025-04-10

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10