Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

Aug 21 - A moped tore through the intersection at 31st Avenue and 43rd Street, smashing head-on into a cyclist. Blood pooled. The cyclist’s leg split open. He stared skyward in shock, motionless on the pavement as traffic hummed around him.

At the corner of 31st Avenue and 43rd Street in Queens, a moped struck a cyclist head-on, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled straight through the intersection. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the moped operator failed to obey a traffic signal or sign. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and was left in shock, lying on the pavement with blood pooling around him. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is not cited as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the moped operator’s failure to respect traffic controls, which led directly to the violent collision and the cyclist’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 10 - Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Aug 2 - A 36-year-old woman and a 71-year-old woman were injured crossing with the signal at a Queens intersection. The SUV driver failed to yield and was distracted, causing the collision. Both victims suffered moderate injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a 2023 Tesla SUV traveling south on 51 Street in Queens struck two pedestrians at the intersection with 31 Avenue around 10:30 AM. Both pedestrians, a 36-year-old woman and a 71-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was making a left turn at the time of impact. Both pedestrians sustained moderate injuries: the younger suffered injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand with a minor burn, while the older sustained injuries to her entire body with minor bleeding. Both were reported to be in shock. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745211 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 21 - A sedan making a right turn struck a 20-year-old female bicyclist traveling straight on 42 Street in Queens. The cyclist suffered a fractured knee, lower leg, and foot. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 42 Street in Queens around 1 p.m. A sedan traveling west was making a right turn when it collided with a southbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old female, was injured with fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, pointing to the sedan driver's error. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected but sustained serious injuries. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior or helmet use were noted in the report. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the bike, confirming the point of impact. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741931 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 20 - A late-night collision on 49 Street in Queens injured a 32-year-old male driver. The SUV struck the sedan’s right side, causing contusions and arm injuries. Police cite traffic control disregard and other vehicular factors as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:45 a.m. on 49 Street near 25 Avenue in Queens. A 2023 Ford SUV traveling west collided with a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling north. The SUV impacted the sedan’s right side doors with its center front end. The sedan’s 32-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The police report identifies "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Other Vehicular" factors as contributing causes. The driver of the sedan was conscious and not ejected. The report highlights driver errors related to disregarding traffic controls and other vehicular factors, without attributing fault to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A bicyclist suffered full-body abrasions after an SUV struck him on Broadway. The collision occurred as both traveled westbound. The SUV’s failure to yield right-of-way caused the impact, leaving the cyclist injured but conscious, with no helmet worn.

According to the police report, the crash happened on Broadway at 3:55 AM. A station wagon/SUV and a bicycle, both traveling westbound, collided. The SUV struck the bicyclist at the center front end, causing abrasions over the cyclist's entire body. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old male, was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. The report cites the SUV driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was riding without safety equipment, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The SUV sustained damage to its center front end, while the bike showed no damage. The collision's impact and injuries highlight the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739358 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 24 - A young driver crashed at unsafe speed in Queens. His sedan struck parked cars near 50-34 Broadway. He suffered head wounds and shock. Police cite speed and traffic control disregard as causes.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male driver crashed his sedan near 50-34 Broadway in Queens at 1:04 a.m. The collision involved two other sedans, one parked and one slowing or stopping. The driver suffered head injuries and minor bleeding, and was in shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The injured driver was not ejected and his air bag deployed. Vehicle damage included impact to the left rear quarter panel and center back end. No contributing factors are attributed to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735012 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 11 - Councilmember Shekar Krishnan called out the surge of reckless mopeds and e-bikes on 34th Avenue. Residents spoke of fear, injury, and death. City officials promised enforcement and education. Advocates demanded safer streets, not criminalization. The crisis rolls on. Action lags.

On June 11, 2024, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (District 25) convened a town hall in Jackson Heights to address what he called a 'moped crisis.' The meeting followed a deadly year: a 75-year-old man killed by an e-bike, two injured in a dirt bike crash. Residents described near-misses and constant danger on the 34th Avenue open street. The matter, titled 'On Jackson Heights’ open street, NYC’s ‘moped crisis’ is in full throttle,' drew city officials, including DOT and Mayor Adams, who backed enforcement and moped registration. Krishnan slammed DOT’s reliance on signage, pushing instead for a dedicated micromobility lane. Delivery worker advocates opposed criminalization, demanding labor protections and safe infrastructure. Despite new signs and vehicle seizures, mopeds still speed through. The call for urgent, systemic change grows louder.

• On Jackson Heights’ open street, NYC’s ‘moped crisis’ is in full throttle, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-11

Jun 11 - Council Member Shekar Krishnan blasted DOT for chaos on 34th Avenue’s Paseo Park. He called it a ‘moped highway’ and demanded a redesign. Pedestrians dodge speeding mopeds. Painted bike lanes fail. DOT touts safety, but danger remains for those on foot.

On June 11, 2024, Council Member Shekar Krishnan publicly condemned the Department of Transportation’s design of Paseo Park, also known as the 34th Avenue open street. At a 'Moped Crisis' town hall, Krishnan called the area a 'moped highway' and said, 'The biggest problem that we have is poor design by the DOT.' He demanded a redesign that separates speeding vehicles from people and creates safe corridors for mopeds away from recreational spaces. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas echoed the call for engineering solutions, stating, 'We must design the roads to ensure that mopeds are not getting on [Paseo Park], and are not driving recklessly.' DOT staff highlighted enforcement efforts, but Krishnan and others insisted that design, not enforcement, must come first. DOT claims a drop in pedestrian crashes, but the current layout leaves pedestrians and cyclists exposed to danger.

• Queens Pol: DOT Needs to Solve ‘Moped Crisis’ in Paseo Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-11

Jun 7 - A moped hit a 71-year-old man crossing Steinway Street. The unlicensed driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered leg injuries and a concussion. Impact was direct. Queens streets saw danger and harm.

According to the police report, a northbound moped on Steinway Street in Queens struck a 71-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, foot, and suffered a concussion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as driver errors. The moped driver was unlicensed. The collision occurred at the center front end of the moped. The pedestrian’s crossing location was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash underscores the risk posed by distracted, unlicensed moped drivers to vulnerable pedestrians in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 7 - Albany scrambles after Governor Hochul kills congestion pricing. Lawmakers float a $1 billion IOU for the MTA. No clear funding. Transit riders left in limbo. Streets stay clogged. Subways wait for repairs. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On June 7, 2024, state lawmakers, led by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, responded to Governor Hochul’s sudden suspension of Manhattan’s congestion pricing plan. The Legislature rejected Hochul’s push for a payroll tax hike, then considered a vague $1 billion IOU for the MTA, with no funding source. Gianaris told reporters the proposal would simply promise a billion dollars for the next year’s budget, but offered no details. The bill has not been introduced or assigned to committee. Betsy Plum of the Riders Alliance warned, 'The proposal on the table will not fix the subway. A billion dollar IOU is not nearly enough money nor is it nearly secure enough to build trust and rebuild our critical infrastructure.' With no new revenue, the MTA’s ability to fund repairs and upgrades remains in doubt. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders—face continued danger as safe, reliable alternatives to driving are left unfunded.

• NY lawmakers considering $1B IOU after Gov. Hochul’s congestion pricing flip-flop, gothamist.com, 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 - Albany scrambles after Hochul kills congestion pricing. Lawmakers float a $1 billion-a-year promise for the MTA. No details. No guarantees. Michael Gianaris calls it a stopgap. Riders and streets hang in the balance. The future stays uncertain.

On June 7, 2024, Albany lawmakers responded to Governor Hochul’s cancellation of NYC congestion pricing. The proposed measure, still without a bill number or final language, would guarantee $1 billion annually for the MTA over 15 years. State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris explained, “It’s very simply something that just says there will be a billion dollars for the MTA in the following year’s budget, but without any specifics as to what that means.” Gianaris and others are working with Hochul and the MTA to keep capital projects alive. The bill’s fate is unclear, with some lawmakers already planning to vote no. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The measure’s details and its effect on street safety remain unknown.

• Albany lawmakers considering last-minute bailout for lost congestion toll revenue, nypost.com, 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 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 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 - 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 6 - 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 2024-06-06

Jun 5 - Governor Hochul halted New York City’s congestion pricing plan days before rollout. She cited economic pain for working New Yorkers. Transit advocates called it a betrayal. The move leaves city streets clogged and transit funding in limbo. Vulnerable road users remain at risk.

""Hochul pulled out the rug from more than 7 million New Yorkers who rely on public transit and did it all in the name of political cowardice. This is an illustration of political malpractice of the highest order."" -- Zohran Mamdani

On June 5, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul abruptly paused New York City’s congestion pricing plan, just weeks before its scheduled start. The policy reversal, covered by Gothamist, sparked outrage among transit advocates and progressives. Hochul claimed, 'We need to make sure our solutions work for everyone, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet.' Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani condemned the move as 'political malpractice.' Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, District 23, was mentioned in coverage but did not take a direct action. The decision leaves the city’s streets congested and public transit funding uncertain. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on vulnerable road users, but the pause maintains current dangers for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Hochul says NYC congestion pause is good economics. Critics say it’s politics., gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-05