Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Dec 12 - 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

Dec 11 - A 62-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn in Queens. The pedestrian suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision, leaving the victim severely injured.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Metropolitan Avenue in Queens around 5 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2021 Subaru SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck him. The point of impact was the vehicle’s center front end. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his hip and upper leg, classified as a severe injury. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield caused the collision. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was reported as none, underscoring the impact on the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 11 - 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

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Nov 27 - A sedan struck a 29-year-old man head-on in a marked crosswalk on Woodward Avenue. His back was crushed. He lay conscious on the pavement, staring up at the Queens sky. Driver inattention and failure to yield marked the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Woodward Avenue near Cornelia Street struck a 29-year-old man as he crossed in a marked crosswalk. The report states the vehicle hit him head-on, crushing his back and leaving him conscious on the pavement. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this is noted only after the primary driver errors. The vehicle's point of impact and damage were both at the center front end, underscoring the directness of the collision. The focus remains on the driver's failure to pay attention and yield, as documented in official records.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Nov 25 - Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

Nov 22 - Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""The consequences of today's decision to exempt R1, R2, and R3 contextual districts from City of Yes are severe," he said in a statement. "The housing pressure on every other neighborhood will go up, which means if Queens or Staten Island doesn't grow, Brooklyn is asked to do more than our fair share."" -- Antonio Reynoso

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22

Nov 20 - A 19-year-old unlicensed moped driver was ejected and injured in a Queens collision. The moped struck the left side of a sedan while both vehicles traveled straight. The crash was triggered by the moped driver's reaction to an uninvolved vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fresh Pond Road near Metropolitan Avenue in Queens at 7:30 a.m. A 19-year-old male moped driver, unlicensed and without safety equipment, was ejected and suffered abrasions to his entire body. The moped, traveling west, collided with the left side doors of a southbound sedan. The report cites the moped driver's 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to impact. The moped sustained damage to its center front end, and the sedan was damaged on its left side doors. The driver errors identified focus on the moped operator's reaction, with no fault attributed to the sedan driver or other road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772894 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 16 - A 37-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV making a left turn struck him on Fresh Pond Road. The cyclist suffered upper arm injuries and bruises. Driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:17 on Fresh Pond Road in Queens. A 37-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was riding northwest when he was struck by a westbound SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained upper arm injuries and contusions. The report cites driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The SUV driver, a licensed male, failed to yield while turning left, directly causing the collision. The bicyclist's helmet use is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 30 - Private trash trucks still maim and kill. Five years after reform, chaos rules. Only one waste zone runs. No citywide plan. Streets stay dangerous. Lawmakers and survivors demand action. The city stalls. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

""If done right, CWZs can eliminate millions of truck miles traveled from our streets, keep workers and pedestrians safe, and ensure quality service for all customers. The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill."" -- Antonio Reynoso

The 2019 commercial waste zone reform aimed to cut truck carnage by dividing New York City into 20 zones, each served by specific haulers. As of October 30, 2024, only one zone is active. No timeline exists for citywide rollout. The Department of Sanitation claims caution is needed to avoid price hikes and ensure effective change, but offers no clear metrics or deadlines. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, pleads, 'We can't wait another day to enforce truck safety requirements.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso warns, 'The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill.' Delays keep streets deadly for workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The law’s promise remains unfulfilled. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

• Private Trash Haulers Are Still Killing and Injuring New Yorkers As Long-Awaited Reforms Lag, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-30

Oct 28 - 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

Oct 16 - A moped rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV made an improper left turn and struck him on Fresh Pond Road. The impact damaged the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the moped’s front end. The moped driver remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:10 on Fresh Pond Road near Menahan Street. The SUV, traveling east, was making a left turn when it collided with a moped traveling south that was stopped in traffic. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver’s actions. The moped rider, a 39-year-old male with a permit license, was wearing a helmet and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The SUV sustained damage to its right front quarter panel, and the moped’s center front end was damaged. The moped driver was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The report highlights the SUV driver’s failure to execute a proper turn as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764162 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 12 - A 13-year-old boy riding east on Woodward Avenue was injured when an SUV struck him from behind. The impact caused abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV driver followed too closely and was inattentive, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 18:08 on Woodward Avenue in Queens, an SUV traveling east struck a 13-year-old bicyclist from behind. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites the SUV driver's errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The collision point was the center front end of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of his vehicle and was injured but not critically. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers who fail to maintain safe distances and remain attentive on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 7 - A sedan struck a bicyclist from behind on Myrtle Avenue in Queens. The 52-year-old rider was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:46 AM on Myrtle Avenue in Queens. A 52-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected after being struck in the center back end by a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling westbound. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan driver, also male and licensed in New York, was traveling straight ahead and impacted the bicyclist's rear. The report explicitly lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the bicyclist. No safety equipment was noted for the bicyclist, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The sedan sustained no damage despite the impact. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver inattention to spacing behind vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 5 - SUV pulled from parking, failed to yield. Motorcycle struck its side. Passenger, helmeted, took the blow. She left with bruised knee and leg. The street stayed silent. Metal and flesh met. System failed her.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 1:35 AM on Metropolitan Avenue involving a motorcycle and an SUV. The SUV started from parking and failed to yield right-of-way, causing the motorcycle, traveling east, to strike its side. A 25-year-old female passenger riding on the outside of the motorcycle was injured. She wore a helmet and remained conscious, suffering contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites the SUV driver's failure to yield as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors were listed. The motorcycle driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 1 - Governor Hochul stalls congestion pricing, leaving MTA riders in limbo. The pause threatens subway and bus service. Advocates demand any replacement funds boost operations, not highways. Riders need frequent, affordable transit—not more gridlock and pollution.

This editorial, published October 1, 2024, addresses Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing and seek alternative funding for the MTA’s $15-billion capital plan. The article states: “If the governor wants to do the MTA and riders a favor, she should use the money she finds to instead boost MTA operations.” Author Samuel Santaella criticizes Hochul’s move, arguing it jeopardizes service for working-class New Yorkers. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris are cited as proponents of fare-free buses, while Riders Alliance pushes for six-minute service. The piece urges Hochul to reject highway expansions and instead invest in frequent, affordable transit. The editorial frames this as a fight for clean air, equity, and safety for all New Yorkers who rely on public transportation.

• OPINION: Any Money Hochul Finds to ‘Replace’ Congestion Pricing Should Fund Fares and Frequency, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-01

Sep 30 - A tow truck struck a bicyclist traveling west on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver error and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a tow truck and a bicycle collided on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens at 13:38. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error and bicyclist confusion in the incident. The tow truck was traveling west, going straight ahead, with no reported damage, while the bicycle suffered damage to its left rear quarter panel. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The collision's point of impact was the left rear bumper of the bicycle and the right rear quarter panel of the tow truck. The report does not assign blame to the bicyclist but emphasizes the role of driver error and confusion in causing the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761402 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26