Left for Dead on Cypress Avenue: How Many More Must Bleed?

Two sedans collided on Jackie Robinson Parkway shortly after midnight. The driver of one vehicle suffered a head injury and whiplash. Defective shoulders and slippery pavement contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:05 AM on Jackie Robinson Parkway involving two sedans traveling east. One sedan was parked before the crash and was struck on the left rear bumper, sustaining damage to the center back end. The other sedan, carrying five occupants, was going straight ahead and impacted the right front bumper and quarter panel. The driver of the parked vehicle, a 39-year-old male, sustained a head injury and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Shoulders Defective/Improper' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted. The injured driver was not using safety equipment. The police report focuses on roadway conditions as key contributors to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver was ejected and suffered serious leg injuries after colliding with a sedan in Queens. The crash occurred during improper lane usage and unsafe lane changing. Both vehicles showed no damage despite the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 11:34 on Vermont Place near Cypress Avenue in Queens. The moped driver, a 24-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors by the moped operator. The moped was traveling northeast and collided with a sedan also traveling northeast. Both vehicles showed no damage despite the impact occurring at the left front quarter panel of the moped and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The moped driver was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The data highlights the dangers of improper lane changes leading to severe injuries for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782688 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two SUVs slammed together on Jackie Robinson Parkway. Four men hurt. Neck, back, and leg injuries. Unsafe lane change triggered the crash. Shock and pain followed. Metal twisted. Lives rattled.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Jackie Robinson Parkway at 19:42. The 28-year-old Jeep driver merged and made an unsafe lane change, striking a Chevrolet SUV traveling straight. The Jeep’s left side doors and the Chevrolet’s right front bumper took the hit. Four men were injured: both drivers and two passengers suffered neck, back, and leg pain, with all reporting shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites unsafe lane changing as the contributing factor. No one was ejected. Lap belts were used by all. The crash left all occupants shaken and hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 2002 Suzuki motorcycle crashed hard at 1 a.m. on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The driver, 36, thrown and bleeding from the head. The passenger, 52, left with a torn leg. Helmets on. Both hit the ground. The road stayed quiet.

According to the police report, a 2002 Suzuki motorcycle crashed at 1 a.m. on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The report states, 'A 2002 Suzuki slammed headlong. The man, 36, thrown and bleeding from the head. The woman, 52, leg torn open.' Both occupants were ejected from the motorcycle and suffered severe lacerations—one to the head, the other to the lower leg. The report notes both wore helmets. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, and the motorcycle was traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and passenger, providing no further detail on the cause. No evidence of victim error is cited. The crash left both individuals injured and the road silent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773058 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A bus and a dump truck collided head-on on Cypress Hills Street in Queens. The bus passenger suffered facial injuries and was partially ejected despite wearing a lap belt. Improper lane usage by one vehicle contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 7:27 AM on Cypress Hills Street near Jackie Robinson Parkway Exit 3 in Queens, a 2017 Ford bus and a 2020 KW dump truck, both traveling north, collided. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the bus and the left front quarter panel of the dump truck. The bus had two occupants; the dump truck had one. The bus passenger, a 43-year-old woman, was partially ejected and sustained facial contusions despite wearing a lap belt. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision caused damage to the front quarter panels of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768548 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Cypress Avenue. Metal slammed metal. A 24-year-old man, belted in, stayed conscious as his back burned and his leg was torn away. The crash left blood and silence in the Queens night.

According to the police report, two station wagon/SUVs crashed near Cypress Avenue and Cypress Hills Street in Queens at 23:05. The report states that 'Following Too Closely' was the contributing factor. One SUV struck the other’s center back end. The impact left a 24-year-old male driver with severe injuries, including back trauma and a leg amputation. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the danger of tailgating, as documented by the official finding of 'Following Too Closely.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 28-year-old man crashed his motorcycle on Jackie Robinson Parkway. He suffered full-body abrasions. Police cite reaction to another vehicle as the cause. The rider was conscious and wore a helmet.

A 28-year-old male motorcyclist was injured on Jackie Robinson Parkway at 9:43 AM. According to the police report, the crash happened when the rider reacted to an uninvolved vehicle, which is listed as the primary contributing factor. The motorcycle, heading east and going straight, struck its center front end. The rider was not ejected, remained conscious, and wore a helmet. The report highlights 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the key driver error. The rider suffered abrasions to his entire body, with injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The unlicensed driver of the rear vehicle followed too closely and reacted late to an uninvolved vehicle. Two passengers suffered back and head injuries, both restrained but shocked and bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:22 on Jackie Robinson Parkway involving two SUVs traveling westbound. The driver of the rear vehicle, unlicensed, struck the center back end of the lead SUV. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors, indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance and delayed response. Both injured occupants were passengers in the lead vehicle, secured by lap belts, sustaining back and head injuries with complaints of pain, nausea, and minor bleeding. Neither occupant was ejected, but both were in shock. The collision damage was centered on the rear of the lead SUV and the front of the striking vehicle, confirming a rear-end impact caused by the unlicensed driver's failure to maintain control and distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

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 2024-09-10

Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A northbound SUV collided with an eastbound bicyclist on Cooper Avenue in Queens. The cyclist suffered neck injuries and shock. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, striking the bike’s right side with the SUV’s front center.

According to the police report, a 2008 Honda SUV traveling north on Cooper Avenue struck a bicyclist traveling east at the intersection with Cypress Avenue. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end hitting the bike’s right side doors. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and experienced shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver of the SUV was licensed and driving straight ahead prior to impact. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in Queens, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747559 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11