Four Dead in Queensbridge—How Many Numbers Before City Hall Wakes Up?

Astoria residents packed a hall. They demanded safer streets after a child died. Online groups drove turnout. Cyclists and pedestrians led the call. The community board pushed for daylighting. Most locals walk, bike, or ride transit. The fight is urgent. The danger is real.

"Astorians showed up last night for pedestrian + bike safety: over 150 neighbors packed the room at Variety Boys & Girls Club to talk about how we make our streets safer." -- Zohran Mamdani

On October 3, 2023, Astoria activists mobilized for street safety after a fatal crash killed a 7-year-old girl. No formal council bill number is listed, but the Transportation Committee of Community Board 1 passed a resolution urging DOT to daylight all intersections. The matter, described as 'community advocacy for street safety and bike infrastructure,' drew over 150 residents to a public workshop. Council Member Zohran Kwame Mamdani attended, stating, 'Astorians showed up last night for pedestrian + bike safety.' Online organizing, especially on the MicromobilityNYC subreddit, brought new voices to the table and pressured NYPD to take traffic enforcement seriously. The area lacks protected bike lanes—only 3 percent of streets have them—while most residents do not own cars and rely on walking, biking, or transit. The activism is diverse, persistent, and focused on ending traffic violence.

• Astoria Organizers Lead the Way on Street Safety with a Reddit Strategy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-03

A 40-year-old woman suffered a head injury and concussion after a vehicle making a left turn struck her at an intersection on 31 Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on 31 Street when a vehicle making a left turn struck her at the intersection. The victim, a 40-year-old woman, was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. She sustained a head injury and concussion, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian on its left front quarter panel but sustained no damage. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669550 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

MTA rolls out free bus routes in all five boroughs. Digital signs mark the buses. Riders board without paying. The pilot covers 44,000 daily trips. Lawmakers say this is a step toward greener, fairer transit. The agency will study the results.

On September 24, 2023, the MTA launched a free bus pilot in every New York City borough. The pilot, part of a state budget deal, makes one route per borough fare-free for up to a year. The official summary states: 'One MTA bus route will be free in each New York City borough starting Sunday.' Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, mentioned in the coverage, said, 'Getting more New Yorkers on to public transit must be at the forefront of our plan for a greener NY.' The pilot covers the B60 in Brooklyn, M116 in Manhattan, Q4 in Queens, S46/S96 in Staten Island, and BX18 in the Bronx. About 44,000 weekday riders are affected. The MTA will monitor ridership and study the impact. Progressive lawmakers back the move to help low-income New Yorkers. No direct safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• Every NYC borough gets a free MTA bus route starting Sunday, gothamist.com, Published 2023-09-24

Taxi and sedan crashed head-on on Northern Boulevard. Both drivers hurt. One fell asleep. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a taxi and a sedan collided head-on at 30-25 Northern Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were injured. The 24-year-old sedan driver suffered abdomen and pelvis injuries. The 40-year-old taxi driver sustained head injuries. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the taxi driver. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. Both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash happened as both vehicles traveled straight in opposite directions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664972 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Over 200 Astoria residents packed a DOT workshop after a spike in traffic deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have died. Drivers speed, double-park, and ignore signals. Councilwoman Cabán and others demand urgent action. DOT vows to return with a safety plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation held a public street safety workshop in Astoria, Queens, following a surge in traffic violence. The event, covered on September 18, 2023, drew over 200 residents and was organized by Western Queens elected officials. The workshop addressed a 'significant increase in traffic-related deaths, including several high-profile fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians.' Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the deaths preventable and demanded urgent changes. Cabán stated, 'If it saves lives, it’s worth doing.' DOT officials, including Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and senior program manager Kyle Gorman, presented plans for 31st Avenue and collected resident feedback on dangerous driving, lack of protected bike lanes, and unsafe intersections. The DOT pledged to return with a proposal. No formal bill number or committee was cited; the event focused on immediate community engagement and systemic change.

• Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-18

Over 200 Astoria residents packed a DOT workshop after a spike in traffic deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have died. Drivers speed, double-park, and ignore signals. Councilwoman Cabán and others demand urgent action. DOT vows to return with a safety plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation held a public street safety workshop in Astoria, Queens, following a surge in traffic violence. The event, covered on September 18, 2023, drew over 200 residents and was organized by Western Queens elected officials. The workshop addressed a 'significant increase in traffic-related deaths, including several high-profile fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians.' Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the deaths preventable and demanded urgent changes. Cabán stated, 'If it saves lives, it’s worth doing.' DOT officials, including Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and senior program manager Kyle Gorman, presented plans for 31st Avenue and collected resident feedback on dangerous driving, lack of protected bike lanes, and unsafe intersections. The DOT pledged to return with a proposal. No formal bill number or committee was cited; the event focused on immediate community engagement and systemic change.

• Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-18

Over 200 Astoria residents packed a DOT workshop after a spike in traffic deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have died. Drivers speed, double-park, and ignore signals. Councilwoman Cabán and others demand urgent action. DOT vows to return with a safety plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation held a public street safety workshop in Astoria, Queens, following a surge in traffic violence. The event, covered on September 18, 2023, drew over 200 residents and was organized by Western Queens elected officials. The workshop addressed a 'significant increase in traffic-related deaths, including several high-profile fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians.' Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the deaths preventable and demanded urgent changes. Cabán stated, 'If it saves lives, it’s worth doing.' DOT officials, including Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and senior program manager Kyle Gorman, presented plans for 31st Avenue and collected resident feedback on dangerous driving, lack of protected bike lanes, and unsafe intersections. The DOT pledged to return with a proposal. No formal bill number or committee was cited; the event focused on immediate community engagement and systemic change.

• Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-18

A 45-year-old male cyclist was injured on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The crash involved improper passing and too-close lane usage. The cyclist suffered shoulder abrasions but was conscious and wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Queens on Northern Boulevard due to improper passing and passing too closely. The cyclist was riding north when the crash occurred at the center back end of his bike. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The cyclist sustained abrasions to his shoulder and upper arm but was conscious and wearing a helmet. No damage was reported to the involved vehicles. The crash highlights driver errors related to lane usage and passing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 28-year-old male motorcycle driver crashed on 36 Avenue in Queens. The bike hit center front end. The rider suffered elbow and lower arm injuries with minor bleeding. Driver distraction and improper lane usage caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash on 36 Avenue in Queens. The motorcycle struck with a center front end impact. The rider sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with minor bleeding and shock. The report lists driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The rider was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured. The crash highlights driver distraction and improper lane use as key factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Mayor Adams approved a diluted redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will come, but car lanes stay open during peak hours. The plan falls short of full safety measures. The road remains dangerous. Victims still count. No one is satisfied.

On August 16, 2023, Mayor Adams announced a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard, a notorious Brooklyn corridor. The Department of Transportation will install curbside protected bike lanes and reduce car lanes from two to one in each direction on most of the strip. However, north of Calyer Street, two lanes for cars will remain open during weekdays, reverting to parking lanes at night and on weekends. The plan, shaped after lobbying by business interests and mayoral adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, mixes two previous DOT proposals. Mayoral spokesman Charles Lutvak said, 'Traffic safety is a key priority for Mayor Adams, and we are delivering with a redesign of McGuinness Boulevard that will make this corridor safer for all road users.' Local officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, called it a 'critical step' but noted it lacks key safety elements. The compromise leaves gaps. Since 2021, 62 people have been injured on this stretch. The carnage continues.

• Mayor Adams Signs Off On Compromise for Deadly McGuinness Blvd.; No One Truly Happy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-16

A driver struck a moped rider on McGuinness Boulevard. The rider’s leg broke. Politicians and neighbors demand the mayor act. The city delays a safety plan. The street stays deadly. The call is clear: fix McGuinness now.

On August 11, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler and other Northern Brooklyn officials responded to a crash on McGuinness Boulevard, where a driver hit and injured a moped rider. The incident happened near Meeker Avenue, one block from where teacher Matthew Jensen was killed in 2021. The matter, titled 'Locals call for mayor to take immediate action after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard,' highlights the urgent need for the Department of Transportation’s proposed safety redesign. Restler, along with U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, issued a joint statement: 'Lives are being put at risk. We need immediate action by the Mayor's office to implement the Department of Transportation's proposed safety improvements so that everyone in our community can feel confident that McGuinness Boulevard will not cause more tragedies.' The safety plan remains blocked, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• Locals call for mayor to take ‘immediate action’ after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-11

A BMW SUV tore down 34th Avenue before dawn. Metal screamed. The front end crumpled. The 24-year-old driver died alone in the wreck. No passengers. No bystanders. Only twisted steel and silence remained.

A 2021 BMW SUV crashed on 34th Avenue at 3:30 a.m. The sole occupant, a 24-year-old male driver, was killed. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was the contributing factor. The SUV’s front end was demolished. No other vehicles or people were involved. The driver was licensed and traveling west. The report lists no other errors or factors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data. The crash left only wreckage and one life lost.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 20-year-old bicyclist hit a 69-year-old woman crossing Crescent Street. Both suffered serious injuries. The cyclist was thrown and concussed. The pedestrian bled from the head and went into shock.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old unlicensed male bicyclist traveling north struck a 69-year-old female pedestrian crossing Crescent Street in Queens. The impact threw the cyclist, who suffered a concussion and back injury. The pedestrian sustained head trauma, minor bleeding, and was in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both parties. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data. The bicyclist wore a helmet. The crash left both vulnerable road users seriously hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651861 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

A motorcycle struck a sedan turning left on 21 Street near 34 Avenue. The motorcyclist was ejected, suffering abdominal and pelvic injuries. The sedan’s right rear quarter panel was damaged. Driver errors included improper passing and turning.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on 21 Street collided with a sedan making a left turn eastbound near 34 Avenue in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 24-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. The sedan’s right rear quarter panel was damaged on impact. Contributing factors listed include the sedan driver’s improper turning and the motorcyclist’s improper passing or lane usage, along with driver inattention or distraction. The report highlights driver errors without assigning fault to the injured motorcyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Motorcycle slammed into SUV turning left on Vernon Boulevard. Rider thrown, left unconscious with head and internal injuries. Police cite driver inexperience as cause.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west struck the right rear quarter panel of an SUV making a left turn on Vernon Boulevard in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 48-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a severe head injury, internal injuries, and unconsciousness. Police list driver inexperience as a contributing factor in the crash. The SUV driver was licensed but inexperienced. The report does not specify other contributing factors. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648324 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

An e-bike rider was ejected and suffered head injuries after colliding with an SUV on 21 Street in Queens. The crash happened at night. The rider was in shock and complained of pain and nausea. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling southbound.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male e-bike rider was injured and ejected during a collision with a southbound SUV on 21 Street in Queens. The e-bike struck the right front quarter panel of the SUV, damaging both vehicles. The rider suffered head injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was also traveling southbound. The report lists 'Cell Phone (hands-free)' as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable e-bike riders when motor vehicle drivers are distracted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An SUV made a right turn at unsafe speed and struck a sedan traveling straight on 21 Street. The sedan’s driver and two passengers suffered head injuries and shock. All three were restrained but sustained whiplash and contusions.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling south on 21 Street was making a right turn at unsafe speed when it collided with a sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper hitting the sedan’s left rear bumper, which was demolished. Three occupants in the sedan—a 30-year-old male driver and two male passengers aged 32 and 35—were injured. All suffered head injuries and shock, with complaints of whiplash and contusions. The report lists the contributing factors as unsafe speed and turning improperly by the SUV driver. All injured occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07