Flushing Bleeds—And City Hall Lets It Happen

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A 41-year-old woman crossing Kissena Boulevard was struck by a westbound Bobcat. The impact injured her knee and lower leg. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. The vehicle showed no damage, but the pedestrian suffered bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Kissena Boulevard near Oak Avenue in Queens at 11:13 AM. The pedestrian was struck by a Bobcat traveling westbound, which impacted her at the center front end. The report notes the pavement was slippery, contributing to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The Bobcat driver was licensed and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not cite failure to yield or other driver errors but highlights the hazardous road condition as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but this is not listed as a contributing factor in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723646 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2024-04-15

Vandals tore hundreds of saplings from Kissena Park. Some trees vanished. Others lay dead in the dirt. ATV tracks scarred the ground. Volunteers, furious, found their work destroyed. The park’s greenway, a lifeline for cyclists, now stands exposed and wounded.

On April 6, 2024, vandals ripped out 300 young trees near the Kissena Park Greenway in Queens. The incident, reported by Streetsblog NYC, left the area between Four Winds Playground and the Kissena Velodrome stripped and scarred. The Kissena Park Connector, part of the Destination Greenways plan, is a vital east-west bike route. Volunteers, who planted the saplings since 2022, found ATV tracks at the scene. Council Member Sandra Ung, a supporter of the greenway and volunteer efforts, urged witnesses to report vandalism. She told NY1, 'Anyone witnessing any vandalism should report it.' The NYPD and Parks Department have investigated but offered no comment. The destruction leaves greenway users—cyclists and pedestrians—more exposed, stripping away natural protection and undermining years of community effort.

• Vandals Commit Mass Arborcide Near the Greenway in Kissena Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-14

Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

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 2024-03-20

A parked SUV rolled down 158th Street in Queens. Brakes failed. The vehicle struck an obstacle, crumpling its front. Inside, a 78-year-old man was crushed but conscious. The car did not stop. Metal and flesh bore the cost of mechanical neglect.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV was parked on 158th Street in Queens when it began rolling west due to defective brakes. The report states, 'A parked 2022 Toyota SUV rolled west with failed brakes. It struck, crumpling its front.' Inside the vehicle, a 78-year-old man, belted in and alone, suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The police report explicitly cites 'Brakes Defective' as the contributing factor in the crash. The vehicle did not stop until after the collision, and the impact left the driver injured. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior are listed in the report. The incident underscores the lethal risk posed by mechanical failure in vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Nissan SUV trailed a 63-year-old cyclist on Sanford Avenue, closing in too tight. Metal struck flesh. She flew from her bike, body crushed, left conscious on the cold pavement. The SUV rolled on, unscathed.

A 63-year-old woman riding her bike west on Sanford Avenue was struck from behind by a Nissan SUV, according to the police report. The report states the SUV was 'following too closely' and the driver demonstrated 'driver inexperience.' The impact ejected the cyclist from her saddle, causing crush injuries to her entire body. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report notes the SUV sustained no damage. The cyclist was the only person injured. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance and proper lane use. No contributing factors are attributed to the cyclist. The collision underscores the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to respect space and proper operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

A motorcycle collided with an SUV making a left turn on 169 Street in Queens. The SUV carried a 5-year-old passenger who suffered a head injury and whiplash. Driver inexperience and lack of license were cited as factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:59 on 169 Street in Queens. A motorcycle traveling south struck the left rear bumper of an eastbound SUV that was making a left turn. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed, and driver inexperience was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV carried a 5-year-old female passenger in a child restraint in the middle rear seat, who sustained a head injury and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the motorcycle. The report highlights the motorcycle driver’s lack of license and inexperience as key errors leading to the collision, without attributing fault to the injured child passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council targets sidewalk blockades. DOT must clear stoop line stands before licenses. No stand can choke the path. Pedestrian flow comes first. Ung leads the push. Streets stay open. Sidewalks stay safe.

Bill Int 0457-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Sandra Ung, it demands written DOT approval before any stoop line stand license is issued or renewed. The bill’s title states: 'approval prior to issuing or renewing a stoop line stand license.' DOT must confirm stands do not block pedestrian movement, factoring in sidewalk crowding and, if near a narrowing structure, a site visit. Ung sponsors the measure. The bill aims to keep sidewalks clear for people, not obstacles.

• File Int 0457-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to ban car dealers from clogging city streets with vehicles for sale or repair. Fines and impoundment loom. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0462-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to limiting the parking of motor vehicles by dealers,' targets car dealers who use public streets as showrooms or repair lots. Sponsored by Francisco P. Moya (primary), with Shahana K. Hanif, Lincoln Restler, and Sandra Ung as co-sponsors, the measure bans dealers from parking, storing, or maintaining vehicles on city streets except for emergencies. Placards are required for vehicles awaiting repair. Violators face fines and possible impoundment. Owners get a defense if ticketed while a dealer holds their car. The bill aims to reclaim public space and reduce hazards for vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0462-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council targets fake and expired plates. Bill sets fines. Ten-day grace for expired tags. Crackdown aims at cars that dodge law and endanger streets. Committee on Public Safety holds the measure.

Int 0177-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates,' makes it illegal to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day cure period. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets drivers who hide behind illegal plates, a tactic often linked to hit-and-runs and reckless driving.

• File Int 0177-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28