Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 18 - A southbound SUV driven by an unlicensed man struck the rear of a parked SUV in Brooklyn. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries to the driver, who remained conscious and restrained. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:52 in Brooklyn near East 22nd Street. The driver of a 2000 Ford SUV, traveling southbound, collided with the rear of a parked 2013 Toyota SUV. The Ford's center front end and the Toyota's center back end were damaged. The driver, a 51-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the driver as unlicensed in New Jersey. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash involved no ejections or other occupants. The collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating vehicles in the city.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 17 - A sedan making an improper U-turn struck a bicyclist traveling straight on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered neck abrasions and shock. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:45 PM on Church Avenue near Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. A 52-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling straight south when a 2025 Toyota sedan made an improper U-turn and struck him on the right side doors. The bicyclist sustained neck abrasions and was in shock. The report explicitly lists the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and turning improperly as the primary contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was injured but survived. The sedan’s left side doors were damaged, indicating the point of impact. The report does not assign any fault or contributing factors to the bicyclist beyond helmet use, which is noted but not cited as a factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers making illegal or unsafe turns and failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786865 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now 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 safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 5 - A parked SUV took a hard hit to its left side in Brooklyn. The driver, a 51-year-old woman, suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

According to the police report, a 2018 Honda SUV was parked on Campus Rd near Hillel Pl in Brooklyn when it was struck on the left side doors at 12:40. The driver, a 51-year-old woman, was inside and suffered a fracture and dislocation to her elbow and lower arm. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists all contributing factors as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact and damage were confined to the left side of the SUV. No ejection occurred, and no other victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784410 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01