Children Bleed While Politicians Wait: Demand 20 MPH Now

Nov 14 - Council pushes bills to curb deadly lithium-ion battery fires. FDNY supports bans on unsafe batteries and calls for more safety info. Advocates warn bans hit low-income delivery workers. Debate rages as fires, injuries, and deaths mount. City eyes safer charging.

On November 14, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on a package of bills addressing lithium-ion battery fires. The FDNY supported four out of five bills, including bans on second-use and non-certified batteries, a public safety campaign, and safety information for delivery workers. The FDNY expressed concern about resource demands for detailed annual fire reporting. The matter summary states the bills aim to address the rise of deadly fires from faulty batteries, often used by delivery workers. Council Member Joann Ariola urged the FDNY to consider international solutions and invest in safe charging infrastructure. Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas Unidos opposed the bans, arguing they punish low-income workers and miss root causes. The city recently abandoned a proposal to ban e-bikes on NYCHA property and is working on new charging stations. The debate highlights the struggle to protect vulnerable workers while preventing more deaths and injuries.

• FDNY Backing Council Bills to Address Deadly Fires from Lithium Ion Batteries, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-14

Nov 11 - Two sedans slammed together in Queens. Three people bruised—chest, back, abdomen. All conscious, all belted. Impact crushed front and center ends. No one thrown from cars. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens. The crash left three people injured: a 71-year-old woman with abdominal and pelvic bruises, a 62-year-old man with chest bruises, and a 61-year-old woman with back bruises. All were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor. No driver errors like failure to yield or speeding are noted. Both vehicles were moving straight before the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 5 - Councilmember Joann Ariola claimed open streets, bike lanes, and traffic islands slow emergency vehicles. She blamed street safety measures for longer fire response times. FDNY officials disagreed, citing traffic volume. The debate exposes tension between safety for walkers and emergency access.

On November 5, 2022, the NYC Council debated street design and emergency response. The discussion, reported by nypost.com, focused on rising fire deaths and slower FDNY response times. The matter summary reads: 'Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures.' Councilmember Joann Ariola (District 32) argued that open street programs, bike lanes, and traffic islands hinder emergency vehicles, especially when illegal parking blocks access. She called for better enforcement. Other voices, including union leaders, echoed her concerns. However, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan defended new street designs, stating they were built with emergency input. The Department of Transportation said all projects include emergency routes and are monitored. FDNY officials attributed delays to increased post-pandemic traffic, not street safety measures. The debate highlights the ongoing conflict between car-free streets for vulnerable users and emergency vehicle access.

• Rising NYC fire deaths, response times blamed on traffic measures, nypost.com, Published 2022-11-05

Oct 22 - A 28-year-old woman was struck while crossing Rockaway Beach Boulevard in a marked crosswalk. The driver, making a left turn, hit her with the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Rockaway Beach Boulevard at a marked crosswalk in Queens. The driver, a licensed female operating a 2005 Kia SUV, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with glare. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - A 61-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Queens when an SUV struck him on Beach Channel Drive. The cyclist suffered abrasions and leg injuries but was not ejected. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Beach Channel Drive in Queens involving a 61-year-old male bicyclist and a Toyota SUV. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV struck the bicyclist on its right front quarter panel. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was not ejected and was in shock at the scene. No other contributing factors were specified. The SUV and bike were both traveling eastbound, going straight ahead before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - A moped rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm after an SUV struck the back of his vehicle. The crash happened on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The moped driver wore a helmet and remained conscious. The SUV driver followed too closely.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male moped driver was injured when a station wagon/SUV rear-ended his vehicle on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The moped driver suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Both vehicles were traveling southbound, with the SUV impacting the center back end of the moped. The moped driver was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4570711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 24 - A 13-year-old boy on a bike was struck on Beach 134 Street in Queens. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way. The boy suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. No helmet was reported. The SUV showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2021 Jeep SUV on Beach 134 Street in Queens. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was traveling north and failed to yield right-of-way, striking the boy on the bike traveling east. The impact occurred at the SUV's right front bumper and the bike's right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The boy was conscious and not ejected. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The SUV showed no damage. Driver error was failure to yield right-of-way. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4567019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 18 - Two SUVs collided on Rockaway Point Boulevard. The rear SUV hit the slowing SUV’s right rear bumper. A 52-year-old woman in the front passenger seat suffered back injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, two SUVs were traveling eastbound on Rockaway Point Boulevard when the rear SUV struck the right rear bumper of the SUV in front, which was slowing or stopping. A 52-year-old female front passenger in the vehicle that was hit suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was conscious, not ejected, and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. Both drivers were licensed men from New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 14 - A motorcycle struck a stopped sedan on Beach Channel Drive. The 19-year-old motorcyclist suffered a head abrasion but was conscious. The sedan driver was licensed and stopped in traffic. The crash involved driver inexperience and unlicensed operation.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on Beach Channel Drive collided with the center back end of a stopped sedan. The motorcyclist, a 19-year-old male, was injured with a head abrasion but remained conscious and was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver was licensed and stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The report lists driver inexperience and unlicensed operation as contributing factors. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end, while the sedan was damaged at the center back end. No pedestrians or other parties were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564275 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 13 - An 11-year-old boy was struck at a Queens intersection by a southbound SUV making a left turn. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way. The boy suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was licensed and alone.

According to the police report, a 2013 Ford SUV was making a left turn on Noel Road in Queens when it struck an 11-year-old pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver. The driver, a licensed female motorist from New York, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The SUV showed no damage despite the impact. The pedestrian's actions are unknown, and no other contributing factors were specified. The incident highlights a failure by the driver to yield to a vulnerable road user at an intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4567191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - A 72-year-old woman driving an SUV turned improperly and collided with a northbound sedan on Cross Bay Boulevard. Both drivers suffered injuries. The SUV's front center hit the sedan's left side doors. Airbags deployed. Shock and abrasions reported.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old female driver in a 2015 SUV was merging southbound on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens when she turned improperly and struck a northbound 2015 sedan on its left side doors. The sedan was driven by a 61-year-old man. Both drivers were injured; the woman suffered chest injuries and shock, while the man had abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV's airbags deployed. Contributing factors listed include the SUV driver's improper turning and following too closely. The sedan driver's contributing factors were unspecified. Neither occupant was ejected from their vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 9 - Council Member Joann Ariola voted against expanding speed cameras. Her SUV racked up 27 school-zone speeding tickets. She calls cameras a burden. Critics see hypocrisy. The vote blocks a tool proven to slow drivers and protect people on foot and bike.

On September 9, 2022, the New York City Council considered a 'home rule' message to let state lawmakers expand speed cameras to 24/7 operation. The matter summary: 'expanding New York's speed camera program.' Council Member Joann Ariola, representing southern Queens and the Rockaways, voted no. Ariola argued, 'these cameras add additional financial strain to New Yorkers,' and claimed repeat offenders with fake plates escape punishment. Ariola’s SUV has 48 violations since 2017, including 27 for speeding in school zones and two for running red lights. She insists her record did not influence her vote. Critics, like StreetsPAC’s Eric McClure, highlight the contradiction between her opposition to speed cameras and her stated concern for school safety. The vote denied a proven measure to slow traffic and protect vulnerable road users.

• Queens Pol Voted Against Speed Cameras — And Has 27 Speeding Tickets!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-09-09

Aug 4 - Two men suffered knee and lower leg injuries in a Queens crash on Cross Bay Boulevard. A sedan and an SUV collided head-on while both vehicles were parked. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor. Both occupants wore seat belts.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens involving a 2022 Nissan sedan and a 2016 Chrysler SUV. Both vehicles were parked before the crash. Two male occupants, a 57-year-old driver and a 51-year-old front passenger, were injured with abrasions and contusions to their knees and lower legs. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan sustained damage to its center back end, while the SUV was damaged at its center front end. No ejections occurred, and both drivers held valid New York licenses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A motorcycle and an SUV crashed on West 20 Road near Cross Bay Boulevard. The motorcycle driver, a 24-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved driver inexperience as a key factor.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south collided with an eastbound SUV on West 20 Road in Queens. The motorcycle driver, a 24-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock noted. The report identifies driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to impact, which occurred at the right front bumper of the motorcycle and the left front bumper of the SUV. The motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling eastbound. No other contributing factors or victim errors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550487 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - Three years after approval, congestion pricing remains stuck. Councilmember Joann Ariola opposes the plan, claiming it will worsen city travel. Delays threaten $1 billion in MTA funding. Vulnerable road users wait as traffic and pollution persist. No relief in sight.

On June 9, 2022, Councilmember Joann Ariola (District 32) joined critics in a policy debate over New York City's stalled congestion pricing plan. The measure, approved by state lawmakers three years ago, would charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The MTA faces hundreds of follow-up questions from the Federal Highway Administration, delaying the required environmental assessment. Ariola argued, 'I don’t believe it will work, in fact I believe it will make the city more unmanageable to travel through.' The plan is intended to reduce traffic, lower car pollution, and fund MTA capital improvements. Delays put $1 billion in annual funding at risk, threatening upgrades like accessible subway stations and zero-emission buses. As the debate drags on, vulnerable road users remain exposed to traffic and pollution hazards.

• Congestion pricing continues to stall, three years after being announced, gothamist.com, Published 2022-06-09

Jun 2 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Jun 1 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

May 31 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

May 26 - City Council voted to extend and expand speed cameras. The bill lets cameras run all day, every day. Forty-three said yes, seven said no. David Carr voted no. The measure now heads to Albany. Streets may see more eyes, more tickets.

On May 26, 2022, the City Council approved a home rule request to extend and expand New York City's speed camera program, allowing cameras to operate 24/7 for three more years. The vote was 43 in favor, seven against. The matter summary: 'giving the state Legislature the go-ahead to pass a three-year extension and expansion of New York City's speed camera program that allows them to operate 24/7.' Council Member David Carr (District 50) voted no. Other Republicans and two Democrats also opposed. Ydanis Rodriguez, City Transportation Commissioner, said, 'Cameras will be 24/7 the whole year.' The bill now moves to the state legislature, which must act before June 2. No formal safety analyst note was provided for this action.

• NYC Council signs off on 24/7 speed enforcement cameras, nypost.com, Published 2022-05-26

May 23 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23