Coney Island Bleeds—City Stalls

SUV struck a cyclist from behind on Stillwell Avenue. Driver was distracted. Cyclist suffered chest abrasions. Impact was sudden. Streets remain perilous for those outside a car.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling south on Stillwell Avenue rear-ended a bicyclist who was also heading south. The SUV's left rear bumper hit the bike's center front end. The 42-year-old cyclist suffered chest abrasions and remained conscious at the scene. Police list "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the cause of the crash. The cyclist was not ejected and played no role in causing the collision. This crash shows the danger distracted drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council urges Albany to pass SAFE Streets Act. Lower speed limits. Rights for crash victims. Safe passing for cyclists. Complete streets. City demands action as deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. Lawmakers must act.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls on the state to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The matter title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422... allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Nurse, and others. The resolution demands lower speed limits, crash victim rights, safe passing for cyclists, and complete street design. It cites rising traffic deaths and the failure of current measures. The Council wants Albany to give the city real power to protect people on its streets.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A parked sedan in Brooklyn lurched forward. It struck a young man on foot and a woman in the front seat. Both suffered severe leg injuries. Driver errors remain unknown. The street stayed silent. The pain did not.

According to the police report, a 2020 Lexus sedan, parked near 3052 West 21 Street in Brooklyn, struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian and a 25-year-old female front-seat passenger. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with shock and pain. The passenger sustained fractures and dislocations to her lower limbs. The sedan's center front end was the point of impact. The police report lists all contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The incident shows the risk posed by vehicles, even when parked, with responsibility left unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway in a rear-end crash. The front passenger in the struck vehicle suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling westbound at the time.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway around 5:00 a.m. Two sedans traveling westbound collided when one vehicle struck the rear of the other. The driver of the striking vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The front passenger in the struck sedan, a 37-year-old male, sustained a head injury with minor bleeding and was reported to be in shock. The injured occupant was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. Both drivers held valid New York licenses and were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the right front bumper of the striking sedan and the left rear bumper of the struck sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703285 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-02-13

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council moves to hike fines for riding bikes, e-bikes, and scooters on city sidewalks. The bill targets sidewalk riding with stiffer penalties. No mention of street safety or driver accountability.

Bill Int 0037-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 8, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...increasing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, bicycle with electric assist, or electric scooter on the sidewalk,' seeks to raise fines for sidewalk riding. Council Members Stevens (primary), Gennaro, Ung, Brewer, Brannan, and Morano sponsor the bill. The action: referral to committee. The summary states, 'This bill would increase each of the existing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, a bicycle with electric assist (commonly referred to as an “e-bike”), or an electric scooter on the sidewalk.' No safety analyst assessment is available. The bill focuses on penalties, not on street design or driver behavior.

• File Int 0037-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and others joined a lawsuit to block New York’s congestion pricing. The editorial rails against tolls, calling them a blow to working New Yorkers. No mention of pedestrian or cyclist safety. The fight centers on driver costs.

On February 6, 2024, an editorial titled 'Time for insane NYC congestion pricing plan to hit the road' opposed the city’s congestion pricing scheme. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-23) joined 17 other lawmakers in a lawsuit against the plan, which would charge drivers entering Midtown Manhattan. The editorial claims, 'solving [MTA fiscal problems] by punishing average New Yorkers simply for driving is insane,' and highlights concerns over economic burden. The piece quotes union leaders and lawmakers, including Scarcella-Spanton, City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, and US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, all opposing the tolls. There is no assessment of the impact on vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, or transit riders. The focus remains on driver expenses and political backlash.

• Time for insane NYC congestion pricing plan to hit the road, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-06

Eighteen lawmakers, including Joseph Borelli, sued to stop New York’s $15 congestion pricing. They claim the toll shifts pollution, burdens drivers, and fails communities with poor transit. The MTA defends the plan, saying it funds safer, less crowded streets.

On February 4, 2024, Council Member Joseph C. Borelli (District 51) joined seventeen other lawmakers in a federal lawsuit to block New York City’s $15 congestion pricing toll for Midtown Manhattan. The suit, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, argues the toll 'is a detriment to those that will be affected by this toll, environmentally and financially,' and claims it will shift traffic and pollution to other neighborhoods. Other plaintiffs include State Senators James Skoufis, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Iwen Chu, Monica Martinez, and Assemblymembers Aileen Gunther, Jamie Williams, and David Weprin. The MTA, backed by Governor Hochul, says the toll will raise $1 billion yearly for transit upgrades, promising safer, less congested streets and better transit for the majority who rely on public transportation. The case highlights the political and environmental battle over how to fund and shape New York’s streets.

• 18 NY lawmakers join suit to block $15 congestion toll, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-04

A 38-year-old male driver suffered elbow and lower arm injuries after his sedan struck an animal on Neptune Avenue. The vehicle's right front bumper was damaged. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and experienced shock and minor bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:40 AM on Neptune Avenue when the sedan, traveling west, collided with an animal. The driver, a 38-year-old male occupant, sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The vehicle's right front bumper was damaged at the point of impact. The report lists 'Animals Action' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the animal's presence triggered the collision. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The incident highlights the danger posed by animals on roadways, leading to injury and vehicle damage without fault attributed to the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan backed into traffic on Neptune Avenue. Impact was hard. The stopped driver took the hit. He suffered a head injury and concussion. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 12:14 a.m. on Neptune Avenue. The crash happened when a BMW, driven by an unlicensed New York driver, backed aggressively into a stopped Lexus. The Lexus driver, a 57-year-old man from New Jersey, was injured in the head and suffered a concussion. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor. The BMW struck the Lexus’s front bumper with its rear. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The unlicensed driver’s aggressive backing directly caused the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699877 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

A 29-year-old woman suffered a shoulder contusion while crossing Neptune Avenue at an intersection. She was conscious and injured but no driver errors or contributing factors were reported. The crash details remain unspecified by police.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Neptune Avenue and West 5 Street in Brooklyn at 5:30 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred and sustained a contusion and upper arm shoulder injury. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle actions are provided. The pedestrian was conscious and the injury severity was classified as moderate. The absence of reported driver errors or contributing factors leaves the cause of the crash unclear, but the pedestrian was not at fault according to the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699346 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 50-year-old woman was struck while crossing Mermaid Avenue with the signal. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way during a left turn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Mermaid Avenue while crossing with the signal. The driver of a 2013 GMC SUV was making a left turn and struck the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock following the collision. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle northbound at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turning left on Neptune Avenue struck a bicyclist riding east. The 25-year-old man suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. The impact hit the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2011 Hyundai sedan was making a left turn on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with a 25-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight ahead eastbound. The bicyclist sustained an upper arm and shoulder contusion but was not ejected and remained conscious. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the driver or bicyclist, but the sedan’s left turn likely caused the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other driver errors or violations were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 60-year-old man working on Sheepshead Bay Road was struck by a concrete mixer. The impact injured his lower leg and knee. The pedestrian suffered shock and pain. The truck showed no damage. Confusion caused the pedestrian error.

According to the police report, a concrete mixer truck traveling east on Sheepshead Bay Road struck a 60-year-old male pedestrian working in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists the pedestrian's confusion as the contributing factor to the crash. The truck driver was licensed and starting from parking when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the left front bumper. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not indicate any driver error or failure on the truck driver's part.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682881 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. One driver was stopped in traffic. The other was going straight and hit the rear of the stopped vehicle. The 28-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. One vehicle was stopped in traffic when the other, traveling westbound, struck it from behind. The 28-year-old male driver of the stopped vehicle was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating SUVs. The impact occurred at the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the stopped vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway. The male driver changing lanes struck the rear of another SUV. Three occupants suffered whiplash and head or chest injuries. All wore seat belts. Shock and injury marked the scene.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driver traveling west on Belt Parkway changed lanes unsafely at an unsafe speed and collided with the rear of an eastbound SUV. The crash involved two SUVs and a sedan. Three occupants were injured: the male driver with chest injuries and whiplash, a 16-year-old female passenger with head injuries and whiplash, and a 56-year-old female driver with head injuries and whiplash. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors for the male driver. The other injuries and factors were unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676421 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04