Jul 2 - Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

Jun 24 - Dump truck slammed sedan on Long Island Expressway. Two women passengers suffered back crush injuries. Unsafe lane change triggered chaos. Metal twisted. Shock followed. System failed to protect riders.

A dump truck and a sedan collided on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Two female passengers, ages 46 and 25, suffered back crush injuries. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling west when the truck struck the sedan's rear. The crash left passengers in shock and pain. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system exposed passengers to grave harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 21 - SUV struck a pedestrian at Greenpoint Ave and 45 St. The man was left unconscious with crush injuries. Police cite driver inattention. System failed to protect the most vulnerable.

A man walking at the intersection of Greenpoint Ave and 45 St in Queens was hit by an SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious. The driver was making a right turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The report does not cite any actions by the pedestrian as a cause. The system allowed distraction to endanger a person on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 13 - A bus hit a 70-year-old man on Hoffman Drive in Queens. The pedestrian died from head and crush injuries. The bus showed no damage. Police listed no clear cause. The street claimed another life. The system failed to protect him.

A 70-year-old man walking outside the intersection on Hoffman Drive was struck and killed by a bus. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fatal head and crush injuries. The bus, a New Flyer model, was traveling east and showed no damage after the crash. The driver was licensed and listed as uninjured. Police marked all contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no explanation for the deadly impact. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded in the data. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash. The system left a vulnerable road user exposed, with no clear answers for his death.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 13 - 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 2025-06-13

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - 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 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 3 - Another joins Families for Safe Streets. Another life lost. The toll rises. Grief sharpens the call for change. Streets stay deadly. The city fails to shield its own. The group grows. The danger remains.

On June 3, 2025, Gersh Kuntzman issued an advocacy statement, reported by Streetsblog NYC. The statement reads, 'There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news.' Joe Jankoski, mourning Amanda Servedio, spoke out after her death by a recidivist speeder. The group’s ranks swell with each tragedy. No specific bill or committee is named in this event. Kuntzman’s statement underscores the relentless danger faced by pedestrians and cyclists. The safety analyst notes: the event describes a new member joining an advocacy group, which does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety at the population level. The city’s streets remain perilous. The group’s growth is a grim measure of failure.

• Tuesday’s Headlines: Stop Super Speeders Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-03

May 13 - SUV hit a 61-year-old man crossing with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe cuts. Maspeth Avenue saw blood on the street.

A 61-year-old pedestrian was struck by an SUV while crossing Maspeth Avenue at 59th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, distracted and inattentive, failed to yield and made a left turn. The impact left the man semiconscious with head injuries and severe lacerations. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2010 Nissan SUV. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 25 - SUV swung a U-turn on Skillman. Front bumper hit a cyclist. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. Blood on the street. System failed him.

A 45-year-old man riding a bike was struck by an SUV making a U-turn on Skillman Avenue near 43rd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV’s front bumper hit the cyclist, crushing his leg. The cyclist was injured but remained conscious. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the primary cause was the driver’s improper turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 25 - Kawasaki rider merges on BQE. Metal hits Ford’s rear. Rider falls, leg torn, blood pools. No helmet. He stays awake. Ford untouched. System fails the young.

A 22-year-old motorcyclist was injured merging westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, his Kawasaki struck the left rear bumper of a Ford. The rider crumpled to the pavement with severe leg lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The Ford showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver errors. Lack of helmet use is noted only after the collision details. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 14 - A new study finds fare-free buses would speed up rides by 12 percent and draw 169 million more riders yearly. Faster boarding slashes dwell times. Riders save time. Streets get safer, air gets cleaner. The city must weigh the cost—and the gains.

On April 14, 2025, a policy analysis by Charles Komanoff examined the impact of fare-free buses in New York City. The report, covered by Streetsblog NYC, found that eliminating fares would cut bus trip times by 12 percent and boost annual ridership by 169 million, a 23 percent jump. The study states: 'Each dollar of city government support would produce more than two dollars worth of benefits for residents, primarily by removing the burden of fare payments while providing faster and more reliable bus service.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris, both of Queens, have pushed the MTA to consider free buses. Komanoff’s analysis shows that faster buses mean less time waiting, cleaner air, fewer crashes, and a small but real drop in car trips. The report adds fuel to the debate over city funding for free bus service.

• Free Buses Would Mean 12% Faster Rides And 20% More Riders: Study, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-14

Apr 12 - A Ford pickup hit a man on an e-scooter at 42nd Street and 30th Avenue. He flew, struck his head, and bled. The driver was distracted. A baby watched. The truck was unscathed. The man was not.

A Ford pickup truck hit a 42-year-old man riding an e-scooter at 42nd Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the man was ejected, suffered a head injury, and was conscious but bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pickup showed no damage, but the e-scooter rider was left with severe bleeding. No helmet was noted for the rider, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s error. A baby witnessed the crash. No injuries were reported for the truck’s occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 12 - Activists marched the Queensboro Bridge, demanding space for people on foot. The city ignored them. Nine lanes for cars, one cramped path for everyone else. The mayor delayed the fix. The danger remains. The lane went back to cars.

On April 12, 2025, activists and elected officials gathered on the Queensboro Bridge to protest the city’s failure to restore the South Outer Roadway for pedestrians. The Department of Transportation had planned a ribbon-cutting for March 16, but Mayor Adams canceled it. Council Member Julie Won and State Senator Michael Gianaris attended, both supporting the reconfiguration. Won said, 'I have received no new information since Mayor Adams canceled the March 16 ribbon-cutting.' The protest highlighted the ongoing crisis: nine lanes for cars, one narrow, shared lane for cyclists and pedestrians. Crashes and near-misses are common. City Hall claims the project will impact several communities, but offers no timeline. The lane reverted to car use after the protest, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• Activists Walk the Queensboro Bridge to Demand More Space for Pedestrians, But Lane Reverts to Cars Anyway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 5 - A sedan, SUV, and motorcycle slammed together on Woodhaven. Metal screamed. A 55-year-old man was thrown and killed. Others staggered from wrecks, battered and stunned. Failure to yield left silence in its wake.

A deadly crash on Woodhaven Boulevard at 60th Drive involved a sedan, an SUV, and a motorcycle. According to the police report, 'A sedan, motorcycle, and SUV collide, metal shrieks. The motorcycle is crushed. A 55-year-old man, ejected, dies on the street. Others crawl from wrecks, dazed, bodies aching.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The 55-year-old motorcyclist was killed after being ejected. Another driver, age 42, was injured. Passengers and other drivers suffered unspecified injuries. Helmets and harnesses were used but could not prevent the fatal outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 4 - A driver lost control near a Queens school. The car struck two children and a man. A seven-year-old girl’s leg snapped. Sirens wailed. Police arrested the driver. The sidewalk bore the scars. The city’s danger was plain.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver reversed into a box truck, then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. The crash injured three: a 7-year-old girl with a broken femur and head injury, a 14-year-old girl with leg injuries, and a 58-year-old man with bruises. The article states, 'Bah was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' This incident follows another recent crash involving a suspended license, highlighting recurring risks from unlicensed drivers. The crash underscores the persistent threat cars pose to people on city sidewalks, especially near schools.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School, New York Post, Published 2025-04-04

Feb 8 - A 39-year-old man crossed Ditmars Boulevard before dawn. An eastbound Toyota SUV hit him with its left front bumper. Blood pooled from his head. The street was empty. He remained conscious, wounded and alone in the early morning dark.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old pedestrian was crossing Ditmars Boulevard near 35th Street in Queens when a 2013 Toyota SUV, traveling east, struck him with its left front bumper. The crash occurred before dawn, on an empty street. The report states the man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but was conscious at the scene. The police narrative notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing with no signal or crosswalk present. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and pedestrian, providing no further detail on driver actions. The impact location and vehicle trajectory underscore the danger faced by pedestrians on wide, empty streets, especially when driver errors are left unaddressed or unreported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09