Another Child Dead. Leaders Shrug. How Many More Before They Act?

Jul 11 - Years pass. Bus speeds crawl. City dodges real bus rapid transit. Riders wait. Streets choke. Vulnerable users stuck with slow, crowded, unsafe options. Nothing changes. Safety stands still.

On July 11, 2025, Dave Colon spotlighted two reports slamming New York City’s failure to deliver real bus rapid transit. The reports state, 'Years of bus priority projects have barely improved speeds because New York City leaders have not implemented real bus rapid transit (BRT).' Colon, reporting for Streetsblog NYC, supports comprehensive BRT and opposes the city’s piecemeal fixes. Mayor Adams and city agencies have not acted on key recommendations. The safety analyst notes: the lack of real BRT means missed chances for mode shift and street equity, but does not directly worsen conditions for pedestrians and cyclists; the status quo remains unchanged.

• Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 3 - Two drivers struck at Bradley and Purdy. Both men hurt. One with chest injury, one with arm pain. Metal twisted. No clear cause named. Streets silent after impact.

A sedan and a pickup truck crashed at Bradley Avenue and Purdy Avenue on Staten Island. Two male drivers, ages 56 and 43, were injured—one suffered chest trauma and whiplash, the other arm pain. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when they collided. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor. No driver errors are detailed. Both drivers were conscious after the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No further details on cause or fault are given in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 3 - Mayor Adams halts 34th Street busway. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and bus riders lose. Car dominance remains. Safety and equity stalled.

On July 3, 2025, the Adams administration paused the 34th Street busway project, as reported by Streetsblog NYC. The matter, described as a 'highly-anticipated 34th Street busway,' had support from Council Members Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and others. Bottcher called it 'transformative,' promising fewer crashes and faster buses. Powers slammed the last-minute reversal. Safety analysts warn: canceling the busway preserves car dominance, discourages transit, and keeps streets unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. The project’s future is uncertain. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

• Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - SUV struck a standing scooter on College Ave. Teen driver ejected, unconscious, bleeding from head. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Streets remain dangerous for the young.

A 16-year-old male driving a standing scooter was struck by a 2007 Hyundai SUV on College Ave, Staten Island. The teen was ejected, left unconscious, and suffered severe head bleeding. According to the police report, the SUV driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. Both driver errors are listed as contributing factors. The teen had no safety equipment. The SUV driver, a 79-year-old woman, was not injured. The crash highlights the risks faced by young road users when drivers fail to pay attention and yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825475 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 23 - Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 23 - Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 20 - Motorcycle struck sedan’s rear as it turned left. Rider ejected, suffered pelvic injury. Sedan driver unhurt. No clear cause named. Streets left another body broken.

A motorcycle and a sedan collided at Watchogue Road and Crystal Avenue on Staten Island. The motorcycle, traveling straight, hit the sedan’s right rear as it turned left. According to the police report, the motorcyclist was ejected and suffered an abdomen-pelvis injury. The sedan driver was not injured. Both vehicles had one occupant. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 19 - Two SUVs met on Purdy Avenue. Metal struck metal. Two women, one a driver, one a passenger, were hurt. One bled from her arm. The other took a blow to the abdomen. Police cite failure to yield. Shock followed. The street stayed silent.

Two sport utility vehicles collided on Purdy Avenue at Mann Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, the crash involved a 2016 Kia SUV and a 2020 Ford SUV, both traveling east. Two women were injured: a 38-year-old driver suffered minor bleeding to her arm, and a 37-year-old rear passenger sustained internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. Both experienced shock. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Safety equipment was used by those injured. The crash left two hurt and a street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822285 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 17 - Two sedans collided on Victory Boulevard. Passengers and a driver suffered injuries. Police cite driver distraction and unsafe speed. The crash left a 50-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man hurt.

Two sedans collided at 1632 Victory Boulevard in Staten Island. A 50-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. A 44-year-old male driver reported leg pain and nausea. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' were listed as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left multiple occupants with unspecified injuries. Driver error—distraction and speed—stands out in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 13 - The city will rip out the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue between Flushing and Willoughby. Cyclists lose their shield. Painted lines replace real barriers. Crash risk rises. The city ignores proven safety. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On June 13, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Transportation announced the removal of the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue between Flushing and Willoughby Avenue. The city will replace it with a painted, unprotected lane. The official matter: 'Part of the parking-protected bike lane on a hazardous stretch of Bedford Avenue ... will be removed and replaced with a non-protected painted bike lane.' Council Member Lincoln Restler condemned the move, calling it 'a purely political decision to rip out a bike lane with no alternative.' Transportation Alternatives noted pedestrian injuries fell 10% and driver injuries 42% after the lane was installed. The safety analyst warns: 'Removing a parking-protected bike lane and replacing it with a painted lane reduces physical protection for cyclists, likely decreasing safety and discouraging cycling, especially on a hazardous stretch.' The city moves backward. Cyclists and pedestrians face more danger.

• Mayor Eric Adams, DOT to remove part of Bedford Avenue protected bike lane, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13