Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Jul 11 - A driver struck two men in Sunset Park. Both died. The driver fled. Police investigate. The street holds the silence. Lives ended. The car kept going.

CBS New York (July 11, 2025) reports two men were killed by a hit-and-run driver in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Police say the driver 'took off' after striking the pedestrians. The article notes an 'active investigation' but gives no details on arrests or charges. The crash highlights the lethal risk to pedestrians and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes. No mention of street design or enforcement changes.

• Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Two Pedestrians, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - A moped struck a 90-year-old man in Brooklyn. The driver fled. The man died at the hospital. Security video captured the impact. The street claimed another life.

CBS New York (2025-07-10) reports a 90-year-old man died after a moped hit-and-run in Brooklyn. Security footage 'shows the moment the man was struck.' The driver left the scene. The victim died at the hospital. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians and the ongoing danger of drivers who flee. No policy changes or arrests were reported.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 10 - Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A driver in an SUV rear-ended a 38-year-old bicyclist on Metropolitan Ave at Woodward Ave. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a neck contusion. Police cited 'Following Too Closely.'

A driver in an SUV rear-ended a bicyclist on Metropolitan Avenue at Woodward Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, a 38-year-old man, was ejected and sustained a neck contusion. According to the police report, the contributing factors included 'Following Too Closely, Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion'. Police recorded following too closely and driver inexperience by the driver. The SUV struck the bicycle at the SUV's right front bumper; the bicycle sustained center back end damage. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The police report lists the bicyclist's injury as a contusion and notes the ejection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 9 - A Brooklyn judge cleared the way for Adams to tear out Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. City data showed crashes fell with protection. Now, cyclists and pedestrians face exposed pavement and risk.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-09) reports Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo ruled Mayor Adams can remove three blocks of Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane without advance notice. The city’s own Department of Transportation found the protected lane cut crashes and injuries by 47 percent, but the judge called the change 'only a modification.' She wrote, 'Modification of the bike lane is not a major transportation project.' Critics, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, say the removal endangers vulnerable road users and bypasses public input. The decision highlights gaps in notification laws and the risk of reverting to unprotected lanes on a Vision Zero priority corridor.

• Judge Allows Bedford Bike Lane Removal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.

• Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-08

Jul 5 - A 13-year-old cyclist struck by a sedan on Jefferson Ave. He suffered a bruised shoulder. Police cite unsafe speed. The car’s right rear took the hit. System failed to protect the young rider.

A 13-year-old boy riding his bike was injured when a sedan struck him on Jefferson Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan making a left turn and a cyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered a contusion to his upper arm. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The sedan’s right rear quarter panel was damaged. The police also note 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or a listed vehicle occupant. The system allowed speed to threaten a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 3 - NYC Parks moves to let e-bikes and e-scooters roll in greenways. Mopeds stay out. The plan aims for safer, fairer access. More riders, more eyes. Danger shifts, but numbers protect.

On July 3, 2025, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation proposed to permanently allow e-bikes and e-scooters in select park areas, extending a 2023 pilot. The policy, not yet law, would 'integrate the same micromobility devices allowed on NYC streets into parks, while continuing to ban mopeds and other heavy vehicles.' Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon backs the move. The plan faces debate in committee and public hearings. A safety analyst notes: 'Allowing e-scooters and e-bikes in parks supports mode shift and equitable access to low-impact mobility, encouraging more people to choose active transportation and increasing safety in numbers for all vulnerable users.'

• Parks and rides: NYC plans to permanently allow e-bikes and e-scooters on park drives, greenways, AMNY, Published 2025-07-03

Jul 2 - Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - A van turned left at rush hour. The scooter rider flew from his device. He died at the hospital. The street stayed open. The investigation continues.

According to amny (2025-06-30), Shaun Lagredelle, 39, was riding a stand-up scooter west on 116th Avenue when a Ford Transit van, driven by a 43-year-old woman, turned left onto Nashville Boulevard and struck him. Police said, "As the van attempted to turn left onto Nashville Boulevard, it collided with the scooter, immediately propelling Lagredelle off the device." Lagredelle suffered fatal injuries. No arrests have been made. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The crash highlights ongoing risks at intersections for scooter riders.

• Scooter Rider Killed In Queens Collision, amny, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - Queens rolled out its new bus network. Riders lined up at the Q12 stop on Northern Boulevard. No chaos. No crashes. Just buses and bodies in the heat. Fewer cars, safer streets for all.

On June 29, 2025, the Queens bus network redesign launched, marking the first major overhaul since the 1950s. The event, covered by AMNY, saw new routes and stops, including changes to the Q12 and Q13. Assembly Member Claire Valdez praised the redesign, calling buses a 'critical lifeline.' Transit advocates split: Riders Alliance applauded the move, while Passengers United warned of harm to vulnerable riders. A safety analyst noted, 'Bus network redesigns that improve transit access can encourage mode shift away from private vehicles, reducing traffic volumes and crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting street equity.' The redesign aims to shift trips from cars to buses, making streets less deadly for those outside vehicles.

• First day of massive Queens bus network redesign goes off mostly glitch-free in Flushing, AMNY, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 28 - A sedan slammed parked cars on Harman Street. An unlicensed driver, 18, was injured. Fatigue listed as a cause. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

A crash on Harman Street in Queens left an 18-year-old woman injured. According to the police report, a sedan driven by an unlicensed driver struck parked vehicles. The report lists 'Fatigued/Drowsy' as a contributing factor. The driver was described as incoherent after the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the risk when drivers operate vehicles while fatigued and unlicensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jun 26 - A moped rider suffered a head injury on Metropolitan Ave after an unsafe lane change. The crash left the driver conscious but hurt. No other vehicles were involved. Streets stayed dangerous.

A 39-year-old moped driver was injured on Metropolitan Ave at Starr St in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved unsafe lane changing. The rider suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. No other vehicles or people were listed as involved. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the main contributing factor. No mention was made of helmet use or other safety equipment. The streets of Queens again proved hazardous for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jun 25 - Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Jun 24 - A pickup tore through Astoria. It struck Amanda Servedio, a cyclist with the right of way. She flew from her bike. The driver fled. Police found the truck later. Servedio died at Elmhurst Hospital. The city lost another rider.

Gothamist reported on June 24, 2025, that Bekim Fiseku was indicted for murder and manslaughter after fatally striking cyclist Amanda Servedio in Astoria. Prosecutors say Fiseku, fleeing police after an attempted burglary, sped through red lights and bike lanes, ultimately hitting Servedio at 37th Street and 34th Avenue. Surveillance captured the chase. The indictment states, 'The defendant allegedly led police on a 10-minute chase through the crowded streets.' Servedio, 36, was returning from a cycling event and had the right of way. Fiseku abandoned his truck and evaded arrest until February. The case highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless drivers and high-speed police pursuits on city streets.

• Cyclist Killed In Astoria Police Chase, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-24

Jun 23 - A pickup fleeing police struck Amanda Servedio on her bike. The crash hurled her thirty feet. She died at the scene. The driver, Bekim Fiseku, ran. Police chased him through residential streets. Eight months later, they made an arrest.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-23), Amanda Servedio, 37, was killed when a Dodge Ram pickup, fleeing NYPD officers, struck her at 37th St. and 34th Ave. in Queens. The driver, Bekim Fiseku, was wanted for burglary and had tape over his license plate. Police chased him nearly a mile through residential streets. A witness said, "She went airborne. She flew like 30 feet. It was a lot of force." The article highlights concerns about NYPD's pursuit tactics, quoting the victim's father: "It was probably not the place to be doing a high-speed chase, in the residential neighborhood." Fiseku faces murder and manslaughter charges. The case raises questions about the risks of police chases in dense city neighborhoods.

• Police Chase Ends With Cyclist Killed, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 20 - A Brooklyn political boss fights a judge’s order to keep the Bedford Avenue bike lane. Crash and injury numbers fell after the redesign. The city faces pressure to defend protections for cyclists. The battle exposes the city’s fractured safety priorities.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 20, 2025, that Frank Seddio, a Brooklyn Democratic leader and Board of Elections commissioner, is appealing a court order that blocks the city from removing part of the Bedford Avenue bike lane. Seddio claims the lane will only shift location and disputes the safety benefits, arguing, 'The bike lane will still exist, but merely shift to an alternative location in the road.' He also questions crash data, citing seasonal differences: 'The change in accident and injury rates is better explained by seasonal weather patterns.' Streetsblog notes that after the redesign, crashes dropped by 18–19% and injuries by 25–26%. The case highlights ongoing tension between local political power, city notification procedures, and efforts to protect cyclists and pedestrians through street design.

• Brooklyn Power Broker Fights Bike Lane Ruling, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20

Jun 18 - A black SUV struck a man on 101st Avenue. The driver fled. The man lay unresponsive. Sirens cut the night. Medics rushed him to Jamaica Hospital. Police searched for answers. The street stayed silent. The danger did not.

ABC7 reported on June 18, 2025, that a man in his 50s was critically injured in a hit-and-run at 101st Avenue and 116th Street in Ozone Park, Queens. The article states, 'Police say the victim was struck by a black SUV traveling eastbound on 101st Avenue that kept going.' Officers found the man unresponsive; he was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition. The driver failed to remain at the scene, a violation of New York law. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and the persistent problem of drivers fleeing crash sites in New York City.

• Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Critical in Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-06-18