Rego Park’s daily toll: bikes, bodies, and the boulevard

Jul 23 - Dozens rallied at City Hall. They demanded Ryder's Law. Council Member Holden led. NYCLASS joined. The call was sharp: end horse carriages. The industry faces fierce opposition. The council stalls. The danger remains.

"The fact that a visibly sick horse like Ryder was allowed to work at all is unbelievable and inexcusable. This case proves that current regulations don't protect the horses, and it's time for the City Council to act." -- Robert F. Holden

On July 23, 2025, Council Member Robert Holden and animal advocates rallied at City Hall, demanding passage of Ryder's Law to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Holden, has not yet reached a council vote or hearing. The rally followed a 'not guilty' verdict in a high-profile horse abuse case. The matter, described as a push 'to end the horse carriage industry in NYC,' drew support from NYCLASS and others. Holden blasted city oversight as 'inexcusable.' Despite the outcry, a safety analyst notes: ending horse carriages will not significantly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists, since carriages are a small part of street traffic and their removal does not fix systemic road dangers.

• Horse carriages: Animal advocates rally at City Hall to end industry after ‘not guilty’ verdict in horse abuse case, AMNY, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 21 - SUV and motorcycle collided on 63rd Drive. One rider suffered a head injury. Police cite traffic control ignored. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A station wagon SUV and a motorcycle crashed on 63rd Drive at Carlton Street in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles disregarded traffic control. A 19-year-old male motorcycle driver suffered a head injury. The SUV driver, a 59-year-old woman, was not injured. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main contributing factor. No other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829320 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 8 - A sedan veered on 63rd Road. Metal struck metal. A passenger took the blow. His leg bruised. Streets stayed loud. The system failed to protect him.

A crash on 63rd Road in Queens left a 37-year-old front passenger injured with a leg contusion. According to the police report, a sedan was involved in a collision caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The impact struck the right front quarter panel and left front bumper. The injured passenger was conscious. The report lists improper lane usage as the driver error. No other contributing factors were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger of improper lane changes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826544 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 7 - BMW hit divider, flew across highway, struck two cars. Fire followed. Two young lives ended. Others hurt. Concrete, speed, and steel left scars in Queens dawn.

NY Daily News (2025-07-07) reports a BMW crashed into a concrete divider on Queens' Belt Parkway, then vaulted over the highway, hitting two vehicles. The BMW caught fire. Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, died after hospital transport. Three other BMW passengers and two other drivers survived with minor or stable injuries. Police noted, "No one in the BMW was wearing a seat belt." Authorities sought a warrant to test the driver's blood for alcohol. The crash highlights high-speed risks and the dangers of divided highways.

• BMW Crash Kills Two on Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-07

Jul 5 - A sedan hit a 70-year-old woman crossing Austin Street. She suffered a leg injury. The driver and another occupant were not hurt. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous.

A BMW sedan traveling north struck a 70-year-old woman as she crossed Austin Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk. She sustained a contusion to her lower leg and foot but remained conscious. The driver, a 36-year-old man, and another occupant were not injured. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826679 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

• Fatally Injured Teenager Is Discovered on Top of a N.Y.C. Subway Car, The New York Times, Published 2025-07-04

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

Jun 30 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Horace Harding Expressway. The rider, a 27-year-old woman, suffered arm injuries. The crash left her bruised. No driver errors were listed in the police report.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Horace Harding Expressway near 97 Place in Queens. The cyclist, a 27-year-old woman, was injured, sustaining a contusion to her arm. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike was struck on its left front quarter panel. The cyclist was conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825698 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 25 - SUV hit a motorized scooter on 63rd Drive. Two riders, a woman and a child, suffered leg and arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention and improper lane use. Streets remain dangerous for the vulnerable.

A station wagon SUV collided with a motorized scooter at 63rd Drive and Booth Street in Queens. A 35-year-old woman driving the scooter and a 7-year-old boy riding with her were injured, suffering leg and arm wounds. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both the SUV and scooter were going straight ahead before impact. The report also lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a factor for those involved. The crash underscores the risks faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 22 - A sedan hit a stopped moped on Woodhaven Boulevard. One man suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe lane change. The crash left scars on metal and flesh.

A sedan collided with a moped at Woodhaven Boulevard and Eliot Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan struck the moped’s left rear bumper while the moped was stopped in traffic. One man, age 33, was injured with a contusion to his lower leg. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The sedan’s front end and the moped’s rear bumper were damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 19 - A sedan struck a motorized vehicle on Woodhaven Boulevard near the Long Island Expressway. The impact left a 45-year-old driver with a fractured leg. Police cite driver inexperience. The street bore the weight of metal and error.

A crash occurred on Woodhaven Boulevard at the Long Island Expressway in Queens. According to the police report, a sedan collided with a standing motorized vehicle. The 45-year-old driver of the motorized vehicle suffered a fractured leg and other lower limb injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The sedan’s front end struck the other vehicle, causing the injury. The police report does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor. The data highlights driver inexperience as the key error leading to this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13