Feb 17 - Councilwoman Brooks-Powers, head of the Transportation Committee, backs speed cameras and safer streets. Her family car racked up 25 tickets in 16 months—20 for speeding near schools. Critics call her actions hypocritical. Advocates say public trust and lives are at stake.

On February 17, 2024, Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), chair of the City Council’s Transportation Committee, came under fire after media reports revealed her family car received 25 traffic tickets in 16 months, including 20 for speeding near schools. The controversy centers on officials’ personal compliance with traffic laws while publicly supporting measures like speed cameras and congestion pricing. Brooks-Powers, who has promoted speed cameras and legislation to reward reporting hit-and-run drivers, claims her husband was responsible for the violations and that she has not used the car in over a year. Councilman Robert Holden called her a 'hypocrite,' while safe streets advocate Adam White stressed, 'Public officials and their families need to abide by speed cameras and red lights... people’s lives are at risk.' The incident highlights the gap between public safety advocacy and personal conduct, raising questions about accountability and public trust.

• NYC transportation bigwigs rack up speeding tickets, traffic violations while backing anti-car agenda, congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-17

Feb 11 - An SUV hit a baby boy walking against traffic near 184th Street. The front end slammed his head. He lay semiconscious, bleeding, as the vehicle continued east. Dusk fell silent. Blood marked the road. No names, just pain and metal.

A baby boy was struck and severely injured by a station wagon/SUV on South Conduit Avenue near 184th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 18:25. The report states, 'An SUV struck a baby boy walking against traffic. The front end hit his head. He lay semiconscious, bleeding. The car kept east.' The child suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, with his emotional status described as semiconscious. The police report lists 'Vehicle Vandalism' as a contributing factor. The SUV was traveling straight ahead when its center front end impacted the child. The collision happened outside an intersection. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the vehicle’s movement and the systemic dangers present on South Conduit Avenue.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - 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

Feb 8 - Restler’s bill puts power in the hands of New Yorkers. Citizen reporters can ticket drivers blocking bike and bus lanes. The 25% bounty returns. No more hoops. Streets could clear. Cyclists and pedestrians stand to gain. NYPD loses its grip.

Council Member Lincoln Restler has re-introduced his bill to restore a 25% bounty for New Yorkers who report drivers blocking bike and bus lanes. The bill, announced on February 8, 2024, removes prior compromises—no phased rollout, no mandatory training, no ID hurdles. The measure, previously stripped down in committee, now returns to its original form. The matter title: 'Prophet Motive: Restler Bill Would Restore 25% Bounty for Blocked Bike and Bus Lane Tickets.' Restler vows to push hard for passage, saying, 'This bill would make a tremendous difference in making our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.' Activists like Sara Lind back the bounty, arguing, 'More reporting, more enforcement, will lead to fewer violations.' The bill’s fate is uncertain after Restler’s removal from the Transportation Committee, but the intent is clear: shift enforcement from NYPD to the people, and clear the way for vulnerable road users.

• Prophet Motive: Restler Bill Would Restore 25% Bounty for Blocked Bike and Bus Lane Tickets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 6 - Vision Zero made streets safer, but not for all. Black and Latino neighborhoods saw deaths rise. White, wealthy areas got more bike lanes, better Open Streets. Council Member Brooks-Powers calls out the disparity. DOT claims new plans target equity, but gaps remain.

On February 6, 2024, Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), chair of the Transportation Committee, criticized Vision Zero’s uneven impact. The report, titled "NYC streets have gotten safer under Vision Zero – especially if you live in a white neighborhood," found that while traffic fatalities dropped citywide, majority-Black communities saw a 13% increase and Latino areas a 30% rise. Brooks-Powers said, "It is deeply concerning that communities of color are experiencing fatalities at higher rates." The report states, "It's clear the program has not been fully or effectively implemented in neighborhoods of color and with lower incomes." DOT spokesperson Anna Correa responded that recent plans focus more resources on high-poverty, non-white neighborhoods, but the safety gap persists. The data shows Vision Zero’s benefits depend on where you live—and who the city prioritizes.

• NYC streets have gotten safer under Vision Zero – especially you live in a white neighborhood, report says, amny.com, Published 2024-02-06

Jan 31 - An 80-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered a head contusion in Queens. The crash happened on Springfield Boulevard when traffic control was disregarded. The rider was helmeted but still sustained serious injury from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Springfield Boulevard in Queens at 13:32. An 80-year-old male bicyclist, traveling south, was partially ejected and sustained a head contusion classified as injury severity 3. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but this did not prevent the serious head injury. The vehicle involved was traveling east, going straight ahead, and the point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report does not specify other contributing factors beyond the traffic control disregard and an unspecified factor. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but injured, highlighting the dangers posed by driver failures to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - Small cities like Clarkston, Georgia, are landing million-dollar federal grants to fight deadly streets. With help from Bloomberg-backed advisors, they outpace larger rivals. Grants target pedestrian danger. Local leaders credit technical aid and strong stories. More small towns now chase life-saving funds.

""The Cities signing up are smaller and often less well-resourced, and they’re drawing down bigger-than-average grants as a result of the technical assistance they’re getting. We’re really proud to be converting ambitions and dreams into winning applications and real safety on the ground."" -- Khaleel Anderson

On January 22, 2024, Streetsblog NYC reported that small cities are securing major federal grants for street safety. Clarkston, Georgia, with high traffic-fatality rates, won $1 million from the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to craft a safety plan. The Local Infrastructure Hub, co-led by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides technical help, boosting applications. Mayor Beverley Burks of Clarkston said, "You have to be willing to invest in yourself as a city... Having someone who had the skillset to be able to help write the narrative – that’s very crucial for the reviewers to understand the needs in your community." James Anderson, also quoted, highlighted how technical assistance turns ambition into real safety. Other small cities, like Globe, Arizona, and Gladewater, Texas, have also won grants for pedestrian safety. These wins show federal money can reach vulnerable road users in overlooked places.

• How Small Cities Are Winning Big Money for Street Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-22

Jan 12 - Two sedans collided on Queens’ 222 Street at 8:33 a.m. One driver suffered back injuries and shock. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause. Impact struck left side doors and front end. Both drivers licensed, traveling straight ahead.

According to the police report, at 8:33 a.m. on Queens’ 222 Street near 145 Road, two sedans collided. The first vehicle, a 2010 Nissan traveling east, was struck on its left side doors, sustaining roof damage. The second vehicle, a 2023 Toyota traveling south, impacted with its center front end. The sole occupant of the Nissan, a 21-year-old male driver, was injured with back pain and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating a driver error in obeying traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported. The crash highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 12 - Concrete barriers on Park Avenue bike lanes promised safety. Drivers ignored them. Cars block both ends. Cyclists forced into traffic. Police rarely ticket. Council stalls on citizen reporting. The city’s fix failed. Cyclists pay the price.

On January 12, 2024, Streetsblog NYC reported on the failure of new concrete barriers meant to protect bike lanes on Park Avenue in the Bronx. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, installed these barriers in fall 2023, aiming to 'harden' bike lanes in a borough with few safe cycling routes. Cyclists like Joseph Rienti say the barriers are better than nothing, but drivers now park at both ends, forcing riders into car traffic. Rienti urges better design or enforcement, not removal. Police enforcement is almost nonexistent: less than 2 percent of 76,000 complaints led to tickets. City Council, including Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, has not advanced a bill allowing citizen reporting of blocked lanes, despite majority support. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno promises to work with police, but for now, the barriers fail to protect vulnerable cyclists.

• Barriers Fail To Keep Drivers From Blocking Bronx Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-12

Jan 2 - Mayor Adams missed the law’s targets for protected bike and bus lanes in 2023. Projects stalled. Promises broken. Streets stayed dangerous. City Council called out the failure. Vulnerable road users paid the price. The plan sits ignored. Lives remain at risk.

""Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements,"" -- Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

In 2023, under Mayor Adams, New York City failed to meet the Streets Master Plan’s legal mandate: 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected or enhanced bus lanes. This was the second year of missed targets since the law’s 2019 passage. The plan, created by then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson, aimed to make streets safer and more equitable. Key projects—like McGuinness Boulevard bike lanes and Fordham Road bus lanes—were delayed or canceled. The Department of Transportation blamed staff shortages and budget cuts. Transportation Committee Chairwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' She also criticized the DOT’s lack of transparency. Speaker Adrienne Adams joined calls for compliance but admitted the Council’s enforcement tools are limited. Without mayoral commitment, the plan’s promise for safer streets remains unfulfilled.

• In 2023, Mayor Adams Basically Erased the ‘Streets Master Plan’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-02

Jan 2 - Mayor Adams missed legal targets for protected bike and bus lanes in 2023. Projects were delayed or canceled. The city cited staff shortages and budget cuts. Council members condemned the failures. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. Promises faded. Danger persists.

""Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements,"" -- Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

In 2023, Mayor Adams failed to meet the mandates of the 2019 Streets Master Plan, which required 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected or enhanced bus lanes. The law, championed by then-Speaker Corey Johnson, aimed for safer, more equitable streets. Key projects, including bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard and Ashland Place, and bus lanes on Fordham Road, were stalled or abandoned. The Department of Transportation blamed staff shortages and budget cuts. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and other members voiced frustration but admitted limited power to enforce compliance. Council Member Chi Ossé was mentioned in coverage. Without mayoral commitment, the plan’s promise to protect vulnerable road users remains unfulfilled. The city’s vision for safer streets is at risk.

• In 2023, Mayor Adams Basically Erased the 'Streets Master Plan', streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-02

Jan 1 - Van veered on North Conduit Avenue. Driver lost consciousness. Collision smashed van and sedan front bumpers. Driver hurt his back. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a van traveling north on North Conduit Avenue collided head-on with a westbound sedan at 10:05. The van driver, a 41-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Illness' as contributing factors for the van driver, leading to the crash. Both vehicles were damaged at the front. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The van driver was properly restrained. No driver errors like failure to yield or speeding are cited. The crash resulted from the van driver's medical emergency.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - A hit-and-run truck killed an 82-year-old cyclist on Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. This marks the 29th cyclist death in 2023. Councilmember Brooks-Powers blasted DOT for missing legal bike lane targets. Streets remain deadly. Progress is slow. Accountability is lacking.

On December 28, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers responded to the death of an 82-year-old cyclist killed by a hit-and-run truck on Northern Boulevard. This incident marked the 29th cyclist fatality in 2023, a grim milestone in a year of rising traffic violence. Brooks-Powers criticized the Adams administration and the Department of Transportation for failing to meet the Streets Plan's legal requirement of 50 miles of protected bike lanes, achieving only about 30 miles. She stated, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Brooks-Powers also condemned the missed bus lane targets and called out DOT's lack of transparency, pledging to hold the agency accountable and push for safer, more equitable streets. The city faces more cars, more crashes, and more injuries, while vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Another Cyclist Killed in One of the Deadliest Years on Record, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-28

Dec 27 - A driver was injured in a multi-vehicle crash on North Conduit Avenue. The impact was severe. Traffic control was disregarded. Aggressive driving contributed to the chaos.

In a crash on North Conduit Avenue in Queens, a 30-year-old male driver sustained injuries to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the incident involved multiple SUVs and was marked by 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage.' The driver, unlicensed, was engaged in a police pursuit when the collision occurred. He was conscious at the scene but suffered a contusion. No safety equipment was noted. The other vehicles involved were driven by licensed individuals, but their actions did not prevent the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690605 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - A Dodge truck, driver unlicensed, tore into a Chevy sedan on Brewer Boulevard. Metal twisted. A 71-year-old man died alone in the dark. Police cite traffic control ignored. The street swallowed another life.

A deadly crash unfolded on Brewer Boulevard near South Conduit Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a 71-year-old man driving a 2002 Chevy sedan was struck head-on by a Dodge truck. The Dodge driver was unlicensed. The impact crushed the Chevy and killed its driver at the scene. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The report also notes 'Unsafe Speed' as a factor for the deceased driver. The Dodge truck's unlicensed status and disregard for traffic control are central to the crash. The man in the Chevy wore no seatbelt, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - Conduit Avenue kills. Brooklyn and Queens borough presidents call it urgent. They want DOT to turn this deadly, crash-heavy road into a safe corridor. In less than two years, 1,321 crashes. Seventy pedestrians and 14 cyclists hurt. Five dead. DOT silent.

On December 14, 2023, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pressed the Department of Transportation to overhaul Conduit Avenue. Their letter called for a transformation of the avenue, described as "one of the most dangerous and non-inclusive roadways in the entire city." The officials urged DOT to prioritize traffic safety, cycling and mass transit infrastructure, pedestrian walkability, and green space. Between January 2022 and December 2023, Conduit Avenue saw 1,321 crashes, injuring 880 people—including 70 pedestrians and 14 cyclists—and killing five. Three intersections are listed as DOT pedestrian safety priorities, but the corridor itself is not. Richards and Reynoso have formed a task force and are pushing for action. DOT has not commented.

• Boob Tube: Brooklyn, Queens Leaders Want DOT to Fix Dangerous Conduit Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

Dec 12 - MTA plans $30 million for Queens bus overhaul. Eight new routes. More frequent service for thousands. Stops spaced farther apart. Most riders keep their stops. Councilmember Brooks-Powers doubts gains for her district. Borough President Richards backs the plan. Rollout not before 2025.

The MTA’s Queens Bus Network Redesign, announced December 12, 2023, proposes $30 million in service upgrades and expands local routes from 83 to 91. The plan, under review since 2020, aims to boost 10-minute-or-better service for 200,000 more residents, raising coverage from 60.1% to 68.9%. The official summary states the redesign will 'streamline and speed up service.' Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers voiced 'serious concerns' about disadvantages for her district, especially with congestion pricing. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, once critical, now supports the draft after public outreach. State Senator Leroy Comrie noted Brooks-Powers wants clarity for her community, not outright rejection. The redesign awaits further input and is expected no sooner than 2025. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• MTA’s Queens Bus Redesign: $30M in Service, 8 More Routes, Skepticism from Brooks-Powers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 12 - MTA revealed its final Queens bus overhaul. Routes shift. Stops thin out. Riders brace for longer walks. Council Member Brooks-Powers warns of harm to her district. The city lags on bus lanes. Public review looms. Vulnerable riders face uncertainty.

On December 12, 2023, the MTA released its final proposal for the Queens bus network redesign. The plan, shaped by two years of outreach, proposes 121 routes—eight more than before—but cuts and combines stops, aiming for straighter lines and faster trips. The matter summary states the redesign seeks 'improved travel speed and reliability.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, voiced 'serious concerns about the proposal’s impact on her constituents, especially with the looming arrival of congestion pricing.' She called for an 'equitable and balanced' approach. The plan faces backlash over wider stop spacing and fewer stops, which could force longer walks for riders—many of them elderly or disabled. The city has failed to meet its legal mandate for new bus lanes, building only 18 miles this year. The proposal enters public review ahead of a 2025 rollout.

• MTA unveils final proposal for Queens bus network redesign, amny.com, Published 2023-12-12

Dec 4 - A 17-year-old girl was struck on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The sedan hit her with its front center while making a left turn. She suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. Glare impaired visibility at the time.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was injured on South Conduit Avenue in Queens when a 2015 Kia sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, made a left turn and struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and was conscious after the crash. The report lists glare as a contributing factor, indicating impaired visibility. The driver’s action of making a left turn led to the collision. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection, and no safety equipment or signals are mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 2 - Two sedans crashed on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were injured, including a 40-year-old woman and a 77-year-old female passenger. The collision involved improper lane usage and turning. Injuries ranged from head trauma to full body shock.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a 40-year-old female driver and a 77-year-old female front-seat passenger, both injured with serious trauma. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The 40-year-old driver suffered injuries to her entire body, while the 77-year-old passenger sustained head injuries. Both occupants experienced shock but were not ejected from the vehicles. The collision caused damage to the center front ends and left side doors of the vehicles. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19