Kensington Bleeds: Four Dead, Hundreds Hurt, Leaders Stall

A 20-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after an SUV struck him from behind on East 7 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. The SUV driver followed too closely.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2022 SUV traveling west on East 7 Street rear-ended him. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock and complaints of pain. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. The SUV struck the bicyclist at the center back end, damaging its left rear bumper. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other vehicles were damaged or involved in the collision. The driver of the SUV was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two SUVs collided on Ocean Parkway at night. The rear vehicle struck the front one center back end. Three occupants suffered neck and back injuries with whiplash. Driver distraction and following too closely caused the crash. No one was ejected.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles traveling south on Ocean Parkway collided in a rear-end crash. The driver of the rear SUV was inattentive and followed too closely, striking the front SUV's center back end. Three occupants in the front vehicle were injured, suffering neck and back injuries consistent with whiplash. The driver of the rear vehicle was also injured. All occupants were conscious and none were ejected. The report lists driver inattention and following too closely as contributing factors. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash caused center front and center back end damage to the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 100 demands complete street design in state and federally funded projects. Lawmakers push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars.

Senate bill S 100 was introduced on January 4, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 100, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Two SUVs crashed on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as a factor. Both were conscious and restrained. The impact damaged the front and rear ends of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of one SUV and the front passenger of the other were injured, both suffering back injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. One vehicle was parked before the crash, while the other was traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the center back end of the other. No ejections occurred. The crash caused damage to the front and rear ends of the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594707 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Brooklyn council members pressed NYC Parks to lift the e-bike ban in Prospect Park. They called the ban unjust. They said e-bikes are not trucks. They want safer, fairer access for riders, families, and workers. The fight is not over.

On December 28, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40), along with Shahana Hanif and Crystal Hudson, urged NYC Parks to allow e-bikes in Prospect Park. The matter, titled 'E-Bikes Are Not Allowed in Prospect Park, But These BK Pols Think They Should Be,' centers on a letter sent December 20 to the Parks Commissioner. The council members wrote, 'The parks department has no justification for classifying e-bikes in the same category as SUVs or trucks.' They condemned the blanket ban, arguing it blocks access for delivery workers and families. Joseph and her colleagues oppose the current ban and the classification of e-bikes as motor vehicles. Their action highlights the need for policies that protect and include vulnerable road users, not punish them.

• E-Bikes Are Not Allowed in Prospect Park, But These BK Pols Think They Should Be, bkreader.com, Published 2022-12-28

Councilmember Rita Joseph and colleagues demand the Parks Department lift the e-bike ban in Prospect Park. They say the rule punishes workers and families. E-bikes are legal on city streets. The ban blocks access and forces riders into danger elsewhere.

On December 22, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40) joined Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif in urging the Parks Department to repeal the Prospect Park e-bike ban. The matter, titled 'Brooklyn pols call for repeal of Prospect Park e-bike ban,' highlights how the current policy keeps e-bikers out of the park, even after citywide legalization. The councilmembers wrote, 'E-bike users include delivery workers who keep us fed, families on cargo bikes, individuals recovering from surgery, older adults, people who live in areas with fewer public transit options, those who want to limit their carbon footprint by not driving cars, and so many more.' They argue the ban unfairly targets vulnerable riders and blocks access for those who rely on e-bikes for work and daily life. The Parks Department’s stance forces e-bike users onto more dangerous streets, undermining safety and equity. The councilmembers call for a new, inclusive policy shaped by community input.

• Brooklyn pols call for repeal of Prospect Park e-bike ban, amny.com, Published 2022-12-22

Three Brooklyn council members want e-bikes back in Prospect Park. They say the current ban lumps e-bikes with trucks and SUVs. They argue e-bikes help New Yorkers move without cars. The Parks Department’s rule, they say, sends the wrong message.

On December 21, 2022, Council Members Shahana Hanif (Park Slope), Crystal Hudson (Prospect Heights), and Rita Joseph (Prospect Lefferts Gardens) issued a public letter urging the Parks Department to end its ban on e-bikes in Prospect Park. The letter states, 'E-bikes are legal to ride on New York City streets and make moving around the city more accessible without adding more pollution and congestion.' The council members oppose the Parks Department’s policy that classifies e-bikes as motor vehicles, grouping them with SUVs and trucks. They argue this ban blocks access for delivery workers, families, older adults, and people with limited transit options. The lawmakers call for a new policy that permits e-bikes while addressing safety concerns, insisting the current rule undermines city values of accessibility and environmental care.

• Three Council Members Whose Districts Surround Prospect Park Demand the Return of E-Bikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-21

A box truck turning right struck a 47-year-old man crossing Church Avenue with the signal. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. The driver was inattentive and distracted. Impact was at the truck’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a box truck making a right turn on Church Avenue in Brooklyn struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal. The victim, a 47-year-old man, suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck, damaging the left front bumper. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other factors such as helmet use or pedestrian error were noted. The pedestrian was at an intersection and had the right of way. The driver’s failure to maintain attention caused the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council Member Shahana Hanif condemned the NYPD for arresting Adam White, a lawyer for crash victims, after he cleared a defaced plate. Police charged White, ignored the driver’s violations, and called the driver a victim. Hanif demanded accountability for police misconduct.

On November 16, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif issued a statement criticizing the NYPD’s 78th Precinct after officers arrested attorney Adam White. White, known for representing victims of traffic violence, was charged with criminal mischief for removing plastic that hid a car’s license plate—a tactic often used to dodge cameras and tolls. The NYPD did not ticket the driver, who had a record of violations, and instead labeled him the 'victim.' Hanif called the arrest 'outrageous' and 'police misconduct,' demanding accountability from precinct leadership. She said, 'It is shocking how the NYPD continues to prioritize unlawful and reckless car owners while harassing cyclists and pedestrians at every opportunity.' Legal experts, including White’s attorney Gideon Oliver, questioned the charges and called for dismissal. The case highlights systemic failures in traffic enforcement and police discretion, with vulnerable road users left exposed.

• Brooklyn Council Member Blasts Cops for Arresting Famed Bike Lawyer For Fixing Defaced Plate, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-16

DOT began outreach for a Grand Army Plaza overhaul. The plan aims to carve out more space for people on foot and bike. Council Members Hudson and Hanif pushed for fixes. Advocates want traffic cut and safety raised. Designs come in 2024.

On November 13, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) kicked off public outreach for a major redesign of Grand Army Plaza. The effort, not yet a formal bill, marks the start of a multiyear process with capital funding. The DOT presented plans to 'create more space for pedestrians and cyclists,' and floated ideas to connect Prospect Park’s northern entrance to the Soldiers Memorial Arch. Council Members Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif previously called for DOT to address 'signal timing and unprotected bike lanes.' Community advocates and residents voiced strong support for closing parts of the plaza to traffic and improving infrastructure for people walking and biking. The process includes public meetings, surveys, and a traffic study, with preliminary designs expected in 2024. While some residents worry about car access, the push is clear: less traffic, more safety for the vulnerable.

• DOT Kicks Off Outreach on New Grand Army Plaza Fix: ‘Dream Big’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-13

DOT moves to ban cars from Grand Army Plaza. Council members demand urgent fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists face danger daily. Crashes, injuries, broken sidewalks, and chaos define the space. The city promises swift action. Streets for people, not cars.

On November 10, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation proposed making Grand Army Plaza car-free and connecting it to Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill Avenues. The matter, described as 'NYC DOT proposal for car-free Grand Army Plaza and related street safety improvements,' is not a formal council bill but has drawn council attention. Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39) and Crystal Hudson pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to address the plaza’s 'endless traffic, poor sidewalk conditions, broken benches, and overflowing trash cans.' Hanif and Hudson demanded immediate safety upgrades after recent crashes injured pedestrians and cyclists. DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said, 'We want to take it to the next level... more consistent and better designed public spaces.' The agency is seeking public feedback and plans to draft detailed designs within the year. The proposal aims to end the status quo of danger and disrepair, prioritizing vulnerable road users over cars.

• Exclusive: DOT eyes Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza as NYC's next car-free space, gothamist.com, Published 2022-11-10

A diesel truck turned right on Caton Avenue. Its trailer caught a man, 47. His head was crushed. His body broke. He died in the streetlight’s shadow. The truck kept moving. Driver inattention marked the scene. The street stayed silent.

A 47-year-old man was killed on Caton Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck turned right and its trailer struck the pedestrian, crushing his head and body. He died at the scene. The crash involved a truck and a sedan, both making right turns. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The data does not list any helmet or signal use as a factor. The deadly impact and driver inattention underline the danger faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans collided on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. A 74-year-old man driving the lead car suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles struck center to center front and back ends.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Ditmas Avenue collided late at night. The lead vehicle was slowing or stopping when the trailing sedan struck it from behind. The 74-year-old male driver of the lead car was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor. The trailing driver failed to maintain a safe distance, causing the rear-end collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front and back ends. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An 8-year-old boy was struck while crossing Cortelyou Road with the signal. The vehicle was making a left turn and hit the child at the center front end. The boy suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion and remained conscious.

According to the police report, an 8-year-old pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Cortelyou Road and East 8 Street in Brooklyn. The child was crossing with the signal when a vehicle making a left turn struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruise to his shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield. No safety equipment or other factors were noted. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, whose details are not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A pick-up truck crashed into two parked cars on East 7 Street. The driver was hurt. Police cite outside distraction. Parked vehicles took the hit. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling south on East 7 Street in Brooklyn struck two parked vehicles—a taxi and an SUV. The 37-year-old driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police list 'Outside Car Distraction' as a contributing factor, showing the driver was distracted by something outside the vehicle. The parked cars were hit in the rear and damaged. No pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers were reported injured. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other driver errors or victim actions appear in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

A sedan struck a 29-year-old bicyclist on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was inattentive, causing the collision. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan parked on Church Avenue in Brooklyn was struck by a bicyclist traveling west while passing. The collision caused injuries to the 29-year-old male bicyclist, who sustained abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist's own confusion or error also contributed. The sedan was damaged on the left side doors, and the bike suffered front-end damage. The driver was licensed and male; the bicyclist wore no safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4570674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A Nissan SUV struck a Subaru sedan’s right side on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. Both male drivers and a female passenger, all 73, suffered chest injuries. The impact crushed the sedan’s right doors. All occupants wore seat belts and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2022 Nissan SUV traveling west on Church Avenue collided with a 2004 Subaru sedan traveling north. The SUV struck the sedan’s right side doors with its center front end. The sedan carried two occupants: a male driver and a female front-seat passenger, both aged 73, who sustained chest injuries and internal complaints. The SUV had one male driver, also 73. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. The sedan’s right side doors sustained significant damage. The crash left all occupants in shock and injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Assembly Member Carroll stands firm for congestion pricing. He wants fewer cars, cleaner air, and faster buses. He rejects broad carve-outs. Only yellow cabs get a break. Uber and Lyft must pay. He demands urgency. Streets must change. Lives depend on it.

On September 27, 2022, Assembly Member Robert Carroll made a public statement supporting congestion pricing in New York City. The matter, titled 'I’m Willing to Take the Heat to Support Congestion Pricing,' was reported by Streetsblog NYC. Carroll opposes broad exemptions, saying, 'Simplicity is key and exemptions should be limited.' He supports only yellow cab drivers for additional exemptions, citing their medallion fees and capped numbers. Carroll insists Uber and Lyft drivers pay every time they enter the zone, regardless of fare. He also backs time-based charges for taxis, for-hire vehicles, and trucks, especially in busy corridors. Carroll acknowledges the financial burden but argues the cost of congestion is greater. He urges swift action, naming London, Milan, Stockholm, and Singapore as models. No safety analyst note was provided.

• AM Carroll: ‘I’m Willing to Take the Heat’ to Support Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-27

Lawmakers push for e-bike rebates. Senate passes, Assembly stalls. Salazar and Carroll lead. Up to $1,100 for buyers. Critics call it a luxury. Carroll disagrees. Program aims for working-class riders. Cars keep killing. E-bikes offer a way out.

""I think there’s a misconception that this bill is maybe purely for folks who have disposable income. They don’t realize that this is not a luxury item."" -- Robert Carroll

Senate Bill 'Ride Clean' proposes up to $1,100 rebates for e-bike purchases, covering half the cost. The bill passed the Senate but stalled in the Assembly as of August 30, 2022. The measure, led by State Senator Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Robert Carroll, aims to make e-bikes accessible to working-class New Yorkers. Salazar says, 'With the Ride Clean rebate, [e-bikes] really would be much more accessible to working New Yorkers.' Carroll pushes back on critics who call e-bikes a luxury, stating, 'They don’t realize that this is not a luxury item.' The program would use NYSERDA funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, mirroring the Drive Clean program for electric cars. Advocates cite European and U.S. models. The bill’s fate now rests with the Assembly.

• NY Lawmakers Want To Bring E-Bikes To The People, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-30