Red Lights Run, Childhood Stolen—Demand Safe Streets Now

Jul 28 - A motorcycle driver turned right at Northern Blvd and 85 St and hit an e-bike rider going straight. Two women on foot were hurt. A 53-year-old rider was ejected with a leg fracture. Police recorded improper lane use.

An e-bike rider and a motorcycle driver collided at Northern Blvd and 85 St in Queens. Two female pedestrians, ages 77 and 67, were injured at the intersection with leg injuries. A 53-year-old male rider was ejected and suffered a leg fracture. According to the police report, “Passing or Lane Usage Improper” was a contributing factor. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. The e-bike was traveling west, going straight; the motorcycle driver was making a right turn. Three vulnerable road users were hurt in a crash shaped by improper lane use and a driver without a license.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832003 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 22 - A moped and sedan collided on 84th Street. One man on the moped suffered arm injuries. Police cite improper passing or lane use. Streets remain dangerous for those outside cars.

A crash on 84th Street at 37th Avenue in Queens involved a sedan and a moped. One man, riding the moped, was injured in the arm and reported minor bleeding. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was listed as a contributing factor. The moped was passing when it struck the sedan. No other injuries were reported. The report does not mention helmet use as a factor. The data highlights the risk when drivers fail to use lanes properly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829888 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 19 - The driver of a motorcycle hit the right rear bumper of a sedan on Astoria Boulevard at 82nd Street. The 20-year-old rider suffered knee and foot contusions. Police recorded driver inattention and following too closely.

The driver of a motorcycle rear-ended a sedan at the intersection of Astoria Boulevard and 82nd Street in Queens. The 20-year-old motorcycle driver was injured, suffering contusions to his knee and foot. According to the police report, officers recorded 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The report notes impact to the sedan's right rear bumper and the motorcycle's center front end. The sedan driver held only a permit; the motorcycle driver was listed as unlicensed. No ejections were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828918 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 7 - BMW hit divider, flew across highway, struck two cars. Fire followed. Two young lives ended. Others hurt. Concrete, speed, and steel left scars in Queens dawn.

NY Daily News (2025-07-07) reports a BMW crashed into a concrete divider on Queens' Belt Parkway, then vaulted over the highway, hitting two vehicles. The BMW caught fire. Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, died after hospital transport. Three other BMW passengers and two other drivers survived with minor or stable injuries. Police noted, "No one in the BMW was wearing a seat belt." Authorities sought a warrant to test the driver's blood for alcohol. The crash highlights high-speed risks and the dangers of divided highways.

• BMW Crash Kills Two on Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-07

• Fatally Injured Teenager Is Discovered on Top of a N.Y.C. Subway Car, The New York Times, Published 2025-07-04

Jul 2 - A sedan hit a man crossing at Roosevelt Avenue. The car's front slammed his lower leg. Police cite driver distraction. The man was bruised but conscious.

A sedan traveling south struck a male pedestrian at the intersection of 81-01 Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. The impact hit the man's lower leg, causing a contusion. According to the police report, the crash resulted from 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian was injured but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists no other contributing factors from the pedestrian. The sedan's front end took the brunt of the collision. No further details about the driver were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825831 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 25 - Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Jun 25 - Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.

• D-Minus! The Albany Report Card for 2025, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Jun 23 - SUV hit a man crossing with the signal. He fell. His leg bruised. The driver failed to yield and turned wrong. Blood on the street. The city kept moving.

A 43-year-old man was injured when an SUV struck him as he crossed 90th Street at 35th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the driver, making a right turn, failed to yield the right-of-way and turned improperly. The impact left the man with a contusion to his lower leg. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822644 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 23 - A pickup fleeing police struck Amanda Servedio on her bike. The crash hurled her thirty feet. She died at the scene. The driver, Bekim Fiseku, ran. Police chased him through residential streets. Eight months later, they made an arrest.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-23), Amanda Servedio, 37, was killed when a Dodge Ram pickup, fleeing NYPD officers, struck her at 37th St. and 34th Ave. in Queens. The driver, Bekim Fiseku, was wanted for burglary and had tape over his license plate. Police chased him nearly a mile through residential streets. A witness said, "She went airborne. She flew like 30 feet. It was a lot of force." The article highlights concerns about NYPD's pursuit tactics, quoting the victim's father: "It was probably not the place to be doing a high-speed chase, in the residential neighborhood." Fiseku faces murder and manslaughter charges. The case raises questions about the risks of police chases in dense city neighborhoods.

• Police Chase Ends With Cyclist Killed, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 21 - Two vehicles crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Driver inattention listed as cause. One driver suffered whiplash. Metal and glass met at speed. The road stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Two vehicles, a Ford pickup and a Mitsubishi sedan, collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor for both drivers. One driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body. The other occupant's injuries were unspecified. The crash involved impact to the right front bumper of the pickup and the left rear quarter panel of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 21 - A sedan turned wrong on Junction. A motorcycle rider took the hit. He left with a bruised leg. Driver inattention and bad turning led to pain.

A crash on Junction Blvd at Northern Blvd in Queens involved a sedan and a motorcycle. According to the police report, the sedan made an improper turn and struck the motorcycle. The 20-year-old motorcycle driver suffered a knee and foot injury, listed as a contusion. Police cited 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The motorcyclist wore a helmet. No other serious injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn carelessly and fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 20 - DOT pushes ahead. Protected bike lanes coming to 31st Street. Community board erupts. Lawmakers back the plan. Business owners protest. City stands with cyclists and pedestrians. Proven safety gains for vulnerable users. Change rolls forward. Streets shift. Lives may be spared.

On June 20, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its plan to install protected bike lanes under the elevated tracks on 31st Street in Astoria. The proposal, discussed at a heated community board meeting, remains active and is set for installation after summer repaving. Council Member Tiffany Caban, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas endorsed the plan in a letter, stating it would 'protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers while making our streets safer and less congested.' DOT spokesman Will Livingston said the design improves safety and supports local businesses. Despite opposition from some business owners, the plan moves forward. Safety analysts note: 'Protected bike lanes are proven to reduce injuries and fatalities for cyclists and pedestrians, encourage mode shift, and improve street equity by reallocating space from cars to vulnerable users.'

• DOT Stands By Astoria Bike Lane Plan Despite Foes’ ‘Childish’ Outbursts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20

Jun 19 - Two SUVs slammed together at 68th Street and 30th Avenue. Metal crumpled. Three people suffered injuries. Airbags burst. Blood on knees, arms, hands. No pedestrians involved. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

Two station wagons or SUVs crashed at the intersection of 68th Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when they collided. Three occupants were injured: a 24-year-old male driver, a 43-year-old female driver, and an 18-year-old male front passenger. Injuries included abrasions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, foot, elbow, lower arm, and hand. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. The police report does not list any contributing driver errors or factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal and pain behind, but the official record gives no reason why.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821614 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 17 - City plans to calm 34th Avenue. Fast riders pushed to Northern Boulevard. Advocates want a park, not a racetrack. Critics warn the move may hurt cycling and safety. Cars still threaten. Pedestrians, cyclists, and kids wait for real protection.

On June 17, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the city’s $89-million redesign proposal for the 34th Avenue open street. The plan, discussed with Council Member Shekar Krishnan and groups like the Alliance for Paseo Park, aims to move fast e-bikes and mopeds to a new lane on Northern Boulevard. The matter summary reads: 'Supporters of the 34th Avenue open street hope design changes can help calm the strip and redirect faster riders to a safer Northern Boulevard.' Dawn Siff and Jim Burke spoke for more park space and bike access. The safety analyst warns: 'Redirecting faster riders away from an open street may discourage cycling and reduce safety in numbers, while failing to address the root causes of unsafe speeds through infrastructure or traffic calming for all users.' The redesign risks pushing danger elsewhere, not solving it.

• Report: A Calmer 34th Avenue Open Street Starts on Northern Boulevard, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16