South Richmond Hill: Four Dead, No More Excuses

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 5 - Van turned wrong, slammed into parked SUV. Woman in back seat thrown partway out. She suffered back injuries, shock, pain. Intersection danger, driver error, real harm.

According to the police report, a van making a right turn near 112-20 Atlantic Ave in Queens struck the left front bumper of a parked SUV at 13:55. The van driver committed the error of "Turning Improperly." A 47-year-old woman, seated in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was partially ejected and suffered back injuries. She was in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists no contributing factors from the victim. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage. This crash shows the danger of improper turning, with serious injury to a passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 4 - A female driver suffered neck injuries in a Queens crash involving two sedans. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The impact damaged the left side doors of one vehicle and the front bumpers of the others. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:30 on 134 Street in Queens. A 52-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The collision involved two sedans and a Jeep SUV. The female driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Vehicle damage included left side doors on the Honda sedan and front-end damage on the other vehicles. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as primary causes, with no mention of victim fault or contributing pedestrian actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 4 - A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on 101 Ave in Queens. The 66-year-old male cyclist suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:30 AM on 101 Ave in Queens. A 2018 Nissan sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn when it struck a westbound e-bike head-on. The e-bike rider, a 66-year-old male, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The cyclist was not ejected and was not cited for any contributing behaviors. The collision’s point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the e-bike’s left front bumper, causing center front end damage to both vehicles. This crash highlights driver error in turning maneuvers and maintaining proper distance as critical causes of injury to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Oct 9 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling east on 101 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, a 29-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited glare as a contributing factor to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:50 in Queens near 123-12 101 Avenue. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist going straight east. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report notes glare as a contributing factor, which likely impaired the driver's visibility during the turn. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the driver failed to yield to the cyclist traveling straight. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. No driver license issues were reported for the sedan driver. Vehicle damage was minimal or not noted. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the cyclist's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 17 - Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Sep 15 - A 13-year-old boy riding a bike was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV traveling southbound in Queens. The crash caused fractures and dislocations to the boy’s lower leg and foot. Unsafe speed by the driver contributed to the impact.

According to the police report, at 10:33 AM in Queens near 95-68 112 Street, an SUV traveling southbound collided head-on with a westbound bike driven by a 13-year-old boy. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor on the part of the SUV driver. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted as a contributing factor related to the bicyclist. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. The report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist but highlights driver error and unsafe speed as primary causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

Jun 11 - A Tesla sedan backing unsafely struck another vehicle in Queens. A child occupant in one of the sedans suffered a facial contusion. The crash highlights the dangers of improper vehicle maneuvering in busy city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 127-05 102 Avenue at 18:34. A Tesla sedan was backing when it collided with a Hyundai sedan traveling westbound. The Tesla's driver was cited for 'Backing Unsafely,' a critical driver error leading to the collision. The impact occurred at the Tesla's center back end and the Hyundai's right front bumper. A child occupant seated in the middle rear seat of the Hyundai was injured, sustaining a facial contusion and classified with injury severity level 3. The child was restrained in a child safety seat and was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors were noted. The report emphasizes the Tesla driver's failure to safely back the vehicle as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - A taxi traveling east on 101 Avenue struck a male pedestrian crossing against the signal at an intersection in Queens. The impact caused a severe head injury and unconsciousness. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and was seriously injured.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on 101 Avenue in Queens struck a male pedestrian at an intersection near 134 Street around 4:10 AM. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, which the report lists as a contributing factor under 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The taxi's left front bumper was the point of impact, indicating the driver was going straight ahead. The pedestrian sustained a severe head injury resulting in unconsciousness and a concussion, classified as injury severity 3. The driver held a valid New York license and was operating a 2022 Ford taxi. The report does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The focus remains on the pedestrian crossing against the signal as the contributing factor listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 - Governor Hochul scrapped congestion pricing. The MTA lost a billion a year. Lawmakers scrambled. Senator Liz Krueger rejected a payroll tax hike. The MTA faces a funding cliff. Subway upgrades, elevators, and clean buses now hang in the balance.

""The [payroll] mobility tax is one, we see that as a possibility,"" -- David Weprin

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul’s sudden reversal on Manhattan congestion pricing sparked chaos in Albany. The plan, set to start June 30, would have charged drivers $15 to enter below 60th Street, raising $1 billion yearly for transit. Hochul proposed a payroll tax hike instead, but State Senator Liz Krueger opposed it, saying, "I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate." The bill’s fate is uncertain as the legislative session ends. The MTA board, city officials, and business groups all voiced concern. Projects like the Second Avenue Subway, subway accessibility, and zero-emission buses now face cancellation. No alternative funding plan exists. Vulnerable riders—those who rely on transit—stand to lose the most.

• Gov. Hochul’s congestion toll flip-flop spurs mad scramble at NY Capitol, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06