Children Bleed While Politicians Wait: Demand 20 MPH Now

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 28 - Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Jan 10 - A 64-year-old woman was injured crossing a marked crosswalk on Beach 130 Street in Queens. The driver, making a left turn, struck her with the SUV’s front center. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:30 PM on Beach 130 Street near Cronston Avenue in Queens. A 64-year-old female pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was struck by a 2017 Jeep SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to notice the pedestrian. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian's crossing behavior was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle eastbound at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 10 - A Toyota sedan tore down Cross Bay Boulevard. It hit hard, left side first. The driver, alone, was thrown from the car. Chest crushed. Unsafe speed and alcohol fueled the crash. He died on the street, harness strapped, darkness all around.

A 27-year-old man driving a 1993 Toyota sedan on Cross Bay Boulevard near East 1st Road in Queens was killed after his car struck left-side first and he was ejected from the vehicle. According to the police report, 'Speed and alcohol behind the wheel. Dead on the street.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The driver was alone and wearing a lap belt and harness. The impact crushed his chest. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of unsafe speed, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - Two SUVs crashed head-to-back on Beach 139 Street in Queens. Three occupants suffered internal injuries to face and neck. Drivers and a passenger were in shock. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. All occupants wore harnesses and were not ejected.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Beach 139 Street in Queens. The crash involved a 2017 SUV and a 2018 SUV, both traveling westbound. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the center back end of the other. Three occupants were injured: a 31-year-old female driver with facial injuries, an 80-year-old male driver with neck injuries, and a 76-year-old female front passenger also with neck injuries. All occupants were restrained with harnesses and none were ejected. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no clear driver errors identified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - A sedan driven by an unlicensed man struck a parked SUV in Queens. The sedan’s front center hit the SUV’s rear center. The driver, unconscious and injured, was the only occupant. Illegal drug use was a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south struck a parked SUV from behind on 215 Beach 116 Street in Queens. The sedan’s driver, a 56-year-old man, was injured and found unconscious. The driver was unlicensed, which is a critical error contributing to the crash. The SUV was occupied by a licensed female driver but was stationary at the time. The report lists illegal drug use as a contributing factor. The sedan sustained front-end damage, and the SUV was damaged at the rear center. No ejections occurred. The driver’s injury severity was rated as serious, but no further details on bodily injury were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679410 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 27 - A 16-year-old girl was struck by an SUV in Queens. She stepped out from behind a parked vehicle and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver hit her with the left front bumper. The pedestrian was confused and injured, left in shock.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured after emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle on Rockaway Beach Drive in Queens. The driver, a licensed female operating a 2022 Hyundai SUV traveling west, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674288 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 16 - Two SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. One driver fractured her elbow and hand. The collision struck the left front quarter panel of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. Both drivers were licensed and conscious.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. One driver, a 59-year-old woman, was injured with fractures and dislocations to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious. The crash occurred when one SUV was making a U-turn and struck the right side doors of the other SUV traveling straight ahead. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The impact damaged the left front quarter panel of the turning vehicle and the right side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 17 - A 57-year-old woman driver suffered head injuries and whiplash when her sedan overturned on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old female driver was injured when her 2012 Toyota sedan overturned on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle struck with its center front end and overturned. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was licensed in New York and was traveling south, going straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663459 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 11 - A 39-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured on Rockaway Freeway in Queens. The SUV driver disregarded traffic control. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash caused right front bumper damage to the SUV.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Rockaway Freeway involving a 2019 Jeep SUV and a 39-year-old male bicyclist. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm, resulting in injury severity level 3. The report cites driver errors including 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The SUV, traveling east, struck the bicyclist, who was traveling south, at the center front end of both vehicles. The SUV sustained damage to its right front bumper. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' but does not assign fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 7 - QueensLink backers gathered at City Hall. They demanded new rail and park space for Queens. Elected officials and advocates pressed the MTA to act. The agency stalled, citing costs. Supporters want transit, green space, and bike paths. The fight continues.

On September 7, 2023, QueensLink supporters rallied at City Hall, pushing for the reactivation of an old rail line between southeast and central Queens. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted the proposal's promise: 'both new train service and park land.' State Sen. James Sanders led the call, declaring, 'Yes, we want a park and yes we want a light rail. We can have both.' Mike Scala, another advocate, stressed public support for a combined approach. The QueensLink faces competition from the QueensWay, a park-only plan with $35 million in city funding. The MTA has not committed, citing high costs and ongoing needs assessment. No formal council bill or committee action is recorded yet. Supporters remain determined to see transit, park space, and bike paths included in future city plans.

• QueensLink Transit Supporters Press Case at City Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

Sep 2 - A sedan stopped in traffic was hit from behind by a bicyclist going straight. The 62-year-old male cyclist suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. The sedan driver followed too closely, causing the crash on Shore Front Parkway in Queens.

According to the police report, a sedan stopped in traffic on Shore Front Parkway was rear-ended by a bicyclist traveling eastbound. The 62-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained a head abrasion and was conscious after the collision. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The impact occurred at the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. No other contributing factors were specified. The cyclist was not ejected and suffered injury severity level 3. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - A box truck struck the rear of a parked van on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. Ten passengers inside the van suffered whiplash and upper body injuries. Police cited driver inattention, distraction, and traffic control disregard as causes.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north rear-ended a parked van on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The van carried ten occupants, all injured with complaints of whiplash and upper body pain. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Traffic Control Disregarded." Injuries ranged from shoulder and neck pain to back and knee injuries. None of the occupants were ejected, and no safety equipment was noted. The box truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at impact. The van sustained damage at its center back end. The crash underscores the dangers of distracted driving and failure to obey traffic controls in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - Council members push to end jaywalking penalties. Supporters cite biased enforcement. Critics warn of danger for pedestrians. The bill faces debate as traffic deaths fall but injuries persist. The city weighs safety against fairness in street crossings.

On July 22, 2023, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to legalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure, supported by Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, aims to 'greenlight pedestrians to freely cross streets outside the crosswalk or without obeying traffic signals.' The bill responds to claims of biased enforcement against Black and Latino New Yorkers. Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli and Councilwoman Joann Ariola oppose the bill, warning it could endanger pedestrians. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or received a hearing. The NYPD and Mayor's office are reviewing the legislation. The debate highlights the tension between enforcement fairness and the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users. No formal safety analysis has been provided.

• Far-left NYC Council Dems push to legalize jaywalking, nypost.com, Published 2023-07-22

Jun 24 - A sedan veered onto the sidewalk on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The driver had fallen asleep. The car struck a 19-year-old woman head-on. She died at the scene. The street stayed quiet. The danger was sudden and final.

A 2021 Hyundai sedan traveling west on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Beach 108th Street left the roadway and mounted the sidewalk. According to the police report, the driver 'fell asleep.' The sedan struck a 19-year-old woman who was standing on the sidewalk. She suffered fatal head injuries and died where she stood. The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. The victim was not in the roadway and played no role in the crash. The impact came from the center front end of the sedan. No other contributing factors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 1 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01