Ridgewood Bleeds—But Still They Wait

DOT unveiled a watered-down redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will run the length, but car lanes stay for peak hours. Advocates call it less safe. Restler and others back the compromise. The fight for real safety continues.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration, the Department of Transportation, and our community to make North Brooklyn’s streets safer for all" -- Antonio Reynoso

On August 17, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined other officials in announcing a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation's new plan, described as a 'compromised version,' adds protected bike lanes but keeps two car lanes during peak hours from Calyer Street to the Pulaski Bridge. The matter, titled 'Relief in Greenpoint as compromise reached on McGuinness Boulevard redesign,' reflects years of advocacy for safer streets. Restler, along with Borough President Reynoso and others, welcomed the changes and pledged to push for swift implementation. Advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe criticized the compromise as 'less effective and less safe,' blaming business opposition for watering down the original plan. The compromise marks a partial win for vulnerable road users, but falls short of the full road diet advocates demanded.

• Relief in Greenpoint as compromise reached on McGuinness Boulevard redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-17

A 66-year-old woman was struck by a box truck turning left on Fresh Pond Road in Queens. She was crossing with the signal. The truck driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a fractured, distorted dislocation and full-body injuries.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling east on Fresh Pond Road in Queens made a left turn and struck a 66-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body, including a fracture and dislocation. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The truck showed no damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Mayor Adams approved a diluted redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will come, but car lanes stay open during peak hours. The plan falls short of full safety measures. The road remains dangerous. Victims still count. No one is satisfied.

On August 16, 2023, Mayor Adams announced a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard, a notorious Brooklyn corridor. The Department of Transportation will install curbside protected bike lanes and reduce car lanes from two to one in each direction on most of the strip. However, north of Calyer Street, two lanes for cars will remain open during weekdays, reverting to parking lanes at night and on weekends. The plan, shaped after lobbying by business interests and mayoral adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, mixes two previous DOT proposals. Mayoral spokesman Charles Lutvak said, 'Traffic safety is a key priority for Mayor Adams, and we are delivering with a redesign of McGuinness Boulevard that will make this corridor safer for all road users.' Local officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, called it a 'critical step' but noted it lacks key safety elements. The compromise leaves gaps. Since 2021, 62 people have been injured on this stretch. The carnage continues.

• Mayor Adams Signs Off On Compromise for Deadly McGuinness Blvd.; No One Truly Happy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-16

A 16-year-old boy on a bike was ejected and fractured his arm in Queens. An unlicensed sedan driver struck him head-on while going straight. The bike was demolished. The crash happened near Metropolitan Avenue at night.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected after a collision with a sedan in Queens. The sedan, driven by an unlicensed male driver, was traveling west going straight ahead when it struck the bicyclist, who was merging westbound. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm and hand. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor but highlights the driver’s unlicensed status. The bike was demolished, and the sedan sustained front-end damage. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two women suffered back injuries in a Queens crash. Two SUVs collided head-on on Metropolitan Avenue. Both passengers wore lap belts. The crash caused whiplash and moderate back pain. Police cited failure to yield as a key factor.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. The drivers were traveling north and east, respectively, both going straight ahead. The impact occurred at the center front ends of both vehicles. Two female rear passengers, aged 27, were injured with back pain and whiplash. Both were restrained by lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. The injuries were classified as moderate. The report does not indicate any fault or blame on the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655023 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A driver struck a moped rider on McGuinness Boulevard. The rider’s leg broke. Politicians and neighbors demand the mayor act. The city delays a safety plan. The street stays deadly. The call is clear: fix McGuinness now.

On August 11, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler and other Northern Brooklyn officials responded to a crash on McGuinness Boulevard, where a driver hit and injured a moped rider. The incident happened near Meeker Avenue, one block from where teacher Matthew Jensen was killed in 2021. The matter, titled 'Locals call for mayor to take immediate action after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard,' highlights the urgent need for the Department of Transportation’s proposed safety redesign. Restler, along with U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, issued a joint statement: 'Lives are being put at risk. We need immediate action by the Mayor's office to implement the Department of Transportation's proposed safety improvements so that everyone in our community can feel confident that McGuinness Boulevard will not cause more tragedies.' The safety plan remains blocked, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• Locals call for mayor to take ‘immediate action’ after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-11

City officials slam a developer’s push to add 95 parking spaces in Downtown Brooklyn. They call it dangerous and wasteful. The site sits by major transit and a new bike lane. Leaders demand housing, not more cars, to protect people on foot and bike.

On August 11, 2023, city officials and advocates opposed a plan to expand a parking lot at Schermerhorn and Hoyt streets in Downtown Brooklyn. The proposal, by Edison Properties, would add 95 parking spaces. Dan Garodnick, chair of the City Planning Commission, called the site 'ideal for housing.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, who represents the area, stated he is an unequivocal 'no' on the expansion and wants a use that benefits the community. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso urged the city to discourage private vehicles, citing high pedestrian traffic and strong transit access. City Planning Commissioner Juan Camilo Osorio highlighted policies to cut car use and decarbonize the city. Officials warn that more parking means more cars and more danger for people walking and biking, especially after a major bike lane was added to Schermerhorn Street.

• City Wants More Housing, Not Parking, in Downtown Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-11

A driver tore through McGuinness Boulevard, smashing cars and leaving a moped rider badly hurt. The carnage reignited calls for long-delayed safety fixes. Local leaders say the crash was no surprise. The city’s promise to protect lives remains unfulfilled.

""Sadly, this incident was entirely predictable and underscores once again why the McGuinness Boulevard redesign is so badly needed."" -- Antonio Reynoso

On August 10, 2023, a motorist seriously injured a moped rider and crashed into several vehicles on McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The incident, near the site of a 2021 fatality, drew a joint statement from Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Council Member Lincoln Restler. They called the crash 'entirely predictable' and demanded Mayor Adams immediately implement the Department of Transportation’s stalled safety redesign. The DOT’s plan, which includes narrowing the street and adding a protected bike lane, faces opposition from powerful donors. The mayor’s office claims traffic safety is a priority, but the plan remains in limbo. Advocates and officials say every delay puts more lives at risk.

• Outrage on Bloody McGuinness Blvd. as Motorist Severely Injures Moped Rider, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-10

Two sedans crashed near Cypress Avenue. Six people, drivers and passengers, suffered head wounds. Alcohol and distraction listed as causes. One driver found unconscious. Impact crushed front and rear ends.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near 1018 Cypress Avenue in Queens. Six people were injured, including both drivers and four passengers, ages 15 to 59. All suffered head injuries—bruises, abrasions, and minor bleeding. One driver was found unconscious at the scene. The report lists alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. Most occupants wore lap belts, but one driver had no safety equipment. The crash damaged the vehicles' front and rear ends. No other causes or victim actions are specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

A 24-year-old man on a gas scooter crashed head-on on Menahan Street. He was thrown from the scooter. His head struck the pavement. He died at the scene. Police cite driver inexperience as the cause. No helmet. No license. Only loss.

A 24-year-old man was killed while riding a gas scooter on Menahan Street. According to the police report, the unlicensed and helmetless rider was ejected in a head-on crash. His head struck the pavement. He was semiconscious, then still. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as the primary contributing factor. The man was not wearing any safety equipment. No other vehicles or people were reported injured. The crash left one dead, the street marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650972 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Two sedans slammed together on Madison Street. Both drivers blew past traffic controls. A 28-year-old woman took the hit, full-body injuries, shock. Metal twisted. Streets stained. System failed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Madison Street at Woodward Avenue in Queens. Both drivers disregarded traffic controls. The impact struck the front bumpers of both cars. A 28-year-old female driver suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the driver error for both vehicles. Both cars were damaged. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash left the female driver hurt, complaining of pain and nausea.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Brooklyn leaders demand the state back a park over the BQE trench in Williamsburg. They call for federal funds to cap the highway. The plan aims to cut pollution, reconnect neighborhoods, and give residents green space where cars now rule.

On June 21, 2023, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez urged state officials to join the city in seeking federal funding for the BQGreen park proposal. The plan would cap a stretch of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in south Williamsburg, creating 3.5 acres of new parkland. Reynoso called on Governor Kathy Hochul to act as a co-applicant for funds, stating, "We're calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to be a co-applicant alongside the City of New York for federal funding to finally deck the BQE." Velázquez said, "We are fighting to reimagine the way to reconnect neighborhoods, improve traffic and reduce toxic pollution." Gutierrez stressed the urgent need for open space and clean air. The proposal, estimated at $100-200 million, is framed as an environmental justice effort to heal a community long divided and harmed by the highway.

• Brooklyn Electeds Demand State Embrace Park Over BQE Trench in Williamsburg, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-21

Mayor Adams expands Summer Streets to every borough. Five Saturdays. Seventeen miles. Cars banned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brooklyn and Queens get major corridors. Advocates want longer hours and connected routes. City cites costs and safety. Streets open, but only for a while.

On June 12, 2023, Mayor Adams announced the expansion of New York City’s Summer Streets program to all five boroughs. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, will run on five Saturdays in July and August, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering 17 miles. Borough presidents Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn) and Donovan Richards (Queens) pushed for this expansion, with Reynoso praising the use of major corridors like Eastern Parkway. Mayor Adams said, “This is a five-borough city and we are now saying the Summer Streets program is going be a five-borough initiative. Everyone deserves to enjoy that.” Adams expressed interest in longer hours but cited public safety and NYPD staffing costs as barriers. Advocates want more hours and connected car-free routes. The city will spend $1.5 million, not including staffing. The expansion marks a step forward, but the early end time leaves advocates wanting more.

• Summer Streets Expands to All Boroughs; Still Ends Early, Though, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01