Kew Gardens Bleeds—Lower the Speed Before Someone Dies

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Senator Comrie backs bill to cut motorcycle congestion fees in half. Central business district. Motorcycles pay less. Cars still crowd streets. Danger for walkers and riders remains.

Senate bill S 4102, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie (District 14), was introduced on February 3, 2023. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It authorizes the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority to impose congestion pricing for motorcycles in the central business district at half the rate of other vehicles. The bill summary states: 'Authorizes the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority to impose tolls and fees for congestion pricing for motorcycles in the central business district in the amount of half of the charges for the tolls and fees of other vehicles.' No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The measure offers a break for motorcycles, but the threat to pedestrians and cyclists in crowded streets persists.

• File S 4102, Open States, Published 2023-02-03

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Senate passed S 840. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 840, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy and co-sponsored by Robert Rolison, passed committee on January 9, 2023. The bill, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects; relates to the state share of municipal projects where the municipality funds a complete street design,' sets funding formulas for state and municipal projects. Seventeen senators voted yes. The bill does not address direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users. No analyst note on safety.

• File S 840, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

Senate passed S 840. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 840, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy and co-sponsored by Robert Rolison, passed committee on January 9, 2023. The bill, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects; relates to the state share of municipal projects where the municipality funds a complete street design,' sets funding formulas for state and municipal projects. Seventeen senators voted yes. The bill does not address direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users. No analyst note on safety.

• File S 840, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.

On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.

• City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Councilmember Rita Joseph blasted DOT for years-long delays on speed hump installations in Flatbush. Twelve sites requested, one approved, none built. Meanwhile, crashes injure cyclists and pedestrians daily. Joseph calls the delay unacceptable. Streets stay dangerous. DOT offers no timeline.

On November 11, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40) issued a public letter to the Department of Transportation, demanding answers for the slow pace of speed hump installations. The matter, titled "#StuckAtDOT: It Takes Years (and Years) to Get a Speed Hump in this City," details Joseph’s frustration: 'In response to a speed hump request, my office was informed by the DOT that...studies are finalized after two years.' Joseph listed twelve locations needing speed humps; only one was approved, none installed. Eight were denied, several remain under review. Her district saw 1,173 crashes this year, injuring 87 cyclists and 141 pedestrians. Joseph, who lost students to traffic violence, calls the delay 'unacceptable.' DOT says it is reviewing her letter. Advocates demand faster action, saying, 'It should never take two years to implement these straight-forward safety measures.'

• #StuckAtDOT: It Takes Years (and Years) to Get a Speed Hump in this City, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-11-11

SUV rear-ends sedan on Van Wyck Expressway. Young driver suffers neck injury. Improper lane use listed. Metal crunches, traffic halts. System fails to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male driver was injured when his SUV struck a sedan stopped in traffic on Van Wyck Expressway. The SUV hit the sedan’s rear, causing neck injuries to the driver, who was conscious and restrained. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor. The sedan was stopped; the SUV was moving straight ahead. The sedan’s rear was damaged. The crash underscores driver error in lane usage. No mention of helmet or signal as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Police arrested Ibrahim Chaaban in Bay Ridge after he did donuts on Shore Road. His car had racked up 12 school-zone speeding tickets since June. Council Member Brannan and DA Katz slammed weak penalties. Most reckless drivers still face little consequence. Streets remain dangerous.

On October 21, 2022, police in Bay Ridge arrested Ibrahim Chaaban for reckless driving after he performed donuts on Shore Road. The car had received at least 12 school-zone speeding tickets since June 21, but authorities failed to intervene until this incident. Council Member Justin Brannan reported the arrest, saying, "It seems the various systems currently in place to deter this type of behavior have failed here." Brannan and Queens DA Melinda Katz both criticized the current penalties, calling them too weak to deter dangerous drivers. Katz said, "There is a strong need for tougher penalties for those who choose to use our city streets as raceways." The article notes that only after 15 camera-issued speeding tickets in a year must drivers take a safety course, and few cars are seized under the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program. Community complaints led to the arrest, but most reckless drivers still evade real consequences.

• One Down, Thousands to Go: Cops Bust A Really Bad Driver For Doing Less-Dangerous Stupid Thing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-21

Lawmakers spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want tight limits. Others push for taxi exemptions and tunnel credits. Advocates warn: too many carve-outs gut the plan. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, New York officials debated congestion pricing exemptions as the policy neared implementation. The discussion, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted shifting positions. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once opposed to exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll said, "I think that there should be limited exemptions." State Senator Andrew Gounardes added, "Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible." Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine backed toll credits for tunnel users and taxi exemptions. Taxi and for-hire drivers lobbied for relief, citing existing surcharges. Advocacy groups warned against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide on further exemptions after federal review. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-26

Council and state leaders spar over who gets a break from congestion pricing. Some want carve-outs. Others warn exemptions gut the plan. Vulnerable road users wait as drivers fight for special treatment. The final call lands with the Traffic Mobility Review Board.

On August 26, 2022, the council held a public debate on congestion pricing exemptions. The matter, titled 'Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions,' drew sharp lines. State Senator Leroy Comrie, once a hardliner against exemptions, now listens to public input. Assembly Member Robert Carroll backs limited carve-outs, saying, 'I think that there should be limited exemptions.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes stresses, 'Obviously we want them to be as limited as possible.' Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine pushes for toll credits and taxi exemptions. Advocacy groups warn against broad carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide after federal review. The debate centers on who pays and who gets a pass, while the safety of people outside cars hangs in the balance.

• Everyone’s Suddenly Open To Some Congestion Pricing Exemptions, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-08-26

A 13-year-old boy was struck while crossing Lefferts Boulevard in Queens. The sedan hit him on the right front quarter panel. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver showed no damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Lefferts Boulevard in Queens. The pedestrian was hit by a 2017 Tesla sedan traveling east, impacting the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The boy sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No safety equipment or signals were noted for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State authorities greenlit Governor Hochul’s Penn Station overhaul. The plan promises new towers, apartments, and a $7 billion station revamp. Senator Leroy Comrie backed the initial funding deal but demands federal support for future phases. Critics warn of secrecy and developer giveaways.

On July 27, 2022, the state’s Public Authorities Control Board approved Governor Kathy Hochul’s Penn Station redevelopment plan. The project, described as a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity,' includes 18 million square feet of new office towers, 1,800 apartments, a $7 billion station upgrade, and promises of walkable streets and bike lanes. State Senator Leroy Comrie, representing District 14, voted for the initial PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement but pledged not to support future deals without federal funding and approvals. The plan faces criticism from watchdogs and officials like State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office, who called for a delay due to limited financial details. Reinvent Albany slammed the process for lacking transparency and questioned the reliance on developer tax breaks. The redevelopment’s impact on vulnerable road users remains unassessed.

• State oversight body approves Hochul’s Penn Station redevelopment, amny.com, Published 2022-07-27

A 24-year-old female e-scooter driver turned left into the path of a westbound SUV on Hillside Avenue. The SUV struck the scooter’s front end with its left front bumper. The scooter driver suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female e-scooter driver was making a left turn when she collided with a westbound SUV traveling straight ahead on Hillside Avenue in Queens. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The e-scooter driver sustained a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, indicating the scooter driver’s error in the maneuver. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight. No other driver errors were noted. The scooter driver was not wearing any safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546128 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State Sen. Leroy Comrie drew a hard line. No exemptions for Manhattan’s congestion tolls. He stood firm as others called for carve-outs. His stance means every car pays. No relief for drivers. The city’s most vulnerable stay in the crosshairs.

On June 29, 2022, State Senator Leroy Comrie made a public statement on congestion pricing exemptions. The matter, covered by nypost.com, centers on calls from Mayor Eric Adams for more exemptions to the Manhattan congestion tolls. Adams argued, 'there should be a level of exemptions... so that we’re not overburdening New Yorkers.' But Comrie rejected this, stating, 'I don’t think there should be any exemptions, and I’m going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' The congestion pricing plan, passed in 2019, already exempts emergency vehicles, vehicles carrying disabled New Yorkers, and low-income residents inside the zone. Comrie’s stance keeps the system strict. No new carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board may still consider more, but Comrie’s position is clear: every driver pays the toll, no exceptions.

• NYC Mayor Eric Adams calls for ‘exemptions’ to Manhattan congestion fees, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-29

A sedan struck a van from behind on Queens Boulevard. The van driver was unharmed. The sedan’s front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage. The passenger was restrained and conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 2017 sedan rear-ended a 2007 van traveling east on Queens Boulevard. The sedan was slowing or stopping when the collision occurred at the center back end of the van. The front passenger in the sedan, a 41-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The contributing factor listed was "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The van sustained no damage and its sole occupant was unharmed. The report does not indicate any fault or contributing factors related to the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04