Ozone Park Bleeds While Politicians Stall

Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.

This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04

Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.

This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04

Two sedans collided on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The rear vehicle struck the front one from behind. A 29-year-old female driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:20 AM on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans traveling northbound collided in a rear-end crash. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 29-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the collision. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the rear vehicle impacted the center back end of the front vehicle. The driver errors cited focus on the failure to maintain a safe distance, leading to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-03-27

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 2024-03-20

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

A 61-year-old woman suffered full-body injuries after a sedan backed unsafely in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection when struck. The driver’s unsafe backing caused the collision, leaving the victim conscious but severely hurt.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north in Queens backed unsafely near 103-54 93 Street at 18:05. The driver, a licensed female, failed to yield while reversing, striking a 61-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. No damage was recorded on the vehicle, indicating the impact was likely low-speed but sufficient to cause serious injury. The pedestrian’s crossing behavior was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This incident highlights the dangers of improper vehicle backing maneuvers in areas where pedestrians may be present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A fleeing Honda reversed down 84th Street, crushing a man’s leg beneath steel. The driver had no license. Sirens echoed. The pedestrian stayed conscious, pain radiating in the dark as streetlights flickered over Dumont Avenue.

A 33-year-old man suffered crush injuries to his leg when a Honda sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, reversed into him on 84th Street near Dumont Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred during a police pursuit. The report states the driver was 'Backing Unsafely' and did not possess a valid license. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time, but the report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the scene: 'A fleeing Honda reversed into a man, not at a crosswalk. His leg was crushed under steel. He stayed conscious. The driver had no license. The streetlights flickered. Sirens followed.' The focus remains on the driver’s unlawful actions—operating without a license and reversing unsafely while fleeing police—which directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A northbound SUV struck a 19-year-old man at Cross Bay Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. The impact shattered his lower leg. He was conscious but badly hurt. No driver errors listed in the police report.

According to the police report, a 2014 Ford SUV traveling north on Cross Bay Boulevard struck a 19-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection with Liberty Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV's left front quarter panel took the impact. The driver was licensed and driving straight. The report lists the pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal as a contributing factor. No driver errors or violations were cited in the data. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and classified with injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two young pedestrians crossing with the signal were struck by an SUV making a left turn. Both suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, causing injuries at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 2016 SUV driven by a licensed female driver was making a left turn on 149 Avenue when it struck two pedestrians, ages 15 and 13, crossing with the signal at the intersection. Both pedestrians sustained abrasions and injuries to their knees and lower legs, classified as injury severity 3. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. There was no damage reported to the vehicle. The pedestrians were conscious and injured but no other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695856 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 47-year-old man on an e-bike was injured in Queens. A sedan struck him while he was riding. The driver was distracted. The impact caused a knee injury.

A 47-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and distracted. The bicyclist sustained a knee injury and a contusion. The sedan's front end struck the e-bike while both were traveling straight ahead. The driver failed to maintain focus, leading to the crash. No helmet was noted as a contributing factor, as it is only applicable to motorcycle riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV ran a signal on 149 Avenue. It hit a sedan head-on. Two girls in the SUV took blows to the head. The driver hurt his back. All survived. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, an SUV and a sedan collided on 149 Avenue in Queens. The SUV, traveling east, struck the northbound sedan at the front. Three people in the SUV were injured: the 48-year-old male driver suffered back injuries, and two 12-year-old female passengers sustained head injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. No errors were noted for the sedan driver. All injured occupants were conscious and restrained. The crash damaged the SUV's right front quarter panel and the sedan's left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus turned left at dawn in Queens. A 73-year-old woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The front of the bus hit her. She died on the street. The engine idled. The city stayed silent.

A 73-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 86th Street and 107th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a bus turned left at dawn and struck her as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The bus, a Ford, was making a left turn when its front end hit the pedestrian. No damage was reported to the bus. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors from the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677970 - 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

A 40-year-old woman driving a station wagon suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The SUV driver was inattentive and followed too closely. The victim was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female driver of a station wagon was injured in a rear-end crash on Cross Bay Boulevard near Pitkin Avenue in Queens. The SUV driver, traveling south behind the station wagon, failed to maintain a safe distance and was distracted, leading to the collision. The impact occurred at the center back end of the station wagon and the center front end of the SUV. The victim suffered neck injuries, described as whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The contributing factors listed include driver inattention and following too closely by the SUV driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04