Bay Ridge Bleeds—City Shrugs. Demand Action Before Another Family Mourns.

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

A 76-year-old woman was injured when a sedan backed unsafely on 72 Street near 7 Avenue. The driver, a licensed male, reversed southbound and struck the pedestrian at an intersection. She suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 72 Street was backing up near 7 Avenue when it struck a 76-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. There is no mention of pedestrian error or safety equipment. The incident highlights the danger of unsafe backing maneuvers in areas with pedestrian activity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4631667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Council backs home rule for Sammy’s Law. The move lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Lawmakers and advocates say lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. The vote puts safety first.

Bill: Home rule message for Sammy’s Law. Status: Poised for passage by the City Council on May 24, 2023. Committee: State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu. The measure, titled 'City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday,' lets New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council Member Jen Gutierrez announced the Council’s intent to pass it, calling it crucial for safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'The city's ability to control the speed limits on its streets plays a crucial role in delivering traffic safety.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes all support the move. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. Data cited shows lower speed limits increase pedestrian survival. Advocates stress urgency to protect New Yorkers.

• City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

Senate bill S 7099 orders complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first blueprints. Gounardes leads. Hoylman-Sigal, Krueger back him.

Senate bill S 7099, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York Senate. Filed May 18, 2023, the bill 'requires inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects undertaken by DOT or which receive both federal and state funding and are subject to DOT oversight.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsors the measure. Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Liz Krueger co-sponsor. The bill demands every street project under DOT control put people first—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. No safety analyst note is available yet. The bill aims to end car-centric planning.

• File S 7099, Open States, Published 2023-05-18

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

A motorcycle struck an SUV on 84 Street in Brooklyn. The motorcyclist, a 21-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions over his entire body. The crash involved unsafe speed and lane changing by the motorcycle driver.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on 84 Street made a left turn and collided with an SUV traveling south. The motorcyclist, a 21-year-old male driver, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions over his entire body. The report lists driver errors including unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing by the motorcyclist. The SUV driver was going straight ahead and impacted on the right front bumper. The motorcyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash caused damage to the center front end of the motorcycle and the right front bumper of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 45-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries in a Brooklyn crash. An SUV making a right turn struck a sedan starting from parking. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way and turned improperly. The impact damaged both vehicles’ bumpers.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male driver was injured when an SUV making a right turn collided with a sedan that was starting from parking on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the sedan’s left rear bumper with its right front bumper. The driver of the SUV suffered neck injuries and was in shock. The report lists driver errors as failure to yield right-of-way and turning improperly. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The sedan driver held a permit license from New Jersey, while the SUV driver was licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

An e-bike rider collided with a sedan making a left turn on 86 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 86 Street in Brooklyn involving an e-bike and a sedan. The e-bike rider, a 49-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan was making a left turn when it struck the e-bike on the left side doors. The police identified driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The e-bike rider was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the rider. The sedan sustained damage to its left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626241 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A driver killed Katherine Harris on Atlantic Avenue. Politicians demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, and curb extensions. They call the street a speedway. They blame city inaction. They vow to push for changes. The city promises only to study.

On May 1, 2023, after the death of Katherine Harris, Brooklyn Heights Council Member Lincoln Restler and State Senator Andrew Gounardes called for urgent safety fixes on Atlantic Avenue. At a rally, Restler said, "It is wrong how deadly this strip is." The officials demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and safer pedestrian space near BQE ramps. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized city resistance to reallocating street space, saying, "They drag their feet because they don’t want to do the inevitable." The Department of Transportation has agreed only to study new crosswalks. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a push for action after years of delay. No safety analyst assessment is available.

• In Wake of Death, Pols Want Mid-Block Crossings, Safer Atlantic Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph, failed to make the state budget. The Council now holds the power. Lawmakers stall. Streets stay deadly. Victims’ families and advocates demand action. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, would let New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. The bill failed to enter the 2023 state budget, shifting responsibility to the City Council. In 2021, the Council backed a home rule message 42-6, but the Assembly blocked it. Last year, the Council reversed course and failed to pass the message. This session, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez introduced a resolution urging passage, with 10 sponsors. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers must hold a hearing before a vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Brooks-Powers have not signed on, citing negotiations. The bill’s summary states: 'Life-saving legislation that would allow New York City to set speed limits below 25 miles per hour failed to make it into this year's state budget.' Data show slower speeds save lives. Advocates and victims’ families keep pushing. The Council’s inaction keeps streets dangerous.

• With ‘Sammy’s Law’ Not in the State Budget, It’s Up to the City Council to Push It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

Unlicensed teen lost control of SUV at speed. Collision with empty sedan flipped the vehicle. Driver suffered chest abrasions. Inexperience and unsafe speed fueled the crash.

According to the police report, an unlicensed 18-year-old woman drove a 2021 SUV westbound on Belt Parkway. She collided with a sedan, which had no occupants. The SUV overturned. The driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, suffered chest abrasions but remained conscious. The report lists driver inexperience and unsafe speed as contributing factors. No other injuries were reported. The sedan was unoccupied at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622520 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 26-year-old man on an e-bike struck a parked Mercedes SUV on 6th Avenue near 74th Street. He flew over the bars. His head hit pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious, bleeding, alone. The crash left him with severe head wounds.

A 26-year-old man riding an ARROW e-bike slammed into a parked Mercedes SUV near 74th Street on 6th Avenue. According to the police report, 'He flew over the bars. No helmet. Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious. He bled alone.' The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was ejected from his bike. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The report also notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary factor of inattention. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The e-bike rider bore the full force of the crash, underscoring the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Senator Gounardes wants steeper fines for repeat speed camera violations. The bill targets drivers who ignore warnings. It aims to hit reckless behavior in the wallet. No direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 6425 was introduced on April 19, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, proposes 'increasing fines for subsequent speed camera violations in the city of New York.' Gounardes leads the push to penalize repeat offenders. The legislation is not yet assigned to a committee. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The bill’s intent is clear: escalate penalties for those who keep speeding, but its effect on street safety remains unmeasured.

• File S 6425, Open States, Published 2023-04-19

Senator Gounardes’s bill would end car-first reviews. It targets a 15% cut in vehicle miles by 2050. The plan favors safer streets, less pollution, and more ways to get around. Advocates say it’s overdue. The old system kept streets dangerous.

State Bill S1234, introduced by Senator Andrew Gounardes on April 12, 2023, aims to overhaul New York’s environmental review process. The bill, now before the legislature, would replace the outdated 'level of service' metric—focused on driver delay—with a mandate to reduce total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 15 percent by 2050. The bill summary states: 'By eliminating the relevance of level of service as a metric and utilizing vehicle miles traveled reduction instead, we can provide a new criteria for determining the significance of transportation impacts.' Gounardes, the bill’s sponsor, argues this shift will cut emissions and promote safer, multimodal streets. Advocates like Jon Orcutt and Sara Lind back the measure, calling it a long-overdue update that could finally let safety and climate take priority over car traffic. The bill follows California’s lead and could set a national example.

• State Bill Seeks to Alter Environmental Review So it Doesn’t Only Care About Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-12

MTA’s Brooklyn bus overhaul draws fire. Riders and officials slam cuts to B48, fear lost connections. Seniors and disabled New Yorkers face longer walks. Community voices rise. The city’s promise of better service clashes with real, lived needs.

"You have so many people living here who are seniors. You have people with disabilities, you have people who just cannot tolerate the elimination of one stop." -- Alec Brook-Krasny

On April 4, 2023, Council Member Phara Souffrant Forrest and other Brooklyn officials voiced strong opposition to the MTA’s Brooklyn bus network redesign. The draft plan, released in December, proposes increased spacing between stops, route changes, and new 'Rush' service. Key changes include the elimination and rerouting of the B48, which officials say 'removes a vital connection between Western Crown Heights and Greenpoint without any adequate transit replacement.' Forrest and others argue these cuts threaten accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. Community members warn that longer distances between stops will hit the most vulnerable hardest. The MTA claims the redesign will bring 'more reliable, frequent service with better connections,' but public feedback shows deep concern. The plan remains under review, with workshops ongoing and legal hurdles for new bus lanes due to budget and staffing woes.

• Brooklyn bus redesign proposal rankles some riders, amny.com, Published 2023-04-04

An SUV backing south hit an eastbound 18-year-old bicyclist in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Police cited unsafe backing by the SUV. The bicyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 2014 Subaru SUV was backing south on 81st Street in Brooklyn when it struck an 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling east. The collision impacted the SUV's left rear bumper and the bike's left front quarter panel. The bicyclist sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed; the bicyclist was unlicensed. The cyclist wore a helmet. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of unsafe vehicle backing maneuvers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616949 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A sedan turned right on 82nd Street. A Yamaha motorcycle hit the car’s front. The 51-year-old rider flew off. Blood poured from his leg. He wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. He lay hurt on the street. Inexperience played a role.

A crash unfolded near 82nd Street and 4th Avenue. According to the police report, a sedan made a right turn as a Yamaha motorcycle traveled straight. The motorcycle slammed into the sedan’s front. The 51-year-old rider was ejected, suffering severe bleeding to his leg, but remained conscious. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were specified for the sedan driver or passengers. The impact and injury show the danger when inexperience meets the city’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 16-year-old boy was hit by an SUV on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The vehicle struck him with its left front bumper as he crossed against the signal. The teen suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2012 SUV traveling north on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred when the pedestrian crossed against the signal at the intersection. The SUV impacted the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Senator Gounardes wants a 25-cent fee on every online package. The money would fund city infrastructure. Trucks crowd streets. Packages pile up. The bill aims to slow the flood. City Hall will review. Delivery giants face new rules. Streets stay dangerous.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill on March 23, 2023, proposing a 25-cent surcharge on every online delivery package in New York City. The bill, now under review, aims to raise $226 million yearly for city infrastructure. Gounardes said, "We're proposing an infrastructure fund to help pay for some of the capital costs to mitigate some of the consequences of last-mile trucking, and freight growth." The bill responds to a surge in daily package deliveries, now at 2.3 million, and forecasts of 200,000 trucks a day by 2045. Gounardes, the bill's sponsor, wants the city—not the MTA—to control the funds. City Hall has not taken a position but said it welcomes ideas to limit emissions and advance infrastructure. The bill joins other efforts to regulate last-mile delivery and warehouse placement. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• State Senator Seeks Online Delivery Charge to Fund City Infrastructure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-23

Two sedans collided on 76 Street in Brooklyn. One driver failed to yield right-of-way. The front passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and shock. Both vehicles showed front-end damage from the impact.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on 76 Street in Brooklyn. One vehicle was traveling north going straight, while the other was making a right turn westbound. The collision occurred when one driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The front passenger in the westbound sedan, an 82-year-old woman, was injured with a head injury and experienced shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, with impact points on the right front bumper and left front bumper respectively. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10