Howard Beach-Lindenwood: cars kill here. the fixes wait.

Sep 10 - 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 2024-09-10

Aug 27 - A moped traveling north collided with a 12-year-old bicyclist heading east on 159 Avenue in Queens. The boy suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on 159 Avenue struck a 12-year-old bicyclist traveling east. The collision occurred at 13:55 in Queens. The bicyclist, described as the driver of the bike, sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Additionally, driver inexperience and distraction were noted. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was struck at the center back end. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing a helmet only applicable to motorcycles, which was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights critical driver errors leading to injury of a vulnerable young cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751155 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 22 - A sedan traveling west collided with a northbound 15-year-old bicyclist on 84 Street in Queens. The teen suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. Police cited driver inexperience and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:20 on 84 Street near 158 Avenue in Queens. A sedan traveling westbound struck a northbound bicycle at the center back end of the bike and the left front bumper of the sedan. The bicyclist, a 15-year-old male, was injured with abrasions and wounds to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision, indicating errors on the part of the sedan driver. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, reflecting confusion or error by the bicyclist. The report does not specify helmet use or crossing signals as factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver inexperience and the complexity of interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750548 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 19 - SUV and sedan slammed together on Cross Bay Boulevard. Both drivers impaired. Three hurt, including a two-year-old. Metal twisted. Night air thick with sirens.

According to the police report, two vehicles collided at 22:02 on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. A Dodge SUV making a U-turn was struck by a Hyundai sedan heading south. Both drivers were licensed. Alcohol involvement and unsafe speed are listed as contributing factors. Three people were injured: both drivers and a two-year-old passenger in the SUV. All suffered internal injuries but were conscious and not ejected. The SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the sedan’s right front bumper were damaged. The report highlights driver errors of alcohol involvement and unsafe speed. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749601 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 16 - A sedan struck the rear of another sedan on Queens' 79 Street near North Conduit Avenue. The front passenger of the struck vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite defective brakes and improper lane usage as contributing factors.

According to the police report, at 13:27 on Queens' 79 Street near North Conduit Avenue, a sedan traveling west rear-ended another westbound sedan. The impact was to the center back end of the struck vehicle, causing damage there. The front passenger of the struck sedan, a 37-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the driver errors as 'Brakes Defective' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating mechanical failure and unsafe driving behavior contributed to the collision. No damage or impact was reported on the concrete mixer traveling eastbound nearby. The injured passenger was restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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

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

Aug 10 - Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Jul 27 - A sedan making a U-turn on Cross Bay Boulevard crashed. The driver suffered a back bruise. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. The street stayed busy. The pain stayed with him.

According to the police report, a 2022 Chevrolet sedan was making a U-turn on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens at 19:05 when it struck another vehicle. The impact hit the left front bumper. The 50-year-old male driver was injured, suffering a back contusion but remained conscious at the scene. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. No other errors or victim actions were cited. The injured party was the driver himself. No helmet or signal use was mentioned. The crash underscores the risk of distraction during complex maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 24 - Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 22 - Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 11 - Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

Jul 2 - A 32-year-old man suffered a neck injury and concussion after being hit by a vehicle while crossing 96 Street near 159 Avenue in Queens. The driver, traveling north, struck the pedestrian at the center front end, leaving him unconscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on 96 Street near 159 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a vehicle traveling north went straight ahead and struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a neck injury and was unconscious, suffering a concussion. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error was involved. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior or safety equipment were noted. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, and the crash occurred at 16:15. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver actions at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 23 - An 89-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after an SUV making a left turn struck her in a marked crosswalk. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, causing a violent collision at a Queens intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:30 on 161 Avenue near 89 Street in Queens. A 2022 Jeep SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn southbound when it struck an 89-year-old female pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury affecting her entire body and was conscious at the scene. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The pedestrian was not at fault; the collision resulted from the driver's errors and systemic danger posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to crossing pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735046 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 13 - An e-bike rider suffered full-body injuries after a Queens SUV made a left turn and struck the bike’s front center. The crash occurred on 158 Avenue, with the driver’s improper lane usage cited as a key factor in the impact and injury.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male e-bike rider traveling east on 158 Avenue was struck by a female driver in a 2022 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the e-bike’s center front end and the SUV’s left front quarter panel. The e-bike rider sustained injuries to his entire body and was conscious after the crash. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor attributed to the e-bike rider, indicating a failure in proper lane discipline. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but no other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage during turning maneuvers in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 8 - A westbound SUV hit a 19-year-old woman crossing North Conduit Avenue with the light. Her head split. Blood pooled. She lay semiconscious. The driver, distracted, kept going. Flesh met steel. System failed her.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old woman was crossing North Conduit Avenue at 79th Street in Queens with the pedestrian signal when a westbound SUV struck her. She suffered a severe head injury and was left semiconscious, bleeding on the pavement. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV continued straight, its driver failing to see the pedestrian. The victim was crossing with the light. The crash shows the deadly cost of driver inattention and failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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 - 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