Children Bleed While Politicians Wait: Demand 20 MPH Now

Dec 27 - Two sedans collided at Beach 116 Street in Queens. A male driver turning left suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 23:07 on Beach 116 Street in Queens. One sedan was traveling east, going straight. The other, heading west, was making a left turn. The impact struck the center front end of the eastbound car and the right front quarter panel of the westbound car. The male driver making the left turn was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. He wore a lap belt. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite explicit driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 26 - Steel met skull on Beach 116th. A sedan reversed. A 79-year-old man stepped from behind a parked car. He fell, head torn open, blood pooling on cold Queens pavement. The car showed no damage. The man stayed conscious, wounded and alone.

A 79-year-old pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations when a sedan reversed and struck him near Beach 116th Street, according to the police report. The incident occurred as the man 'stepped from behind a parked car.' The report states the sedan was 'backing unsafely,' directly citing this driver action as a contributing factor. The narrative details, 'Steel struck skull. He fell. Blood spread on the cold street.' Despite the impact, the vehicle showed 'no damage.' The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene, his 'head torn open.' The police report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary focus remains on the unsafe reversing maneuver by the driver. The collision underscores the lethal risk posed when drivers back unsafely, especially in areas with limited visibility.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 21 - A sedan collided head-on with a bicyclist traveling west on Newport Avenue in Queens. The 36-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment. Driver errors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided at the center front ends on Newport Avenue near Beach 121 Street in Queens at 7:40 p.m. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old male, was riding westbound and was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma, classified as injury severity level 3. The cyclist was not ejected but experienced shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan sustained other damage to its front end. The police report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, providing no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights systemic dangers for vulnerable road users where driver errors remain unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785094 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Nov 30 - Two sedans collided on Beach 128 St in Queens under conditions of glare and limited visibility. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a westbound sedan striking a southbound sedan making a left turn, damaging both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:07 AM on Beach 128 St in Queens. A westbound sedan driven by a 63-year-old man was traveling straight when it collided with a southbound sedan making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the westbound vehicle and the right side doors of the southbound vehicle. The report cites 'Glare' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, indicating driver visibility issues. The male driver of the westbound sedan sustained neck injuries and whiplash, was conscious, and was wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by environmental conditions impairing driver sight and decision-making.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Nov 1 - A rear-end crash on Cross Bay Blvd sent a 29-year-old driver and two young passengers in an SUV to shock and neck injuries. The SUV was struck from behind by a sedan traveling southbound, causing whiplash and pain complaints among the occupants.

According to the police report, at 13:23 in Queens on Cross Bay Blvd, a sedan traveling southbound struck the rear of a southbound SUV. The impact was centered on the front end of the sedan and the back end of the SUV. The SUV carried a licensed female driver aged 29 and three occupants, including two children aged 3 and 5. All three SUV occupants suffered neck injuries and were in shock. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' factors and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing causes, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The injured passengers were restrained with child restraints and seat belts. The collision caused whiplash and complaints of pain or nausea but no ejections. The report highlights driver error in maintaining distance as the key factor in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 21 - A sedan struck a 12-year-old girl crossing Rockaway Beach Boulevard. Driver inattention caused the crash. The girl suffered arm abrasions but stayed conscious. The impact came mid-block, far from safety.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old girl was injured when a sedan hit her as she crossed Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens at 16:10. The crash happened outside an intersection. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main cause. The girl suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She remained conscious after the impact. The sedan, a 2019 Nissan, was traveling east and struck her with its center front end. The driver was licensed and going straight. No pedestrian error or helmet use was listed as a factor. The report underscores the risk distracted drivers pose to people crossing city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765275 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 6 - Two SUVs slammed together on Beach Channel Drive, glare burning through the windshield. A woman, 47, was pinned and crushed behind the wheel, her body shattered but her mind alert. Metal and sunlight conspired to trap her in agony.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 140th Street in Queens. The crash occurred in blinding sunlight, with 'glare' cited as a contributing factor. One SUV was making a left turn while the other traveled straight ahead. The report describes how a 47-year-old woman, driving one of the vehicles, was crushed behind the wheel, suffering injuries to her entire body. She remained conscious as she was trapped by the wreckage. The police report states that both drivers were licensed and that the blinding sun played a direct role in the collision. No specific driver error beyond the environmental condition of glare is listed in the official data. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of those inside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 12 - City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 10 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 10 - Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Jul 24 - Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 22 - Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 21 - A 28-year-old woman driving a sedan in Queens suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. The vehicle struck an object or another vehicle on its right front bumper. The driver was not ejected and experienced shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old female driver operating a 2014 Buick sedan was involved in a crash on Beach 126 Street in Queens at 1:10 a.m. The vehicle's right front bumper and quarter panel sustained damage. The driver, who was the sole occupant, suffered injuries to her shoulder and upper arm and was reported to be in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault or specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741894 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

Jul 8 - A bus struck a bicyclist from behind on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens. The cyclist suffered back injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Police cited the bus driver's failure to maintain safe distance as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 10:30 AM on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens, a 2023 Nova bus was entering a parked position when it collided with a westbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the bus's right front bumper striking the center back end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 59-year-old female, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the bus driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the cyclist. The bicyclist was not cited with any contributing factors. The bus driver was licensed in New York and female. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in maintaining proper following distance near vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739192 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18