Rockaway Bleeds While City Sleeps

A 31-year-old moped driver was injured in Queens. The crash occurred on Norton Avenue. The driver suffered an abrasion to the elbow. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed contributed to the incident.

A moped driver, 31, was injured in a crash on Norton Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn when the incident occurred. The driver was conscious but sustained an abrasion to the elbow, classified as a severe injury. The police report cites aggressive driving and unsafe speed as contributing factors. No safety equipment was used by the driver at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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

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

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

An unlicensed e-bike driver, partially ejected, hit the right rear quarter of a stopped SUV on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The 35-year-old man suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Alcohol and driver inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-bike driver collided with the right rear quarter panel of a stopped Jeep SUV on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The e-bike driver was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists alcohol involvement and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The e-bike driver was unlicensed. The SUV driver was licensed and stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of the e-bike and the right rear quarter panel of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685633 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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

Mayor Adams wavers on congestion pricing. He questions the $15 toll, stirring opposition. Experts slam his stance. Councilmember Brooks-Powers voices concern for drivers, but data shows most benefit. The mayor’s shift weakens support for safer, saner streets.

On December 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams publicly questioned New York City’s incoming congestion pricing plan, specifically the proposed $15 peak toll. The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, quotes Adams: the fee is 'the beginning of the conversation' and exemptions must be considered. Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, echoed concerns, saying the toll 'is going to put definitely a hardship on many of my constituents.' Experts Bruce Schaller and Danny Pearlstein criticized Adams, urging him to champion the program’s benefits for transit riders and the environment. The mayor’s office later clarified his comments focused on city workers in city vehicles. The article notes that while a small fraction of Brooks-Powers’s constituents drive into Manhattan, all would benefit from improved transit. Adams’s wavering undermines momentum for a policy proven to reduce traffic and protect vulnerable road users.

• Cycle of Rage: Mayor is Failing the Leadership Test on Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-01

A motorcycle collided with a sedan making a left turn on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The 21-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a serious head injury. The rider was unconscious and wearing a helmet. The sedan struck the motorcycle’s front end.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling westbound on Rockaway Beach Boulevard collided with a southbound sedan making a left turn. The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a severe head injury, resulting in unconsciousness. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The sedan was damaged on its left rear quarter panel, indicating impact during the turn. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the motorcyclist and notes the sedan driver was licensed. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield were recorded, but the collision occurred during the sedan’s left turn maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Revel pulls the plug on shared mopeds. The company pivots to electric taxis. Car-free travel options shrink. Riders lose a fast, nimble way to move. Revel’s exit marks another blow to micro-mobility in New York. Streets grow less free.

On November 3, 2023, Revel, the Brooklyn-based electric moped company, announced it will end its moped rental service in New York City and San Francisco. The company’s founders, Frank Reig and Paul Suhey, shared the news, citing a 30 percent drop in ridership and financial strain. Revel’s mopeds, once hailed as a lifeline during transit disruptions, will disappear from city streets by November 18. The company now focuses on its growing electric taxi fleet, boasting 500 Teslas and over 1,500 drivers. Advocates mourned the loss, calling it a bad day for car-free travel. Revel’s mopeds were legal, registered, and barred from bike lanes by geo-fencing. Their departure leaves fewer options for vulnerable road users seeking safe, efficient alternatives to cars.

• Electric Moped Company Revel Bails on Two Wheelers in Full Transition to Taxis, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-03

A boy died. The city promises change. Officials tout daylighting and new signals. Critics say action comes too late. Nine children dead this year. Cyclist deaths set records. The mayor defends his record. Parents and advocates demand more. The street stays dangerous.

On November 1, 2023, following the death of 7-year-old Kamari Hughes, Mayor Adams and his administration announced plans to redesign the fatal Brooklyn intersection. The Department of Transportation adjusted signal timing and promised more robust changes, including daylighting and loading zones. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers called daylighting 'a proven safety measure.' Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said the city will target high-crash and school-adjacent corners, using barriers to keep cars from blocking sightlines. Critics like Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives condemned the city’s reactive approach, demanding daylighting at every intersection. Officials claim 299 intersections have been daylighted this year, surpassing Council mandates. Despite these steps, advocates argue the city acts only after tragedy, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• Mayor Boasts of His Record — However Spotty — As He Vows to Fix Corner Where Boy Was Killed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-01

A boy died under the wheels of an NYPD tow truck. Council Member Brooks-Powers pushed a bill to daylight intersections. The law passed despite the mayor’s silence. Advocates demand the city erase parking exemptions. They want clear corners. They want no more deaths.

Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the transportation committee, introduced legislation requiring the Department of Transportation to study and implement daylighting at a minimum of 100 intersections each year. The bill became law even though the mayor did not sign it. The measure, described as 'a proven safety measure that increases visibility to oncoming traffic at intersections and reduces danger for pedestrians and drivers alike,' responds to the death of a young boy struck by an NYPD tow truck. Brooks-Powers and advocates like Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives called for urgent action, criticizing Mayor Adams for scaling back street safety improvements. Community boards and advocates urge the city to remove parking exemptions near crosswalks, arguing that lack of daylighting leads to preventable deaths. The push is clear: daylight every intersection, save lives, stop traffic violence.

• Advocates Demand Daylighting at Intersections in Wake of Boy’s Death, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-31

Bike riders keep dying. Twenty-five lost since January. Most killed on streets without protection. Council Member Brooks-Powers calls for urgent investment in safer roads, especially in outer boroughs. Activists demand the city build protected bike lanes now. Promises have failed. Lives are lost.

On October 17, 2023, Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31) highlighted the deadly toll facing cyclists in New York City. The event, covered by amny.com, cited a study showing 25 bike riders killed since January, making this the deadliest year for cyclists since 1999. The matter summary states: 'New York City is on pace to see the deadliest year for bike riders since 1999.' Brooks-Powers stressed the urgent need for investments in street infrastructure, especially in outer-borough communities. She joined advocates and fellow Council Member Diana Ayala in demanding the city fulfill legal requirements to build safe streets. The analysis found 94% of cyclist deaths occurred on streets without protected bike lanes. Activists and analysts called for immediate action to fast track the NYC Streets Plan and expand protected lanes, noting that only 3% of city streets have them, despite an 18.1% drop in injuries and deaths where they exist.

• NYC on pace for deadliest year for bike riders since 1999: Study, amny.com, Published 2023-10-17

Cyclist deaths in New York City hit a grim peak in 2023. Most victims died on streets without protected bike lanes. Advocates blame city delays. Councilmember Brooks-Powers faces pressure to speed up safety fixes. Lives hang in the balance. Promises are not enough.

On October 17, 2023, a report spotlighted a deadly surge in cyclist fatalities across New York City, with District 31—represented by Council Transportation Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers—bearing the highest toll. The matter, titled 'Crunching the Data on the Record-Setting Year For Cyclist Deaths,' details that 94 percent of victims died on streets lacking protected bike lanes. Transportation Alternatives called on Brooks-Powers and her Council colleagues to pass Intro 417, which would eliminate a three-month wait and speed up bike lane construction. Brooks-Powers, mentioned as district representative, faces mounting pressure as advocates decry delays and demand urgent action. The report states: 'Promises won’t keep bike riders safe – but completed, fully protected bike lanes will. The time to act is now.' The city’s failure to meet the NYC Streets Plan benchmarks has left vulnerable road users exposed, with advocates urging immediate follow-through on essential street redesigns.

• Crunching the Data on the Record-Setting Year For Cyclist Deaths, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-17

Cyclist deaths soared in 2023. Most died on streets without protection. The mayor broke his promise on bike lanes. Projects stalled. Advocates blame City Hall. Council urged to pass Intro 417. The city touts progress. Riders keep dying.

A new report from Transportation Alternatives, published October 17, 2023, slams Mayor Adams for failing to meet the City Council-mandated NYC Streets Plan. The report states, 'Traffic crashes in New York City killed more cyclists through the first nine months of 2023 than all but one other year on record.' Adams promised 75 miles of new protected bike lanes each year but delivered just 26.3 miles in 2022, missing the 30-mile benchmark and falling far short of the 50-mile requirement for 2023. Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, accused Adams of putting 'politics over people' and called on Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers and colleagues to pass Intro 417, which would eliminate a three-month delay in bike lane construction. DOT spokesman Chris Browne defended the administration, citing nearly 100 street projects. But the report is clear: delays and broken promises leave cyclists exposed and dying.

• Crunching the Data on the Record-Setting Year For Cyclist Deaths, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-17

DOT will expand e-scooter sharing to eastern Queens next year. Bronx rollout saw millions of rides, no deaths. Advocates back the move but demand real safety infrastructure. City officials tout equity and climate benefits. Riders wait for safer streets.

On October 13, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the expansion of its e-scooter share program to eastern Queens. The program, which launched in the Bronx in 2021, logged nearly 3 million trips with zero fatalities and few serious injuries in its first year. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Shared e-scooter service can play an important role in providing sustainable options to connect eastern Queens commuters to transit hubs, commercial corridors, and other neighborhood destinations." Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards both voiced support, highlighting the program's focus on underserved communities and environmental benefits. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged the city to pair the expansion with protected infrastructure, warning that safe streets must come with new mobility. The DOT will continue outreach ahead of the launch, expected in the second half of 2024.

• DOT: Eastern Queens E-Scooter Expansion Will Launch Next Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

DOT will expand e-scooter sharing to eastern Queens next year. Bronx rollout saw millions of rides, no deaths. Advocates back the move but demand real safety infrastructure. City officials tout equity and climate benefits. Riders wait for safer streets.

On October 13, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the expansion of its e-scooter share program to eastern Queens. The program, which launched in the Bronx in 2021, logged nearly 3 million trips with zero fatalities and few serious injuries in its first year. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Shared e-scooter service can play an important role in providing sustainable options to connect eastern Queens commuters to transit hubs, commercial corridors, and other neighborhood destinations." Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards both voiced support, highlighting the program's focus on underserved communities and environmental benefits. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged the city to pair the expansion with protected infrastructure, warning that safe streets must come with new mobility. The DOT will continue outreach ahead of the launch, expected in the second half of 2024.

• DOT: Eastern Queens E-Scooter Expansion Will Launch Next Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

A moped rider was partially ejected and injured after a collision with an SUV making a right turn on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The rider suffered abrasions to the elbow and lower arm. Driver inexperience and distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male moped driver was partially ejected and injured when his vehicle collided with a northbound SUV making a right turn on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The moped struck the right side doors of the SUV, damaging both vehicles. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The report lists driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed but wearing a helmet. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling north. No pedestrian was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and inexperience in vehicle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 62-year-old woman was hit by a sedan on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. She suffered bruises and injuries to her entire body. The driver, heading east, struck her outside an intersection. The pedestrian was conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Beach Channel Drive in Queens struck a 62-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her entire body and remained conscious. The vehicle's center front end was the point of impact. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian's actions in the roadway are noted as unspecified. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of the crash. No helmet or signaling factors were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666371 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

DOT will let the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program die. The program failed to curb reckless driving. Few drivers faced consequences. Most kept breaking the law. City leaders blame weak enforcement and legal hurdles. Streets remain unsafe for those on foot and bike.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), introduced in 2018 and passed in 2020, will expire after its pilot ends on October 26, 2023. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends ending DVAP, citing 'uncertain effects, high cost per participant, and the complexity of its implementation.' City Comptroller Brad Lander, who drafted the bill, criticized DOT for 'slow and limited implementation,' calling the program a failure. Only 885 drivers took the mandated safety course, with little impact on violations. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Holding reckless drivers accountable and keeping our streets safe for all New Yorkers remains a priority.' DOT now supports state-level bills to suspend registrations for repeat red-light violators. No Council legislation will reauthorize or expand DVAP.

• Analysis: ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’ is a Failure By All Measures, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-22

DOT says the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program failed. Few cars seized. Violations continued. Brooks-Powers promises scrutiny. Lander demands tougher action. Streets remain perilous. The city weighs next steps as reckless drivers keep rolling.

On September 22, 2023, the Department of Transportation issued a report recommending the end of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP). The program, designed to target repeat red light and speeding offenders, required violators to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. The report, reviewed by Council Transportation Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), found little impact: 'A program meant to crack down on dangerous drivers did not dramatically reduce their behavior.' Only half completed the course, violations persisted, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Brooks-Powers stated, 'Holding reckless drivers accountable and keeping our streets safe for all New Yorkers remains a priority.' Comptroller Brad Lander criticized DOT for abandoning the effort, urging the city to strengthen, not scrap, DVAP. The report also called for state laws to suspend registrations or install speed governors for repeat offenders, but such measures have stalled in Albany.

• Program meant to crack down on NYC's dangerous drivers should end, says transportation department, gothamist.com, Published 2023-09-22