Ozone Park: Two Dead, Zero Answers, Endless Silence

Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

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

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

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

A driver killed Dolma Naadhun, age seven, in Astoria. The DA dropped felony charges. The driver got probation. The city changed the intersection. Activists called for daylighting. The system failed to protect the most vulnerable. The street remains dangerous.

On January 22, 2024, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office quietly downgraded charges against Claudia Mendez-Vasquez, who killed 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun in Astoria. Mendez-Vasquez, initially charged with criminally negligent homicide, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving and received probation. The DA’s office cited the family’s wishes, but advocates and family friends called the outcome a slap on the wrist. The crash sparked local activism: the community board passed a resolution for universal daylighting—removing parked cars from corners to improve visibility. Mayor Adams pledged to daylight 1,000 intersections a year, but the Department of Transportation has resisted full implementation, citing concerns about driver behavior. The city installed a traffic signal and banned parking at two corners, but systemic danger remains. The case highlights how lenient prosecution and slow policy change leave vulnerable road users at risk.

• Driver Who Killed 7-Year-Old Gets Probation After DA Katz Quietly Downgraded Charges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-22

A motorscooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision on Atlantic Avenue. The crash involved a vehicle making an improper left turn, striking the scooter’s right rear quarter panel. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:50 on Atlantic Avenue. A motorscooter driver, a 44-year-old male, was injured when a vehicle making an improper left turn struck the scooter’s right rear quarter panel. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the turning vehicle. The motorscooter driver was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the collision but sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The scooter was traveling west while the other vehicle was going straight south. The impact damaged the center front end of the other vehicle and the right rear quarter panel of the motorscooter. No ejection occurred. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695436 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorbike and sedan crashed head-on on 86 Street. A 17-year-old rear passenger on the motorbike suffered a head contusion. The collision caused center front-end damage to both vehicles. The injured passenger was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a motorbike traveling north and a sedan traveling south collided head-on on 86 Street. The crash injured a 17-year-old male rear passenger on the motorbike, who sustained a head contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. Both vehicles suffered center front-end damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684654 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 7732 would force e-bikes and scooters to carry plates, insurance, and licenses. Riders face new hurdles. Streets stay hostile. No relief for those on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 7732, sponsored by Simcha Felder and co-sponsored by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., sits in the sponsorship stage as of November 1, 2023. The bill 'relates to the regulation of bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters; requires license plates... liability insurance... operator's safety manual and licensing.' The bill targets e-bike and scooter riders with new requirements. No committee action or votes yet. No evidence these measures protect pedestrians or cyclists. Systemic street danger remains unaddressed.

• File S 7732, Open States, Published 2023-11-01

Two sedans crashed on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. A stopped car was rear-ended. A woman and man, both 62, suffered whiplash and body injuries. Police cite failure to yield and following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The front car, stopped in traffic, was struck from behind by another sedan. A 62-year-old woman driving and her 62-year-old male passenger were both injured, suffering whiplash and neck or body pain. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. Both occupants were conscious, not ejected, and wore lap belts and harnesses. The rear sedan had center front end damage; the front car had center back end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673862 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 3-year-old girl was hit by an SUV making a left turn on 101 Avenue. She was crossing with the signal. The child suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on 101 Avenue while crossing with the signal. The driver of a 2013 SUV, traveling west and making a left turn, struck the child with the vehicle's left front bumper. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An e-bike rider crashed on 97 Avenue in Queens. The 33-year-old man suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries. The impact hit the bike’s right front bumper. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected. Confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male e-bike rider was injured in a crash on 97 Avenue in Queens. The rider sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries but remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. The collision involved the right front bumper of the e-bike. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or safety equipment issues were noted. The rider was traveling east, going straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash caused damage to the bike's left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2021 SUV on Rockaway Boulevard. The SUV struck the cyclist head-on. The bicyclist suffered facial abrasions and remained conscious. Driver distraction was a factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2021 Toyota SUV traveling northeast on Rockaway Boulevard collided with a bicyclist traveling southeast. The bicyclist, a 24-year-old male, sustained facial abrasions and was conscious after the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council members push to end jaywalking penalties. Supporters cite biased enforcement. Critics warn of danger for pedestrians. The bill faces debate as traffic deaths fall but injuries persist. The city weighs safety against fairness in street crossings.

On July 22, 2023, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to legalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure, supported by Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, aims to 'greenlight pedestrians to freely cross streets outside the crosswalk or without obeying traffic signals.' The bill responds to claims of biased enforcement against Black and Latino New Yorkers. Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli and Councilwoman Joann Ariola oppose the bill, warning it could endanger pedestrians. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or received a hearing. The NYPD and Mayor's office are reviewing the legislation. The debate highlights the tension between enforcement fairness and the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users. No formal safety analysis has been provided.

• Far-left NYC Council Dems push to legalize jaywalking, nypost.com, Published 2023-07-22

A 56-year-old man was struck at 101 Avenue in Queens. He suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The crash involved multiple vehicles, including SUVs and sedans. Police cited traffic control disregard as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on 101 Avenue in Queens. He sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The crash involved several vehicles, including SUVs and sedans, some parked and others traveling north or west. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in obeying traffic signals or signs. The pedestrian was located in the roadway at the time of impact. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The collision caused damage to multiple vehicles, including front and rear bumpers and quarter panels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06