Northern Boulevard Bleeds—Who Will Stop the Next Death?

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

A 64-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk in Queens was struck by a motorscooter traveling east. The pedestrian suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a motorscooter traveling east on 96-08 37 Avenue in Queens struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his lower arm and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorscooter was going straight ahead at the time of impact, which occurred at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian’s crossing outside a crosswalk is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 41-year-old woman suffered arm injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn in Queens. The driver’s inexperience and failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision at an intersection where the pedestrian had the crossing signal.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 108 St and 37 Dr in Queens at 13:01. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2012 Chevrolet sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, made a right turn and struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, remaining conscious after the impact. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. The collision highlights critical driver errors, specifically the failure to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, underscoring systemic dangers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789322 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

A 24-year-old woman was hit by a pickup truck while crossing a marked crosswalk in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way during a left turn. The pedestrian suffered serious abdominal and pelvic injuries and was rendered unconscious.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 35 Ave and 97 St in Queens at 2:53 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a Ford pickup truck, traveling northwest and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and was unconscious at the scene. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield right-of-way directly led to the collision. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck hit a 17-year-old girl in a Queens crosswalk. She suffered leg fractures. The unlicensed driver was distracted and failed to yield. Impact came during a right turn. The street saw blood, not brake lights.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 100 Street at 35 Avenue in Queens in a marked crosswalk when a Ford pick-up truck struck her with its right front bumper. The driver was unlicensed and making a right turn. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle had no damage. Driver distraction and failure to yield led directly to the collision and the teen's injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi struck a moped making a left turn on 34 Ave in Queens. The moped carried three occupants including an eight-year-old passenger injured with facial bruises. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on 34 Ave near 97 St in Queens. A taxi traveling west struck a moped traveling east that was making a left turn. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end and the moped's right front bumper. The moped carried three occupants, including an eight-year-old female passenger who suffered facial contusions and bruises but was conscious and not ejected. The police report identifies the taxi driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The injured passenger was not using any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 54-year-old woman was injured crossing an intersection in Queens when an SUV making a left turn struck her. The driver’s view was obstructed, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian suffered lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old female pedestrian was crossing an intersection at 35-02 108 Street in Queens around 7:06 PM when she was struck by a 2010 Honda SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role in the crash. The pedestrian was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot area, sustaining internal complaints but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling southwest at the time. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted beyond the obstructed view affecting the driver. This crash underscores the dangers posed by limited driver visibility during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

At a heated mayoral forum, Zellnor Myrie demanded a dedicated busway for Flatbush Avenue. Candidates slammed slow buses and empty promises. They called for more bus lanes, free rides, and less fare policing. Riders want action, not talk. Streets remain dangerous.

On December 6, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum spotlighted New York City's broken bus service. State Senator Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, called for a dedicated busway on Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue, echoing the success of Manhattan's 14th Street. The forum, hosted by Riders Alliance, saw candidates—including Myrie, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debate urgent transit reforms. The matter: 'improving NYC's slow bus service.' Myrie and others backed more bus lanes, fare-free buses, and expanding Fair Fares for low-income riders. Mamdani vowed not to cave to local opposition. All criticized Mayor Adams for stalled bus projects. The forum exposed deep frustration with city inaction and highlighted the need for bold, street-level changes to protect riders and speed up commutes.

• Could a new mayor fix New York City's terrible bus service?, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-06

DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They clashed over congestion pricing, bus expansion, and subway safety. Zellnor Myrie pledged to defend congestion pricing. Others called for more police, more buses, and mental health teams. Streets and subways remain battlegrounds.

On December 3, 2024, at a Riders Alliance forum, six Democratic mayoral candidates—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debated New York City transit policy. The event focused on congestion pricing, set to begin January 5, and subway safety. The matter summary reads: 'NYC mayoral candidates participated in a transit-focused forum... discussing congestion pricing, subway safety, and transit upgrades.' Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, criticized Mayor Adams for not defending congestion pricing and promised to support it regardless of federal politics. Ramos pushed for congestion pricing revenue to fund the MTA. Stringer called for bus expansion and DOT reform. Walden wanted more police and exemptions for seniors and disabled riders. Lander and Mamdani argued for housing and outreach teams over policing. The forum highlighted sharp divides on how to protect vulnerable New Yorkers on streets and subways.

• 2025 NYC mayoral candidates sound off on congestion pricing, subway safety, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03

Mayoral hopefuls hammered Eric Adams for broken bus lane promises. At a transit forum, they called out City Hall’s slow pace. The law demands 30 miles a year. Adams delivered half. Candidates pledged pro-transit reforms. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum on NYC bus service and transportation policy spotlighted City Hall’s failures. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, saw candidates attack Mayor Eric Adams for not meeting the Streets Master Plan law, which mandates 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. Adams’ administration installed only 15.7 miles last fiscal year. State Sen. Jessica Ramos said, 'The current mayor promised 150 miles of bus lanes and hasn't delivered.' Comptroller Brad Lander promised a 'professional, world-class DOT commissioner.' Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani vowed to resist business interests blocking bus projects. Sen. Zellnor Myrie, mentioned at the forum, made pro-transit promises. The forum exposed how political inaction and broken promises keep streets unsafe for bus riders and pedestrians.

• Mayoral candidates hit Adams on failed promises to boost NYC's bus service, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-03

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

A sedan and an SUV collided on 106 Street in Queens at 2 a.m. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, highlighting a dangerous intersection.

According to the police report, at 2:00 a.m. on 106 Street in Queens, a 2021 Nissan sedan traveling south collided with a 2011 Chrysler SUV traveling west. The sedan's center front end and the SUV's right front quarter panel sustained damage. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old male occupant, was injured with abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed, though the SUV driver held a permit. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver, but no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted in moderate injury to the sedan driver, emphasizing the risks posed by multi-vehicle impacts at this location.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774143 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Trump’s victory sparks fierce debate over New York transit. Ramos doubts subway fixes without congestion pricing. Malliotakis cheers Trump’s opposition. Leaders call for federal funds, but vulnerable road users remain at risk as politics stall real safety gains.

On November 9, 2024, following the presidential election, New York City leaders debated transportation policy. The discussion, reported in the New York Post, centered on Trump’s opposition to congestion pricing and promises to improve Penn Station and the subways. State Senator Jessica Ramos, mentioned in the debate, voiced skepticism: 'If he’s saying he’s going to do it, he better deliver.' Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis urged collaboration with Trump and federal funding for infrastructure, rejecting congestion pricing. Mayor Eric Adams said he contacted Trump about city infrastructure needs. The matter title reads: 'What lefty leaders need to do to make NY great again after Trump’s victory, pols and pundits reveal.' No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The debate leaves the city’s most at-risk—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—waiting for action, not promises.

• What lefty leaders need to do to make NY great again after Trump’s victory, pols and pundits reveal, nypost.com, Published 2024-11-09