Aug 12 - A car slammed into a food truck in Astoria. Three people died. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street became a scene of sudden loss.

CBS New York reported on August 12, 2025, that a car crashed into a food truck at 19th Avenue and 42nd Street in Astoria, Queens, killing three people. The article quotes witnesses, including a man who 'narrowly escaped tragedy.' Details on the driver's actions remain scarce, but the crash highlights the lethal risk vehicles pose to people on city streets. The incident raises questions about street design and the exposure of workers and customers at curbside businesses.

• Car Plows Into Queens Food Truck, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 11 - Astoria shopkeepers fight a protected bike lane on 31st Street. They claim city plans threaten their business and public safety. The lawsuit lands in Queens Supreme Court. The city faces pushback, progress stalls.

NY1 reported on August 11, 2025, that over a dozen Astoria business owners filed suit to block a protected bike lane on 31st Street. The petition, lodged in Queens Supreme Court, claims the redesign from 36th Avenue to Newton Avenue would 'hurt their day-to-day operations and jeopardize public safety.' Owners accuse the city of acting in an 'arbitrary and capricious' way, moving forward despite objections. The case highlights ongoing tension between street safety projects and local business concerns. The outcome could shape future protected bike lane installations citywide.

• Astoria Businesses Sue Over Bike Lane, NY1, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 6 - Land Use committee cleared the Midtown South Mixed-Use rezoning on Aug 6. The plan unlocks over 9,500 homes, creates a car-free 34th Street busway and pedestrianized Broadway, and directs funds to the Garment District and street upgrades.

"To confront the citywide housing and affordability crisis, our city must build more homes and invest in housing solutions that allow generations of New Yorkers to remain in this city." -- Adrienne Adams

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan. File number: none provided. Status: Approved by the City Council Committee on Land Use on 2025-08-06; advances to a full Council vote. Committee: City Council Committee on Land Use. The matter, quoted in the record, calls to "redesignate 42 blocks between West 23rd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Eighth Avenues for housing development." Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers backed the plan; Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams issued supportive statements. The plan includes a car-free 34th Street busway, a fully pedestrianized Broadway, $122M for Garment District support and $340M for streets and transit. No safety impact assessment or safety note was provided in the record.

• Midtown South rezoning proposal passes council land-use committee alongside community investment, amny.com, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - A horse named Lady died in Hell's Kitchen. Photos reignited calls to ban carriages. The City Council stalled. Unions and leaders blocked hearings. Advocates warned of more injuries. Analysts say the ban would have minimal direct effect on pedestrians and cyclists.

Bill 2025, proposed to ban horse-drawn carriages, remained stalled as of August 6, 2025. The measure sits in the City Council health committee chaired by Lynn C. Schulman. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden is the bill's sponsor. Speaker Adrienne Adams has not publicly taken a position. The article ran under the headline "Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages." Advocates rallied and warned, "without a ban there will be more crashes, injuries, and possibly deaths." TWU Local 100 opposes the ban. The proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages may have minimal direct impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety, as these vehicles are a small share of street traffic; the primary safety risks for vulnerable road users stem from motor vehicles and street design.

• Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 3 - Council weighs a 20-foot parking ban at crosswalks. Supporters say it saves lives. Critics warn of lost parking and risk. Streets stand at a crossroads.

""The safety of pedestrians and all street users remains a top priority for Speaker Adams and the council. Intro. 1138 is going through the council’s legislative process, which is deliberative and allows for thorough public engagement and input."" -- Adrienne Adams

Intro. 1138, now before the City Council as of August 3, 2025, targets cars parked within 20 feet of crosswalks. The transportation committee leads the review. The bill's summary: 'ban vehicles from parking within 20 feet of crosswalks to improve visibility and street safety.' Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the measure. Council Member Julie Won and advocates back it. DOT officials and some lawmakers oppose, citing cost and risk. The bill could cut 300,000 parking spots. Banning parking near intersections improves visibility for all road users, reducing collisions and making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, even if it reduces parking.

• NYC to lose 300,000 parking spots in City Council bid to boost street safety, AMNY, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 3 - A driver struck an e-bike rider in Queens. A scooter rider crashed in Brooklyn. Both died. Streets claimed them. Police investigate. Lives ended fast. Metal and speed left no room for error.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports two fatal e-vehicle crashes. On July 31, a 62-year-old Nissan Rogue driver hit Zhao Feng Zhen, 55, on Hollis Court Blvd in Queens. The driver remained at the scene; police continue to investigate. On July 12, Eusebio Quinones, 60, lost control of his electric scooter on Union Ave in Brooklyn and died from his injuries days later. The article notes, 'police are still investigating the crash.' These deaths highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 2 - On Tuskegee Airmen Way at 156 St in Queens, the driver of an ambulance going straight hit a sedan turning left. Two drivers hurt. Police recorded improper lane use and failure to yield.

Two vehicles collided on Tuskegee Airmen Way at 156 St in Queens. According to the police report, an ambulance driver going straight hit a sedan whose driver was making a left turn. The 20-year-old driver in the ambulance suffered an arm abrasion. The 17-year-old sedan driver reported knee and lower-leg pain. Police recorded Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Passing or Lane Usage Improper by the drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both injured drivers wore lap belts and harnesses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-12

Aug 1 - A teen drove a BMW at 100 mph without a license. He lost control. The car hit a truck. Fourteen-year-old Fortune Williams was ejected and killed. The driver now faces prison. Parents faced charges too.

Gothamist (2025-08-01) reports an 18-year-old Queens resident was sentenced to up to four years for a 2023 crash that killed 14-year-old Fortune Williams. The teen, unlicensed and speeding at over 100 mph in a 30-mph zone, lost control and struck a parked UPS truck. Prosecutors said he only had a learner's permit and had been previously ticketed for unlicensed driving. His parents, who gave him the BMW, were convicted of child endangerment. DA Melinda Katz called it 'a landmark case where both an unlicensed teenage driver and his parents were held responsible.' The case highlights failures in supervision and enforcement.

• Unlicensed Teen Driver Kills Passenger, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 30 - Council moves to ban parking near corners. Sightlines clear. Crashes drop. Pedestrians and cyclists breathe easier. DOT doubts linger. Advocates press on. Streets could change fast.

On July 30, 2025, the NYC Council Progressive Caucus made a major push for Intro 1138, a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of intersections. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. Council Member Julie Won introduced it after deadly crashes in her district. Eighteen caucus members back the bill, aiming to force a vote this year. The matter: 'eliminate parking within 20 feet of an intersection.' Council Member Sandy Nurse called daylighting 'a proven, effective way to make our streets safer.' DOT raised doubts about non-hardened daylighting, but safety analysts say restricting parking near intersections improves visibility, reduces collisions, and protects people on foot and bike.

• NYC Council Progressive Caucus to make push for universal daylighting in 2025, City & State NY, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 28 - A driver making a left turn hit a 54-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk on Liberty Ave at 177 St. She suffered a head contusion. Police recorded failure to yield right-of-way. The driver was the lone occupant.

"According to the police report …" a 54-year-old woman was struck by a sedan as she crossed Liberty Ave at 177 St in Queens. The report says the driver was making a left turn. Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury listed as a contusion. The driver was the sole occupant, identified as a licensed male operator of a 2014 Nissan sedan. Vehicle damage was reported as none. No other contributing factors or equipment issues are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-12

Jul 27 - Two SUVs collided on Inwood Street at Ferndale Avenue. Three occupants — a 13-year-old girl, a 20-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman — suffered head and arm injuries. Police recorded traffic control disregarded by a driver.

Two SUVs collided on Inwood Street at Ferndale Avenue. The vehicle data show one SUV with center-front damage and the other with left-rear quarter-panel damage. Three occupants were injured: a 13-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man with head injuries, and a 29-year-old woman with elbow/lower-arm injuries. According to the police report, "Traffic Control Disregarded" was listed as the contributing factor. Police records note both drivers were going straight ahead. The report assigns the traffic-control disregard to the driver listed in the crash data. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-12

Jul 18 - A 46-year-old man lay unconscious after a northbound SUV hit him on Union Hall Street in Queens. He suffered chest abrasions. Police listed contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

According to the police report, a 46-year-old man walking outside an intersection on Union Hall Street in Queens was struck by a northbound 2023 Honda SUV. He was left unconscious with chest abrasions. Police list his location as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' and action as 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The driver was going straight ahead. Impact point was undercarriage. The SUV showed no damage and had one occupant. No driver errors were specified in the report. Contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-12

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 15 - Adams pushed a 15 mph e-bike cap. The hearing spiraled into calls for licensing. Riders and advocates warned: this won’t make streets safer. Focus drifted from real threats. Danger remains.

On July 15, 2025, City Hall held a public hearing on Mayor Adams’s proposed 15 mph e-bike speed limit. The session, covered by Kevin Duggan, quickly shifted to e-bike licensing and registration. The matter, described as 'a public hearing about the mayor's proposed speed limit devolved into a debate about e-bike licensing,' saw no council member take a clear stance. Advocates warned that focusing on licensing distracts from proven safety measures and burdens vulnerable users. The safety analyst noted this shift risks real harm, pulling attention from systemic fixes that protect walkers and riders.

• E-Bike Fans and Foes Agree: Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit Won’t Make Streets Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 14 - City debates capping e-bike speeds at 15 mph and closing wage loopholes for delivery workers. No clear safety gain for cyclists or pedestrians. Lawmakers stall on holding app companies accountable.

On July 14, 2025, City Council and DOT held hearings on e-bike speed limits and delivery worker wages. The DOT proposed a 15 mph cap on e-bikes. Speaker Adrienne Adams led a council vote to expand minimum wage laws to grocery delivery apps. Streetsblog NYC reported, 'Monday is a big day for the future of e-bikes in the Big Apple.' Michael Replogle warned the speed cap would 'roll back decades of gains to grow cycling.' A draft bill for app company accountability remains stalled. The safety impact is unclear: 'No direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be determined.'

• Monday’s Headlines: E-Bike Regulations Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-14

Jul 11 - Bus struck pole and ticket machine in Queens. Eight hurt. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Riders shaken. Streets stayed dangerous.

CBS New York (2025-07-11) reports an MTA bus 'slammed into a light pole and ticket machine' in Queens, injuring eight. The article notes all injuries were minor. No details on driver actions or cause. The crash highlights ongoing risks for bus passengers and bystanders. The incident raises questions about street design and MTA safety protocols.

• Eight Injured As MTA Bus Hits Pole, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - Council backs daylighting. Speaker Adams stalls. Cars block corners. Sightlines stay blind. Pedestrians risk death. Safety waits. Power plays out. Danger wins.

On July 9, 2025, the City Council considered Introduction 1138 in committee. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won, bans parking within 20 feet of intersections and orders DOT to install barriers at 1,000 corners yearly. The measure, described as a way to 'improve pedestrian safety by increasing visibility at intersections,' has majority support. Speaker Adrienne Adams refuses to bring it to a vote. Advocates and two dozen Community Boards demand action. Safety analysts say daylighting removes visual obstructions, proven to cut crashes and protect walkers and cyclists citywide. The bill sits. Streets stay deadly.

• Universal Daylighting Has Majority Support on the City Council — Will Speaker Adams Give It a Vote?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 5 - BMW lost control, flew divider, struck two cars. Fire trapped five. Two critical. Belt Parkway shut. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-05), a 24-year-old BMW driver lost control near Cross Bay Blvd on the Belt Parkway. The car hit a divider, went airborne, and crashed into a Honda and a Hyundai. The article states, "their out-of-control luxury car vaulted into oncoming traffic... slamming into two unsuspecting motorists in a fiery crash." Two BMW occupants were critically injured; three others had minor injuries. Both drivers of the struck vehicles were hospitalized. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad closed the westbound lanes to probe the cause. The crash highlights the dangers of high-speed loss of control and the risk posed to all road users.

• BMW Vaults Divider, Slams Oncoming Cars, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-05