Queens Streets Bleed While City Hall Sleeps

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 2025-08-05

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 2025-08-05

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 2025-08-05

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

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 2025-08-05

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 2025-08-05

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Lawmakers push $90 million for faster, freer buses. The plan boosts service and expands free routes. Riders win more access. The bill also funds rail links and fare breaks for low-income, seniors, and disabled. Enforcement on tolls gets softer. Streets shift for people.

On March 12, 2024, state lawmakers released a budget proposal targeting New York City transit. The bill, led by Andrea Stewart-Cousins and mentioned in the Assembly and Senate one-house budgets, calls for $90 million to increase bus frequency and expand the MTA's free bus pilot. The matter summary states: 'State lawmakers proposed spending $90 million this year to improve bus service frequency and expand the scope of the MTA's free bus pilot.' The proposal, supported by Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, also adopts the FARES Act, extending half-price MetroCards to commuter rail, and funds new discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. Lawmakers back the QueensLink rail project and recommend subway improvements. They reject tougher toll enforcement, instead supporting the Toll Payer Protection Act. The plan aims to make transit faster, cheaper, and more accessible for millions of riders.

• State lawmakers propose $90 million for more frequent buses, fare-free pilot in budget response, amny.com, Published 2024-03-12

Albany lawmakers want more buses and cheaper fares. They propose $90 million for frequent service and 15 new free routes. The plan targets gridlock and aims to boost ridership before congestion pricing hits. Riders in every borough stand to gain.

Bill proposals in the New York State Assembly and Senate, introduced in February 2024 by State Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, seek $90 million for increased bus service and 15 more free bus routes. These measures, part of the 'Get Congestion Pricing Right' package, appear in both houses’ 'one-house' budgets as of March 12, 2024. The matter summary states: 'City buses would run more frequently under new proposals from state legislators in Albany, who included increased bus services and new fare discounts in budget proposals.' Mamdani and Gianaris led the push, citing the need for better transit before congestion pricing launches this summer. Their plan includes expanded Fair Fares, new discounts for seniors and disabled riders, and a weekly CityTicket for unlimited intracity rail travel. Advocates and lawmakers argue these steps are critical for equity and access, especially as the city prepares to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The proposals now enter negotiations with Governor Hochul.

• Legislators Propose More Bus Service, Transit Discounts In State Budget Negotiations, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-12

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway at dusk. The front passenger suffered a concussion and head injury. Police cite improper passing or lane usage as the cause. Both vehicles struck on their front quarter panels, revealing a merging error.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:30 on Grand Central Parkway involving two sedans traveling east. One vehicle was going straight ahead while the other was merging. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the first sedan and the left front quarter panel of the second sedan. The contributing factor identified was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating a driver error during lane changes or merging. A 29-year-old female front passenger in the first sedan was injured, sustaining a head injury and concussion, and was conscious at the scene. She was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger's behavior. The collision highlights the dangers of improper lane usage on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Defective brakes sent three sedans crashing on Grand Central Parkway. One driver took a blow to the head and went into shock. The crash left twisted metal and a clear cause: mechanical failure behind the wheel.

According to the police report, three sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway at 5:54 AM. One 29-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and shock. The report lists 'Brakes Defective' as the main contributing factor, with 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' also noted. All drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash. The vehicles—a 2023 Cadillac, a 2021 Chevrolet, and a 2007 Toyota—sustained front and rear damage, showing a chain reaction impact. The injured driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The police report points to mechanical failure as the root cause, with driver inattention also present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Lawmakers push to triple fare-free bus lines. Fifteen routes, more buses, faster rides. Focus on low-income neighborhoods. The move aims to shift New Yorkers from cars to transit. Congestion pricing looms. Riders want speed, reliability, and access.

Senator Michael Gianaris introduced the 'Congestion Pricing Done Right' bill on March 4, 2024. The bill, now before the legislature, seeks to expand New York City's fare-free bus pilot from five to fifteen lines, with three in each borough. The measure promises $45 million for better bus reliability and frequency, targeting low-income and disadvantaged communities. The bill summary states: 'expand and extend New York City's fare-free bus pilot program.' Gianaris, as sponsor, aims to boost mass transit before congestion pricing takes effect. Supporters, including Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Riders Alliance, and the Transport Workers Union, stress that affordable, frequent buses are vital for safety and equity. MTA Chair Janno Lieber backs more service but warns that bus lanes lag behind. The bill focuses on routes that can handle more buses without new infrastructure, aiming to make public transit a real alternative to cars.

• More free rides? State lawmakers look to triple size of NYC fare-free bus pilot, increase frequency ahead of congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-03-04

Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28