Cunningham Park Bleeds While Leaders Stand Still

Aug 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

Aug 6 - Two SUVs collided head-to-tail on the Clearview Expressway. The rear driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles traveled northbound, striking center back and front ends respectively.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Clearview Expressway at 3:05 PM involving two northbound SUVs. The rear vehicle, a 2019 Jeep SUV driven by a licensed female driver, struck the center back end of the lead vehicle, a 2021 GMC SUV. The lead vehicle sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the rear vehicle's left front bumper was damaged. The driver of the rear SUV was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor to the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers of insufficient following distance on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746042 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - Senator John Liu slams the MTA’s Queens bus overhaul. He says cuts will strand riders, raise costs, and choke access. Liu demands answers. Riders face longer waits, more transfers, and higher fares. The MTA claims better service. Riders see only risk.

On July 22, 2024, State Senator John Liu, representing District 16 and serving on the Senate's transportation committee, publicly opposed the MTA’s pending redesign of Queens bus routes. In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Liu wrote, 'I demand the MTA explain how this plan is overall an increase and expansion of bus service in Queens as opposed to an actually disguised cost reduction measure.' Liu highlighted the planned elimination of the QM3 bus and reductions to the QM5, warning of increased wait times and higher fares for commuters. He argued that rerouting and service cuts would isolate seniors, strand students, and hurt businesses. Liu’s stance: the redesign prioritizes cost-cutting over real improvements. The MTA insists the plan means more and faster service, but Liu and local riders remain unconvinced. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Queens pol pushes back against MTA plans to redesign borough bus routes, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 10 - Transit advocates and unions demand a Flatbush Avenue bus lane. Mayor Adams stalls. Council Members Hudson and Joseph back the plan. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Working-class New Yorkers bear the brunt. The city delays. Streets stay dangerous. Justice deferred.

On July 10, 2024, a coalition of transit advocates and labor unions renewed calls for a Flatbush Avenue bus lane. The campaign, not tied to a specific council bill, has drawn support from Council Members Crystal Hudson and Rita Joseph. The matter, described as a 'no-brainer solution,' highlights slow bus speeds—often under 5 mph—and the urgent need for safer, faster transit. Jolyse Race of Riders Alliance stressed the economic justice at stake, noting bus riders earn half as much as car owners. Mayor Eric Adams has withheld support, citing community engagement and raising concerns about gentrification. The Department of Transportation's plans have stalled under his administration. Healthcare workers and union leaders spoke of missed shifts and unreliable service. Advocates now plan to survey bus riders to show support. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the campaign centers the needs of vulnerable bus riders and pedestrians.

• Bus Advocates Renew Push For Flatbush Avenue Bus Lane Despite Mayor’s Lack of Support, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-10

Jul 2 - A dump truck struck a sedan from behind on the Long Island Expressway. Two rear passengers in the sedan suffered full-body injuries. Police cited unsafe lane changing and following too closely as key driver errors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:30 on the Long Island Expressway involving a dump truck and a sedan traveling eastbound. The dump truck driver was going straight ahead, while the sedan was changing lanes. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan struck by the right front bumper of the dump truck. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors, both driver errors. Two male rear passengers in the sedan, ages 28 and 32, sustained injuries to their entire bodies and were conscious but injured. Neither passenger was ejected or wearing safety equipment. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the passengers themselves. The collision highlights the dangers of close following distances and unsafe lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - Two SUVs collided on Union Turnpike in Queens. The female driver of the Kia SUV suffered neck abrasions but was conscious and restrained. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a key factor in the crash, which occurred at 7:45 p.m.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 p.m. on Union Turnpike in Queens involving two station wagons/SUVs traveling west and north. The Kia SUV, driven by a 49-year-old licensed female driver, was struck on the left rear quarter panel by a Toyota SUV hitting its left front bumper. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The Kia driver was injured, sustaining neck abrasions, but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to both vehicles' left side panels. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - City hall wants to strip red tape from open streets. The plan slashes insurance demands and trains new groups. Advocates say high costs and paperwork choke car-free events. The move could revive lost corridors and let more New Yorkers reclaim the road.

On June 18, 2024, Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu released a report proposing major reforms to New York City's open streets program. The plan, highlighted in the report 'Realm of Possibility,' aims to 'lift some of the bureaucratic and cost hurdles faced by the largely volunteer open streets groups.' Key elements include lowering or waiving liability insurance for small events, standardizing maintenance agreements, and launching a 'Public Space Academy' to train organizers. Jim Burke, organizer for 34th Avenue, called for removing barriers to make the program equitable. Gib Veconi of Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council and Jackson Chabot of Open Plans both praised the reforms, citing burdensome permit processes and high costs as threats to open streets. The proposal responds to advocates' warnings that city policies have stifled car-free spaces, risking the loss of vital corridors for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Someday, You May be Able to Activate Open Streets with Fewer City Hurdles, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-18

Jun 13 - A chain-reaction collision on Clearview Expressway injured a 70-year-old female driver. Two vehicles collided front-to-rear while traveling northbound. The driver suffered back injuries and shock, with police citing following too closely as the key factor.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash occurred on Clearview Expressway involving multiple vehicles traveling northbound. The collision involved a 2009 Nissan sedan and a 2013 Nissan SUV, both striking each other front-to-rear. The 70-year-old female driver of the sedan was injured, suffering back pain and shock, and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor for the crash. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash caused center front end damage to the sedan and left rear bumper damage to the SUV, indicating a rear-end impact sequence. This incident highlights driver error in maintaining safe following distances on the expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - Two sedans smashed left bumpers on 73 Avenue. A 61-year-old woman at the wheel took the hit. Neck pain. Whiplash. Both cars moved—one turned left, one left parking. Driver errors listed as unspecified.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 73 Avenue at 10:00. One car, driven by a 61-year-old woman, was making a left turn. The other sedan was starting from parking. Both vehicles struck at the left front bumper. The female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factors, indicating driver errors but not naming them. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the danger when cars turn left or pull out from parking.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732146 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Albany lawmakers shut down a last-ditch MTA funding plan after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. No replacement for the lost $1 billion. Transit riders and street users face uncertainty. Lawmakers call the move reckless. The city waits. Danger lingers.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State legislative session ended without passing a replacement funding plan for the MTA after Governor Kathy Hochul paused congestion pricing. The matter, described as 'Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing,' left the MTA without the $1 billion annual revenue congestion pricing would have provided. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the session’s close without a deal. Lawmakers including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, State Sen. John Liu, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, and Assemblyman Tony Simone criticized the governor’s decision and the proposed IOU bailout. Gounardes said, 'I cannot in good conscience ratify a decision that will eliminate a significant, dedicated revenue source for the MTA’s capital plan.' The pause leaves the city’s transit future—and the safety of those who rely on it—uncertain.

• Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Top city officials broke ranks with Mayor Adams. They demanded congestion pricing after Governor Hochul’s sudden halt. MTA board members, planners, and transit chiefs warned of lost funding and stalled projects. They called the suspension a blow to transit and public safety.

On June 6, 2024, New York City officials issued strong statements supporting congestion pricing after Governor Hochul suspended the plan. The matter, titled 'City Officials Demand Congestion Pricing Despite Eric Adams’s Deference to Hochul,' saw Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, MTA board member Midori Valdivia, City Planning Chair Dan Garodnick, DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, and public space czar Ya-Ting Liu all speak out. Valdivia warned, 'today it was announced, without MTA Board consultation, the cancellation of projects such as the Second Avenue Subway Phase II, our accessibility program... and a fully zero-emission bus fleet.' Joshi declared, 'It needs to happen now.' Garodnick cited a 'significant hole' in the MTA budget. Liu called congestion pricing 'the only policy' for transit and traffic. The New York City Independent Budget Office also warned of economic harm and delayed improvements. Mayor Adams, once a supporter, deferred to the governor, leaving vulnerable road users without promised transit upgrades.

• City Officials Demand Congestion Pricing Despite Eric Adams’s Deference to Hochul, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06