The Blood Doesn’t Lie: Dyker Heights Demands Safer Streets Now

An 86-year-old woman crossed Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal. A sedan turned left and hit her. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious, head bleeding. The driver was distracted. The car showed no damage. The street bore the mark.

An 86-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bay Ridge Parkway at 12th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a sedan, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' Contributing factors listed include 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan sustained no damage. The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left blood on the street, marking another day of danger for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Councilmember Restler and Brooklyn leaders want DOT to flip Bond Street’s traffic northbound after Schermerhorn’s redesign. Locals face gridlock. Community Board 2 backs the move. They demand DOT protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier.

On October 21, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and Brooklyn Community Board 2 requested the Department of Transportation (DOT) extend Bond Street’s northbound direction to Livingston Street. The request follows complaints after Schermerhorn Street’s redesign, which added a protected bike lane but made all crossings one-way southbound, causing gridlock and blocking access for services. The Community Board’s Transportation and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sid Meyer, voted to support the change and insisted DOT maintain and protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier. Restler said, 'We believe that this proposal will improve traffic flow and enhance the public’s access to essential services, deliveries, and residences.' DOT is reviewing the proposal. The matter centers on the impact of traffic changes on residents and the need to safeguard vulnerable road users.

• Street relief: Downtown Brooklynites ask DOT to flip traffic on Bond Street after Schermerhorn redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-10-21

Arterial roads kill. They are wide, fast, and deadly for walkers and cyclists. Most are state-owned. Cities and advocates demand lower speeds, urban design, and local control. Changing these streets is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

This policy advocacy statement, published October 18, 2022, by Streetsblog NYC, highlights the urgent need to fix deadly arterial roads. The statement, titled 'Vision Zero Cities: How to Fix Our Most Dangerous Roads,' calls for context-sensitive speed limits, urban street design standards, and transferring state-owned roads to city control. Streetsblog and Transportation Alternatives urge, 'Cities and advocates should push their states to transform arterial streets into safe spaces for all modes.' The statement notes that arterials make up 15 percent of roads but see 67 percent of pedestrian deaths. It stresses that speed is the main factor in fatal crashes and that state DOTs often prioritize fast driving over safety. The call is clear: redesign streets for people, not cars, and give cities the power to act.

• Vision Zero Cities: How to Fix Our Most Dangerous Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-18

City officials cut the ribbon on a new two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. Councilmember Lincoln Restler pushed for the overhaul after years of crashes and blocked lanes. Safety comes first.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation opened a fortified, two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn’s District 33. The project, championed by Councilmember Lincoln Restler, followed years of complaints about blocked, unprotected lanes and frequent crashes. The matter, described as a 'complete transformation of the look and feel of the corridor,' converted Schermerhorn from a chaotic two-way street to a one-way with parking-protected bike lanes. Restler, who once failed to ride the stretch without leaving the lane due to illegal parking, called the redesign 'real safety in downtown Brooklyn.' DOT data shows 29 cyclists injured and one killed on this stretch since 2012. The overhaul separates cyclists from moving vehicles, reducing risk for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable road users.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

Officials cut the ribbon on a fortified, two-way bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. The old, chaotic street saw 29 cyclist injuries and one death. Councilmember Restler pushed for this change.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting for the new protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn's District 33. The overhaul converted the street to one-way eastbound and installed a two-way, parking-protected bike lane. The matter summary reads: 'DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane.' Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who championed the redesign, attended the event and called it 'a great friggin day for Brooklyn.' The old lanes were unprotected and blocked by double-parked cars, forcing cyclists into traffic. Since 2012, 29 cyclists have been injured and one killed along this stretch. The new design separates cyclists from vehicles, aiming to end the danger that plagued this busy corridor.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

A Toyota SUV struck a westbound sedan on 13th Avenue. The sedan’s driver, an 80-year-old woman, died at the scene. Two others suffered back injuries. Both vehicles failed to yield. The crash left pain and silence on the corner.

An 80-year-old woman driving a sedan westbound on 13th Avenue at 84th Street in Brooklyn was killed when a southbound Toyota SUV struck her car broadside. According to the police report, 'An 80-year-old woman, unbelted behind the wheel of a westbound sedan, was struck broadside by a southbound Toyota SUV. Her head hit hard. She died there, alone, in the driver’s seat.' Two other people, an 18-year-old male driver and a 47-year-old female passenger in the SUV, suffered back injuries. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The sedan driver was not wearing a seatbelt, as noted in the report, but the primary cause cited is failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 44-year-old woman was hit by an eastbound SUV while crossing a marked crosswalk on 65 Street. The pedestrian suffered head injuries but remained conscious. Police cited the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 65 Street and 6 Avenue while crossing in a marked crosswalk. The driver of a 2020 Jeep SUV, traveling east and going straight ahead, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Speed cameras now run all day, every day. Tickets soared 70 percent in three weeks. Most violations hit at night and weekends—times once uncovered. Officials say the surge proves drivers speed when unchecked. The city claims this crackdown will save lives.

On August 1, 2022, New York City activated speed cameras 24/7 after a legislative deal in Albany. In the first three weeks, cameras issued 513,777 tickets—70 percent more than before. The bill, championed by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, removed harsher penalties but kept round-the-clock enforcement. The matter summary states, 'speed safety cameras are working as they should—catching more speeding drivers and combatting reckless driving.' Council members and advocates, including Elizabeth Adams and Jehiah Czebotar, backed the move. They point to data showing most extra tickets came at night and weekends, exposing a hidden threat to pedestrians and cyclists. Officials insist the expansion will save lives and curb reckless driving.

• Sin City: New 24/7 Speed Cameras Issue a Whopping 70 Percent More Tickets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-01

Lawmakers spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want tight limits. Others push for taxi exemptions and tunnel credits. Advocates warn: too many carve-outs gut the plan. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, New York officials debated congestion pricing exemptions as the policy neared implementation. The discussion, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted shifting positions. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once opposed to exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll said, "I think that there should be limited exemptions." State Senator Andrew Gounardes added, "Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible." Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine backed toll credits for tunnel users and taxi exemptions. Taxi and for-hire drivers lobbied for relief, citing existing surcharges. Advocacy groups warned against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide on further exemptions after federal review. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-26

Council and state leaders spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want carve-outs. Others warn exemptions gut the plan. Vulnerable road users wait as drivers fight for special treatment. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, the council held a public debate on congestion pricing exemptions. The matter, titled 'Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions,' drew sharp lines. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once a hardliner against exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll backs limited carve-outs, saying, 'I think that there should be limited exemptions.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes stresses, 'Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible.' Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine pushes for toll credits and taxi exemptions. Advocacy groups warn against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide after federal review. The debate centers on who pays and who gets a pass, while the safety of people outside cars hangs in the balance.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-26

Nearly a thousand people signed up to speak at MTA’s congestion pricing hearings. The plan targets Manhattan below 61st Street. Supporters want fewer exemptions. Critics fear more truck traffic. Lawmakers push for swift action. Streets and air hang in the balance.

"We want to minimize the number of exemptions while making sure that we can hit our goal of raising $1 billion." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 25, 2022, the MTA held public hearings on congestion pricing for Manhattan below 61st Street. The hearings drew nearly a thousand speakers. The plan, described as aiming to 'reduce congestion, air pollution, and driving into the city,' would charge drivers $5 to $23 depending on time and exemptions. Council Member Robert Carroll (District 44) urged, 'It needs to be implemented now, we passed this bill three years ago, it’s time to get moving.' Other lawmakers, including Andrew Gounardes and Mark Levine, debated exemptions and credits. Governor Hochul called the charge 'crucial to cutting the number of vehicles and combating climate change.' The hearings reflect strong support for minimal carveouts and immediate action to fund transit and clear streets. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Thousand ask to speak at upcoming MTA congestion pricing hearings, amny.com, Published 2022-08-25

A 34-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and shock after an SUV struck his sedan’s right side doors in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver distraction. Both vehicles traveled straight before impact. The sedan driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred in Brooklyn when a southbound SUV struck the right side doors of a westbound sedan. The sedan’s 34-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining back trauma and shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. The SUV’s front center end and the sedan’s right side doors sustained damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.

• StreetsPAC to Central Brooklyn Voters: Retire State Sen. Kevin Parker Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-09

An 18-year-old male on an e-scooter was ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan struck the scooter’s right front bumper. Driver inexperience was a factor.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male operating an e-scooter was injured and ejected during a collision with a sedan traveling west on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver was going straight north when the sedan struck the scooter’s right front bumper with its left front bumper. The injured driver suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was in shock. The report lists driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan driver held a permit license. No safety equipment was used by the e-scooter driver. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and distraction in mixed vehicle environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Speed cameras now run all day, every day in New York City. The law ends the blackout. No more breaks for speeders. State Senator Andrew Gounardes led the charge. The city’s streets stay watched. Vulnerable lives get a fighting chance.

On August 1, 2022, a new law took effect expanding New York City’s speed camera program to operate 24/7. The bill, sponsored in the State Senate by Andrew Gounardes, passed in Albany and was signed by Governor Hochul in June. The measure extends the program for three years and ends the old rule that shut cameras off overnight and on weekends. The Department of Transportation has installed about 2,000 cameras in 750 school zones. The bill’s summary: 'expands the safety technology around the clock.' Gounardes said, 'Your right to speed does not supersede anyone’s rights to live on the streets safely.' Mayor Eric Adams joined advocates to celebrate, stating, 'A city that never sleeps deserves a camera system that won’t take a nap.' DOT data shows 59% of traffic deaths happened during off hours. The expansion aims to close that deadly gap.

• Whoa there! NYC speed cameras now stay on 24/7, amny.com, Published 2022-08-01

A 20-year-old woman was hit by an SUV turning left on 65 Street in Brooklyn. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. No visible complaints were reported.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 65 Street at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver, operating a 2016 Dodge SUV, was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. There was no damage to the vehicle, and no other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a deadly Bronx intersection. No charges were filed. The spot is known for crashes, yet remains unchanged. Lawmakers blasted the lack of accountability. Another pedestrian, Monica Chen, was killed days earlier. Still, no charges.

On July 21, 2022, a driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a dangerous Bronx intersection. The intersection, despite a history of crashes, has not been redesigned. No charges were filed against the driver, even though evidence suggested a failure to yield. Days earlier, Monica Chen, a pedestrian, was killed by a turning driver in Bay Ridge. Again, no charges. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and City Council Member Justin Brannan expressed outrage, stating, "We are both outraged that the epidemic of traffic violence continues and as a result, a 67 year old woman is dead." They pledged to press the Department of Transportation for more safety measures. The NYPD declined comment. The Bronx faces a surge in road deaths. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Driver Kills Cyclist in Deadly Bronx Yet is Not Charged — Part of a Surge in Road Violence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-21

A sedan and SUV collided on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, 44, suffered arm abrasions. Both vehicles took front-end damage. Police cite driver distraction as a cause.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan was heading south, the SUV east. The sedan driver, a 44-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Governor Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to study pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law adds these topics to pre-licensing courses and written exams. Senator Gounardes pushed the measure. Streets are not just for cars. The law takes effect January.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill mandating that new drivers in New York be tested on pedestrian and cyclist safety awareness. The measure, championed by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, requires pre-licensing courses and written exams to include instruction on the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians. The bill's summary states it aims to 'educate drivers about the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians and will create a thoughtful road culture going forward.' Gounardes sponsored the bill, which takes effect in January. Until now, the driver's manual offered only a single page on sharing the road. The law directs the state to consult law enforcement, advocates, and medical experts to shape the curriculum. Hochul said, 'This law will help prevent crashes and save lives.'

• Hochul signs bill mandating new NY drivers be tested on cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness, gothamist.com, Published 2022-07-15

Gov. Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to learn about pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law closes a deadly gap in driver education. Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Gounardes led the push. The change targets inexperience behind the wheel. Lives are at stake.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a law requiring cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness in New York's driver licensing process. The bill, led by Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Senator Andrew Gounardes, updates the five-hour pre-licensing course and driver's manual. The matter summary states: 'The law addresses a longstanding gap in driver education, which had previously left generations of motorists with little awareness of road-sharing with pedestrians and cyclists.' Gov. Hochul said, 'It is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers.' Gounardes noted that driver instruction had not kept pace with the growing presence of cyclists and micro-mobility users. In 2021, driver inexperience contributed to over 2,500 injury crashes in NYC. The law took 11 years to pass, reflecting persistent advocacy for vulnerable road users.

• Gov. Hochul Signs Law Adding Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Awareness to Driver’s License Requirements, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15