Queensboro Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Council moves to block sidewalk choke points. DOT must approve stoop line stands. No stand can squeeze walkers. Site visits required near sidewalk pinch points. Ung leads. Pedestrians get space. No more blind spots.

Int 0457-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Sandra Ung, the bill demands written DOT approval before any stoop line stand license is issued or renewed. The matter title states: 'department of transportation approval prior to issuing or renewing a stoop line stand license.' DOT must ensure stands do not block pedestrian flow, factoring in sidewalk crowding and, if needed, site visits. If a stand sits within 10 feet of a structure that narrows the sidewalk, a site visit is mandatory. Ung sponsors. The bill aims to keep sidewalks clear for people, not obstacles.

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

A 57-year-old woman suffered back injuries and bruises after a sedan traveling north on 61 Road struck her while she crossed outside a crosswalk. The vehicle's front center impacted the pedestrian, causing shock and moderate injury.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 61 Road struck a 57-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian was not ejected but sustained back injuries and contusions, classified as injury severity level 3, and was in shock. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, causing damage to the same area. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not indicate any driver errors explicitly. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but no driver fault or failure to yield is documented in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703357 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota sedan barreled north on Main Street. Its left front bumper slammed into a 68-year-old woman crossing near Reeves Avenue. She died on the pavement. The driver’s speed was too much. Darkness and steel erased a life in seconds.

A 68-year-old woman was killed when a northbound Toyota sedan struck her on Main Street near Reeves Avenue, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 20:14. The report states the woman was crossing the street, not at an intersection or signal. The sedan hit her with its left front bumper. She died at the scene. Police cite 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, noting, 'His speed was too much.' The driver continued straight ahead. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the pedestrian’s actions. The narrative and official data center the driver’s excessive speed as the primary cause of this fatal impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-02-13

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 2024-02-13

Two SUVs crashed on 148 Street. One failed to yield while turning left. A 7-year-old boy in the back seat was bruised. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. Driver error in yielding led to the impact.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on 148 Street at 16:02. One driver was making a left turn, the other was going straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. A 7-year-old male passenger in the right rear seat suffered facial contusions. He was conscious, not ejected, and secured with a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage, with the turning SUV hit in the center front and the other in the left front quarter. The data highlights driver failure to yield during a left turn as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701911 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to hike fines for riding bikes, e-bikes, and scooters on city sidewalks. The bill targets sidewalk riding with stiffer penalties. No mention of street safety or driver accountability.

Bill Int 0037-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 8, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...increasing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, bicycle with electric assist, or electric scooter on the sidewalk,' seeks to raise fines for sidewalk riding. Council Members Stevens (primary), Gennaro, Ung, Brewer, Brannan, and Morano sponsor the bill. The action: referral to committee. The summary states, 'This bill would increase each of the existing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, a bicycle with electric assist (commonly referred to as an “e-bike”), or an electric scooter on the sidewalk.' No safety analyst assessment is available. The bill focuses on penalties, not on street design or driver behavior.

• File Int 0037-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A 33-year-old woman crossing Main Street outside a crosswalk was struck by a northbound SUV. She suffered bruises and injuries to her lower leg and foot. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the impact on the pedestrian’s vulnerable body.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Main Street in Queens at 10:44 AM. She was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a northbound 2004 Honda SUV struck her on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report notes no vehicle damage, indicating the force concentrated on the pedestrian. The report does not list any driver contributing factors explicitly, but the pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk, which is noted as her location and action. No helmet or other safety equipment was involved. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. This collision underscores the risk to pedestrians outside designated crossing areas and the impact of vehicle contact on vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-01-30

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 2024-01-30

State lawmakers unlocked millions from the Outer Borough Transportation Account. The money will fund toll rebates and transit projects. Some cash backs driving. Some boosts buses. Advocates push for more bus service. Riders need better, faster, safer options now.

Bill: Outer Borough Transportation Account (OBTA) funding allocation. Status: Active as of January 24, 2024. Committee: State legislature, with final approval by the Capital Program Review Board. The OBTA, created in 2018, collects a taxi surcharge as 'Phase I' of congestion pricing. The first $300 million funded subway repairs; the next $50 million now goes to projects chosen by state legislators and the governor. The bill summary notes, 'A special fund created in 2018 to pay for transportation 'carrots' intended to counteract the supposed stick of congestion pricing finally has a balance of tens of millions of dollars.' Assembly Member Nily Rozic (D-Queens) secured restored Q46 bus service. Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA called for a weekly City Ticket. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance demanded better bus service, saying, 'The most important thing is better bus service.' The fund will shape how New Yorkers travel as congestion pricing nears.

• The Money For Congestion Pricing ‘Carrots’ Is Finally Here, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-24

A sedan traveling west on 45 Avenue struck two parked SUVs, injuring its driver. The collision caused head injuries and incoherence. Alcohol involvement was cited, highlighting driver impairment as a critical factor in this nighttime crash.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male driver in a 2012 sedan was traveling west on 45 Avenue in Queens around 10 p.m. when he collided with two parked SUVs. The report notes alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating driver impairment. The driver sustained head injuries with minor bleeding and was incoherent at the scene. The sedan's left front bumper impacted the right front bumper and right side doors of the parked vehicles. The driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant. The report lists no other contributing factors or victim behaviors. This crash underscores the dangers of impaired driving leading to collisions with stationary vehicles, causing serious injury to the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692522 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

NYPD and DOT flood streets for New Year’s. Cops target drunk, reckless drivers. Speed cameras snap violators. Senator John Liu backs tougher laws. City pushes to lower legal blood alcohol limit. The goal: fewer deaths, less carnage, safer streets.

On December 28, 2023, New York City launched an aggressive drunk driving enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend. The effort, led by the NYPD and Department of Transportation, aims to keep inebriated motorists off the roads. Senator John Liu, representing District 16, publicly supported the crackdown and advocated for lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from .08 to .05. The campaign includes increased police patrols and active speed cameras. The official matter summary states: 'Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend.' Liu said, 'Cracking down on drunk driving, which continues to destroy lives and families, is the right focus as New Year's approaches.' The DOT notes fatalities from drunk driving have risen nearly 30% in recent years. City lawmakers back state legislation to reduce the DWI threshold, aiming to save lives and protect vulnerable road users.

• Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-12-28

SUV turned left on Colden Street. Driver distracted. Hit 72-year-old woman crossing with signal. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. Metal crumpled. Blood on the street.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old woman was crossing Colden Street at Elder Avenue with the signal when a 2019 SUV making a left turn struck her. The impact hit the vehicle’s left front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling southeast. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688169 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul killed a bill to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway. Cyclists and pedestrians lose a safe route. Lawmakers backed the plan. The veto leaves vulnerable road users with dirt paths and danger. The greenway remains unfinished.

On November 20, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have required the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Mental Health to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway into Nassau County. The bill passed both the state Senate and Assembly unanimously. The matter summary called for a study to extend the greenway, which runs parallel to the hazardous Union Turnpike. State Senator John Liu sponsored the bill and vowed to keep pushing for the project, saying, 'I’m confident we’ll get there.' Hochul’s veto cited budget concerns and the risk of 'duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy.' Advocates like Joby Jacob called the veto a blow to years of organizing, noting that people are forced to walk dirt paths where sidewalks should be. The veto blocks progress on a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Hochul Vetoes Bill To Expand Eastern Queens Greenway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-20

A 50-year-old man was struck by a westbound sedan making a right turn on 164 Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver’s right front bumper was damaged.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal on 164 Street. The collision involved a 2023 Audi sedan traveling west, making a right turn, which struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no contributing driver errors or factors. The pedestrian’s action of crossing against the signal is noted, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Four busways launched under de Blasio sped up buses. Adams made them permanent, but cut enforcement hours. Illegal parking still chokes lanes. Riders wait. Drivers fume. Cameras catch some, but not all. Streets stay dangerous. The city drags its feet.

This report examines four busways implemented in 2020 and 2021 during Mayor de Blasio’s final years. The projects—Jay Street, West 181st Street, Flushing Main Street, and Archer/Jamaica avenues—were made permanent by Mayor Adams, though enforcement hours were reduced on most. The article notes: “Four busways announced and implemented in 2020 and 2021 during the latter days of the de Blasio administration appear to have sped up service for transit riders, according to official MTA bus speed data.” Bus operators like Orlando Tejeda and Anita Mealy describe persistent illegal parking and double-parking, which slows buses and endangers riders. Despite camera enforcement, violations remain rampant. Council Member Peter Koo opposed the Flushing busway, but it survived legal and political attacks. Riders and drivers report faster trips, but the city’s weak enforcement leaves vulnerable road users at risk. The city’s promise of safer, faster streets is only half-kept.

• Eyes on the Street: How Are De Blasio’s Pandemic Era Busways Doing?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-17

City traffic chokes bus service. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Costs soar. Lawmakers push for more service, but congestion and double-parked cars stall progress. ABLE cameras help, but Mayor Adams drags feet on bus lanes. Riders pay the price. Streets stay dangerous.

This report, published November 14, 2023, details the ongoing crisis in New York City bus service. The article, titled "City Traffic Helps Make Bus Service Unbearable, Expensive And Difficult To Improve," highlights how traffic congestion, double-parking, and outdated routes cripple bus efficiency. State Sen. John Liu urges more service in neighborhoods where buses can move. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance says, "With better service, the path to more service is a much clearer one." ABLE cameras have improved bus speeds by 5 percent on enforced routes. Despite promises, Mayor Eric Adams has not delivered on expanding bus lanes. The MTA and advocates call for more funding and better service. Riders remain stuck, exposed to traffic danger, while systemic failures persist.

• City Traffic Helps Make Bus Service Unbearable, Expensive And Difficult To Improve, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-14

A 47-year-old male bicyclist crashed on 58 Road in Queens. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider was unconscious and not wearing safety equipment. The bike sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 58 Road in Queens crashed his bike, sustaining serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider was unconscious at the scene and was not wearing any safety equipment. The bike showed damage to the center front end. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The crash resulted in significant injury to the bicyclist, who was not ejected from the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667860 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Box truck hit sedan from behind on Main Street. Woman driver hurt. Neck pain, whiplash. Truck followed too close. Both vehicles headed north. Impact crushed sedan’s rear.

According to the police report, a box truck rear-ended a sedan on Main Street while both vehicles traveled north. The sedan’s 32-year-old woman driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, showing the truck driver failed to keep safe distance. The truck struck the sedan’s center back end, damaging both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667145 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04