No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

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 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 31 - A driver in an SUV turned left on Farmers Blvd at 144 Rd and hit a man in a marked crosswalk. His arm fractured. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield.

A 48-year-old man was hit by a driver in a Toyota SUV during a left turn at Farmers Blvd and 144 Rd in Queens. He was crossing in a marked crosswalk. He suffered a fractured arm. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right of way. Police list Driver Inattention/Distraction and Failure to Yield Right-of-Way as contributing factors. The driver, a 44-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The impact came at the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The crash occurred at 8:50 a.m.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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 in an SUV turned left at Guy R Brewer and Baisley and hit a 54-year-old woman. She suffered a bruised upper arm. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield.

A 54-year-old woman was injured at Guy R Brewer Blvd and Baisley Blvd in Queens when a driver in a 2013 SUV turned left and hit her with the front of the SUV. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn and struck the pedestrian at the intersection, causing a contusion to her upper arm. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction and failure to yield right-of-way by the driver. The driver held a valid New York license. The report lists two occupants in the SUV. No other contributing factors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 25 - Driver in a 2019 SUV turned right at 157 St and 132 Ave and hit a woman on a standing scooter. She suffered a leg bruise. Police recorded Traffic Control Disregarded.

A driver in a 2019 SUV made a right turn at 157 St and 132 Ave in Queens and hit a 31-year-old woman operating a standing scooter. She was going straight ahead. She suffered a knee and lower leg contusion and was listed as injured. According to the police report, "Traffic Control Disregarded" was recorded as a contributing factor. Police listed the SUV traveling south and turning right, and the smaller motorized device traveling north, going straight. Police recorded damage to the SUV's left rear bumper and to the scooter's center front. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 24 - A sedan turned right and hit a cyclist on Rockaway Blvd. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street left the rider exposed.

A sedan making a right turn struck a cyclist traveling straight on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The cyclist, a 51-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The sedan’s right front bumper hit the cyclist, who was left with a contusion. The report notes the cyclist was not using safety equipment, but only after citing the driver’s failure to yield. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830229 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 19 - A driver in a sedan hit a 35-year-old man on an e-bike at Rockaway Boulevard and 150th Street in Queens. The rider suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and was in shock. Police recorded driver inattention and driver inexperience.

The driver of a sedan traveling south on 150th Street struck a 35-year-old man riding an e-bike westbound on Rockaway Boulevard. The cyclist suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and was recorded in shock. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Driver Inexperience" contributed to the crash. Both parties were traveling straight ahead before impact. Police logged the point of impact at the sedan's left front bumper and the e-bike's right front. The report lists driver errors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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 - A motorcycle hit a woman crossing Guy R Brewer Blvd. She was hurt in the leg. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed loud. The crosswalk marked her pain.

A motorcycle struck a 29-year-old woman as she crossed Guy R Brewer Blvd at 137 Ave in Queens. She suffered a leg injury and abrasions. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and wore a helmet. The pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The report lists failure to yield as the key factor, underscoring the danger faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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 13 - A Lexus driver with a suspended license struck and killed a 15-year-old on an e-bike in Nassau County. The driver fled but was caught. The teen died at the scene. The car had dozens of prior violations.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-13), a 15-year-old fleeing police on an e-bike was killed by a Lexus driver with a suspended license and a long record of violations. The driver, Ruyan Ali, crossed into oncoming traffic to pass a stopped car and struck the teen, then tried to flee. Police said Ali had 'at least three license suspensions' and the Lexus had '53 speeding camera violations.' Ali faces charges for leaving the scene and unlicensed operation. The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is investigating.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Teen On E-Bike, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-13

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 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.

• Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-08

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - A van turned left at rush hour. The scooter rider flew from his device. He died at the hospital. The street stayed open. The investigation continues.

According to amny (2025-06-30), Shaun Lagredelle, 39, was riding a stand-up scooter west on 116th Avenue when a Ford Transit van, driven by a 43-year-old woman, turned left onto Nashville Boulevard and struck him. Police said, "As the van attempted to turn left onto Nashville Boulevard, it collided with the scooter, immediately propelling Lagredelle off the device." Lagredelle suffered fatal injuries. No arrests have been made. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The crash highlights ongoing risks at intersections for scooter riders.

• Scooter Rider Killed In Queens Collision, amny, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 24 - A pickup tore through Astoria. It struck Amanda Servedio, a cyclist with the right of way. She flew from her bike. The driver fled. Police found the truck later. Servedio died at Elmhurst Hospital. The city lost another rider.

Gothamist reported on June 24, 2025, that Bekim Fiseku was indicted for murder and manslaughter after fatally striking cyclist Amanda Servedio in Astoria. Prosecutors say Fiseku, fleeing police after an attempted burglary, sped through red lights and bike lanes, ultimately hitting Servedio at 37th Street and 34th Avenue. Surveillance captured the chase. The indictment states, 'The defendant allegedly led police on a 10-minute chase through the crowded streets.' Servedio, 36, was returning from a cycling event and had the right of way. Fiseku abandoned his truck and evaded arrest until February. The case highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless drivers and high-speed police pursuits on city streets.

• Cyclist Killed In Astoria Police Chase, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-24