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

A cyclist hit a 27-year-old man crossing Victory Boulevard at Clove Road. The man suffered a head contusion but stayed conscious. No driver errors or bike damage reported. Danger at the Staten Island intersection remains.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a cyclist struck him at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Clove Road in Staten Island. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The cyclist was traveling straight ahead. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors for the cyclist. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. No damage was reported to the bicycle. Both contributing factors for the pedestrian are unspecified, and no safety equipment or signals were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

New Jersey officials rail against MTA congestion pricing. Yet their state rakes in billions from MTA contracts. The plan will raise $15 billion for transit. Jersey firms stand to gain more. Lawsuits loom. Money and politics collide. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 29, 2023, a report surfaced in Streetsblog NYC detailing the debate over MTA congestion pricing. The report, titled "New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green," highlights that from 2014 to 2022, the MTA paid New Jersey companies $3.3 billion for goods and services. The plan, set to raise $15 billion for the MTA's 2020-2024 capital plan, faces opposition from New Jersey officials, including Governor Phil Murphy, who have threatened lawsuits. The article quotes Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany: "Congestion pricing will bring in $15 billion alone for the MTA's $55 billion 2020-2024 capital plan, and New Jersey businesses stand to profit from this major increase in MTA capital spending." MTA spokesperson Eugene Resnick adds that congestion pricing will "reduce traffic, improve regional air quality, and boost the Garden State's economy." Despite the political fight, the money keeps flowing. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as the system prioritizes contracts and capital over street safety.

• Report: New Jersey May See Red over Congestion Pricing, but Garden State Gets Plenty of MTA Green, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-29

A pick-up truck stopped in traffic was rear-ended by a sedan on Manor Road. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The driver of the sedan was distracted. All occupants wore seat belts and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck was stopped in traffic on Manor Road when a sedan traveling north rear-ended it. The sedan's driver was cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction. Three occupants in the sedan, including the driver and two passengers, sustained neck injuries and whiplash. All three were conscious or in shock and wore lap belts and harnesses. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the truck. No ejections occurred. The report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction as the sole contributing factor. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641951 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Two sedans collided on Slosson Avenue. One driver suffered a fractured arm. Police cited failure to yield. Both cars struck head-on and on the side. The injured driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Slosson Avenue in Staten Island. The impact left a 68-year-old driver with a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. He was conscious, wearing a lap belt and harness, and was not ejected. The crash involved a front-end strike from one sedan and a right-side hit on the other. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the cause. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight before the collision. No victim error or other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

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

A 61-year-old woman driving an SUV made a right turn and hit a parked SUV on Forest Avenue. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The crash involved failure to yield right-of-way. Both vehicles sustained damage.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female driver was making a right turn on Forest Avenue when her SUV collided with a parked SUV. The driver was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The impact occurred at the right front quarter panel of the moving SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the parked SUV. No ejections were reported. Both vehicles were registered in New York and driven by licensed female drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

The word ‘micromobility’ shrinks bikes and scooters to fit car culture’s frame. These vehicles are not small—they are right-sized. Cars, SUVs, and trucks are oversized and deadly. Language shapes danger. Words matter. Human-scaled mobility deserves respect, not diminishment.

This opinion piece, published June 12, 2023, on Streetsblog NYC, challenges the use of the term ‘micromobility’ to describe bikes, scooters, and similar vehicles. The article argues, ‘SUVs, pick-up trucks, and passenger cars should not be the benchmark by which we judge the size of other forms of transit, and the term 'micromobility' encourages us to believe that they are.’ Author Sarah Risser calls for dropping the ‘micro’ prefix, urging us to see bikes and scooters as standard, not lesser. She highlights how oversized vehicles—cars, SUVs, trucks—fuel rising deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. Risser urges language that centers human-scaled mobility and rejects car supremacy. No council bill or vote is attached, but the stance is clear: words shape safety, and the right words can help dismantle systemic danger.

• Opinion: Why We Should Stop Using the Word ‘Micromobility’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

The city delayed BQE reconstruction. Construction waits. Traffic study comes first. Interim repairs promise safety, but the crumbling cantilever looms. Council Member Restler doubts the city’s resolve. Residents fear more delays. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as trucks roll on.

On June 12, 2023, the city announced a delay in the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) project. The Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic study before starting the environmental review, pushing construction to late 2027. The matter, titled 'City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs,' highlights the city’s claim that interim repairs will keep the road safe until at least 2028. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, voiced concern about the delay and the city’s ability to finish the project. Community Visioning Council members were not told in advance. Residents and advocates worry about the crumbling structure and lack of transparency. The city plans automated enforcement against overweight trucks, but the delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• City delays BQE construction to conduct traffic study, says roadway is ‘safe’ amid interim repairs, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-06-12

Two sedans crashed on North Gannon Avenue. A woman and a three-year-old boy suffered neck injuries. Police cited driver inattention and traffic control disregard. Both were conscious. Metal twisted. Streets failed them.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on North Gannon Avenue in Staten Island. A 36-year-old female driver and a 3-year-old male passenger were injured, both suffering neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and traffic control disregard as contributing factors. The crash caused center front-end damage to both vehicles. No other contributing factors or errors by the injured were noted. The severity of the child's injury was moderate. Safety equipment use was unknown.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal wants OMNY to work with Citi Bike. He calls for a unified payment system to break down barriers for riders. The move could make bike-share easier, but fractured agencies and costly upgrades stand in the way.

On June 8, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Midtown West) urged the MTA and Lyft to integrate OMNY, the city’s contactless fare system, with Citi Bike. In a letter, Hoylman-Sigal wrote, "We urge you to create a unified payment system as expeditiously as possible." The proposal aims to remove barriers for would-be Citi Bike users and address issues like vandalized QR codes. The bill is a policy proposal, not yet in committee or up for a vote. Hoylman-Sigal’s push highlights the fractured nature of New York’s fare systems, with separate payments for subways, bikes, ferries, and regional trains. While OMNY integration could streamline access, technical and financial hurdles remain. The MTA and Cubic, OMNY’s contractor, say they are reviewing expansion opportunities. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• Manhattan Pol Wants OMNY to Work With Citi Bike, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two SUVs crashed on Forest Avenue. Both drivers were men, licensed in New York. The impact hit right side doors of one and left front quarter panel of the other. Two men suffered neck and back injuries. Both were restrained and in shock.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on Forest Avenue. The first vehicle, traveling east, was struck on its right side doors. The second vehicle, traveling north, impacted with its left front quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. Two occupants were injured: a 31-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, and a 54-year-old passenger complained of back pain and nausea. Both were wearing seat belts and were not ejected. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for both drivers, indicating driver-related errors not further specified. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

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

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30