Aug 12 - City Hall pressed Lyft to demand driver's licenses for Citi Bike e-bikes. The move blocks teens and riders without IDs. Ridership falls. Safety-in-numbers weakens. Equity splits wider while hazardous streets and vehicles remain the real threat.

""a disaster waiting to happen,"" -- Justin L. Brannan

Not a bill — a regulatory request. On August 12, 2025, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro sent a letter to Lyft CEO David Risher asking for "appropriate age verification steps," such as requiring a driver's license or learner's permit. The action follows Mastro's June 5 emergency mandate capping e-bike speeds and a late-July letter from Council Member Justin Brannan, who called the self-reported age system "a disaster waiting to happen." Lyft says it is "currently reviewing" the letter. Safety analysts warn proof-based ID checks create barriers for marginalized riders without licenses, likely cutting mode shift, undermining street equity, and leaving systemic vehicle and infrastructure dangers unaddressed.

• NYC asks Lyft to require ID for Citi Bike e-bikes to curb underage riders, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 9 - Mayor Eric Adams urges age verification for Citi Bike e-bikes after underage teens unlock helmetless, top-speed rides. He pushes Lyft or NYC DOT to add ID checks as reported e-bike crashes rise.

"Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan recently wrote a letter to Lyft asking them to implement age verification, writing, “I hear from parents who are worried about their kids. This is a potential disaster just waiting to happen — and it’s entirely preventable.”" -- Justin L. Brannan

Bill number: none — this is a regulatory request. Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: N/A. Key dates: event 2025-08-09; published 2025-08-09. The matter title reads: "Don't let underage kids on electric Citi Bikes." Mayor Eric Adams is named as supporting age verification for Citi Bike e-bikes. Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan wrote to Lyft asking for ID checks, writing, "I hear from parents who are worried..." The piece urges Lyft to add age verification or for NYC DOT to amend its contract. The article cites more than 400 e-bike crashes year-to-date and a 20% rise. No formal safety impact assessment or safety_impact_note is provided in the record.

• Don’t let underage kids on electric Citi Bikes, nydailynews.com, Published 2025-08-09

Aug 9 - The Coney Island casino's EIS predicts thousands more cars, gridlocked roads, and crushed parking. Pedestrians and cyclists face higher exposure and danger.

Bill number: none. Status: Environmental Impact Statement filed Aug. 9, 2025. Committee: Community Advisory Committee (CAC); CAC met July 30. The EIS states: 'Proposed Coney Island casino would likely clog local roads with heavy traffic and overwhelm public parking.' Justin L. Brannan is noted for introducing a ferry-feasibility bill last fall. CAC member Marissa Solomon said mitigation measures likely won’t be enough. Assemblyman Charles Fall criticized risks to pedestrians. Developers offered transit incentives. Safety analysts warn the casino is projected to dramatically increase motor vehicle traffic and parking demand, worsening congestion and exposure risk for pedestrians and cyclists; mitigation focuses on flow, not street safety, and leaves vulnerable road users bearing the burden.

• Proposed Coney Island casino could bring heavy traffic, overwhelm parking, according to environmental impact study, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-09

Aug 4 - A hotel awning crashed down at Clark Street station. Years of leaks, rot, and stench warned locals. No one fixed it. The city let danger fester. Pedestrians faced the risk. No injuries, but trust is broken.

"Our NYC Buildings engineers are now on site conducting additional inspections of the collapsed awning, and a second similar awning at the building on Clark Street, which is showing similar signs of poor maintenance." -- James S. Oddo

On August 4, 2025, a hotel awning collapsed outside the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights. The incident, reported by Barbara Russo-Lennon and Lloyd Mitchell, followed 'years of visible disrepair, foul smells and water leaks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler confirmed no timeline for reopening. The Department of Buildings cited the owners for 'Failure to maintain' and ordered demolition. DOB Commissioner James Oddo said engineers are inspecting a second awning showing 'poor maintenance.' The collapse put pedestrians in harm's way. As safety analysts note, such failures in busy areas raise the risk of injury or death for vulnerable road users and discourage walking, undermining city safety goals.

• ‘Not surprised’: Locals say neglect to blame in Clark Street station awning collapse, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-04

Jul 18 - Council Member Justin Brannan moves to stop delivery apps from axing workers at will. The bill targets silent firings. No more robot bosses. Human over algorithm. Status: introduced.

"A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 18, 2025, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced Intro 1332 to the New York City Council. The bill, now pending committee assignment, would require delivery app companies to give a reason before deactivating workers. Brannan says, 'A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation.' The measure aims to end algorithmic firings and protect gig workers from sudden job loss. However, the event text is too vague to determine a direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists, as it does not specify any concrete policy or regulatory change affecting vulnerable road users.

• New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 18 - Cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, as she crossed Cropsey Avenue. She died. Her aide survived. Driver charged with failure to yield and due care. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Gothamist (2025-07-18) reports a 95-year-old woman, Mayya Gil, died after a cargo van hit her and her home health aide while they crossed Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, Thimothe Andre, was charged with two counts of failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Police said Andre struck both victims while turning. Gil died at the hospital; her aide survived. The article notes, 'NYPD data shows 100 people have died in city traffic crashes so far this year.' The case highlights persistent risks for pedestrians and the consequences of driver inattention at city intersections.

• Brooklyn Pedestrian Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 17 - A driver in a sedan hit a standing scooter on Bath Ave. The scooter rider, 32, was ejected and suffered a fractured lower leg. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

The driver of a sedan traveling south on Bath Ave hit a standing scooter traveling west. The scooter driver, a 32-year-old man, was ejected and suffered fractures to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" was the contributing factor. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. Impact occurred at the sedan’s left front quarter panel. The report lists one injured person and notes ejection and a distorted fracture. No helmet or signaling is listed as a contributing factor in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828748 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jul 17 - SUV struck truck on Cropsey Avenue. Two men hurt. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. Streets unforgiving.

Two vehicles collided at 1649 Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. A station wagon/SUV hit a tractor truck. According to the police report, two men were injured: a 40-year-old front passenger suffered leg injuries, and a 37-year-old truck driver suffered neck injuries. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 15 - The city plans to rip out protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue. Cyclists vow legal action if injuries follow. Over 200 sign a pledge. The mayor moves ahead, ignoring proven safety gains.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-15) reports Brooklyn cyclists pledged to sue if the city removes protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue and injuries result. Over 200 signed a pledge after Mayor Adams decided to strip three blocks of protection, despite city data showing the lanes made the street 'dramatically safer.' The move follows a court ruling allowing the change. City Hall claims the redesign addresses 'serious safety concerns.' Legal precedent (Turturro v. City of New York) could hold the city liable for knowingly making streets less safe. Advocates see the decision as political, not safety-driven.

• Cyclists Threaten Lawsuit Over Bedford Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 13 - A 16-year-old on an e-scooter died after a collision with a Hyundai in Staten Island. Head trauma proved fatal. Police are investigating. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. Another scooter death followed days later.

The Brooklyn Paper (2025-07-13) reports a fatal crash on June 29 in Staten Island. Sixteen-year-old Nacere Ellis, riding an electric scooter, collided with a westbound Hyundai Tucson. The article states, 'Ellis suffered head trauma as a result of the crash.' The 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. No charges have been filed. The report notes a similar fatal scooter crash days earlier in Queens. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for micromobility users and the need for systemic safety measures.

• Teen E-Scooter Rider Killed In Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 12 - A speeding car struck two men at dawn in Sunset Park. One pulled a cart. One walked with a cane. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police tracked the suspect to Staten Island.

ABC7 reported on July 12, 2025, that Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, was arraigned after a hit-and-run killed Faqiu Lin, 59, and Kex Un Chen, 80, at Third Avenue and 52nd Street. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. Florentino faces charges including manslaughter and reckless driving. Police used video and car debris to find the suspect. City Harvest said the victims "may have been on their way to our Mobile Market simply trying to access food." The crash highlights the danger for pedestrians near busy food distribution sites.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Two Near Food Pantry, ABC7, Published 2025-07-12

Jul 11 - A car tore through a Brooklyn intersection. Two people crossing died. The driver fled. Police caught a suspect. Lives ended on the street. Metal struck flesh. The city keeps counting.

CBS New York reported on July 11, 2025, that 'two people died when a car drove through a Brooklyn intersection early Friday, hitting and killing them as they crossed the street.' The driver fled the scene, making this a hit-and-run. Police later took a suspect into custody. The crash highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians at city intersections and the ongoing issue of drivers leaving crash scenes. No details on charges or policy changes were given.

• Car Kills Two Crossing Brooklyn Street, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - City rips out Bedford Avenue bike lane. Cyclists lose safe passage. Judge sides with mayor. Injuries had dropped. Advocates warn: danger returns. Streets grow harsher for those outside cars.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-10) reports that Mayor Adams will remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue after a judge upheld the city’s decision. Advocates say this 'all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams's hands.' NYPD data showed injuries dropped after the lane’s installation. The city acted after complaints from local leaders. The lane sits on a 'Vision Zero Priority Corridor,' one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous streets. Cyclists and residents called the move political and warned it strips away proven safety. No driver errors cited, but the policy shift exposes vulnerable road users to renewed risk.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal Sparks Outrage, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 8 - Two new elevators rise at Bay Ridge-95th Street. Barriers fall. Riders once shut out now enter. Subway access grows. Streets outside still threaten, but inside, movement is free. Each upgrade shifts the city’s balance.

"This is a great example of working with the MTA on bringing accessibility to the far reaches of the outer boroughs and reminding folks that the ADA is not just a suggestion, it's actually the law." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 8, 2025, the MTA opened two ADA-compliant elevators at Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn. The project, backed by federal funds, finished under budget. Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis all praised the upgrade. Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer, called it 'a crucial connection.' The new elevators mark the third Brooklyn station made accessible this year. Improved subway access encourages walking and cycling to transit, boosting safety for vulnerable users by increasing their numbers and visibility. The MTA must reach 95% accessibility by 2055.

• MTA opens two elevators at newly-accessible Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-08

Jul 6 - A car turned across Bay Street. The motorcycle struck the door. Jeremy Claudio died. The driver stayed. No arrests. The street stayed open. The city counted another loss.

According to amny (2025-07-06), Jeremy Claudio, 34, died after his motorcycle hit the driver-side door of a Toyota Rav 4 making a K-turn on Bay Street, Staten Island. Police said the driver was "making a K-turn from the northbound lane... into its southbound lane when the collision occurred." The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured. No arrests were made. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights risks when drivers turn across traffic, especially on busy city streets.

• Motorcyclist Dies In Staten Island K-Turn Crash, amny, Published 2025-07-06

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - An SUV hit and killed an eight-year-old boy as he crossed Eastern Parkway with his sister. The driver stayed. Blood washed from the street. The boy died at the hospital. The crash left a family and a community shattered.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-29), an eight-year-old boy was killed by a black Honda Pilot while crossing Eastern Parkway at Albany Street in Crown Heights. The article states, "A black Honda Pilot slammed into eight-year-old Mordechai Keller as he crossed Eastern Parkway at Albany Street at 5:33 p.m." The 69-year-old driver remained at the scene and was not arrested. The crash is under investigation. The incident highlights the ongoing danger for pedestrians in Brooklyn, especially at busy intersections. No charges have been filed, and officials cleaned the scene in accordance with religious customs.

• SUV Strikes Boy Crossing Eastern Parkway, New York Post, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 27 - SUV turned right into a sedan on Bath Ave. Rear passenger suffered leg injury. No clear cause named. Streets stay dangerous. Metal meets flesh. Another wound in Brooklyn.

A station wagon/SUV made a right turn and struck a sedan going straight on Bath Ave at Bay 10 St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 28-year-old male rear passenger suffered a knee and lower leg injury, listed as a contusion. Both vehicles had licensed drivers. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were recorded in the report. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing risks on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08