Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

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

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 motorcycle struck the right side of an SUV making a left turn on Broadway in Queens. The motorcycle driver and passenger were ejected and suffered serious injuries. Both wore helmets. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male motorcycle driver and a 27-year-old female passenger were injured when their motorcycle collided with a 2020 SUV making a left turn on Broadway in Queens. The SUV struck the motorcycle's front end with its right side doors. Both motorcycle occupants were ejected and suffered serious injuries, including whole body trauma and neck injuries. Both wore helmets. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. The motorcycle was traveling westbound, going straight ahead, while the SUV was traveling eastbound and making a left turn. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4530073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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 2022-05-16

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

A 39-year-old woman driving an SUV was injured in a side-impact collision with a sedan on 49 Street in Queens. The SUV struck the sedan’s left side doors. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 49 Street near 28 Avenue in Queens. A 39-year-old female SUV driver, traveling west, collided with a northbound sedan. The SUV struck the sedan on its left side doors, causing center front-end damage to the sedan. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no clear driver errors identified. The SUV driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of her vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4527682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A southbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on 62-37 30 Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s driver, a 45-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited following too closely as the cause. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 62-37 30 Avenue in Queens when a southbound SUV rear-ended a sedan traveling in the same direction. The sedan’s 45-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining back pain and shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The SUV struck the sedan at its center back end, causing damage to the sedan’s rear. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 31-year-old cyclist was injured on 43 Street in Queens. Driver inattention and confusion led to the crash. The rider suffered bruises but stayed conscious. The bike was damaged.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on 43 Street in Queens was injured in a crash involving driver inattention and confusion. The cyclist suffered contusions and bruises over his entire body but remained conscious. The report lists contributing factors as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The cyclist was wearing a helmet. The crash resulted in damage to the bike. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4522764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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

A sedan traveling east struck a parked SUV on 60 Street in Queens. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old man, lost consciousness and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The impact damaged the front of the sedan and rear of the SUV.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 60 Street collided with a parked station wagon/SUV. The sedan's front end hit the SUV's rear. The driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The parked SUV had no occupants at the time. No other driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4517202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound e-bike on Steinway Street in Queens. The 23-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The rider was conscious but bruised.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southbound on Steinway Street made a left turn and collided with a northbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 23-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, including contusions and bruises. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to the sedan driver. The e-bike rider was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2015 Mercedes. The impact occurred at the sedan's center front end and the e-bike's left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4517376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two SUVs crashed on Queens’ 31 Avenue. Both drivers were distracted and inexperienced. The impact hit the right side doors and front ends. Two occupants suffered head contusions. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts. Parked sedan also damaged.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 31 Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a westbound 2019 Mercedes SUV and a southbound 2016 Toyota SUV. Both drivers were injured, suffering head contusions, and were conscious after the crash. The front passenger in the Toyota SUV was also injured. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right side doors and front ends. The report lists driver inattention and inexperience as contributing factors. A parked 2021 Kia sedan was also damaged in the collision. All occupants were restrained by lap belts. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4511990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 23-year-old man was struck while crossing 49 Street at 31 Avenue in Queens. The sedan hit him center front. He suffered bruises and arm injuries. The driver showed no damage to the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing 49 Street at 31 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a northbound sedan traveling straight ahead struck him with the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The vehicle showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond unspecified ones. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of bruising. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The driver’s actions and vehicle condition indicate no immediate mechanical failure or evasive maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.

Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.

• File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

A sedan driven by an unlicensed man struck a scooter rider making a left turn on 36 Avenue. The scooter driver, a 26-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The crash involved driver distraction and pedestrian confusion.

According to the police report, a 2005 Pontiac sedan traveling north on 36 Avenue collided with a scooter making a left turn. The scooter rider, a 26-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan driver was unlicensed and distracted at the time of the crash. The report lists contributing factors as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The sedan struck the scooter with its left front bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14