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

DOT will harden six deadly Brooklyn crossings. Barriers, granite blocks, and planters will block cars from corners. Sightlines will open. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Trucks and cars lose ground. The city targets danger, not people.

On June 11, 2025, the New York City Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, announced intersection redesigns for six high-crash Brooklyn sites. No council bill number or committee is attached; this is a direct DOT action. Rodriguez said, 'Using barriers to clear space at the intersection will help ensure pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles can see each other and enhance safety.' The plan uses hardened daylighting—barriers, granite blocks, planters—to keep cars away from corners. Each site will get a tailored design, focusing on visibility and reducing conflicts, especially where trucks turn. A safety analyst notes: redesigning high-traffic intersections to improve visibility addresses systemic risk factors and is likely to reduce conflicts and crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, supporting safer mode shift and street equity.

• Brooklyn Intersections to Get Protective Barriers for Pedestrians And Cyclists, BKReader, Published 2025-06-11

DOT will harden intersections. Granite, barriers, and planters will block cars from corners. Sightlines will clear. Pedestrians and cyclists will see danger coming. Blind turns will shrink. The city moves to shield the vulnerable. Corners will not kill.

On June 11, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a citywide intersection daylighting redesign. The plan, reported by Brooklyn Paper, aims to 'improve pedestrian and cyclist safety' by installing hardened daylighting—physical barriers like granite blocks and planters—to stop cars from parking near corners. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Using barriers to clear space at the intersection will help ensure pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles can see each other and enhance safety.' No council member sponsored this; it is a DOT initiative. Safety advocates, including Jackson Chabot of Open Plans, support the move but urge faster, broader action. According to safety analysts, hardened daylighting physically prevents vehicles from blocking sightlines, reducing conflicts and crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, and supports system-wide safety improvements without burdening vulnerable users.

• ‘Daylighting’ savings time in NYC: DOT to redesign intersections to limit vehicle parking and improve cyclist safety, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-06-11

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

City plans center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue. Nearly 70,000 riders crawl through traffic each day. New pedestrian spaces and concrete boarding islands aim to cut crossing times and shield walkers from cars. Fewer cars, slower speeds, safer lives.

On June 9, 2025, the Department of Transportation announced a proposal for center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue, from Downtown Brooklyn to Grand Army Plaza. The plan, reported by BKReader, is not tied to a council bill or committee yet. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Flatbush Avenue above Prospect Park doesn’t work for anyone: almost 70,000 daily bus riders are stuck waiting too long for slow buses, drivers are caught in a mess of traffic, and pedestrians are left crossing intersections clogged with vehicles.' The proposal includes new pedestrian spaces, concrete bus boarding islands, and adjusted curb regulations for deliveries. A safety analyst notes: 'Dedicated bus lanes can reduce car traffic and speeds, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting mode shift away from private vehicles.' The city will seek public input before finalizing plans.

• City Eyes Flatbush Avenue Overhaul to Boost Brooklyn Bus Speeds, BKReader, Published 2025-06-09

City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

A police chase tore through Upper Manhattan. A crash. Flames. Francisco Guzman Parra died trapped in the wreck. Officers drove past, never stopped. Video shows the moment. No help came for minutes. The street bore the cost.

Patch reported on June 7, 2025, that NYPD officers pursued Francisco Guzman Parra from The Bronx to Upper Manhattan. Security video shows the pursued SUV crashing and catching fire at Dyckman Street. Officers arrived seconds later but did not stop, instead driving away as flames grew. Guzman Parra died in the fire. The article quotes Guzman's sister: "No help was offered, and then how long he burned for." Officers were suspended after the incident. A police union spokesperson claimed officers could not see the wreck. The department is reviewing whether officers failed to report the deadly crash. The case raises questions about NYPD pursuit protocols and response obligations.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Fire, Patch, Published 2025-06-07

DOT will carve center bus lanes down Flatbush Avenue. Two car lanes will vanish. Boarding islands rise for passengers. Benches and canopies come. Traffic slows. Buses speed up. Fewer cars, more space for people. Danger drops for walkers and riders.

On June 5, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation unveiled a redesign for Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn. The plan, selected from three options, creates center-running bus lanes from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza. The matter title: 'Busy Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn would get new bus lanes under DOT redesign plan.' Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the redesign. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the proposal would create a welcoming corridor for all. Demetrius Crichlow of NYC Transit backed the plan, citing faster commutes. The redesign removes two car lanes, adds boarding islands, benches, and canopies. According to safety analysts, center-running bus lanes cut conflicts at the curb, calm traffic, and boost safety and comfort for vulnerable road users—pedestrians and cyclists. The plan now heads to community boards for review and input.

• Busy Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn would get new bus lanes under DOT redesign plan, AMNY, Published 2025-06-05

Two rear passengers hurt on West 230th. Sedans collided. Driver distraction listed. Back and neck injuries. Streets stay dangerous.

Two rear passengers suffered injuries when sedans collided at West 230th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. One passenger sustained a back injury and whiplash, while another suffered a neck injury. Both were conscious after the crash. The report lists no other contributing factors before driver distraction. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the risk to passengers when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819352 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. Police targeted cyclists, not reckless drivers. Riders stopped at every light, exposed the law’s absurdity. One cyclist jailed for lacking ID. Drivers who injure go free. Cyclists demand fair treatment, safety, respect.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of New Yorkers joined a mass ride to protest the NYPD’s intensified enforcement against cyclists. The demonstration, which began at Union Square, challenged new policies issuing criminal summonses for minor cycling offenses. Riders followed traffic laws, highlighting the crackdown’s contradictions. One cyclist, Erin Poland, said the policy 'is not actually protecting cyclists [but] putting them in more danger.' Another, Tara Pham, noted, 'I’ve been hit by vehicles twice... those drivers face no criminal charges.' The article details how police arrested a Citi Bike rider for not moving aside and lacking ID, while drivers who injure vulnerable road users often avoid serious consequences. The piece underscores the disparity in enforcement and questions the effectiveness and fairness of current NYPD tactics.

• Cyclists Protest NYPD Crackdown in Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-02

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

An e-bike struck Renee Baruch on the Upper West Side. She woke in pain, face broken, spine injured. NYPD cracks down with criminal summonses. Cyclists protest. City Council stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Justice, tangled in policy.

NY1 reported on May 30, 2025, that the NYPD is issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic infractions, citing a lack of City Council action on new regulations. Commissioner Tisch told the Council, "Pass e-bike regulations." Cyclists object to criminal charges for minor violations, arguing for civil penalties instead. The article highlights the case of Renee Baruch, hospitalized after an e-bike crash left her with facial fractures and a spinal injury. The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division targets reckless e-bike use, but without updated laws, criminal summonses remain their only tool. The policy gap leaves vulnerable road users exposed and enforcement inconsistent.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses For E-Bikes, NY1, Published 2025-05-30

A driver hit a 17-year-old pedestrian at West 232nd Street. The teen suffered a facial bruise. Police cite failure to yield. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

A 17-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured at the intersection of West 232nd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way, hitting the teen in the face and causing a contusion. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No vehicle damage was noted. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817844 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Brooklyn’s Democratic machine targets the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. Power brokers demand removal. Cyclists and walkers lose ground. The mayor’s allies press for cars. Streets grow harsher. Vulnerable road users face rising danger.

On May 28, 2025, the New York City Council debated the future of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. No bill number or committee was cited. The matter: 'The Bedford Avenue protected bike lane is facing opposition from key figures in the Brooklyn Democratic machine.' Council Members Lincoln Restler and Chi Oss support the lane. Former Adams chief of staff Frank Carone and Brooklyn party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn lead the opposition. Mayor Eric Adams calls for listening to bike lane critics. Challenger Sabrina Gates wants the lane rerouted. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defends the lane’s safety record. A safety analyst warns: 'Threats to protected bike lanes undermine safe infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, potentially reducing mode shift and safety in numbers while increasing risk for vulnerable road users.' The fight is not just political. It is life and death for those outside a car.

• Democratic Party Machine Joins the Bikelash on Bedford Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-28

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-05-27

A judge stopped federal threats to choke city funds over congestion pricing. The $9 toll stands. Streets stay crowded. The fight moves to court. Safety projects hang in the balance. The city waits. The deadline looms.

Patch reported on May 27, 2025, that District Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding federal funding as leverage against New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order 'bars the DOT from engaging in any retaliatory measures' and prevents cancellation of the toll, which charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Federal officials had threatened to withhold funds for road and street safety projects if the city continued the program. The order lasts until June 9, keeping the toll in place and leaving critical infrastructure funding uncertain. The article highlights the standoff between federal authorities and city leaders, with safety and mobility projects at risk.

• Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27

City bans mopeds from bike lanes on Queensboro and Brooklyn bridges. Cyclists and pedestrians reclaim space. DOT shifts mopeds to roadways. Rule aims to cut conflict and danger. Safety improves for vulnerable users. Change takes effect June 26.

On May 27, 2025, the city adopted a new rule allowing mopeds on the lower roadway of the Queensboro Bridge and on the Brooklyn Bridge, removing them from bike lanes. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "This rule change expands safe and practical travel options for moped riders—particularly the thousands of delivery workers and commuters who depend on them every day, while also enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing conflicts on shared crossings." The rule takes effect June 26. The move follows years of complaints about mopeds crowding bike lanes and endangering cyclists and pedestrians. Streetsblog NYC reported the change, noting that previous city law forced mopeds into bike lanes, creating hazardous conditions. Removing mopeds from bike lanes reduces conflicts and speeds in spaces intended for vulnerable users, improving safety and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists and supporting mode shift.

• Tuesday’s Headlines: Good News for Bridge Bike Lanes Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-27

A woman riding home on her e-bike was attacked late at night. She suffered grave brain injuries. The assailant stole her bike, fled, and dumped it in the river. The path had no lights, no cameras. She was left defenseless.

Gothamist reported on May 24, 2025, that Diana Agudela, a 44-year-old e-bike commuter, was brutally beaten on Randall's Island on May 16. The suspect, Miguel Jiraud, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges. Prosecutors said Jiraud, on parole and wearing a GPS anklet, attacked Agudela after 11:30 p.m., stole her e-bike, and discarded it in the East River. Agudela is not expected to survive, having undergone multiple brain surgeries. The article quotes Agudela’s daughter: “We need more protection, we need more lights.” The path where the attack occurred lacked lighting and surveillance. The incident highlights gaps in infrastructure and safety for vulnerable road users.

• E-Bike Commuter Beaten On Randall's Island, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-24