Maspeth Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall

Businesses in Manhattan’s toll zone pass new $9 congestion fee to customers. Councilman Holden calls it a scam tax. Residents pay even if they don’t drive. Gridlock grows near the border. Critics warn of rising costs and slower emergency response.

On January 5, 2025, New York City began enforcing congestion pricing below 60th Street, charging drivers $9 during peak hours. The measure, discussed in the article 'NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’,' has sparked backlash. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden, representing District 30, condemned the move, stating, 'It’s no surprise that businesses will pass the Congestion Scam Tax on to consumers.' Companies like CompuVoip and Dream Events & Decor now add surcharges for customers in the zone. Holden’s criticism joins that of Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and others, who warn of higher costs and increased gridlock. Emergency unions claim response times will suffer. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed.

• NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-05

An e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered a head injury in a Queens crash. The rider was incoherent and diagnosed with a concussion. The collision involved a sedan and was caused by unsafe speed, according to the police report.

At 12:15 a.m. in Queens on Flushing Avenue near 61st Street, an e-scooter rider was injured after a collision with a sedan, according to the police report. The e-scooter driver, a 39-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a head injury resulting in a concussion. The report states the driver was incoherent at the scene. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, with the e-scooter struck at its center back end and the sedan impacted at its center front end. The police report identifies unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed in mixed vehicle environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783933 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn on Fresh Pond Rd. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing serious injury at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southwest on Fresh Pond Rd was making a left turn when it struck an 89-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, dislocated injury to her elbow, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the left front bumper. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2013 Chevrolet sedan. This crash highlights the danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old male e-bike rider suffered severe leg injuries after a collision with a parked sedan in Queens. The rider was partially ejected and fractured his knee and lower leg. The sedan’s left front quarter panel was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 9:30 AM near 66-33 Grand Ave in Queens involving a sedan and an e-bike. The sedan was parked before the crash, with damage to its left front quarter panel. The 17-year-old male e-bike rider, traveling straight ahead, was partially ejected and sustained a fracture and dislocation to his knee and lower leg. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the rider but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The focus remains on the impact and injuries sustained by the vulnerable e-bike rider, highlighting the dangers posed by vehicle movements near parked cars. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Holden’s e-bike registration bill faces fierce pushback. Advocates warn it targets immigrants and delivery workers. Business groups fear new costs. Supporters say it brings accountability. Streets remain deadly. Cars still kill most. Debate rages. No easy answers.

Intro. 606, known as Priscilla’s Law, was introduced by Council Member Robert F. Holden of District 30. The bill, debated on December 12, 2024, sits before the City Council. It would require all e-mobility devices not covered by the state DMV to register with the city’s Department of Transportation. The bill’s summary states it aims to increase accountability for e-bike riders after fatal crashes. Holden, the sponsor, cited dangers from unregulated e-vehicles and hit-and-runs. Advocacy groups, including Los Deliveristas Unidos and Open Plans, argue the bill would unfairly criminalize immigrants and delivery workers, and increase police stops for people of color. The NYC Hospitality Alliance warns of new financial and administrative burdens for small businesses. Both sides agree cars cause far more deaths, but the bill’s critics say better street design, not registration, would protect vulnerable road users.

• Immigrant, hospitality advocacy groups push back on NYC e-bike licensing bill, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Council Member Holden wants license plates on e-bikes. Lawyers say it’s illegal. The bill could block riders, clash with state law, and open doors to police stops. Critics warn it hurts city goals. The law department stays silent.

Intro 606, a City Council bill introduced by Council Member Bob Holden, would force the Department of Transportation to register e-bikes and issue license plates for a fee. The bill is named after Priscilla Loke, killed by an electric Citi Bike rider. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig, Peter Beadle, and Brandon Chamberlin argue the bill violates state law, which bars cities from imposing fees that restrict the 'free use' of bicycles. They warn it would create barriers to e-bike use and could lead to inconsistent rules across cities. Holden defends the bill as a push for 'accountability and safety.' Critics say it discourages e-bike use and risks police harassment, especially for immigrants. The city Law Department declined comment. The bill’s legal standing and impact on vulnerable road users remain sharply contested.

• Intro 606 Alert: E-Bike Licensing Bill Is Not Even Legal, Lawyers Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-11

SUV and tractor truck collided on the Long Island Expressway. SUV driver injured, suffered back pain and shock. Police cite improper lane use and unsafe lane change as crash causes.

According to the police report, at 22:03 on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, a 2020 Dodge SUV and a 2024 Ford tractor truck, both westbound, collided. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The SUV was struck on the right front quarter panel and right side doors. The tractor truck was hit on the left rear quarter panel. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The report points to dangerous lane maneuvers as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 32-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured with back trauma and minor bleeding on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a Lexus SUV and was caused by the bicyclist following too closely. No damage was reported to the SUV.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:39 on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. A 32-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected from his bike, suffering back injuries and minor bleeding. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating the bicyclist's failure to maintain safe distance. The bicyclist was traveling northeast, as was a Lexus SUV involved, which sustained no damage and had no occupants at the time. The point of impact was the center back end of the bike, showing the collision dynamics. The police report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors beyond the following too closely error. The incident highlights the dangers of close following distances in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 22-year-old male moped rider was ejected and fractured his knee and lower leg. The crash occurred in Queens near Grand Ave. The moped’s right front bumper was damaged. The rider wore a helmet but suffered dislocations and fractures.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male moped rider was injured and ejected from his vehicle at 18:10 in Queens near 66-30 Grand Ave. The moped, traveling north, sustained damage to its right front bumper. The rider suffered fractures, dislocations, and distorted injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not assign fault to the rider. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The moped was previously parked before the collision. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured according to the data. The report highlights the severity of the impact and the rider’s ejection, emphasizing the danger posed by the crash circumstances.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two box trucks collided head-on while traveling north on Maurice Avenue in Queens. Both drivers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. Police cited defective brakes and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash left both drivers conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Maurice Avenue in Queens at 6:32 AM. Two box trucks, both traveling north, collided with front-end impacts. The report lists 'Brakes Defective' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the collision. Both drivers, aged 49 and 50, were injured with neck injuries described as whiplash and were conscious at the scene. The drivers were not ejected and had licensed New York state registrations. The crash involved one driver impacting the center back end of the other vehicle. The police report highlights vehicle defects and other vehicular issues as the primary causes, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway struck a parked sedan from behind. The driver of the moving vehicle suffered injuries and shock. Police cite following too closely as the cause, highlighting dangerous driver behavior on a busy highway.

According to the police report, at 1:30 a.m., a 29-year-old male driver in a 2010 Toyota sedan traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway collided with a parked 2011 Infiniti sedan. The point of impact was the center front end of the moving vehicle striking the center back end of the parked vehicle. The driver of the moving sedan was injured and experienced shock, wearing a lap belt at the time. The report explicitly identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision underscores the dangers of driver inattention or misjudgment on high-speed roadways, with no fault attributed to the parked vehicle or its occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 30-year-old man suffered a head contusion after a collision with a bus on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. The bus was parked and sustained no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious but was seriously injured, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male pedestrian was injured in a collision involving a bus on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens at 4:54 AM. The pedestrian sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise and was conscious at the scene. The bus, a 2021 New Flyer registered in New York, was parked at the time of the incident and showed no damage or point of impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors or violations. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No additional details about the pedestrian's actions or crossing signals were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Police chases in Astoria’s 114 Precinct have surged. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price. One cyclist is dead. NYPD ignores its own rules. Dangerous drivers face no real penalty. Officials and residents demand action. The city stalls. Streets stay deadly.

This report covers the sharp rise in high-speed police chases in the NYPD’s 114th Precinct, Astoria, Queens. The article, published October 28, 2024, details community outrage after a cyclist’s death and repeated injuries. NYPD policy says chases should end when risk outweighs reward, but enforcement fails. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which once forced repeat offenders into safety courses, has expired. Comptroller Brad Lander says, 'Drivers who are repeatedly caught by speed and red-light cameras currently face no consequences other than a fine in the mail. Repeat reckless drivers must be held to account.' State Senator Michael Gianaris calls for stronger penalties, including suspending registrations. The NYPD has not adopted reforms. Residents and advocates demand legislative action and transparency. Without it, vulnerable road users remain at risk.

• Reckless: The 114 Precinct is an Island of High-Speed Chases In Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-28

A 22-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after being struck from behind. The crash occurred during a left turn on 54 Street. Police cited the driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:25 on 54 Street near Flushing Avenue. A 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the bicyclist. The vehicle involved was making a left turn when the impact occurred at the center back end of the bicycle. The bicyclist was riding eastbound and was the sole occupant of the bike. No helmet use or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the front center of the vehicle but no damage to the bike. The report highlights driver error in maintaining distance as the key cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old sedan driver suffered neck injuries in a violent collision with a pick-up truck in Queens. The crash, marked by aggressive driving and failure to keep right, left both vehicles frontally damaged and the sedan driver hospitalized.

According to the police report, at 11:44 AM in Queens near 57-00 47 Street, a collision occurred involving a 2002 Honda sedan and a 2023 Ford pick-up truck. The sedan driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and internal complaints but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Failure to Keep Right' as contributing factors by the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained center front-end damage, indicating a head-on impact. The pick-up truck was unoccupied at the time. The sedan driver was restrained with a lap belt. The crash highlights the dangers of aggressive driving behaviors and improper lane discipline in Queens traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a right turn struck a northbound moped on Grand Avenue. The moped driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance and improper lane use as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Avenue at 13:13. A sedan traveling north was making a right turn when it collided with a moped also heading north. The point of impact was the sedan’s right side doors and the moped’s center front end. The moped driver, a 47-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the sedan driver’s contributing factors as "Following Too Closely" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." These driver errors led to the collision and the moped driver’s injuries. The sedan driver was licensed and had two occupants; the moped had one occupant. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV passed too closely on Eliot Avenue in Queens. The collision caused contusions and a hip injury. The SUV driver’s unsafe lane change led to the crash without visible vehicle damage.

According to the police report, at 10:50 AM on Eliot Avenue in Queens, a 17-year-old male bicyclist was injured after an SUV passed too closely and changed lanes unsafely. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered contusions and an upper leg injury. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. The SUV struck the bicyclist on its right front quarter panel but sustained no damage. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no safety equipment noted. The report emphasizes the driver errors that caused the crash, focusing on the SUV’s failure to maintain safe distance and lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 36-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a pick-up truck failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at a Queens intersection when the impact occurred, leaving him bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling southeast on 57th Street in Queens was making a left turn when it struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near Flushing Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact occurring at the center front end. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This crash highlights the critical danger posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers in intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus traveling east on Grand Avenue struck an e-bike carrying two riders. Both were ejected and suffered injuries to limbs and shoulders. The crash resulted from the bus passing too closely and driver inexperience, according to the police report.

At 20:08 on Grand Avenue, a bus and an e-bike collided while both traveled east. According to the police report, the bus driver passed too closely to the e-bike, striking its left front bumper with the bus's right rear quarter panel. Two e-bike riders, a 69-year-old male driver and a 65-year-old female passenger, were ejected and sustained injuries including contusions and pain to their knees, legs, feet, and shoulders. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The bus driver was licensed in New York. The female passenger also experienced shock. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by close passing and inexperienced driving around vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763651 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorbike making an improper U-turn collided with a sedan traveling straight on Grand Avenue in Queens. Two female occupants on the motorbike suffered contusions and moderate injuries. The motorbike driver was ejected but conscious, both wore helmets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:48 on Grand Avenue in Queens. A 32-year-old female motorbike driver was making an improper U-turn when her motorbike struck a sedan traveling westbound. The motorbike's left front bumper and the sedan's right front bumper were the points of impact. The motorbike driver was ejected and sustained back contusions with injury severity rated as moderate (3). A 13-year-old female passenger riding on the outside of the motorbike also suffered knee, lower leg, and foot contusions with the same injury severity. Both motorbike occupants were conscious and wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The police report cites the motorbike driver's error of 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The sedan driver was traveling straight ahead with no cited errors. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04