Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Jan 22 - 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

Jan 21 - Two SUVs collided head-on on Cypress Avenue in Queens. The 32-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police report cites steering failure and driver inattention as causes. Both vehicles sustained left front bumper damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cypress Avenue in Queens at 4:45 p.m. Two sport utility vehicles collided head-on, each impacting the other's left front bumper. The 32-year-old male driver of a 2017 Nissan SUV was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Steering Failure' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in opposite directions prior to impact. There is no mention of pedestrian or cyclist involvement, nor any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision highlights vehicle mechanical failure combined with driver distraction as the primary causes of the injury crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787566 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 21 - A taxi swung right on Fresh Pond Road. A cyclist turned left. Steel struck flesh. A 23-year-old man’s leg shattered on cold pavement. No helmet, no warning, just the sharp snap of bone and the city’s indifference.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Fresh Pond Road and Gates Avenue in Queens when a taxi made a right turn and a cyclist turned left. The report states, 'A taxi turned right. A bike turned left. Steel struck bone.' The 23-year-old cyclist was thrown to the pavement, suffering crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'his leg crushed. No helmet. No horn. Just pain, shock, and cold January light.' The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but lists no driver errors or additional contributing factors. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when turning vehicles and vulnerable road users cross paths in New York City’s chaotic streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 21 - Council leadership handed street policy to car-first politicians. Safety bills stalled. Parking won. Cyclists and pedestrians lost. Deaths stayed high. Advocates condemned the shift. The Speaker and committee heads blocked reforms. Vulnerable New Yorkers paid the price.

""[Intro 606] that was brought forth by Bob Holden wouldn't have seen the light of day and wouldn't have gotten as many signatures as it has now because the leadership wouldn't have had it that way. We wouldn't allow for what I consider his false narrative and public perception to dictate safety and safety policy."" -- Antonio Reynoso

On January 21, 2025, the City Council, under Speaker Adrienne Adams, set its transportation agenda. The session saw progressives sidelined as the Council prioritized car-centric bills, including Intros 103 and 104 (parking protection) and hearings on Intro 606 (e-bike registration). The Common Sense Caucus, known for opposing bike lanes and congestion pricing, led the charge. Progressive members lost key committee seats. Universal daylighting (Intro 1138) and other safety reforms stalled. Council Member Julie Won continued to push for daylighting but faced resistance. As Streetsblog reported, 'roadway safety is simply not a priority.' Advocates and former members criticized the Council for failing to hold the mayor accountable on the Streets Master Plan and for focusing on parking over safety. The Council's actions marked a retreat from previous street safety gains, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• ‘Progressives’ Turn Council’s Transportation Policy Over to Republicans, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 8 - A sedan making a right turn hit a 14-year-old bicyclist traveling north on Madison Street. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, bruised but conscious. Police cite the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:05 on Madison Street in Queens. A sedan, traveling northwest and making a right turn, collided with a northbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the bike, which sustained damage, while the sedan showed no damage. The 14-year-old bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver did not yield to the bicyclist. No other contributing factors were noted for the bicyclist. The crash highlights driver error and systemic risk to vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784631 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 5 - 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

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 30 - SUV plowed into a parked sedan on Fairview Avenue. Front passenger suffered knee and leg abrasions. Police cite driver inattention. Impact left scars on metal and flesh.

According to the police report, a southbound SUV struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked sedan near 611 Fairview Avenue in Queens at 14:07. The sedan’s front passenger, a 40-year-old woman, suffered abrasions to her knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV driver failed to maintain focus, causing the crash. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted. The collision highlights the danger when drivers lose attention, even with stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 23 - A Honda SUV crashed into two parked cars on Himrod Street. Metal screamed. The driver’s face was crushed. He was conscious, bloodied, silent. Alcohol was involved, according to police. The street stood still, broken by the violence of impact.

A 2010 Honda SUV struck two parked vehicles near 1717 Himrod Street in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:25 a.m. and involved a single driver, age 29, who suffered severe facial injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The report states the driver was 'conscious' after the collision. Police explicitly list 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The narrative details that the SUV 'slammed into two parked cars,' emphasizing the violence of the crash. Both struck vehicles were stationary at the time. The driver was wearing only a lap belt. No actions by other road users contributed to the crash, and no pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The focus remains on the driver’s actions and the cited presence of alcohol as a systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - A collision in Queens sent a 38-year-old male passenger to the hospital with head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a sport utility vehicle and a sedan, both parked before impact. Driver failure to yield right-of-way caused the violent crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:48 in Queens near Woodbine Street. The collision involved a 2025 Honda SUV and a 2025 Toyota sedan, both initially parked. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. A 38-year-old male occupant, seated in the middle front seat of one vehicle and secured with lap belt and harness, suffered head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The injured passenger was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel on both vehicles, with damage to the left rear bumper. The report highlights driver error as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780382 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 12 - Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12