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 16 - A 39-year-old woman was struck while crossing Beach 20 Street in a marked crosswalk. The SUV driver disregarded traffic control and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries and was semiconscious at the scene.

According to the police report, at 18:20, a 39-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Beach 20 Street in a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was hit by a southbound 2006 Honda SUV. The vehicle's center front end struck the pedestrian, causing injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. She was semiconscious and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites the driver’s errors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way,' indicating the driver ignored traffic signals and did not yield to the pedestrian. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted. The collision highlights critical driver failures leading to severe pedestrian injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703169 - 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 - A 9-year-old boy suffered a head contusion after being hit by an SUV on Bay 32 Street in Queens. The vehicle, traveling north, struck the child at an intersection while the driver was inattentive. The boy was conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a 2013 SUV traveling north on Bay 32 Street in Queens struck a 9-year-old pedestrian at an intersection near Bessemund Avenue. The child was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The impact was to the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise and was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the collision and the child’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

Feb 1 - A 41-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries after an SUV collided with the left side doors of his sedan. The crash occurred in Queens at Beach 20 Street. Police cited improper passing or lane usage as the primary cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 14:50 in Queens near Beach 20 Street involving a 2007 Honda SUV and a 2023 Chevrolet sedan. The SUV was parked before the crash, while the sedan was traveling south going straight ahead. The point of impact was the left side doors of the sedan, which sustained damage along with the SUV’s left side doors. The 41-year-old male sedan driver, who was conscious and not ejected, suffered a neck injury described as whiplash. The police report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor for the crash, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699589 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 30 - Two vehicles collided head-on on Dickens Street. The sedan driver, an 18-year-old male, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a key factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Dickens Street involving a 2017 Toyota SUV traveling west and a 2010 Nissan sedan traveling south. Both vehicles struck each other with their left front bumpers. The sedan driver, an 18-year-old male occupant, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York and were proceeding straight ahead before impact. The report does not indicate any victim fault or unsafe behavior by the injured occupant. The collision caused damage primarily to the front ends of both vehicles, underscoring the severity of the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699163 - 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 17 - Two sedans collided on Beach Channel Drive. One driver turned improperly. A 20-year-old woman in the turning car suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Impact was violent. Streets failed to protect her.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed at 11:15 a.m. on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. One driver made an improper turn and struck another sedan traveling straight. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as the main contributing factor. A 20-year-old female passenger in the turning vehicle was injured, suffering whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No contributing factors related to the passenger's actions were listed. The crash underscores the danger of improper turning in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696265 - 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 8 - An unlicensed driver slammed into a stopped sedan on Seagirt Boulevard. The front passenger took a blow to the head and suffered whiplash. Metal twisted. The street bore the mark of reckless hands.

According to the police report, a crash unfolded at 17:37 on Seagirt Boulevard in Queens. An unlicensed male driver in a GMC sedan rear-ended a stopped sedan. The front passenger, a 49-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and belted. The report lists the driver’s unlicensed status as a critical error. Both cars were badly damaged—front and rear crushed. No other contributing factors appear in the report. The collision’s cause is clear: an unlicensed driver behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

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 22 - A sedan traveling west on Beach 38 Street struck an animal. The driver, a 51-year-old man, sustained a head contusion. The vehicle's right front bumper and quarter panel were damaged. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male driver in a 2002 Ford sedan was injured when the vehicle collided with an animal on Beach 38 Street. The driver suffered a head contusion but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Animals Action" as the contributing factor, indicating the collision was caused by the animal's presence. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The vehicle sustained damage to the right front bumper and quarter panel. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689338 - 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 1 - Mayor Adams will ban parking near 1,000 intersections each year. The city aims to clear corners, boost sightlines, and protect people on foot. Advocates pushed for this. The plan outpaces current law but leaves thousands of corners untouched for decades.

On December 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new executive policy: New York City will remove car parking near 1,000 intersections annually, far exceeding the 100 intersections required by recent Council law. The effort, known as daylighting, aims to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. Adams said, 'Protecting New Yorkers is my most sacred responsibility as mayor.' Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers praised daylighting as 'a proven safety measure.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stressed that daylighting must include physical infrastructure to prevent reckless turns. The Department of Transportation will also add raised crosswalks, extended sidewalks, and leading pedestrian signals at 1,000 intersections next year. The city will expand speed restriction technology in its fleet and increase data transparency. Advocates and community boards have long called for these changes. With nearly 47,000 intersections citywide, the plan will take decades to reach every corner.

• Adams Says He’ll Ban Parking Near 1,000 Intersections Every Year To Make Corners Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-01