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

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

An 11-year-old boy was struck by a pick-up truck while crossing Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn. The truck hit him with its right front bumper. The boy suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The driver was inattentive.

According to the police report, an 11-year-old pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2021 Dodge pick-up truck traveling east on Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred when the boy was crossing outside an intersection. The truck struck the boy with its right front bumper, causing fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604605 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

An 83-year-old woman was struck by a sedan turning left on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered a hip and upper leg injury. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, an 83-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 3 Avenue at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2009 Ford sedan was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the time of impact. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling north. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.

• Brooklyn Pols Demand the State ‘Come to the Table’ on the BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Lawmakers raced up Smith-9th Streets station. They showed how slow, underfunded trains force riders to run or wait in the cold. They called for more state money, not fare hikes. They want frequent, reliable service to pull people from cars and save lives.

On February 6, 2023, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) joined a public event spotlighting the impact of MTA underfunding and slow subway service. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, saw Simon and other officials racing at Smith-9th Streets station to dramatize the daily struggle of straphangers. The matter focused on 'the impact of low MTA funding and long wait times.' Simon said, 'It is really critically important...for people to be able to take reliable, safe, regular, speedy-enough transit service. That’s what’s going to get people out of their cars.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymembers Robert Carroll and Zohran Mamdani also participated, urging Albany to boost state funding and implement congestion pricing. The lawmakers oppose fare hikes and the rider-funded model, calling for public dollars to improve frequency and reliability. No formal bill was cited, but the advocacy targets the state budget and MTA funding structure.

• Straphanger sprint: Pols race to subway platform to highlight slow service, MTA underfunding, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-02-06

Lawmakers and advocates climbed the city’s highest subway station. They demanded more from Governor Hochul’s MTA budget. They want six-minute off-peak trains. They reject fare hikes. They call for taxing the wealthy to fund better, faster service. Riders wait. Danger lingers.

On February 5, 2023, legislators and advocates rallied for increased MTA funding and more frequent subway service. The event, led by Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Robert Carroll, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Riders Alliance’s Betsy Plum, responded to Governor Hochul’s budget proposal. The matter: 'Advocates and legislators raced up the stairs...to press their case for Gov. Hochul to do more to fill the MTA's fiscal gap.' Hochul’s plan stabilizes finances but does not boost service or halt fare hikes. Mamdani and Gounardes called for six-minute off-peak trains and new taxes on the wealthy. Gounardes said, 'We all know that we need better service and we need more service.' The proposal remains under negotiation. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but frequent, reliable transit is vital for their safety.

• ON THEIR MARKS: Legislators Demand More from Hochul’s MTA Budget Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-05

A sedan backing north on 80th Street struck a westbound bicyclist. The 43-year-old woman suffered bruises and elbow injuries. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe backing. No vehicle damage was reported. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2016 Volkswagen sedan was backing north on 80th Street in Brooklyn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists driver errors as backing unsafely and driver inattention or distraction. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment and was conscious after the crash. The sedan and bike sustained no damage. The collision highlights the dangers of inattentive backing maneuvers in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4601058 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Mayor Adams pledged $375 million for public spaces and open streets. He promised to crack down on reckless drivers and electrify for-hire vehicles by 2030. But he skipped transit upgrades, parking reform, and deeper equity. Critics called the vision incomplete.

""The ROADS Act, as mentioned by Mayor Adams today, could save hundreds of lives each year, and would be crucial in achieving Vision Zero, once and for all. I strongly support any and all efforts to crack down on reckless drivers and to keep our streets safe for all. I look forward to partnering with Mayor Adams to achieve that goal," he said." -- Andrew Gounardes

On January 26, 2023, Mayor Adams delivered his State of the City address, outlining new transportation and public space plans. The speech promised a $375-million investment in public spaces, permanent open streets, and a push for zero-emission for-hire vehicles by 2030. Adams also highlighted bills targeting reckless drivers and announced a new Director of the Public Realm. The mayor said, 'We will require the 100,000-plus high-volume for-hire vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2030.' Council Member Andrew Gounardes praised the ROADS Act, saying it 'could save hundreds of lives each year.' But advocates like Open Plans and Betsy Plum criticized the lack of action on transit equity, parking reform, and access for low-income New Yorkers. The address left out bus lane expansion, Fair Fares growth, and city fleet reduction, drawing fire for missing bold, systemic change.

• ANALYSIS: The Mayor’s State of the City: Something For Everyone (But Not Enough), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-26

A bus struck an SUV starting from parking at 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 23-year-old woman, suffered back contusions. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. No ejections occurred. Damage hit front bumpers.

According to the police report, a bus traveling north collided with a 2019 SUV that was starting from parking near 6751 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 23-year-old female occupant, was injured with back contusions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor to the crash. The bus impacted the right front bumper of the SUV, which sustained damage to its left front bumper. Another parked SUV was also damaged on its left rear bumper. The SUV driver was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The crash highlights driver error in yielding right-of-way at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 59-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a BMW SUV made an improper U-turn and struck his e-bike. The cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV’s left side doors were damaged in the collision.

According to the police report, a BMW SUV was making a U-turn on 3 Avenue when it collided with a westbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 59-year-old man, was ejected and sustained contusions to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Turning Improperly" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The SUV’s left front quarter panel and doors were damaged on impact. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of improper turning maneuvers and distracted driving. No fault is attributed to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A sedan struck a parked SUV on 72nd Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s female driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. The SUV was damaged on its right rear quarter panel. No one was ejected.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female driver in a sedan collided with a parked SUV on 72nd Street in Brooklyn. The driver was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash, and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the right rear bumper of the parked SUV, causing damage to the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and airbag deployment. No other occupants were involved or injured. The crash occurred at 9:48 p.m. with the sedan traveling eastbound. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck an object on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The left rear passenger suffered a head abrasion but was conscious. The driver was distracted. The vehicle's front center end took the impact. Two occupants were inside the car.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male rear passenger in a sedan was injured in a crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The passenger sustained a head abrasion and remained conscious. The sedan, traveling west, struck an object with its center front end. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was identified as inattentive and distracted at the time of the crash. The injured occupant was secured with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593614 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11