Night streets. Same pain.

Dec 4 - DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Dec 3 - Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Nov 21 - A 29-year-old man was struck at an intersection on Clarkson Ave while crossing with the signal. The vehicle, traveling north, hit him head-on. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing serious abdominal and pelvic injuries to the pedestrian.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Clarkson Ave near New York Ave in Brooklyn at 9:06 PM. A 29-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when he was struck by a vehicle traveling north. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage there as well. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver was going straight ahead and struck the pedestrian at the intersection, highlighting a critical failure to yield or stop as required by traffic control devices.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 21 - Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

Nov 19 - Two sedans collided northbound near New York Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:20 AM near 853 New York Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling northbound collided, with the rear vehicle striking the center back end of the front vehicle. The driver of the rear sedan, a 34-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' on the part of the rear driver. Both vehicles were damaged at the point of impact: the rear vehicle at its front bumper and the front vehicle at its center back end. The driver of the rear sedan was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - A 68-year-old pedestrian suffered full-body injuries and whiplash after a 2024 Jeep SUV hit her off the roadway on Church Avenue. The SUV, traveling west, impacted center front. The driver, 38, also injured, remained conscious and belted.

According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV traveling west on Church Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 68-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and complained of whiplash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, indicating a direct collision. The driver, a 38-year-old male occupant, was wearing a lap belt and harness and suffered injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor but does not specify which party it applies to. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited in the report. The pedestrian's position off the roadway was noted, but no contributing victim behaviors were listed. The crash highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when not in the roadway and the severe injuries that can result from vehicle impacts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A van veered down Flatbush Avenue, its driver asleep. Four parked sedans took the blow. Steel twisted. Glass scattered. The driver woke to crushed legs and silence. Engines cooled. The street held its breath.

A van traveling south on Flatbush Avenue near Albemarle Road struck four parked sedans after the driver fell asleep, according to the police report. The report states that the van's driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his legs. The narrative describes, 'A van veered south, driver asleep. It struck four parked sedans. Steel folded. Glass scattered. The 31-year-old man woke to crushed legs and silence.' The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors are cited for the victims or parked vehicles. The collision underscores the systemic danger posed when drivers lose control of their vehicles, even for a moment. The impact left parked cars damaged and one person seriously injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Nov 5 - A moped and an SUV collided on Beverley Road in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 51-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved limited visibility and other vehicular factors, causing significant vehicle damage and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:55 PM on Beverley Road in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2018 Ford SUV and a 2006 Yamaha moped, both traveling westbound. The moped driver, a 51-year-old man, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the moped. Contributing factors listed in the report include 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Other Vehicular,' indicating driver errors related to limited visibility and other vehicle-related issues. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The SUV sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, and the moped was damaged on its left side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - SUV reversed on Nostrand Ave. Struck a 54-year-old man. Pedestrian suffered knee, leg, and foot injuries. Driver backed unsafely. Brooklyn street left another body bruised.

According to the police report, a 2020 Chevrolet SUV backed north on Nostrand Ave near Cortelyou Rd in Brooklyn and struck a 54-year-old male pedestrian. The man was emerging from behind a parked vehicle when hit. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV's center back end was damaged. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious at the scene. The report highlights driver errors and does not attribute fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - A sedan driver suffered arm injuries after a collision on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved unsafe lane changing by the sedan driver, striking the right rear bumper of a northbound vehicle. The driver was not ejected and wore a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:16 AM on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 42-year-old male, was injured with elbow, lower arm, and hand trauma and experienced shock. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' twice as the contributing factor for the sedan driver. The sedan struck the right rear bumper of a northbound vehicle, identified as an IC bus, which was changing lanes prior to the crash. The sedan driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The bus sustained no damage. The report highlights driver error on the sedan operator's part, specifically unsafe lane changing, as the cause of the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved or cited as contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 29 - A 36-year-old male bicyclist suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a collision with a vehicle making a left turn on New York Avenue. The crash happened at night. The driver disregarded traffic control, striking the cyclist head-on.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:30 p.m. on New York Avenue in Brooklyn. A vehicle was making a left turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight north. The point of impact was the center front end of both the vehicle and the bike. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old man, sustained contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike's front end, but the turning vehicle showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768700 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - A 36-year-old woman was struck by an SUV traveling south on Bedford Avenue. The impact hit the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot, causing bruising and moderate injury. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a Station Wagon/SUV traveling south on Bedford Avenue struck a 36-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruising and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian’s actions are described as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no contributing factors related to her behavior are cited. The driver was alone in the vehicle, traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to the vehicle’s right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 21 - Two sedans slammed together on Parkside Avenue. Unsafe speed and tailgating drove the impact. Four men inside suffered head injuries and whiplash. Metal twisted. Sirens followed. The street held the pain.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn collided at 4:30 p.m. The crash was a rear-end impact, with one car striking the back of the other. Four men, ages 26 to 37, were injured with head trauma and whiplash. The report lists unsafe speed and following too closely as contributing factors. All occupants were conscious, not ejected, and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. Driver errors—unsafe speed and failure to maintain distance—directly led to the collision and the injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758540 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 18 - A sedan plowed into a cyclist on Linden Boulevard. The crash hurled the rider to the ground. His leg and foot shattered. Police cite traffic control ignored. Brooklyn street, blood, broken bones.

According to the police report, a sedan hit a 33-year-old male bicyclist at 21:25 on Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, showing the sedan driver failed to obey signals or signs. The sedan, registered in New Jersey, struck the cyclist with its center front end. The bicycle's left front bumper was damaged. The cyclist wore no safety equipment, but the crash stemmed from driver error. The scene underscores the danger faced by people outside cars on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757375 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10