Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

Queens Community Board 2 voted to block a new SUV dealership on Northern Boulevard. Local leaders demand housing, not more cars. They cite danger, pollution, and reckless driving. Council Member Julie Won and Assembly Member González-Rojas back the board. The fight moves to City Planning.

On November 7, 2022, Queens Community Board 2 passed a resolution rejecting a rezoning application for a Lincoln SUV dealership on Northern Boulevard, Woodside. The matter, described as a call for a moratorium on car-related development, pits housing needs against car infrastructure. Council Member Julie Won supported the board, stating, "It should be a neighborhood rezoning instead of spot rezoning... we need to make it safer and more liveable." Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas also opposed the dealership, urging the space be used for affordable housing and highlighting dangerous driving by existing dealerships. Despite Borough President Donovan Richards' support for the rezoning, citing cycling and EV promotion, the application faces strong local resistance. The City Planning Commission now reviews the case, with a City Council vote possible. The board and electeds argue more cars mean more risk for pedestrians and cyclists on a deadly stretch.

• Woodside Wants Housing, But It’s Likely to Get More SUVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-07

An e-bike rider was ejected and injured after a side impact with an SUV on Steinway Street. The SUV was slowing when the collision struck the bike’s front center. The rider suffered bruises and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female e-bike rider was injured when her bike collided with the right side doors of a slowing SUV on Steinway Street. The rider was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV had two occupants and was traveling south, as was the e-bike. The report lists passenger distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580029 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Bus lanes crawl while people die. Advocates and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas rally on Northern Boulevard. Only 5.4 miles built, far short of the 20-mile goal. The city stalls. Streets stay deadly. Families mourn. The clock runs out.

On November 1, 2022, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas joined advocates in Jackson Heights to demand faster bus lane construction under the New York City Streets Plan. The plan, launched to comply with a 2019 law, mandates 150 miles of protected bus lanes by 2026—20 miles in 2022 alone. With two months left, only 5.4 miles were finished. González-Rojas declared, 'We demand to get our 20 miles of bus lanes.' The rally took place on Northern Boulevard, a corridor scarred by pedestrian deaths, including 9-year-old Giovanni Ampuero. His father spoke out: 'If you don’t improve the street, people are going to still get killed.' The Department of Transportation claims progress and a $900 million investment, but the pace lags. The city’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk, as deadly streets remain unchanged.

• Adams admin has slowed to a crawl on bus lane construction, advocates say, amny.com, Published 2022-11-01

A BMW sedan hit a 15-year-old girl crossing Steinway Street with the signal. She suffered broken bones and dislocations. The driver failed to yield and disregarded traffic control.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Steinway Street at 30 Avenue in Queens with the signal when a southbound BMW sedan struck her with its right front bumper. She sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Traffic Control Disregarded" as contributing factors. The driver, a licensed male, was going straight ahead and did not yield to the pedestrian. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578858 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Cyclists can now cross the Cross Bay Bridge. The Henry Hudson Bridge will follow after renovations. Assembly Member Gonzalez-Rojas pushed the law. Advocates pressed the MTA. Progress is slow, but real. Bike access grows. Riders still face gaps and delays.

Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas sponsored the 2021 bill that forced the MTA to plan bike and pedestrian access on its bridges. On October 26, 2022, the MTA announced legal cycling on the Cross Bay Bridge, with sharrows painted on the path. The Henry Hudson Bridge will open to cyclists after a major renovation, expected by 2025. The MTA will award a contract for that work next year. Gonzalez-Rojas said, 'This is what we worked toward when...we introduced and passed the MTA Bike Access bill.' Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt called the move 'pretty good progress.' The MTA also plans to add bike parking at 37 subway stations and expand bike access near transit. The Verrazzano Bridge remains off-limits for now. The announcement marks a step forward, but cyclists still face barriers and delays.

• Cyclists Will Finally Be Welcome on Cross Bay and Henry Hudson Bridges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-26

A taxi struck an e-scooter from behind on Steinway Street in Queens. The scooter driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The taxi driver followed too closely, causing the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Steinway Street rear-ended an e-scooter going in the same direction. The e-scooter driver, a 56-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the taxi driver. The point of impact was the taxi's right rear bumper hitting the e-scooter's center front end. The scooter driver was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No safety equipment was noted for the scooter driver. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating in mixed traffic involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A Mercedes SUV turned left at 45th Street and 30th Avenue. It hit a 64-year-old woman crossing the street. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The SUV was untouched. The street was not.

A 64-year-old woman was struck by a Mercedes SUV while crossing at the intersection of 45th Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian, causing severe bleeding from her head. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other injuries were reported. The woman was in the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 55-year-old woman was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk on Newtown Road in Queens. The SUV driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a fractured back and dislocation but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at an intersection on Newtown Road in Queens. The driver of a 2008 Nissan SUV was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated back but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely to the pedestrian. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A motorcycle struck a sedan making a left turn on Steinway Street in Queens. The motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old man, suffered severe leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. Both drivers were licensed and conscious.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on Steinway Street collided with a southbound sedan making a left turn. The motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The sedan driver was also male and licensed. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end, and the sedan was damaged on its left front bumper. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 51-year-old female bicyclist suffered facial contusions after an e-bike making a left turn collided with her bike traveling west on 45 Street in Queens. The impact was to the center front ends of both bikes. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling northeast made a left turn and struck a westbound bicyclist on 45 Street in Queens. The 51-year-old female bicyclist sustained facial contusions and was conscious after the crash. The collision impacted the center front ends of both bikes. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating the e-bike driver did not yield properly during the turn. The injured bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two sedans slammed together on 47 Street. Both drivers hurt, neck pain and shock. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. No one ejected. Night air thick with sirens.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 47 Street in Queens. The driver of the CT-registered sedan failed to yield right-of-way, causing the crash. Both drivers, a 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and shock. The female driver was struck on the left side doors; the male driver’s car took front-end damage. No one was ejected. The police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other factors, such as helmet use or signaling, are mentioned. The crash left both vehicles damaged and both drivers in need of medical attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A moped traveling south struck a sedan starting from parking on 44 Street in Queens. Two males, including a 24-year-old ejected rider and a 5-year-old passenger, suffered injuries. Police cited traffic control disregard as a factor.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on 44 Street collided with a sedan that was starting from parking. The moped rider, a 24-year-old male, was ejected and sustained facial injuries with minor bleeding. He was wearing a helmet. A 5-year-old male passenger in the sedan suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, also with minor bleeding. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling west. The collision impacted the center front end of the moped and the left rear bumper of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562707 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

An e-bike rider struck a parked SUV on 45 Street in Queens. The 34-year-old cyclist suffered chest injuries. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors. The rider was conscious and not ejected. Impact was at the bike's center back end.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male e-bike driver collided with a parked station wagon/SUV on 45 Street in Queens. The e-bike was traveling west when it hit the left front bumper of the stationary SUV. The cyclist sustained internal chest injuries but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver errors as 'Other Vehicular' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' No safety equipment was noted on the cyclist. The crash caused damage to the center back end of the e-bike and the left front bumper of the SUV. No passengers were involved, and the SUV had no occupants at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A motorcycle struck a parked SUV on 50 Street in Queens. The rider, a 45-year-old man, suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. Police cited following too closely as the cause. The rider wore a helmet and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west on 50 Street collided with a parked SUV. The motorcycle's front end hit the center back end of the SUV. The rider, a 45-year-old man, was injured with a head injury and became unconscious. He was wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the crash. The motorcycle rider was positioned riding on the outside and suffered minor bleeding. No other occupants were involved or injured. The sedan involved was traveling west and struck on its right rear quarter panel but was not the primary cause. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4560087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan struck an e-scooter carrying two southbound on 42nd Street in Queens. The scooter passenger, a 7-year-old boy, suffered abrasions and arm injuries. Police cited the sedan driver for failure to yield right-of-way. The child wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a sedan parked on 42nd Street in Queens was struck on its left side doors by an e-scooter traveling south. The collision injured a 7-year-old passenger riding on the outside of the e-scooter. The child sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the sedan driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The injured passenger was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan. The e-scooter carried two occupants and was damaged at its center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 15-year-old boy riding a bike was struck on Broadway. The sedan hit the bike’s right side. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries. The driver’s improper lane use and distraction caused the crash. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male bicyclist was injured after being struck by a sedan on Broadway. The bicyclist was riding north when the sedan, traveling west, collided with the bike’s right side doors. The impact ejected the boy, causing head injuries and abrasions. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. Another parked sedan was damaged but not involved in the collision. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in lane usage and attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4556246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A hit-and-run killed Be Tran in Queens. State Sen. Michael Gianaris and advocates demand swift action. They want signals, not studies. The city waits for blood before it moves. Residents, tired of carnage, rally for change. The toll mounts.

On August 17, 2022, State Senator Michael Gianaris called for urgent pedestrian safety improvements after a deadly hit-and-run in Queens. The incident, which killed 74-year-old Be Tran at Myrtle and Seneca Avenues, triggered public outcry. Gianaris criticized the city’s process, saying, 'They have to wait until that happens to get the score high enough to realize that an intersection needs protection.' He joined activists from the Ridgewood Tenants Union and Transportation Alternatives, demanding new signals and better street design. Gianaris said he contacted the Department of Transportation a year earlier with no result. The city claims over 20 traffic control approvals in Ridgewood, but residents and advocates say it’s not enough. The call comes as pedestrian deaths and injuries continue to climb citywide.

• Dangerous pedestrian crashes in Queens prompt calls for protections, gothamist.com, Published 2022-08-17

A northbound sedan and SUV collided on Steinway Street in Queens. A parked sedan was also struck. The driver of one vehicle suffered facial contusions. Police noted alcohol involvement. Multiple vehicles sustained front and rear-end damage.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Steinway Street in Queens involving a northbound sedan, a northbound SUV, and a parked sedan. The driver of one vehicle, a 26-year-old male occupant, was injured with facial contusions and remained conscious. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The vehicles sustained damage to their front and rear bumpers. No ejections were reported. The driver was wearing a lap belt. The report does not specify other contributing factors beyond alcohol involvement and unspecified driver errors. The crash resulted in injuries to the driver but does not indicate harm to other occupants or pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A southbound SUV struck a parked sedan on 27 Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s driver, a 34-year-old man, suffered unspecified injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Multiple vehicles sustained damage in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2015 SUV traveling south on 27 Avenue collided with a parked 2011 sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 34-year-old male occupant, was injured with unspecified severity and experienced shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The SUV impacted the sedan’s left front quarter panel, while the sedan’s damage was on its left front quarter panel. Additional parked vehicles nearby also sustained damage. No ejections or other injuries were reported. The driver of the sedan was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan backed into a woman on a bike. She took the hit. Her knee, leg, and foot bloodied. Driver inattention listed. No helmet. The street stayed loud. She stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 2021 Mercedes sedan was backing east on Steinway Street when it struck a 36-year-old female bicyclist traveling east. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The sedan hit the bike at the right rear bumper, the bike at its center front. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550864 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14