Prospect Park Bleeds: No Safety Until City Acts

Jul 22 - Council members push to end jaywalking penalties. Supporters cite biased enforcement. Critics warn of danger for pedestrians. The bill faces debate as traffic deaths fall but injuries persist. The city weighs safety against fairness in street crossings.

On July 22, 2023, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to legalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure, supported by Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, aims to 'greenlight pedestrians to freely cross streets outside the crosswalk or without obeying traffic signals.' The bill responds to claims of biased enforcement against Black and Latino New Yorkers. Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli and Councilwoman Joann Ariola oppose the bill, warning it could endanger pedestrians. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or received a hearing. The NYPD and Mayor's office are reviewing the legislation. The debate highlights the tension between enforcement fairness and the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users. No formal safety analysis has been provided.

• Far-left NYC Council Dems push to legalize jaywalking, nypost.com, Published 2023-07-22

Jul 21 - New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 21 - New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 18 - Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Jul 18 - Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Jul 9 - A taxi struck a 12-year-old boy riding a bike on Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn. The boy was ejected and suffered a back injury. The driver was distracted. The crash left the child in shock with visible trauma to his back.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on Parkside Avenue collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The 12-year-old boy was ejected from his bike and sustained a back injury classified as severity level 3. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was struck at the center back end. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were noted. The driver was going straight ahead but failed to maintain attention, leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647107 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring Sammy's Law to a vote. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits. Advocates fasted. Lawmakers argued. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did not. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

Sammy's Law, a bill to grant New York City 'home rule' over its speed limits, failed in the Assembly on June 29, 2023. The Senate passed it, but Speaker Carl Heastie did not bring it to a vote in the Assembly, despite 60 co-sponsors and strong support from city lawmakers, Governor Hochul, and Mayor Adams. The bill, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a speeding driver, would have allowed the city to lower most speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. Heastie cited concerns over e-bikes and speed bumps, saying, 'I'm not a dictator.' Advocates, including Sammy's mother Amy Cohen, condemned the move as 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' The Department of Transportation called the bill vital for targeted street safety. Vulnerable road users remain exposed as the Assembly stalls action.

• 'I'm not a dictator': Assembly speaker reveals why NYC speed limit bill failed, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-29

Jun 21 - Assembly Member Robert Carroll wants Uber and Lyft passengers to pay congestion fees, not drivers. He argues riders are wealthier. The MTA’s plan faces pushback. Advocates warn exempting cabs could shift traffic, undermining safety and policy goals.

On June 21, 2023, Assembly Member Robert Carroll (District 44) weighed in on congestion pricing for taxis and for-hire vehicles (FHVs). The Traffic Mobility Review Board and MTA are debating whether to charge drivers or passengers. Carroll, joined by advocate Alex Matthiessen, proposed replacing the $2.75 FHV surcharge with a two-tiered fee on Uber/Lyft passengers, exempting drivers and yellow cabs. Carroll said, "We think that this will go to the passengers who are disproportionately wealthier than the average New Yorker and significantly wealthier than the driver." The MTA has not considered this per-trip customer fee, and it is unclear if it can be implemented. Taxi advocates support exempting drivers, but experts warn that exempting yellow cabs could shift congestion, undermining the policy’s intent. The debate continues in committee, with no final decision.

• Will Congestion Pricing Properly Toll Taxis and Ubers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-21

Jun 21 - Lawmakers debate who pays Manhattan’s congestion tolls—drivers or passengers. Some want to exempt yellow cabs and drivers, shifting costs to wealthier riders. Critics warn loopholes could push more cars onto crowded streets, risking more crashes for people on foot and bike.

This policy debate centers on congestion pricing in Manhattan, with proposals aired on June 21, 2023. The Traffic Mobility Review Board must decide if yellow cab and Uber/Lyft drivers will be tolled, or if only passengers will pay. Assembly Member Robert Carroll and advocate Alex Matthiessen back a higher passenger surcharge for Uber/Lyft rides, exempting drivers and yellow cabs. Carroll argues, 'passengers are disproportionately wealthier than the average New Yorker and significantly wealthier than the driver.' Taxi advocate Bhairavi Desai supports exempting drivers to protect jobs. Economist Charles Komanoff and analyst Bruce Schaller warn that exempting yellow cabs could shift congestion, undermining safety and policy goals. The matter’s outcome will shape who pays—and who faces the danger—on Manhattan’s streets.

• Will Congestion Pricing Properly Toll Taxis and Ubers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-21

Jun 16 - A bike slammed into two pedestrians on West Drive. Both suffered head and arm injuries. Driver inattention and speed led to the crash. Victims left hurt and shaken on the pavement.

According to the police report, a bike traveling south on West Drive struck two pedestrians. The 33-year-old woman suffered head fractures and dislocations, while the 33-year-old man sustained a concussion and arm injuries. Both were seriously hurt. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The bike's center front end hit the pedestrians. No actions by the pedestrians contributed to the crash. Driver distraction and excessive speed caused the collision and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 3 - An e-bike rider was ejected and injured at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old man suffered abrasions and knee, lower leg, and foot injuries. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The rider was conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male e-bike rider was injured and ejected while traveling south near Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. The rider sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as a contributing factor, indicating the rider's response to another vehicle not directly involved in the crash. No other driver errors were noted. The rider was not using any safety equipment at the time. The crash occurred while the rider was going straight ahead, and the point of impact was classified as "Other." The rider remained conscious despite the injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 1 - 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 2023-06-01

May 31 - A sedan cut across Flatbush. The scooter hit hard. The rider flew, smashed down, leg torn and bleeding. He lay conscious, broken on the street. Driver errors stacked up. The city kept moving. Blood marked the morning.

A crash unfolded near 450 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan made an improper turn across the lane. A motorscooter, heading straight, struck the car. The scooter rider, a 46-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe bleeding from his leg. According to the police report, 'Turning Improperly' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' were listed as contributing factors. The scooter rider wore no helmet or protective gear, as noted in the report, but the primary causes were driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - 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 2023-05-31

May 27 - Two male cyclists collided on Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn. Both were traveling west when the crash occurred. The 47-year-old bicyclist suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. Driver inattention caused the crash. Both riders were unlicensed.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Parkside Avenue involving an e-bike and a bike, both traveling west. The 47-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining a head abrasion but remained conscious. Both drivers were unlicensed and the crash happened as one bike was merging and the other was going straight ahead. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The impact was at the center front end of both vehicles. No ejection occurred. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted riding and unlicensed operation on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632482 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 27 - A 54-year-old man was hit while crossing Prospect Park West at an intersection. The vehicle struck him head-on. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian was conscious.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Prospect Park West at an intersection with the signal. The vehicle, traveling south and going straight ahead, struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The report lists driver errors including Driver Inattention/Distraction and Failure to Yield Right-of-Way. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The vehicle had damage to its center front end. The pedestrian was not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - Albany spared suburban businesses from a payroll tax hike meant to save the MTA. Black and Latino city workers now shoulder more of the cost. Lawmakers like Mamdani call it unfair. Suburban interests win. City’s vulnerable lose. Racial disparity grows.

On May 19, 2023, state lawmakers finalized a payroll tax policy as part of the MTA funding negotiations. The measure raised the payroll mobility tax only for New York City businesses with high payrolls, exempting suburban firms after pushback from their legislators. The Fiscal Policy Institute found this move shifted the tax burden onto Black and Latino workers in the city. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani condemned the policy, saying, 'this illustrates the consequences of fiscal policy that privileges the suburbs over the larger MTA region.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll was one of the few to oppose the exemption. FPI’s Emily Eisner noted, 'there will be a 25-percent decline in the share of white workers impacted by the tax, and a 36-percent increase in the share of Black workers impacted.' Governor Hochul defended the plan as necessary to save the MTA. The bill’s racial and geographic inequity remains stark.

• Albany’s Fealty to Suburbs Hurts Black, Latino Workers: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-19

May 19 - The city’s Ninth Street redesign faces sharp criticism after a cyclist’s death. Family and advocates say the plan skips key safety fixes. Jersey barriers leave gaps. Pedestrian islands and bike signals are missing. The city delays. Danger remains.

On May 19, 2023, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) latest redesign proposal for Ninth Street in Gowanus drew fire at a Community Board 6 meeting. The plan, discussed in the Transportation and Public Safety Committees, adds buffer-protected bike lanes and some jersey barriers, but skips driveways and omits pedestrian islands, raised intersections, and bicycle signals. Maxime Le Munier, whose wife Sarah Schick was killed by a truck driver on Ninth Street, said, “What we want is to guarantee everyone’s safety, and it seems like it’s going to fall short.” Community Board 6 Transportation Chair Doug Gordon and Public Safety Chair Jerry Armer echoed calls for stronger, faster action. Council Member Hanif hosted a recent event on the issue. The committees unanimously approved the DOT proposal with conditions: more pedestrian safety, more traffic calming, and a comprehensive plan for all of Ninth Street. DOT has not set a timeline. Schick’s family is suing the city for $100 million, alleging negligence.

• Widowed Husband of Slain Cyclist Says Ninth Street Redesign ’Falls Short’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-19