Flatlands Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Sleep

E-bike slammed into parked BMW on Glenwood Road. Rider, 39, thrown off. Suffered bruises and arm injuries. Parked car stood silent. Metal met flesh. Brooklyn street, danger waits.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old man riding an e-bike eastbound collided with the left side doors of a parked BMW sedan on Glenwood Road in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not identify explicit driver errors. The sedan was stationary at the time of impact. No information was provided about helmet use or signals. The crash left the e-bike rider conscious but hurt, underscoring the threat parked vehicles pose to people moving through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751974 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A 20-year-old man suffered severe whole-body injuries after an oversized SUV struck him at an intersection on Flatbush Avenue. The pedestrian was semiconscious, caught getting on or off a vehicle. Limited driver visibility contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Avenue N in Brooklyn around 1:24 AM. The pedestrian was described as semiconscious with injuries to his entire body after being struck by a 2023 Jeep SUV traveling south, impacting the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Oversized Vehicle' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, indicating the driver's limited visibility played a role. The pedestrian was engaged in getting on or off a vehicle other than a school bus at the time. The SUV showed no damage, suggesting a significant impact on the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead, but the vehicle's size and obstructed view were key elements in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 17-year-old bicyclist on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a shoulder abrasion but remained conscious. Police cited driver failure to yield and inattention as key factors in the collision that caused upper arm injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 AM on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2018 Lincoln sedan traveling east collided with a northbound 17-year-old male bicyclist. The bicyclist sustained an upper arm shoulder abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper striking the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not cited with any contributing factors. The sedan had three occupants and was driven by a licensed female driver. This collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attention as central causes of injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744942 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle and SUV crashed head-on on Avenue H in Brooklyn. The young motorcycle driver suffered a fractured, dislocated shoulder. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. Police cite vehicular factors.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and an SUV collided head-on on Avenue H in Brooklyn at 6:30 PM. The motorcycle driver, a 20-year-old man, was injured with a fractured and dislocated shoulder. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. The crash left both vehicles with severe front-end damage. Police list 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both drivers, indicating errors or conditions related to vehicle operation. The motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment. The report underscores the force of the collision and the resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745658 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Fillmore Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact struck the center front end of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. A 34-year-old female passenger in the rear suffered facial contusions and bruises, remaining conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:45 on Fillmore Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling east and south. The driver of the eastbound Ford SUV was going straight ahead, while the southbound Audi SUV was making a left turn. The collision point was the center front end of the Ford and the right front bumper of the Audi. The report cites "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" and "Tinted Windows" as contributing factors, indicating driver error in responding to traffic conditions. A 34-year-old female occupant seated in the rear of the Ford SUV sustained facial contusions and bruises but was conscious and not ejected. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 15-year-old bicyclist suffered head injuries after a sedan collided with him at New York Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected but sustained a contusion and bruising to the head.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 PM on New York Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north struck a 15-year-old male bicyclist traveling east. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The report cites the driver’s error as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper lane control. The bicyclist, who was not wearing any safety equipment, sustained head injuries classified as contusions and bruises but was not ejected from the bike. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. The bicyclist’s injury severity was rated as level 3, confirming significant harm. The driver of the sedan was licensed, while the bicyclist’s licensing status is not applicable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and SUV collided on Ralph Avenue. The sedan driver, 24, suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. Obstructed view fueled the crash. Night, metal, and limited sight lines brought pain.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided at 23:11 on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan, heading north, struck the SUV, which was moving west. Impact hit the sedan's right front and the SUV's left front. The sedan driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered a head injury and was found unconscious, complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, showing that impaired visibility played a key role. No other driver errors or victim actions were recorded. Both drivers were licensed. The crash exposes the danger of blocked sight lines on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A teenage boy sat in the back seat. The SUV’s right side took the hit. Glass cut his face. Blood spilled. The driver ran the light. The street fell silent, the boy left scarred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Avenue K and East 45th Street in Brooklyn when an SUV was struck on its right side. The report states that the driver disregarded traffic control, specifically running a red light. A 15-year-old boy, riding as a right rear passenger in the SUV, suffered severe facial lacerations from shattered glass. The narrative details, 'Glass cut deep into his face. Blood ran. The light was ignored.' The boy was not wearing a seatbelt, but the primary contributing factors cited in the report are 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'View Obstructed/Limited.' The crash left the teenager in shock and with significant injuries. The police report centers driver error—ignoring a traffic signal—as the cause of this violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan slammed into an e-bike on Avenue M. Metal shrieked. A 19-year-old passenger flew from the bike, head smashing the pavement. Blood pooled. The car’s nose crumpled. The bike twisted, broken. Streets bear the mark of impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Avenue M collided broadside with an e-bike heading south. The crash occurred at 15:27. The report states the sedan failed to yield the right-of-way, resulting in the impact. A 19-year-old male passenger on the e-bike was ejected, suffering a head injury and severe bleeding after striking the pavement. The narrative describes blood pooling on the asphalt, the car’s front end crumpled, and the e-bike’s rear twisted and broken. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The injured passenger was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail follows the driver’s error. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard right-of-way, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to devastating harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two learner drivers collided on East 46 Street. The SUV hit the sedan as it pulled from parking. A front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver inexperience and failure to yield fueled the crash.

According to the police report, two female drivers with learner permits crashed at 19:50 on East 46 Street, Brooklyn. The SUV, heading south, struck the sedan as it started from parking. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as causes. A 32-year-old female front passenger in the SUV was injured, suffering neck injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, not ejected, and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash highlights the danger when inexperienced drivers fail to yield. No fault is assigned to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735963 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two drivers hurt in a chain collision on Schenectady Avenue. Sedans and an SUV slammed together in stopped traffic. Both men suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police list no driver errors. Systemic danger remains.

According to the police report, a crash involving two sedans and an SUV occurred at 17:40 on Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn. One sedan was stopped in traffic when it was struck from behind, causing a chain reaction. Two male drivers, both 54, were injured with back injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no direct driver error such as failure to yield or distraction. The crash underscores the risk of rear-end collisions and the dangers of multi-vehicle impacts on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736566 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City officials fight to keep jaywalking illegal. They claim it protects pedestrians. Enforcement is rare but hits people of color hardest. Council Member Narcisse wants change. NYPD and DOT resist. Advocates say criminalization fails safety and justice.

On June 26, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to decriminalize jaywalking. The bill, proposed by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, seeks to end criminal penalties for crossing streets outside crosswalks. The matter summary states officials argue, 'keeping it illegal protects pedestrian safety.' DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione testified against full legalization, supporting only a reduction to a civil offense. NYPD Deputy Chief Thomas Alps defended targeted enforcement in high-crash areas. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers questioned the law's fairness, noting most tickets go to Black and Brown New Yorkers. Advocates criticized the city's stance, saying criminalization does not improve safety and harms communities of color. The bill remains under debate, with no clear path forward.

• City Wants To Keep ‘Jaywalking’ Illegal For Pedestrians’ Own Good, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Council Member Narcisse moves to end NYPD jaywalking tickets. Data shows Black and Latino New Yorkers bear the brunt. The bill seeks fairness, not punishment. Streets should not be hunting grounds. The council will hear the measure Tuesday.

On June 25, 2024, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to decriminalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure heads to its first hearing before the transportation committee. Narcisse’s bill responds to city data: in 2023, 92 percent of jaywalking summonses went to Black or Latino New Yorkers; in early 2024, that number rose to 96.5 percent. Narcisse calls this 'a troubling picture of racial disparities.' She states, 'Jaywalking should not be a criminal matter that disproportionately impacts certain groups based on race or ethnicity.' Narcisse urges the city to redirect police resources and end selective enforcement. The bill aims to protect the rights of all residents and promote equity in city policy.

• Brooklyn Pol: NYPD’s Enforcement of ‘Jaywalking’ is a ‘Racial Injustice’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-25

Two sedans smashed front-first on Avenue L. Both drivers hurt. One woman suffered abrasions and full-body trauma. Police cite failure to yield and traffic control ignored. Metal twisted. Streets unforgiving.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at 7:32 AM at Avenue L and East 36 Street in Brooklyn. The female driver of a 2023 Tesla from New Jersey was injured with abrasions and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious, belted, and her airbag deployed. The male driver of a 2010 Hyundai from New York was also involved. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both vehicles suffered center front-end damage. No victim actions contributed, according to the report. This crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way and traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A tractor truck veered on Flatlands Avenue, striking a 16-year-old bicyclist. The teen suffered an arm abrasion. Unsafe lane change and failure to yield by the truck driver put a young rider in harm’s way.

According to the police report, a tractor truck traveling west on Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 16-year-old male bicyclist, also heading west, at 16:33. The truck's right front quarter panel hit the bike's center front end. The bicyclist suffered an abrasion to his upper arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, both driver errors. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. This crash underscores the risks large vehicles pose to cyclists when drivers change lanes unsafely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07