Blood on Atlantic: Woodhaven Streets Demand Action, Not Excuses

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

A sedan and a bus collided on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. The sedan’s driver and a passenger suffered back and neck injuries. The crash involved improper lane usage. Both vehicles sustained front-side damage. The injured were restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Woodhaven Boulevard collided with a bus also heading south. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper and the bus’s left front quarter panel. The sedan’s 53-year-old male driver and 45-year-old female passenger were injured, suffering back and neck injuries respectively. Both occupants wore lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane control. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed on Jamaica Avenue. One driver turned left, another went straight. A front passenger took a blow to the head. Unsafe speed and failure to yield fueled the impact.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Jamaica Avenue near 96 Street. One SUV was making a left turn while another traveled straight. The crash left a 34-year-old front passenger with a head contusion. The report lists unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The injured passenger was conscious and wore a lap belt. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The collision damaged the right front bumper of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 19-year-old woman was injured crossing a marked crosswalk on 80 Street in Queens. The sedan driver made a left turn and struck her with the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered lower arm injuries and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 80 Street in Queens made a left turn and struck a 19-year-old female pedestrian crossing a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian was injured in the elbow and lower arm area and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Turning Improperly. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal but in a marked crosswalk. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2006 Subaru sedan. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594950 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.

On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.

• Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-28

Council pushes bills to curb deadly lithium-ion battery fires. FDNY supports bans on unsafe batteries and calls for more safety info. Advocates warn bans hit low-income delivery workers. Debate rages as fires, injuries, and deaths mount. City eyes safer charging.

On November 14, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on a package of bills addressing lithium-ion battery fires. The FDNY supported four out of five bills, including bans on second-use and non-certified batteries, a public safety campaign, and safety information for delivery workers. The FDNY expressed concern about resource demands for detailed annual fire reporting. The matter summary states the bills aim to address the rise of deadly fires from faulty batteries, often used by delivery workers. Council Member Joann Ariola urged the FDNY to consider international solutions and invest in safe charging infrastructure. Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas Unidos opposed the bans, arguing they punish low-income workers and miss root causes. The city recently abandoned a proposal to ban e-bikes on NYCHA property and is working on new charging stations. The debate highlights the struggle to protect vulnerable workers while preventing more deaths and injuries.

• FDNY Backing Council Bills to Address Deadly Fires from Lithium Ion Batteries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Councilmember Joann Ariola claimed open streets, bike lanes, and traffic islands slow emergency vehicles. She blamed street safety measures for longer fire response times. FDNY officials disagreed, citing traffic volume. The debate exposes tension between safety for walkers and emergency access.

On November 5, 2022, the NYC Council debated street design and emergency response. The discussion, reported by nypost.com, focused on rising fire deaths and slower FDNY response times. The matter summary reads: 'Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures.' Councilmember Joann Ariola (District 32) argued that open street programs, bike lanes, and traffic islands hinder emergency vehicles, especially when illegal parking blocks access. She called for better enforcement. Other voices, including union leaders, echoed her concerns. However, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan defended new street designs, stating they were built with emergency input. The Department of Transportation said all projects include emergency routes and are monitored. FDNY officials attributed delays to increased post-pandemic traffic, not street safety measures. The debate highlights the ongoing conflict between car-free streets for vulnerable users and emergency vehicle access.

• Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-05

A 22-year-old male driver suffered facial bruises in a Queens crash. Multiple SUVs collided near Jamaica Avenue. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 80-15 Jamaica Avenue involving multiple SUVs. A 22-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining facial contusions but remained conscious and was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors to the collision. The vehicles involved were mostly parked or traveling west, with impacts to front and rear bumpers. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The report does not assign fault to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575544 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old male pedestrian was struck while crossing 97 Street outside a crosswalk. The sedan hit him with its left front bumper. He suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The driver was licensed and traveling straight southbound.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing 97 Street outside a crosswalk when a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling southbound struck him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow and lower arm. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's crossing outside a crosswalk is noted but not cited as a cause. The sedan showed no vehicle damage. No safety equipment or helmet use was recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorbike struck a sedan making a left turn on Jamaica Avenue. The motorbike driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered a head injury. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The rider was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a motorbike traveling east on Jamaica Avenue collided with a sedan making a left turn southbound. The motorbike driver, a 20-year-old male occupant, sustained a head injury and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The motorbike driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling legally. The impact occurred at the center front ends of both vehicles. No pedestrians or other vulnerable road users were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Mayor Adams broke ground on QueensWay, a $35 million park project on old rail tracks. Supporters cheer new green space for 330,000 locals. Critics warn it kills hopes for restored train service. The fight pits open space against transit justice in Queens.

On September 16, 2022, Mayor Adams announced the start of the QueensWay project, a $35 million plan to turn a defunct LIRR branch in Queens into a linear park. The first phase includes $5 million for environmental review and $30 million for the Metropolitan Hub. The matter summary states: 'converting a defunct LIRR branch into a Highline-style park in Queens.' Council Member Lynn Schulman supports the park, calling it 'shovel-ready.' Borough President Donovan Richards and Assembly Members Jenifer Rajkumar and David Weprin back both the park and the QueensLink transit proposal. Richards said, 'We need to do both when it comes to making sure that we can enhance our public transportation and also ensuring that our communities have access to open space.' Transit advocates warn the park blocks future rail service, cutting off faster commutes and cleaner air for southern Queens. The MTA previously cited high costs for transit reactivation. The debate continues over whether the right-of-way should serve parks, transit, or both.

• Mayor Launches First Phase of QueensWay Linear Park — But What About Transit?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-16

An unlicensed e-bike driver struck on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens was ejected and injured. The crash caused abrasions and knee to foot injuries. The driver was conscious but suffered serious lower leg trauma. Failure to yield was cited.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male e-bike driver was injured in a collision on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. The driver, who was unlicensed, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The e-bike was traveling north and struck another vehicle going west. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the e-bike. The driver was conscious after the crash but suffered significant injuries. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Joann Ariola voted against expanding speed cameras. Her SUV racked up 27 school-zone speeding tickets. She calls cameras a burden. Critics see hypocrisy. The vote blocks a tool proven to slow drivers and protect people on foot and bike.

On September 9, 2022, the New York City Council considered a 'home rule' message to let state lawmakers expand speed cameras to 24/7 operation. The matter summary: 'expanding New York's speed camera program.' Council Member Joann Ariola, representing southern Queens and the Rockaways, voted no. Ariola argued, 'these cameras add additional financial strain to New Yorkers,' and claimed repeat offenders with fake plates escape punishment. Ariola’s SUV has 48 violations since 2017, including 27 for speeding in school zones and two for running red lights. She insists her record did not influence her vote. Critics, like StreetsPAC’s Eric McClure, highlight the contradiction between her opposition to speed cameras and her stated concern for school safety. The vote denied a proven measure to slow traffic and protect vulnerable road users.

• Queens Pol Voted Against Speed Cameras — And Has 27 Speeding Tickets!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-09

Two sedans crashed on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. One driver disregarded traffic control and made an unsafe lane change. Three men suffered whiplash and shock. The youngest, an 11-year-old passenger, was hurt in the rear seat. All wore lap belts.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Woodhaven Boulevard near Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a 57-year-old driver who disregarded traffic control and made an unsafe lane change, striking another sedan making a left turn. The collision caused injuries to three occupants: the 57-year-old driver, a 37-year-old driver, and an 11-year-old rear-seat passenger. All three suffered whiplash and were in shock. Each occupant was restrained with a lap belt and none were ejected. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. The report lists driver errors as traffic control disregarded and unsafe lane changing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old woman was hit by an SUV turning left on 90 Street in Queens. She was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at 90 Street and 88 Avenue in Queens. The driver of a Honda SUV was making a left turn southbound when the vehicle struck the pedestrian on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but no helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04