Sidewalks Aren’t Safe—Blood on Astoria Streets, Silence from City Hall

A 25-year-old male bicyclist was injured on 21 Street in Queens. The SUV made a right turn and struck the cyclist going straight. The rider suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way by the driver.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2006 Orion SUV made a right turn on 21 Street in Queens and struck him. The cyclist was traveling southbound, going straight ahead, when the SUV impacted his center front end. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor by the SUV driver. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and making a right turn at the time of the crash. No damage was reported to the SUV, but the bike had damage to its center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan struck the back of a dump truck on 29th Street in Queens. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash involved driver distraction. Both vehicles were traveling southbound.

According to the police report, a sedan rear-ended a dump truck traveling south on 29th Street in Queens. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old female occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The dump truck sustained front-end damage, while the sedan was damaged at the rear. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4539699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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 traveling west struck two parked sedans on 31 Street. The driver and a passenger suffered serious injuries. The impact hit the left side doors. Unsafe speed and driver distraction contributed to the crash. Both occupants were not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on 31 Street collided with two parked sedans. The impact occurred on the left side doors of the moving vehicle and the left rear quarter panels of the parked cars. Two occupants in the moving sedan were injured: a 22-year-old male driver who suffered a concussion and was semiconscious, and a 23-year-old female passenger who sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder and upper arm. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan struck an e-bike on 37 Street in Queens. The e-bike driver, 18, was ejected and injured with bruises to his elbow and arm. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The crash happened at 9:03 p.m.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on 37 Street collided with an e-bike also heading west. The e-bike driver, an 18-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The sedan suffered damage to its right front quarter panel. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely as contributing factors. The e-bike driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other injuries or fatalities were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4529733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi and a sedan crashed on Crescent Street in Queens. The taxi driver, 59, was ejected and injured in the crash. The collision caused damage to both vehicles. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as factors.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Crescent Street collided with a sedan traveling east. The taxi driver, a 59-year-old man, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The taxi's right front quarter panel and the sedan's center front end were points of impact. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead before the collision. The taxi driver was the only occupant injured and experienced shock. No other safety equipment or victim actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4527683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 33-year-old man was hit by a sedan on 31 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian suffered a serious head injury and lost consciousness. The driver was inattentive and inexperienced. The crash left the man with internal injuries at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on 31 Avenue struck a 33-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian sustained a severe head injury and was unconscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The pedestrian was located at the intersection, but their actions prior to the crash are unknown. The vehicle was going straight ahead when the collision occurred. No safety equipment or protective gear was noted for the pedestrian. The driver’s distraction and lack of experience led to the impact, causing internal injuries and unconsciousness for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4525221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi struck the rear of a parked vehicle on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The taxi driver, 54, suffered shock but no serious injury. Police cited following too closely as the cause. No passengers were involved.

According to the police report, a 2013 Honda taxi traveling west on Astoria Boulevard rear-ended a parked vehicle. The taxi driver, a 54-year-old man, was the sole occupant and was not ejected. He experienced shock but no specified bodily injury. The point of impact was the center back end of the taxi. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The driver was properly licensed in New York. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The crash caused damage to the taxi's rear but no further injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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

Sedan with bad headlights turned left on 31 Street, struck moped head-on. Young moped driver thrown, suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver for failure to yield and defective headlights.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on 31 Street at 35 Avenue in Queens collided head-on with a northbound moped. The 18-year-old moped driver was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan driver was cited for failure to yield right-of-way and for operating with defective headlights. The moped was demolished in the crash. The report notes the moped driver used no safety equipment. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, showing a direct impact during the left turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4513536 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 21-year-old man was hit by a northbound SUV on 31 Street. The impact struck the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian was unconscious with injuries to his entire body. Police cited driver failure to yield and inattention.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a Toyota SUV traveling north on 31 Street. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was found unconscious with injuries to his entire body. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction as contributing factors. No other vehicle or pedestrian actions were noted. The pedestrian’s role was at an intersection, but his exact actions remain unknown. The driver was alone in the vehicle, which was going straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4508652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 33-year-old man was struck by a westbound sedan while stepping out from behind a parked vehicle in Queens. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver failed to yield and showed aggressive driving.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on 34-02 34 Avenue in Queens collided with a 33-year-old male pedestrian who was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors on the driver's part. The vehicle showed no damage, and the pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other safety equipment or victim factors were noted. The crash highlights driver errors that led to serious harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4500249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

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