Ocean Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Feb 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

Feb 28 - Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill demands NYPD track every time cops use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague stats. Each crash, each injury, must be counted. The city moves closer to truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and at the Brooklyn Borough President's request. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle.' It forces the NYPD to report every use of a car to control a subject. No more lumping these acts with other force. The bill aims for hard numbers and real accountability. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—will no longer be invisible in police data.

• File Int 0255-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. Cyclists need steel and concrete, not paint. The bill sits in committee. Streets could change. Lives hang in the balance.

Int 0271-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Rivera, Louis, Hanif, Ossé, Brewer, Cabán, Nurse, Hudson, Salaam, Bottcher, Gutiérrez, Feliz, Won, and Joseph. The bill demands the Department of Transportation install 100 miles of protected bike lanes per year for six years. The aim: real protection for cyclists and a safer city grid.

• File Int 0271-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 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

Feb 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

Feb 27 - Senate bill S 8658 orders $90 million for faster, more reliable buses and fare-free rides. Sponsors push MTA to act. Riders wait for relief. Streets choke on traffic. The city holds its breath.

Senate bill S 8658, introduced on February 27, 2024, sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'get congestion pricing right act,' directs the MTA to spend $45 million to boost bus frequency and reliability, and another $45 million to expand fare-free bus pilots in New York City. Senators Michael Gianaris (primary sponsor), Jabari Brisport, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Julia Salazar back the measure. The bill demands reporting on these investments. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 8658, Open States, Published 2024-02-27

Feb 20 - SUV turned right on Herkimer. Driver distracted. Hit woman crossing with signal. She suffered hip and head injuries. Impact was hard. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old woman was crossing Herkimer Street at Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn with the signal when an SUV made a right turn and struck her. The impact caused injuries to her hip and upper leg, along with a concussion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was licensed and had two occupants in the vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing legally. No other contributing factors were cited. This crash shows the risk pedestrians face when drivers fail to pay attention at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 16 - A pick-up truck making a right turn struck the left rear bumper of a sedan traveling west on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 41-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. The truck showed no damage, highlighting impact severity.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:50 PM on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. A pick-up truck, traveling west and making a right turn, collided with the left rear bumper of a westbound sedan. The sedan driver, a 41-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and was in shock. The report notes the driver was not ejected and had no visible complaints. The pick-up truck driver was licensed in New York, and the sedan driver was licensed in New Jersey. Vehicle damage was limited to the sedan's left rear bumper, while the truck showed no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not assign fault to the victim. The collision highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles impacting through traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703449 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - A 61-year-old woman was injured crossing Atlantic Avenue with the signal. The SUV driver failed to yield while making a left turn, striking her with the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered internal back injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Atlantic Avenue at an intersection with the signal when she was struck by a 2019 GMC SUV traveling west. The SUV driver, a licensed female from New Jersey, was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained internal back injuries and was conscious after the collision. The report cites both "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the driver and "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was reported despite the impact. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - 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

Feb 10 - Two SUVs crashed at Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Parkway. Both drivers and a passenger took head blows. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The 2017 Mercedes SUV was hit on its left front bumper. The 2020 Toyota SUV took damage to its right rear quarter panel. The Toyota’s driver and a front-seat passenger suffered head injuries and concussions. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left two people injured and the cars battered, but the cause remains unspecified in the official record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 8 - 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

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Jan 31 - A distracted SUV driver made a left turn and struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection in Brooklyn. The 30-year-old woman suffered head injuries and minor bleeding, left in shock by the impact to the vehicle’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:46 AM on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The driver, operating a 2014 SUV and making a left turn, was cited for driver inattention and distraction. The pedestrian, a 30-year-old woman crossing with the signal, was struck by the vehicle's left front bumper. She sustained head injuries and minor bleeding, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly identifies driver inattention/distraction as the sole contributing factor. There is no indication of any fault or contributing behavior on the part of the pedestrian. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 26 - Two sport utility vehicles collided on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, injuring three occupants. All victims suffered whiplash and other injuries. Police cited driver inattention and reaction to uninvolved vehicle as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:35 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn involving two sport utility vehicles traveling east and south. The collision impacted the center front end of one SUV and the right side doors of the other. Three occupants were injured: a 25-year-old male driver, a 40-year-old male driver, and a 17-year-old male front passenger. All were conscious and suffered whiplash with injuries to the entire body, chest, and head respectively. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as primary contributing factors, along with reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and failure to maintain attention in busy urban traffic, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - A 62-year-old woman was injured when a sedan traveling east on Eastern Parkway struck her outside a crosswalk. The impact to her left arm caused abrasions. The driver proceeded straight, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Eastern Parkway struck a 62-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The collision occurred at 16:50 in Brooklyn’s 11233 zip code. The vehicle’s point of impact was the left front bumper, indicating the driver hit the pedestrian while going straight ahead. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2015 Toyota sedan with damage to the left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 15 - A parked Tesla sedan was struck on its left rear quarter panel by a backing Chevrolet sedan. Both male occupants in the Tesla suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:05 AM near 315 Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2023 Tesla sedan was parked when it was hit on the left rear quarter panel by a 2020 Chevrolet sedan that was backing up. The Tesla had three occupants; the driver, a 58-year-old man, and a 34-year-old front passenger were both injured with back injuries and complaints of whiplash. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The Chevrolet driver was backing at the time of impact. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Both injured occupants were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction and backing maneuvers in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696016 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19