No More Excuses: Demand Safe Streets Before Another Life Is Lost

A cyclist struck an electric unicycle rider in Central Park. The rider was left in critical condition. Police say the cyclist fled but later turned herself in. Details remain sparse. The street stays dangerous.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-02) reports a crash on Central Park's West Drive. Carolyn Backus, a cyclist, faces charges for leaving the scene after colliding with a 40-year-old electric unicycle rider, who suffered critical injuries. NYPD says Backus turned herself in after her photo was circulated. The article notes, 'EMS transported the critically injured one-wheeler to New York-Presbyterian with serious injuries.' Electric unicycles can exceed 40 mph and are illegal in New York City. The incident highlights risks from high-speed devices and gaps in enforcement on shared paths.

• Cyclist Charged After Unicycle Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

DOT expands Summer Streets. Manhattan goes car-free from Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood. Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn join. Twenty-two miles open for people. Fewer cars. More safety. Streets belong to walkers and riders.

On July 2, 2025, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the expansion of the Summer Streets program. The event, now in its 18th year, will stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood, covering Manhattan’s full length. Car-free Saturdays run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August weekends, with additional routes in Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, and Brooklyn. Rodriguez said, 'the city's venerable Summer Streets program is all grown up.' David Meyer reported the news. Safety analysts note: expanding Summer Streets increases car-free space, encourages walking and cycling, supports mode shift, and improves safety for vulnerable road users by reducing vehicle exposure.

• Wednesday’s Headlines: Return of Summer Streets Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

DOT claims fewer deaths but blocks a protected bike lane. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. City touts Vision Zero, yet undermines real safety. Streets stay deadly.

On July 2, 2025, NYC DOT, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, defended the Adams administration's Vision Zero record while fighting a protected bike lane in court. The agency argued there is no legal difference between protected and unprotected lanes, despite a 32% drop in fatalities. Rodriguez said, 'Our streets are public and belong to everyone.' Still, DOT supported removing Bedford Ave's protected lane. No council member sponsored this; it was a direct agency action. Safety analysts warn: opposing protected lanes undermines system-wide safety for vulnerable users and signals a lack of commitment to lasting change.

• DOT Boss Defends Adams’s ‘Vision Zero’ Record As Agency Fights A Bike Lane in Court, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

A Brooklyn judge refused to scrap Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. For now, cyclists and pedestrians keep their shield. Legal threats linger. Safety hangs in the balance.

On July 1, 2025, a Brooklyn judge maintained a temporary restraining order, blocking Mayor Adams’s push to remove the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The case, covered by Streetsblog NYC, pits city DOT and supporters against opponents led by lawyer Frank Seddio. Council Members Chi Ossé and Lincoln Restler back the lane, citing injury reductions of 47 percent. The matter summary warns: 'Legal opposition to protected bike lanes threatens infrastructure improvements that are proven to increase safety and encourage mode shift for vulnerable road users.' The judge will soon decide if removing protection requires public notice. The fight for safe passage continues.

• Brooklyn Judge Once Again Declines to Rip Up Bedford Ave. Protected Bike Lane… For Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-01

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

West 14th Street lost lanes to cars. Pedestrians gained a promenade. Shops, benches, and art now fill the block. Engines faded. Footsteps grew. The city claims safety and space for people. The street feels new.

On June 18, 2025, West 14th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues opened as a new promenade. Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon supported the project. The matter summary reads: 'a new promenade opened on West 14th Street, with cool shops, cozy seating, lush landscaping and less space for driving.' The redesign took 18 feet from each side for decks and seating, adding over 4,000 square feet for people. The safety analyst notes: reducing driving space prioritizes pedestrians, encourages mode shift, and likely improves safety through traffic calming and visibility. The project puts vulnerable road users first.

• Meatpacking District’s historic makeover continues with a new promenade and less room for cars, AMNY, Published 2025-06-30

Governor Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, extending NYC’s school zone speed camera program to 2030. Cameras stay. Streets watch. Danger lingers for kids crossing. Fewer drivers speed. Fewer crashes. Lives spared.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, renewing New York City’s school zone speed camera program through July 1, 2030. The bill, described as 'an extra boost' for automated enforcement, updates home-rule provisions first enacted in 2013. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Deborah Glick sponsored the measure. Both praised the program’s record in cutting speeds and saving lives. Council member Barbara Russo-Lennon supported the renewal. A safety analyst notes the extension is likely to reduce speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, without burdening vulnerable road users.

• Staying on: New Yorkers react to Hochul’s renewed speed camera program in NYC, AMNY, Published 2025-06-30

SUV hit cyclist making left on Broadway. Cyclist ejected, shoulder bruised. Police cite confusion as factor. No damage to vehicles. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.

A cyclist turning left on Broadway at W 230th Street was struck by a southbound SUV. The cyclist, a 40-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a shoulder contusion. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The SUV driver and another occupant were not injured. The crash highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections dominated by larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A car slammed into three men at Hunts Point. One lies in critical condition. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. The driver faces charges. Blood stains the Bronx night.

ABC7 reported on June 28, 2025, that a driver struck three pedestrians at Hunts Point Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard. Police say Charles Jenkins, 28, collided with a Mercedes, then hit three men and several parked cars. One victim, age 33, was critically hurt; two others are stable. Jenkins faces multiple vehicular assault charges. ABC7 notes, 'Authorities are trying to determine what led up to the collision.' The crash highlights the danger at busy Bronx intersections and the consequences when drivers lose control.

• Bronx Driver Hits Three Pedestrians, ABC7, Published 2025-06-28

DOT picks a landscape team for Park Avenue. Greener blocks and wider medians promised. Pedestrians may gain. Cyclists and drivers left in limbo. Safety for walkers likely to rise.

On June 26, 2025, NYC DOT named Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects to lead the Park Avenue redesign from East 46th to 57th Streets. The project, described as making Park Avenue 'greener and more pedestrian-friendly,' enters a new design phase. Council member Barbara Russo-Lennon backs more green space and pedestrian access. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called it a 'transformative redesign.' The fate of driving lanes and bike lanes remains undecided. According to safety analysts, making Park Avenue more pedestrian-friendly and greener is likely to improve safety and comfort for pedestrians, and may encourage a shift away from driving, benefiting vulnerable road users overall.

• DOT picks landscape team for Park Avenue redesign, but fate of driving lanes remains unknown, AMNY, Published 2025-06-26

A stolen box truck crashed into a Midtown building. The front awning buckled under the force. No injuries. Police detained a person of interest. Metal and glass scattered. The street fell silent. The city watched, unblinking.

CBS New York reported on June 23, 2025, that a stolen box truck struck a building in Midtown Manhattan, damaging the front awning. According to police, 'no one was hurt and a person of interest was taken into custody.' The incident highlights the risk posed by unauthorized drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles. The crash did not result in injuries, but the impact damaged property and disrupted the area. The report underscores ongoing concerns about vehicle theft and the potential for harm in dense urban environments, where even a single reckless act can threaten public safety.

• Stolen Truck Slams Midtown Building, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-23

A scooter slammed into a Honda Pilot before dawn. The passenger, eighteen, hit the road hard. The driver fled. Three more hurt in the cars. Sirens wailed. No arrests. The street stayed cold and dangerous.

According to the New York Post (published June 21, 2025), an 18-year-old scooter passenger was left in critical condition after a crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. Police said the scooter collided with a Honda Pilot around 4 a.m., triggering a chain reaction that involved a Honda Accord. The article reports, "The moped's driver fled with the bike before cops arrived." Three passengers in each car were also injured and taken to Jacobi Hospital. No arrests had been made by Saturday afternoon. The incident highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users and raises questions about driver accountability and the effectiveness of current enforcement on city parkways.

• Scooter Crash Leaves Teen Critical in Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-06-21

A parked Ford and a bronze Toyota touched in Manhattan. An investigator cuffed the young driver on the spot. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office is investigating. No injuries reported. Tension hung in the air.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a minor collision occurred in Manhattan when a civilian's Toyota touched a parked Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. The investigator, Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, immediately confronted and handcuffed the young woman driver, demanding identification. A witness described, 'He jumped out and cuffed her on the spot. No questions, no warning.' The woman was reportedly driving without a license. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office stated, 'OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time.' The incident highlights the use of force and protocol in minor traffic incidents involving law enforcement personnel.

• Security Detail Cuffs Woman After Fender-Bender, New York Post, Published 2025-06-20

A cyclist, forty-three, struck a pedestrian on East Drive near 97th Street. The crash ended his life. Central Park’s paths turned deadly. The city’s promise of safe passage failed. Another vulnerable road user lost to impact.

Gothamist reported on June 19, 2025, that a 43-year-old cyclist died after colliding with a pedestrian in Central Park. The crash occurred on East Drive near 97th Street, according to the NYPD. The article states, "A 43-year-old cyclist died after colliding with a pedestrian in Central Park." No details were given about the pedestrian’s condition or the circumstances leading to the collision. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists and pedestrians sharing crowded park roads. The report underscores ongoing concerns about safety infrastructure and traffic management in one of New York City’s busiest public spaces.

• Cyclist Killed After Central Park Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-19

Drag racers struck a car. Words were exchanged. Gunfire followed. Keino Campbell, Navy vet, fell in the Bronx night. Three shots to the chest. His mother grieves. The street stays dangerous. The system failed to keep him safe.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-18), Keino Campbell, 27, was shot and killed in a road rage incident after confronting two drag racers who had bumped his car in the Bronx. The article reports, "Keino Campbell, 27, was shot three times in the chest in a road rage incident." Police arrested Michael Aracena, 20, charging him with murder, manslaughter, and weapon possession. Another suspect, accused of handing over the gun, remains at large. The incident highlights the lethal risks of illegal street racing and the easy escalation of violence on city roads. Systemic failures in preventing reckless driving and gun access contributed to the tragedy.

• Bronx Navy Veteran Killed In Road Rage, New York Post, Published 2025-06-18

Crews will gut and rebuild Williams Bridge and Woodlawn stations. Four new elevators will rise. Three Harlem Line stops in the Bronx will open to all. The city’s transit spine grows stronger for those left waiting longest.

On June 18, 2025, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a sweeping accessibility project for three Metro-North Harlem Line stations in the Bronx: Williams Bridge, Woodlawn, and Botanical Garden. According to the MTA, crews will completely rebuild Williams Bridge and Woodlawn, installing four new elevators—two at each station—to ensure full accessibility. The matter summary states: 'comprehensive renovation and accessibility project at three Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line stations in the Bronx.' Christian Murray reported the announcement. No council bill number or committee applies, as this is an agency initiative, not legislation. The upgrades promise to open transit to riders long shut out by stairs and barriers. Improving station accessibility encourages more walking and cycling to transit, supports mode shift away from driving, and benefits vulnerable users by making the built environment more inclusive and safer.

• MTA begins major accessibility upgrades at three Bronx Metro-North stations, AMNY, Published 2025-06-18

Albany keeps speed cameras rolling. Lawmakers extend the city’s program to 2030. Cameras catch speeders near schools. Streets get safer for walkers and riders. Fewer crashes, fewer deaths. A hard-won victory for the vulnerable. The fight against traffic violence continues.

""We want to acknowledge all the advocates—including Families for Safe Streets—which successfully fought for this renewal... And our special gratitude goes to Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins and the members of both houses who have so consistently supported the Adams administration’s hard-fought efforts to reach Vision Zero."" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On June 18, 2025, the New York State Legislature reauthorized the city’s speed camera program for five more years, extending it until July 1, 2030. The bill passed both the Senate and Assembly and awaits Governor Hochul’s signature. The measure, described as 'possibly the most important street safety law on the books,' covers 750 school zones. Sen. Andrew Gounardes praised the program, saying, 'speed cameras save lives and make our streets safer for everyone.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez credited advocates and lawmakers for the renewal. Amy Sohn supported the move. Safety analysts note that speed cameras reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. The reauthorization marks a rare, clear win for vulnerable road users in the city’s ongoing battle against traffic violence.

• Albany Reauthorizes City Speed Camera Program for 5 More Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-18

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