Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere?

Rockaway Bleeds While City Sleeps
Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 5, 2025
The Crashes Keep Coming
No one died here last year. But the blood never dries. In the past twelve months, 158 people were hurt in 293 crashes across Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere. Four suffered serious injuries. Children are not spared: 14 kids were injured, one seriously. These numbers are not just statistics—they are broken bones, hospital beds, and families waiting for news that never gets better.
Just weeks ago, a cyclist was left with severe cuts to his face after a crash at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 73rd Street. In February, a woman crossing with the signal was crushed by an SUV turning left at the same intersection. She survived, but the pain lingers. Data from NYC Open Data shows the toll.
Sirens, Steel, and Silence
The danger is not just for those on foot or bike. On August 4, two NYPD cruisers collided at Rockaway Freeway and Beach 35th Street while racing to a shots-fired call. Four officers were sent to the hospital. As ABC7 reported, “The officers were responding to a call for shots fired nearby when they crashed.” No civilians were hurt this time. But the risk is always there. Steel meets flesh, and flesh loses.
Leaders Talk, Streets Bleed
Local leaders know the score. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers called the city’s greenway plan “a real opportunity… to make a profound impact” (amNY). She has backed bills to ban parking near crosswalks and expand protected bike lanes. But the pace is slow. The committee laid over the daylighting bill in April (NYC Council Legistar). Promises pile up. The crashes do too.
What Now? Demand More
Every day without action is another day of risk. Call your council member. Demand a citywide 20 mph speed limit. Push for the Stop Super Speeders Act (Open States). Tell them: enough waiting. The next crash is coming. Don’t let it be your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Where does Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere sit politically?
▸ What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere?
▸ Are these crashes just 'accidents'?
▸ What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
▸ What is CrashCount?
▸ How many people were seriously hurt or killed here in the last year?
▸ What should I do if I want safer streets?
Citations
▸ Citations
- Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-08-01
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
- Police Cruisers Collide In Rockaways Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-08-05
- Comprehensive NYC Greenway plan for bike, pedestrian infrastructure passes City Council, amny.com, Published 2022-10-27
- File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05
- NYPD Vehicles Collide In Queens Response, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-05
- NYPD Cruiser Crash Injures Three In Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-05
- Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03
- Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-08-01
- File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12
- A ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation: DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, amny.com, Published 2024-11-12
- Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23
- Can New York City Fix Its Deadly ‘Conduit’ to JFK Airport?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-13
- As NYPD’s Criminal Crackdown on Cyclists Expands, It Grows More Absurd: Victims, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-06
- Meet the Council’s Transportation Committee Chair: Selvena Brooks-Powers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-20
Other Representatives

District 31
131-15 Rockaway Blvd. 1st Floor, South Ozone Park, NY 11420
Room 742, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248

District 31
1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
718-471-7014
250 Broadway, Suite 1865, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7216

District 10
142-01 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, NY 11436
Room 711, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere sits in Queens, Precinct 100, District 31, AD 31, SD 10, Queens CB14.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Rockaway Beach-Arverne-Edgemere
Brooks-Powers Demands Equitable Infrastructure Over Enforcement Only▸City Council grilled the Adams administration on street carnage. The hearing exposed failures: missed targets for protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safety investments. Council members called for real infrastructure, not just enforcement. Advocates demanded accountability and action for vulnerable New Yorkers.
On January 27, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on street safety and Vision Zero implementation. The hearing, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, questioned whether Mayor Adams is honoring his pledge to end road violence. The matter focused on the administration’s failure to meet Council-mandated benchmarks in the NYC Streets Plan, especially protected bike lanes and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers stated, 'No New Yorker should have to fear for their life while crossing or using our streets.' She stressed that enforcement alone is not enough, demanding equitable infrastructure in neglected neighborhoods. Advocacy leaders like Elizabeth Adams and Sara Lind echoed the call for physical changes and accountability. The hearing marked a rare moment of scrutiny, with advocates welcoming the Council’s push for real safety measures for all road users.
-
Council Wants Answers from Adams Administration on Road Violence Epidemic,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-27
Brooks-Powers Calls Safety-Boosting Hearing on Obscured Plates▸Councilmember Brooks-Powers calls a hearing on hidden license plates. Drivers hide plates to dodge cameras. City Hall claims enforcement, but plates stay covered. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The city’s promise rings hollow. Action, not words, saves lives.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31) announced a forthcoming NYC Council hearing on obscured license plates and enforcement. The hearing, date not yet set, follows mounting evidence that drivers—including law enforcement—deface or cover plates to evade speed and toll cameras. The matter, described as a public safety issue, exposes a gap in city enforcement. Brooks-Powers’s action responds to calls for accountability, as highlighted in the article: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Despite City Hall’s claim that 'obscuring and defacing license plates is against the law' and that enforcement is increasing, the streets tell a different story. Unreadable plates let reckless drivers escape detection. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—face greater risk. The city’s failure to act leaves them exposed.
-
The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work,
streetsblog.org,
Published 2023-01-25
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Hearing on Obscured Plates▸Council eyes crackdown on drivers hiding plates. Lawmakers plan a hearing. Defaced plates dodge cameras, shield reckless drivers. City Hall claims action, but enforcement lags. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The system protects the powerful, not the people.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers announced an upcoming hearing on enforcement against obscured license plates. The hearing, not yet scheduled, follows months of reporting by Gersh Kuntzman, who documented widespread plate defacement by drivers—including law enforcement and public officials—to evade speed and toll cameras. The article quotes Brooks-Powers: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Kuntzman urges expansion of Council Member Lincoln Restler’s Intro 501, which would let the public report illegal plates via 311. City Hall claims it is 'strengthening enforcement,' but Kuntzman’s reporting shows little follow-through. The lack of action lets reckless drivers escape accountability, undermining automated enforcement and endangering vulnerable road users. The system’s failure leaves pedestrians and cyclists exposed while drivers hide in plain sight.
-
The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
Donovan J Richards Backs Safety Boosting Summer Streets Expansion▸Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.
On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.
-
What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
A 602Amato votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
City Council grilled the Adams administration on street carnage. The hearing exposed failures: missed targets for protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safety investments. Council members called for real infrastructure, not just enforcement. Advocates demanded accountability and action for vulnerable New Yorkers.
On January 27, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on street safety and Vision Zero implementation. The hearing, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, questioned whether Mayor Adams is honoring his pledge to end road violence. The matter focused on the administration’s failure to meet Council-mandated benchmarks in the NYC Streets Plan, especially protected bike lanes and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers stated, 'No New Yorker should have to fear for their life while crossing or using our streets.' She stressed that enforcement alone is not enough, demanding equitable infrastructure in neglected neighborhoods. Advocacy leaders like Elizabeth Adams and Sara Lind echoed the call for physical changes and accountability. The hearing marked a rare moment of scrutiny, with advocates welcoming the Council’s push for real safety measures for all road users.
- Council Wants Answers from Adams Administration on Road Violence Epidemic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-27
Brooks-Powers Calls Safety-Boosting Hearing on Obscured Plates▸Councilmember Brooks-Powers calls a hearing on hidden license plates. Drivers hide plates to dodge cameras. City Hall claims enforcement, but plates stay covered. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The city’s promise rings hollow. Action, not words, saves lives.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31) announced a forthcoming NYC Council hearing on obscured license plates and enforcement. The hearing, date not yet set, follows mounting evidence that drivers—including law enforcement—deface or cover plates to evade speed and toll cameras. The matter, described as a public safety issue, exposes a gap in city enforcement. Brooks-Powers’s action responds to calls for accountability, as highlighted in the article: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Despite City Hall’s claim that 'obscuring and defacing license plates is against the law' and that enforcement is increasing, the streets tell a different story. Unreadable plates let reckless drivers escape detection. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—face greater risk. The city’s failure to act leaves them exposed.
-
The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work,
streetsblog.org,
Published 2023-01-25
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Hearing on Obscured Plates▸Council eyes crackdown on drivers hiding plates. Lawmakers plan a hearing. Defaced plates dodge cameras, shield reckless drivers. City Hall claims action, but enforcement lags. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The system protects the powerful, not the people.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers announced an upcoming hearing on enforcement against obscured license plates. The hearing, not yet scheduled, follows months of reporting by Gersh Kuntzman, who documented widespread plate defacement by drivers—including law enforcement and public officials—to evade speed and toll cameras. The article quotes Brooks-Powers: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Kuntzman urges expansion of Council Member Lincoln Restler’s Intro 501, which would let the public report illegal plates via 311. City Hall claims it is 'strengthening enforcement,' but Kuntzman’s reporting shows little follow-through. The lack of action lets reckless drivers escape accountability, undermining automated enforcement and endangering vulnerable road users. The system’s failure leaves pedestrians and cyclists exposed while drivers hide in plain sight.
-
The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
Donovan J Richards Backs Safety Boosting Summer Streets Expansion▸Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.
On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.
-
What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
A 602Amato votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
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Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Councilmember Brooks-Powers calls a hearing on hidden license plates. Drivers hide plates to dodge cameras. City Hall claims enforcement, but plates stay covered. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The city’s promise rings hollow. Action, not words, saves lives.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31) announced a forthcoming NYC Council hearing on obscured license plates and enforcement. The hearing, date not yet set, follows mounting evidence that drivers—including law enforcement—deface or cover plates to evade speed and toll cameras. The matter, described as a public safety issue, exposes a gap in city enforcement. Brooks-Powers’s action responds to calls for accountability, as highlighted in the article: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Despite City Hall’s claim that 'obscuring and defacing license plates is against the law' and that enforcement is increasing, the streets tell a different story. Unreadable plates let reckless drivers escape detection. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—face greater risk. The city’s failure to act leaves them exposed.
- The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-01-25
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Hearing on Obscured Plates▸Council eyes crackdown on drivers hiding plates. Lawmakers plan a hearing. Defaced plates dodge cameras, shield reckless drivers. City Hall claims action, but enforcement lags. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The system protects the powerful, not the people.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers announced an upcoming hearing on enforcement against obscured license plates. The hearing, not yet scheduled, follows months of reporting by Gersh Kuntzman, who documented widespread plate defacement by drivers—including law enforcement and public officials—to evade speed and toll cameras. The article quotes Brooks-Powers: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Kuntzman urges expansion of Council Member Lincoln Restler’s Intro 501, which would let the public report illegal plates via 311. City Hall claims it is 'strengthening enforcement,' but Kuntzman’s reporting shows little follow-through. The lack of action lets reckless drivers escape accountability, undermining automated enforcement and endangering vulnerable road users. The system’s failure leaves pedestrians and cyclists exposed while drivers hide in plain sight.
-
The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
Donovan J Richards Backs Safety Boosting Summer Streets Expansion▸Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.
On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.
-
What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
A 602Amato votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Council eyes crackdown on drivers hiding plates. Lawmakers plan a hearing. Defaced plates dodge cameras, shield reckless drivers. City Hall claims action, but enforcement lags. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price. The system protects the powerful, not the people.
On January 25, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers announced an upcoming hearing on enforcement against obscured license plates. The hearing, not yet scheduled, follows months of reporting by Gersh Kuntzman, who documented widespread plate defacement by drivers—including law enforcement and public officials—to evade speed and toll cameras. The article quotes Brooks-Powers: 'there will be a hearing on obscured plates.' Kuntzman urges expansion of Council Member Lincoln Restler’s Intro 501, which would let the public report illegal plates via 311. City Hall claims it is 'strengthening enforcement,' but Kuntzman’s reporting shows little follow-through. The lack of action lets reckless drivers escape accountability, undermining automated enforcement and endangering vulnerable road users. The system’s failure leaves pedestrians and cyclists exposed while drivers hide in plain sight.
- The End of ‘Criminal Mischief’? A Reflection on Three Months of Field Work, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-25
Donovan J Richards Backs Safety Boosting Summer Streets Expansion▸Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.
On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.
-
What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-25
A 602Amato votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.
On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.
- What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-25
A 602Amato votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
- File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24
A 602Anderson votes yes in committee, boosting funding for safer street designs.▸Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File A 602,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.
Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.
- File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24
Sanders Supports Increased Penalties for Construction Safety Violations▸Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
-
Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible,
gothamist.com,
Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.
Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'
- Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible, gothamist.com, Published 2023-01-22
A 1280Amato co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
- File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13
A 1280Anderson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.▸Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
-
File A 1280,
Open States,
Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.
Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.
- File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13
Brooks-Powers Silent as Fair Fares Funding Stalls▸Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
-
Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Mayor Adams’s budget keeps Fair Fares funding flat at $75 million. No new money. Low-income riders still face strict limits. The city holds back while transit costs rise. Council leaders stay silent. Riders wait. The gap between need and help widens.
Bill: Mayor Adams’s 2023 preliminary budget. Status: Proposed, under Council review. Committee: City Council Budget. Key dates: Announced January 12, 2023; hearings and negotiations run until June 30. The budget 'does not increase funding for Fair Fares, the city’s half-price MetroCard program for very low-income transit riders.' Adams holds funding at $75 million, below pre-pandemic levels. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers did not comment. Adams claims fiscal discipline is key, despite calling Fair Fares 'transformative.' The program’s strict eligibility leaves out many struggling New Yorkers. As subway fares rise, the city’s refusal to expand Fair Fares keeps transit out of reach for thousands.
- Transit Equity? Adams Budget Adds No New Funds for Fair Fares Discount Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-12
Brooks-Powers Supports Commuter Vans Opposes Safety Boosting Legislation▸The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
-
ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
The Council’s Transportation Committee stalled. Three hearings. Two bills passed. No action on street safety, placard abuse, or protected lanes. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers focused on commuter vans, not Vision Zero. Advocates saw inaction. Vulnerable road users paid the price.
In 2022, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held only three hearings on 87 bills and passed just two. The committee, according to the matter summary, was 'largely absent from major transportation issues, including street safety, placard abuse, school street safety, e-mobility planning, ghost plates, and NYPD enforcement.' Brooks-Powers led a resolution supporting commuter vans and spoke on transportation equity, but did not advance key street safety or Vision Zero legislation. The committee failed to hold the Adams administration accountable for missing protected bike and bus lane benchmarks. Advocates and council members voiced frustration at the lack of progress on urgent issues like traffic violence and the Streets Master Plan. The committee’s approach prioritized car-dependent communities and lagged behind previous leadership on safety reforms. Vulnerable road users saw little relief.
- ANALYSIS: Council’s Transportation Committee Has Little to Show in First Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-11
SUV Slams Parked Cars on Beach Channel▸SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
SUV veered into two parked cars in Queens. Driver, 69, left injured and incoherent. Both parked vehicles took front-end hits. No one else hurt. Early morning, empty street, metal and glass.
According to the police report, a 69-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan SUV northeast on Beach Channel Drive struck two parked vehicles—a 1989 Jeep SUV and a 2017 Nissan sedan. The SUV hit the left front bumper of both parked cars. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. No other people were involved or hurt. The report lists 'unspecified' contributing factors for the driver. The driver wore a lap belt. No other errors or violations are noted in the report.
12-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit Emerging From Parked Car▸A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
A 12-year-old boy was struck by a northbound sedan in Queens. He emerged from behind a parked vehicle and suffered a head abrasion. The driver hit the pedestrian with the car’s center front end. The child remained conscious after the crash.
According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Queens near Beach 40 Street. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a northbound 2011 Ford sedan traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions were noted as emerging from behind a parked vehicle, but no driver violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded.
SUV Hits Pedestrian Crossing Marked Crosswalk▸A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
A 24-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk with traffic control disregarded.
According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 87 Street in Queens. The driver of a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling east, struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end.
Brooks-Powers Prioritizes MTA Study for QueensLink Safety Boost▸Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
-
Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.
On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.
- Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-28
Brooks-Powers Supports Safety-Boosting Crackdown on Obscured Plates▸Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
-
Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage,
nypost.com,
Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Drivers hide plates with leaves and branches. They dodge cameras. They dodge tolls. The city loses millions. Council cracks down. Brooks-Powers calls it a safety threat. New laws ban cover sales. DOT must now report evaders. Streets stay dangerous.
On November 26, 2022, the New York City Council took legislative action to combat license plate obscuring, a tactic used by drivers to evade tolls and traffic cameras. The matter, described as 'banning the sale of toll-beating covers and requiring DOT to report cars evading red lights and speed cameras with unreadable license plates,' passed through the transportation and infrastructure committee. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the committee and sponsor, stated, 'It’s a safety issue, it’s an issue in terms of [city] revenue, it’s an issue in terms of ensuring we have safe streets and holding people accountable.' The city has lost $19 million this year due to unreadable plates. The new laws aim to close loopholes and restore accountability, but the risk to pedestrians and cyclists from untraceable drivers remains high.
- Unbe-leaf-able: Scofflaws dodge tolls and traffic cameras with foliage, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-26
Driver Inattention Injures Woman on Rockaway Beach▸Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A woman behind the wheel was hurt—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.
According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The female driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, restrained, and not ejected. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved the center back end of her car and the center front end of the other sedan, driven by a licensed man. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Neither vehicle showed damage. The injured woman was the only occupant in her car.
Brooks-Powers Opposes Permanent Busways Supports Shorter Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
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City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
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City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
- City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15
Richards Supports Shortened Jamaica Busway Hours▸City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
-
City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.
On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.
- City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15
Sedan Hits Bus on Beach 94 Street▸A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.
A sedan collided with a bus on Beach 94 Street. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way. The bus showed no damage. The driver was restrained and licensed.
According to the police report, a 2018 Kia sedan traveling northwest on Beach 94 Street struck a bus making a left turn. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the bus's left front quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The bus, carrying eight occupants, sustained no damage. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.