No One Died, But Everyone Bleeds: Astoria’s Streets Are Still Unsafe

StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.

• StreetsPAC to Central Brooklyn Voters: Retire State Sen. Kevin Parker Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-09

A 27-year-old male driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries after his SUV experienced a steering failure on 14 Street. The vehicle collided with multiple parked cars. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male driver was injured when his 2016 SUV suffered a steering failure while traveling south on 14 Street. The vehicle struck several parked cars, damaging their rear and side panels. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Steering Failure" as the contributing factor. The driver sustained whiplash and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548033 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 28-year-old woman was hit by an e-bike on 21 Street in Queens. The rider drove south at unsafe speed and showed aggressive driving. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The bike's front center bore the impact.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling south on 21 Street in Queens struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time but sustained a head injury described as a contusion and remained conscious. The report lists the driver's contributing factors as unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike, which also sustained damage there. No other safety equipment or victim actions were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by high-speed, aggressive e-bike operation in pedestrian areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A Nissan SUV struck an e-scooter rider on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The 35-year-old male scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The SUV driver, unlicensed, caused the crash by improper lane usage. Both vehicles collided front to front.

According to the police report, a 2017 Nissan SUV traveling west on Astoria Boulevard collided head-on with an eastbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV driver, a female operating without a license, was cited for improper passing or lane usage. The report also notes the SUV driver's reaction to an uninvolved vehicle as a contributing factor. The collision caused damage to the SUV's left side doors and the e-scooter's front end. The scooter rider was conscious and not ejected. No helmet or signaling factors were mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Assemblyman Mamdani and Senator Hoylman push for cameras in 50 protected bike lanes. Drivers who block lanes face $50 fines. DOT backs the plan. Lawmakers say enforcement is needed. Cyclists face danger daily. Cameras promise real consequences for reckless drivers.

Assembly Bill, proposed June 2, 2022, by Zohran Mamdani (District 36) and co-sponsored by Brad Hoylman, seeks to deploy automated enforcement cameras at 50 protected bike lanes. The bill aims to fine drivers $50 for each infraction, targeting those who block or drive in bike lanes. The matter summary states: 'NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes.' Mamdani and Hoylman argue that enforcement is critical, with Mamdani stating, 'You consistently see cars driving in the bike lane. We know that these cameras work to deter drivers from breaking the law.' DOT supports the measure, calling it 'life-saving automated enforcement technology.' The bill awaits City Council approval, with Mamdani pledging to advance it through the summer and fall.

• NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-02

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

A sedan veered in Queens. An e-bike rider, 45, was ejected and badly hurt. Fractures and dislocations tore his leg and foot. Unsafe lane change by the sedan led to the crash. The street left the rider broken.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southbound on 21st Street in Queens made an unsafe lane change and struck a northbound e-bike. The impact hit the e-bike's center front and the sedan's left front bumper. The 45-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered fractures, dislocations, and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The rider was conscious but seriously injured. No other contributing factors or safety equipment details were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4520559 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Albany slashed the gas tax. Critics say it boosts driving, cuts transit funds, and worsens air. Councilmember Mamdani voted no. Advocates slam the move as reckless. Congestion pricing still waits. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On April 8, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a budget bill eliminating New York State’s gas tax. The measure passed quickly, bypassing lengthy review. The bill’s summary: relief from rising fuel prices. Councilmember Zohran Kwame Mamdani voted against it, citing environmental and equity harms: “This subsidizes the fossil fuel industry by $585M... I voted no.” Advocates like Danny Pearlstein (Riders Alliance) and Eric McClure (StreetsPAC) condemned the holiday as bad policy, warning it undercuts transit funding and encourages driving. Kate Slevin (Regional Plan Association) questioned future road repair funding. Meanwhile, congestion pricing—meant to cut traffic and fund transit—remains stalled. The swift gas tax cut, critics say, leaves vulnerable road users exposed to more cars, more danger, and less support.

• Outrage Builds Over ‘Magic Wand’ Gas Tax Holiday as State Studies Congestion Pricing for Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-08

Council members push for city-run snow clearance. Current law leaves sidewalks and curbs icy, dangerous. Disabled and elderly New Yorkers face blocked crossings. Advocates demand equity. City agencies say they need resources. The fight is for safe, clear passage.

On February 2, 2022, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and City Council Member Tiffany Cabán called for the City of New York to take over sidewalk and curb snow removal, shifting responsibility from property owners to the Department of Sanitation. The proposal, discussed in Streetsblog NYC, highlights failures in the current system: 'We should have public snow removal from sidewalks. Currently, we are placing undue burdens on pedestrians, especially those who use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers, or who push strollers,' Cabán said. Levine noted, 'This is a serious challenge for disabled and elderly New Yorkers, as well as their caregivers.' Community Board 4 and pedestrian advocates echoed these concerns, citing blocked bus stops and curb ramps. The Department of Sanitation expressed readiness if given more funding. The push aims to end patchwork clearance and protect those most at risk.

• FOR PEDS’ SAKE: City Must Take Over Sidewalk and Curb Clearance, Pols Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-02