Utica, Church, Linden: a body count and a clock

May 16 - Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 9 - A sedan traveling east on Church Avenue struck a 31-year-old woman as she got on or off a vehicle away from an intersection. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and abrasions, left in shock. Driver inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan was traveling straight ahead eastbound on Church Avenue when it struck a 31-year-old female pedestrian who was getting on or off a vehicle away from an intersection. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and abrasions, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. There were no other contributing factors listed, and no mention of victim behavior contributing to the collision. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council pushes for borough-based DOT teams. Staff must answer traffic requests fast. Response tied to need. Three-month deadline. Action targets slow fixes. Vulnerable road users wait less.

Int 0853-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams,' requires the Department of Transportation to assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to request volume. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. The teams must respond to traffic requests within three months. The bill aims to cut delays that leave dangerous conditions unaddressed, giving vulnerable road users a better shot at safer streets.

• File Int 0853-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Mar 28 - Two female drivers collided southbound on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV rear-ended the sedan amid slippery pavement. Both drivers suffered whiplash and upper body injuries. The crash exposed dangers of close following on slick roads.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:45 AM on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. A 42-year-old female driver of a 2003 SUV was following too closely behind a 35-year-old female driver of a 2013 sedan. The SUV struck the sedan from behind, impacting the sedan's center front end and the SUV's center back end. Both drivers were injured, sustaining whiplash and upper arm or neck injuries, and remained conscious. The report cites 'Pavement Slippery' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. Both drivers were properly restrained with lap belts and harnesses. No victim fault or pedestrian involvement was noted. The collision highlights the systemic danger of rear-end crashes exacerbated by slippery road conditions and driver failure to maintain safe following distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713628 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - A sedan making a left turn hit a bicyclist traveling straight on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited the driver for disregarding traffic control and inattention, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:45 on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist going straight west. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot and remained conscious. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' by the sedan driver. There is no indication that the bicyclist's behavior contributed to the crash. The collision highlights driver errors in failing to obey traffic signals and maintain attention, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 19 - Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 16 - A 65-year-old woman suffered a hip and upper leg injury after a pick-up truck struck her outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver, holding a learner's permit, was traveling east when the collision occurred. The pedestrian was conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck driven by a male with a New York learner's permit was traveling east near 854 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn when it struck a 65-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection and was not in the roadway at the time of impact. She sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not identify any specific driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The vehicle sustained damage to the center back end, indicating the point of impact. The data highlights the dangers posed by vehicles operated by drivers with learner permits in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - A 44-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact struck the center back end of the bike as it was passing. The rider suffered back injuries and shock, with no visible complaints.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn was involved in a crash with a sedan. The bicyclist was partially ejected when the collision impacted the center back end of his bike while he was passing. The rider sustained back injuries and was in shock, with injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. No information about the sedan's driver or their actions was provided in the report. The crash occurred around noon, and the bicyclist was the only injured party noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709053 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - A sedan struck the center back end of a northbound Jeep making a left turn on Church Avenue. The Jeep driver, a 27-year-old man, suffered a back injury and shock. Police report no contributing driver errors or victim faults.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Church Avenue in Brooklyn around 6:30 AM. A 27-year-old male Jeep driver, traveling north and making a left turn, was rear-ended by a sedan. The point of impact was the center back end of the Jeep, which sustained damage in the same area. The Jeep driver was injured, specifically in the back, and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. He was wearing a lap belt at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors for either vehicle. The sedan's driver details and contributing factors are unspecified. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - A 39-year-old unlicensed driver sped through Beverley Road, struck a taxi and parked cars. He suffered neck injuries and lost consciousness. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old unlicensed man drove a Nissan sedan north on Beverley Road in Brooklyn. He disregarded traffic control and sped, crashing into a taxi and several parked cars. The sedan hit the taxi's right side doors and damaged its own front end. The driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and losing consciousness. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No other driver or pedestrian errors are noted. Only the unlicensed driver was reported injured in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19