Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Woodside?
Four Dead in Woodside—Speed Kills, Leaders Stall
Woodside: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025
The Numbers Do Not Lie
Four people are dead. Eleven are seriously hurt. In Woodside, from 2022 to June 2025, the street is a wound that will not close. Crashes do not stop. In the last twelve months alone, 224 people were injured. Three were left with injuries that will mark them for life. Not one death in the past year, but the memory of loss lingers. NYC Open Data
The Pattern: Relentless and Unchanged
SUVs, trucks, sedans, mopeds. They strike bodies and break them. Two killed by SUVs. One by a truck. One by a motorcycle. Pedestrians, cyclists, riders—all at risk. The numbers do not care if you are young or old. In the last year, 11 children were hurt. No one is spared.
Leadership: Promises and Waiting
The city talks of Vision Zero. They say every life matters. They point to new laws—Sammy’s Law lets the city lower speed limits. Cameras catch speeders. But in Woodside, the street stays the same. Crashes keep coming. The council can lower the limit to 20 mph. They have not. The state can keep speed cameras running. They have not acted fast enough. Every day of delay is another day of risk.
What Comes Next
This is not fate. Streets can be made safe. Speed can be slowed. Cameras can be kept on. But only if leaders act. Only if people demand it. The cost of waiting is written in broken bodies and empty chairs.
Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph limit. Demand speed cameras stay on. Do not wait for another name on the list.
Citations
Other Representatives
District 30
55-19 69th St., Maspeth, NY 11378
Room 744, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 26
37-04 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205, Long Island City, NY 11101
718-383-9566
250 Broadway, Suite 1749, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6975
District 12
22-07 45th St. Suite 1008, Astoria, NY 11105
Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
Woodside Woodside sits in Queens, Precinct 108, District 26, AD 30, SD 12, Queens CB2.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Woodside
S 8607Raga votes yes on Kingston school speed cameras, boosting pedestrian safety.▸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
Res 0079-2024Won supports Open Streets 5 mph limit, boosting safety for pedestrians.▸Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.
Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.
-
File Res 0079-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-06-06
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-06-03
Sedan Unsafe Lane Change Injures Queens Bicyclist▸A Queens bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an unsafe lane change. The 35-year-old woman was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened early morning on 53 Place near Northern Boulevard.
According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 53 Place made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn at the time and showed no visible damage. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured in the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as unsafe lane changes in Queens.
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
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
Res 0079-2024Won supports Open Streets 5 mph limit, boosting safety for pedestrians.▸Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.
Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.
-
File Res 0079-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-06-06
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-06-03
Sedan Unsafe Lane Change Injures Queens Bicyclist▸A Queens bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an unsafe lane change. The 35-year-old woman was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened early morning on 53 Place near Northern Boulevard.
According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 53 Place made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn at the time and showed no visible damage. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured in the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as unsafe lane changes in Queens.
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.
Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.
- File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-06-03
Sedan Unsafe Lane Change Injures Queens Bicyclist▸A Queens bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an unsafe lane change. The 35-year-old woman was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened early morning on 53 Place near Northern Boulevard.
According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 53 Place made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn at the time and showed no visible damage. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured in the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as unsafe lane changes in Queens.
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
- File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03
Sedan Unsafe Lane Change Injures Queens Bicyclist▸A Queens bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an unsafe lane change. The 35-year-old woman was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened early morning on 53 Place near Northern Boulevard.
According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 53 Place made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn at the time and showed no visible damage. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured in the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as unsafe lane changes in Queens.
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A Queens bicyclist was injured after a sedan made an unsafe lane change. The 35-year-old woman was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened early morning on 53 Place near Northern Boulevard.
According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 53 Place made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn at the time and showed no visible damage. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured in the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as unsafe lane changes in Queens.
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
- File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28
S 9718Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
-
File S 9718,
Open States,
Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.
Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.
- File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Northern Boulevard▸A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A bicyclist was injured after a sedan struck him on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries and ejection from the bike. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.
According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 9:27 AM. The bicyclist, traveling eastbound, was struck on the left side doors of the parked sedan, sustaining knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet but was also noted with a contributing factor of 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was parked prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's left side doors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Hyundai sedan. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the vulnerability of bicyclists in such collisions.
Distracted Moped Driver Crashes on Roosevelt▸A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into trouble on Roosevelt Avenue. His inattention left him with fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash tore up the moped’s front end. No other injuries reported.
According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driving a 2023 Taizhou Zhilong moped east on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens crashed at 12:04 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The moped’s center front end was damaged, showing a direct impact. The driver was not ejected but suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. No other people were reported injured. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a factor, focusing solely on the driver's inattention.
Gianaris Supports Queens Express Bus Expansion Boosting Safety▸Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
-
Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins,
nypost.com,
Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.
On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.
- Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16
Turning SUV Driver Distracted, Moped Rider Bleeds▸A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A distracted SUV driver turned left on 65th Street. A moped slammed into the bumper. The rider crashed, blood streaming from his head onto the pavement. He lay conscious, helmetless, as the SUV’s torn bumper marked the violent impact.
According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a left turn at the corner of 65th Street and 43rd Avenue in Queens when a southbound moped, traveling straight, collided with the SUV’s right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe bleeding from the head, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood pouring from his head onto the pavement. The SUV’s bumper was torn in the crash. The police report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to pay attention while turning across traffic.
SUV Collision in Queens Injures Front Passenger▸Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Two SUVs collided on 55 Street in Queens. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries, including whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Damage concentrated on the left front quarter panel of one SUV.
According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 55 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens at 2:30 p.m. Both drivers were cited for "Driver Inattention/Distraction," a critical factor in the crash. The impact occurred on the left front quarter panel of one SUV, which sustained visible damage. The other vehicle showed no damage. A 23-year-old male front passenger in the damaged SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver distraction as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger. Both drivers were licensed, traveling westbound, and going straight ahead before the collision.
2Moped Rider Severely Injured in Queens Collision▸A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A moped struck a turning sedan on Queens Boulevard. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious, silent, as speed and steel tore through the evening air.
At Queens Boulevard and 69th Street, a moped traveling east collided violently with a sedan making a right turn. According to the police report, the primary cause was 'Unsafe Speed.' The impact severely injured the 17-year-old moped driver, resulting in the amputation of part of his lower arm and hand. The report states, 'A moped slammed into a turning sedan. A 17-year-old boy lost part of his arm. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' Damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the dangers posed by excessive speed in urban traffic. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.
SUV Strikes and Kills Pedestrian on Roosevelt Avenue▸A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.
A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.
Taxi Passenger Injured in Unsafe Lane Change Crash▸A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.
According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.
Gianaris Opposes Ending Fare-Free Bus Pilot Safety Boosting▸Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
-
MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget,
amny.com,
Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.
On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.
- MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget, amny.com, Published 2024-04-21
Int 0745-2024Won co-sponsors bill to improve micromobility data collection, no direct safety impact.▸Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
-
File Int 0745-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.
Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.
- File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11
Taxi With Defective Brakes Strikes Pedestrian▸A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.
According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.
Won Supports Safety Boosting Barriers Against Illegal Car Parking▸Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
-
Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.
On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.
- Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-29
S 2714Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
-
File S 2714,
Open States,
Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.
Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.
- File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27
Distracted Driver Strikes Pedestrian at Crosswalk▸A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.
A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.
According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.