Deadly Silence on the Belt Parkway: Lives Lost, Leaders Absent

Jun 29 - An eight-year-old boy died after a Honda SUV struck him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. He was dragged under the car. Blood pooled. His sister watched. The driver stayed. No arrest. The city investigates.

NY Daily News (2025-06-29) reports an 8-year-old boy was fatally struck by a 69-year-old Honda Pilot driver at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The boy was crossing when hit; witnesses saw him dragged from under the SUV. The article quotes, "I saw the kid being dragged from underneath the car by a woman." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made. NYPD Collision Squad investigates. The crash highlights persistent dangers at city intersections and the lethal risk large vehicles pose to children.

• Child Killed By SUV In Crown Heights, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 25 - A motorcycle, pick-up, and sedan collided on Belt Parkway. One rider was hurt, partially ejected, burned, and in shock. Unsafe lane changing played a role. The road showed no mercy.

A crash on Belt Parkway involved a motorcycle, pick-up truck, and sedan. According to the police report, one 20-year-old motorcycle driver was injured, partially ejected, and suffered burns and shock. Three other men, ages 32 and 65, were listed as occupants but not seriously hurt. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. The motorcycle driver was not using safety equipment. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jun 24 - Seventeen-year-old Jhoan Puga died after his moped struck a turning car in Midwood. His passenger was thrown and critically hurt. The crash left trauma and questions in its wake.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-24), Jhoan Puga, 17, was riding a gas moped north on East Eighth St. in Brooklyn when he collided with a Genesis G80 driven by a 71-year-old man making a left turn. The impact threw Puga and his passenger, causing severe injuries. The article states, "Jhoan later died at the hospital." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD collision squad is investigating. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the vulnerability of moped riders in city traffic.

• Teen Killed, Passenger Hurt In Moped Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-24

Jun 22 - A sedan struck a motorcycle from behind on Belt Parkway. The motorcyclist suffered arm abrasions. Police cite following too closely and unsafe lane changing as causes.

A sedan hit a motorcycle from behind on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. The motorcyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his arm. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The sedan's front end struck the motorcycle's rear. The report lists helmet use for the motorcyclist. No pedestrians were involved. The crash highlights driver errors as key factors in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822647 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jun 17 - Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch push their crackdown citywide. Police target cyclists. Riders face more stops, more tickets. Streets grow tense. Enforcement rises. Vulnerable road users bear the brunt. Safety slips further from reach.

On June 17, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the expansion of their 'quality-of-life' pilot program at a press conference. The program, which turns routine traffic violations by cyclists into criminal summonses, will go citywide by the end of August. The matter, reported by Streetsblog NYC as 'The Crackdown This Time Edition,' drew sharp criticism from advocates and riders. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse acknowledged drivers as the main threat to pedestrians but called for consideration of drivers in transit deserts. Mayor Adams promised to consult with communities before redesigning streets. Safety analysts warn: expanding this enforcement targets vulnerable road users, discourages cycling, and shifts blame from drivers and infrastructure. The move undermines mode shift and street safety, putting cyclists and pedestrians at greater risk.

• Tuesday’s Headlines: The Crackdown This Time Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 13 - City strips protection from Bedford Avenue bike lane. Cyclists lose shield. Children dart from double-parked cars. Community complaints drive policy. Streets stay chaotic. Power struggles linger. Riders and walkers face new risk. Steel yields to politics.

Gothamist reported on June 13, 2025, that Mayor Eric Adams ordered the removal of protective barriers from a stretch of Brooklyn’s Bedford Avenue bike lane. The move follows complaints from local residents, especially after a viral video showed a child running into the lane from a double-parked car and colliding with an e-bike. Adams stated, 'we listened to community concerns and decided to adjust the current design to better reflect community feedback.' The Department of Transportation will revert the protected lane to its previous unprotected state between Willoughby and Flushing avenues. The article highlights ongoing political battles over street design and notes that double-parking and chaotic traffic remain unaddressed. Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro cited 'lack of action' on e-bike safety as a barrier to safer infrastructure. The decision removes a key safety measure for vulnerable road users.

• Adams Removes Bedford Avenue Bike Barriers, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 12 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - Parents in Greenpoint want cars out. A cyclist died at Monitor and Driggs. Children walk and bike to PS 110. The street stays dangerous. The city has not acted. Families wait. The threat of cars remains.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 11, 2025, that parents at Public School 110 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are calling for a Paris-style school street to protect children. Their plan would turn Monitor Street into a cul-de-sac with a pedestrian plaza, add mid-block crossings, and close a slip lane to block cut-through traffic from the BQE. The push follows a fatal crash at Monitor and Driggs, where a driver killed 73-year-old cyclist Teddy Orzechowski. Streetsblog notes, 'Streets outside schools have higher crash and injury rates than the city average.' Most PS 110 families walk or bike, but the city has not responded to the proposal. The article highlights the persistent risk from drivers using local streets as shortcuts.

• Brooklyn Parents Demand Safer School Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill demands bike and scooter share firms post road rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No charge for time spent reading. City aims for clarity, not confusion.

Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," compels operators to show safety rules on apps and at stations. Users must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The bill bars operators from charging for this time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Ariola, and Morano. The law aims to make safety rules visible and unavoidable for every rider.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules on apps and stations. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible rules for all. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled “A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation,” demands that operators of shared bikes and scooters display city and state traffic rules on apps and at stations. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. Sponsors include Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary), Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Ariola, and Morano. The bill bars operators from charging users for time spent reviewing safety rules. The measure aims to make the rules clear and visible to all users.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill orders bike and scooter share firms to show road rules at docks and in apps. Riders must review rules yearly. No extra fees. Aim: clear, visible reminders. Committee review underway.

Bill Int 1304-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on June 11, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring micromobility share system operators to display rules of the road for safe operation," demands operators post rules at stations and in apps. Riders must review these rules at least once a year before unlocking a device. The law bars operators from charging for the review time. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hanif, Brewer, Restler, Louis, Narcisse, Lee, Marte, Hanks, Banks, Gutiérrez, Ariola, and Morano. The measure aims for clear, accessible safety information but does not address street design or enforcement.

• File Int 1304-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Council bill aims to slow e-bikes to 15 mph. Sponsors say it will cut risk on crowded streets. The measure now sits with the transportation committee. No vote yet. Vulnerable road users wait.

Bill Int 1312-2025 was introduced June 11, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to lowering the speed limit for bicycles with electric assist,' proposes a 15 mph cap for e-bikes. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary), Frank Morano, Linda Lee, Mercedes Narcisse, and Keith Powers sponsored the measure. The summary states, 'This bill would lower the speed limit for e-bikes to 15 miles per hour.' The bill is pending in committee. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 1312-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-11