No More Broken Bodies: Make Stuy Town Streets Safe Now

Nov 6 - Motorcycle crash on FDR Drive. Young passenger hurt. Driver lacked experience. Impact hit left front. Passenger suffered leg injuries. Helmet worn. Fast road, sharp consequences.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south on FDR Drive crashed just after midnight. Two people were on board. The 18-year-old female passenger was injured, suffering abrasions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as the sole contributing factor, repeated twice. The driver held only a permit license from New York State. The motorcycle struck with its left front quarter panel. The passenger was riding on the outside but was not ejected. She wore a helmet. No other victim actions contributed. The crash highlights the risks when inexperienced drivers operate on high-speed city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 27 - A chain-reaction crash on FDR Drive left a 53-year-old SUV driver with head injuries and whiplash. Multiple vehicles collided while traveling southbound. Driver inattention and following too closely caused the impact, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on FDR Drive at 11:55 involving multiple vehicles traveling southbound. The crash involved a sedan and two SUVs. The driver of a 2005 SUV, a 53-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and whiplash and was reported to be in shock. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors to the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. The injured SUV driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of her vehicle. The report does not list any contributing victim behaviors. The collision highlights systemic dangers from distracted driving and unsafe following distances on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 2 - A 36-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg bruises after a taxi struck him on East 20th Street in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian injured with contusions but no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling straight ahead on East 20th Street in Manhattan struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The taxi showed no damage upon impact, indicating the collision was likely at low speed or involved minimal force. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no contributing factors were attributed to him. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly resulted in the pedestrian’s injuries, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761224 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 3 - G train rolls again. After months of silence, trains run from Queens to Brooklyn. Riders endured shuttle buses, slow streets, no dedicated lanes. Council Member Restler praises upgrades, slams city for missing bus lanes. Modern signals promise speed, but funding future hangs in balance.

On September 3, 2024, the G train returned to full service after a summer shutdown for signal modernization. The $368 million project, led by the MTA, replaced century-old signals with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), aiming for faster, more reliable service. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) praised the MTA’s handling and shuttle bus communication but criticized the city for not creating dedicated bus lanes during the closure, saying, 'They expressed dismay, however, that the city had not constructed a dedicated lane so shuttle buses could move faster.' Restler called for renewed investment in the MTA, including the resumption of congestion pricing, to fund future upgrades. The project continues through 2027, but no more full shutdowns are planned. The lack of bus lanes during the outage left vulnerable riders exposed to slow, crowded streets.

• Back on track: G train returns to full service following summer shutdown, amny.com, Published 2024-09-03

Aug 19 - Locals and leaders want the parking lot under the FDR Drive gone. They demand public space, not car storage. The city brought cars back after flood wall work. Residents call it a missed chance. They want a waterfront for people.

On August 19, 2024, Manhattan’s Community Board 6 and Council Member Keith Powers pushed to convert the parking lot under the FDR Drive, between E. 18th and E. 23rd streets, into public space. The lot, closed for years during flood wall construction, reopened for parking despite calls for change. The matter summary reads: 'An underused parking lot below the FDR Drive should finally turn into a community space instead of car storage, according to residents and politicians.' Sandy McKee, CB6 chair, said, 'If we took away the cars, it would be a visible connection through to the waterfront.' Powers backed the move, stressing the need for public access. The board sent a resolution to the Economic Development Corporation. The city claims it still needs the space for construction and right-of-way management. No formal bill number or committee is listed. The push echoes similar highway conversions in Toronto and Brooklyn.

• Parking Lot Under the FDR Should Become Public Space: Locals, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-19

Aug 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

Aug 13 - DOT cuts Bedford Slip’s car-free hours. The plaza, once open all week, will now close to cars only on weekends. Locals and advocates wanted more. Businesses pushed back. Most neighbors don’t own cars. The fight for safe space continues.

On August 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would end 24/7 pedestrianization of Bedford Slip in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The decision, not a council bill but a DOT action, follows a six-week trial during the G train shutdown. DOT will allow car-free hours only on weekends from late September through year’s end. The matter summary: 'DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez supported a permanent plaza. Katie Denny Horowitz of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance vowed to keep pushing for full-time closure. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the agency is working with residents on a long-term vision. Most local households rely on transit, biking, or walking. The decision leaves vulnerable road users with less protection during the week.

• DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-13

Aug 10 - North Brooklyn residents and lawmakers demand DOT keep Bedford Slip car-free. The plaza, born of subway repairs, became a haven for pedestrians. Over 3,100 back it. Officials urge permanence. Opponents’ safety fears never came true. The fight for public space continues.

On August 10, 2024, North Brooklynites rallied to keep the temporary pedestrian plaza at Bedford Slip, a half-block offshoot of Bedford Avenue north of Nassau Avenue, car-free. The Department of Transportation (DOT) had closed the street to traffic during G train repairs, but plans to reopen it to vehicles. The matter, described as a push to 'continue this vital public space project as a permanent fixture,' drew support from Rep. Nydia Velázquez and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who sent letters urging DOT to make the plaza permanent. Local organizations, businesses, and over 3,100 petitioners back the effort, citing increased community use and safety. Previous concerns about traffic and safety did not materialize. The plaza is part of a broader movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

• ‘Save the Slip’: North Brooklynites Urge DOT to Keep Temporary Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-10

Jul 24 - Metal screamed on FDR Drive. Two SUVs tangled in a reckless lane change. A woman’s neck crushed, a man’s head bloodied. Both belted, both silent in shock. The night closed in, the highway’s danger laid bare.

Two sport utility vehicles collided southbound on FDR Drive during a lane change, according to the police report. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. Metal tore as the vehicles met; a 42-year-old woman driving one SUV suffered severe neck crush injuries, while a 48-year-old male passenger sustained head trauma. Both were wearing lap belts and were described as silent and in shock after the crash. The impact left both vehicles damaged, with the Audi SUV struck on the right front quarter panel. The police report makes no mention of any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver error—specifically, unsafe lane changing—on New York City’s high-speed arteries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 23 - City will let property owners install e-bike charging stations on sidewalks. The move aims to stop deadly basement charging and bring safety to delivery workers. A new battery trade-in program will target dangerous lithium-ion batteries and mopeds. Community resistance remains.

On July 23, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a new initiative to permit private sidewalk e-bike and moped charging stations. The program, previewed at a press conference with Mayor Adams, will open for applications by year’s end after a public hearing on August 21. The matter, described as making it 'easier and faster for property owners to install public battery charging and swapping cabinets,' seeks to replace illegal, hazardous charging hubs with regulated infrastructure. Council Member Keith Powers, who sponsored last year’s battery trade-in law, said, 'No one wants to use—or be anywhere near—batteries that aren't safe to charge.' Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh called current illegal charging 'effectively death traps.' The city will also fund a $2 million battery and moped trade-in program. Delivery worker advocates want the new stations to be free or low-cost. Community board opposition has slowed previous efforts. The mayor remains neutral on state e-bike registration proposals.

• DOT Will Fast-Track Private Sidewalk E-Bike Charging Stations, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-23

Jun 10 - A 42-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on FDR Drive. The SUV driver followed too closely and was inattentive, striking the sedan’s left rear quarter panel. The impact caused whiplash but no ejection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:13 on FDR Drive involving a 2012 SUV and a 2022 sedan, both traveling south. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV struck the sedan’s left rear quarter panel with its right front bumper, indicating a rear-end collision. The SUV driver was conscious and not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights driver errors related to maintaining safe distance and attention on a busy roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 10 - Two sedans collided on East 20 Street in Manhattan. The rear driver, distracted and following too closely, struck the front vehicle. A 26-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash, left shaken but not ejected from her car.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:50 on East 20 Street near Avenue C in Manhattan. Two sedans traveling north collided, with the point of impact on the right front bumper of the rear vehicle and the left side doors of the front vehicle. The rear driver, a licensed male, was cited for driver inattention and following too closely. The front vehicle’s driver, a 26-year-old female, was injured with back pain and whiplash, and experienced shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. Both drivers were going straight ahead before the collision. The report highlights driver distraction and failure to maintain safe distance as key factors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Congestion pricing is on ice. Cameras and sensors gather dust. The MTA’s budget hangs in limbo. Councilman Keith Powers urges repurposing the tech for speed and red-light cameras. No plan emerges. Vulnerable road users wait. Streets stay dangerous. The clock ticks.

On June 8, 2024, New York’s congestion pricing program was paused indefinitely, leaving $500 million in installed infrastructure unused. The matter, titled "$500M of taxpayer dough wasted? Hochul, MTA lack Plan B for NYC congestion pricing infrastructure," highlights the lack of contingency plans from the MTA and Governor Hochul. Councilman Keith Powers (District 4), a supporter of congestion pricing, called for repurposing the equipment for red-light, speed, and noise camera enforcement, and tracking vehicles with fake or obscured plates. Critics, including Vito Fosella and Joe Borelli, questioned the process and future use of the equipment. The indefinite pause leaves the MTA’s capital projects unfunded and vulnerable road users exposed, as enforcement tools sit idle and no alternative safety measures are in place.

• $500M of taxpayer dough wasted? Hochul, MTA lack Plan B for NYC congestion pricing infrastructure, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-08

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Albany lawmakers shut down a last-ditch MTA funding plan after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. No replacement for the lost $1 billion. Transit riders and street users face uncertainty. Lawmakers call the move reckless. The city waits. Danger lingers.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State legislative session ended without passing a replacement funding plan for the MTA after Governor Kathy Hochul paused congestion pricing. The matter, described as 'Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing,' left the MTA without the $1 billion annual revenue congestion pricing would have provided. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the session’s close without a deal. Lawmakers including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, State Sen. John Liu, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, and Assemblyman Tony Simone criticized the governor’s decision and the proposed IOU bailout. Gounardes said, 'I cannot in good conscience ratify a decision that will eliminate a significant, dedicated revenue source for the MTA’s capital plan.' The pause leaves the city’s transit future—and the safety of those who rely on it—uncertain.

• Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06