Astoria (North)–Ditmars: Three Dead at Daybreak

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 3 - State Senate passed a bill to double fines for illegal moped dealers. Dealers must register mopeds or face $2,000 penalties. Lawmakers shift blame from riders to vendors. Delivery workers back the move. The bill now heads to the Assembly.

Senate Bill, sponsored by Sen. Liz Kruger (D-Manhattan), passed on June 3, 2024. It doubles fines for unauthorized moped dealers from $1,000 to $2,000 and requires registration at the point of sale. The bill is expected to pass the Assembly, where Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas co-sponsors. The matter summary states: 'Fines against unauthorized moped dealers would be doubled.' Kruger said, 'My bill makes sure we know who is selling mopeds.' González-Rojas added, 'The bill will help alleviate some of the challenges we see around mopeds.' Advocates like Ligia Guallpa of the Workers Justice Project support enforcement at the point of sale, noting many dealers are unlicensed. The bill targets vendors, not riders, aiming to protect vulnerable delivery workers and pedestrians.

• ‘The Moped Crisis’: Bill Doubling Fines For Unauthorized Dealers Passes Senate, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 28 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

May 24 - A distracted SUV driver collided with a 21-year-old bicyclist traveling west on 21 Street. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver disregarded traffic controls, worsening the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:10 AM on 21 Street near Hoyt Avenue North, a 2019 Jeep SUV traveling south struck a bicyclist going west. The SUV driver was inattentive and distracted, contributing to the collision. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was ejected on impact and sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment and was injured but conscious. The SUV showed no damage, indicating the force was absorbed primarily by the bicyclist. The crash highlights driver errors and systemic dangers for vulnerable road users on this street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 7 - A 39-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered neck injuries after an SUV struck her vehicle’s rear on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV driver was slowing or stopping when the collision occurred, causing whiplash and vehicle damage to both cars.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:50 on Grand Central Parkway involving a sedan and an SUV traveling westbound. The SUV driver was slowing or stopping when she rear-ended the sedan, impacting the sedan’s center front end with the SUV’s center back end. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, was wearing a lap belt and conscious but sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. The report cites the SUV driver’s errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV’s rear impact caused damage to both vehicles and injured the sedan driver. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Two SUVs collided at a Queens intersection. The impact struck the right rear passenger, a 74-year-old woman, causing neck injuries and whiplash. The crash was driven by a failure to yield right-of-way, leaving a passenger injured and shaken.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided near 20-01 26 Street in Queens at 9:02 AM. The driver of the northbound SUV failed to yield right-of-way, causing a collision with the eastbound SUV. The impact occurred at the right rear quarter panel of the eastbound vehicle, injuring a 74-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear seat. She sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. Both drivers were licensed, and the vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - A 67-year-old man suffered whiplash and full-body injuries after stepping out from behind a parked vehicle on 21 Street in Queens. The sedan struck him with its right front bumper while traveling eastbound. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2016 Honda sedan traveling east on 21 Street in Queens struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle when the collision occurred. He sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and was conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The impact and injury severity highlight the dangers posed by vehicles encountering pedestrians emerging from parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - New York City can cut speed limits to 20 mph this summer. Council members and advocates demand urgency. The mayor and DOT hesitate. Traffic deaths mount. The city faces a choice: act fast or let danger linger on its streets.

On May 3, 2024, the City Council debated a new policy allowing New York City to lower speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph on most streets, following a recent state budget measure. The measure, discussed in committee, requires a Council vote for citywide changes and a six-month warning period for drivers. Kamillah Hanks (District 49) was mentioned in the debate. Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas stressed urgency, citing recent deaths. Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler pledged to push the measure forward. Advocates like Transportation Alternatives called for a citywide approach, not piecemeal action. The Department of Transportation thanked lawmakers but did not commit to a timeline. The debate highlights the tension between urgent safety needs and political delays. Vulnerable road users remain at risk until the city acts.

• NYC can reduce speed limits this summer, but is Mayor Adams ready?, gothamist.com, Published 2024-05-03

Apr 25 - A 20-year-old bicyclist was injured when a southbound SUV making a right turn struck him on 38 Street near Ditmars Boulevard. The collision caused abrasions to the cyclist’s elbow and lower arm. Police cite the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:30 PM on 38 Street near Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. A 20-year-old male bicyclist traveling east was struck by a southbound 2013 Chevrolet SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the bicycle. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment, but these were not cited as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southbound prior to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - A 13-year-old boy riding a bike was ejected and injured with shoulder and upper arm contusions. The crash involved improper passing or lane usage by another vehicle. The boy was conscious but suffered serious bruising and upper body injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Astoria Boulevard at 12:17. The injured party was a 13-year-old male bicyclist who was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and bruises to his shoulder and upper arm. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating a driver error in lane management. The bicyclist was riding without safety equipment. The collision involved another unspecified vehicle and the bicyclist traveling west, with impact to the right front quarter panel of the bike. The police report highlights the driver’s improper lane usage as the cause, focusing on vehicle operator error rather than the victim’s actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.

On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.

• MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget, amny.com, Published 2024-04-21

Apr 18 - Mayor Adams wants Randy Mastro, a foe of bike lanes and congestion pricing, to lead the Law Department. Council members push back. Mastro’s record signals danger for pedestrians and cyclists. His history favors cars. The fight over his confirmation has begun.

""No way in hell I vote to confirm Randy Mastro."" -- Tiffany Cabán

On April 18, 2024, a New York Times report revealed Mayor Adams’s intent to appoint Randy Mastro, former Giuliani deputy mayor, as head of the city’s Law Department. Mastro is known for opposing bike lanes and congestion pricing, having fought the Prospect Park West bike lane and represented New Jersey against congestion pricing. Council Members Sandy Nurse and Tiffany Caban voiced strong opposition, with Caban declaring, 'No way in hell I vote to confirm Randy Mastro.' Joe Borelli, a congestion pricing opponent, supported the move, saying, 'I want more people who think like me on congestion pricing in City Hall.' The appointment signals a car-first agenda. Council resistance is fierce. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders—face greater risk if Mastro’s priorities shape city policy.

• Randy Mastro Aspires to Join Mayor’s Inner Circle of Congestion Pricing Foes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 11 - Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20