Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Cab Driver Seriously Injures Cyclist on Upper West Side
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A cyclist was struck and injured by a cab driver at 81st and Broadway this afternoon. A spokesperson said FDNY got the call at 2:20 p.m., and that responders transported a 35-year-old male in serious condition to St. Luke’s Roosevelt. A tipster who alerted us to the crash and took the photo said the victim was […]
How the Post Engineers Bike-Share Bashing, Facts Be Damned
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It took a few days, but the Post found someone to go along with its bike-scare nonsense, according to the Post. Here’s the latest: “The bike racks present challenges to firefighters and frankly, trying to get around the city now is harder than ever before,” Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy said at a press […]
Careless Driving Amendment Passes Senate, Awaits Action by Assembly
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A bill targeted at NYPD’s self-imposed ban on penalizing motorists for careless driving has cleared the State Senate, but awaits passage in the Assembly. The bill would amend Hayley and Diego’s Law by explicitly stating that officers may ticket or arrest drivers who harm pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable street users whether or not they […]
How Cuomo Could Expand DWI Effort to Target All Serial Dangerous Drivers
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Governor Cuomo announced Monday that new DMV drivers license rules have taken thousands of dangerous motorists off New York State roads. The changes set an important precedent by mandating the permanent revocation of driving privileges for the worst drunk driving offenders. But since the new policies apply only to DWI violations, the state is still allowing […]
FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano: Bike-Share Racks Are Not In Our Way
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We have a message from FDNY that should once and for all take care of fabricated concerns about bike-share docking stations getting in the way of emergency vehicles. Here’s a statement from Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, which we received via email: Contrary to a news report today, FDNY EMT’s had absolutely no problems responding […]
New York Post Serving as Stenographers for Bike-Share Litigants [Updated]
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Update: Streetsblog had a call in to FDNY about the Post story. After this post went up, we talked with spokesperson Frank Dwyer, who said: “We had no operational or response issues to this call. Period.” If you believe the story in today’s New York Post, it took an EMT crew over an hour to […]
Motorist Havoc: Two Dead, Five Hurt, Kids in Critical Condition, No Charges
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A pedestrian and a cyclist are dead after a series of crashes in Brooklyn and the Bronx in which motorists also injured five other people. Three of the victims were teenagers. One crash left two young boys in critical condition. No charges are known to have been filed by NYPD or DAs Charles Hynes and […]
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Staff Celebrate Bike to Work Day
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Via Twitter, here’s Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and crew gearing up for Bike to Work Day in Queens this morning. Don’t forget to share your pictures of today’s commute by adding the “Streetsblog” tag on Flickr or emailing us at tips@streetsblog.org. Any other electeds make the ride to work today?
Cleared in Traffic Court, Hit-and-Run Killer Still Employed at NYC DOT
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A DOT employee who crushed a Manhattan pedestrian with a dump truck and left the scene was not charged with a crime, was cleared of all traffic violations, and remains on the payroll. It is unknown whether Harry Robinson is still driving vehicles for DOT, as the agency would not discuss details of his employment […]
Manuel Verdesoto at Least Thirteenth Senior Killed in NYC Traffic in 2013
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A man struck by a driver in the southeast Bronx on Wednesday was at least the thirteenth senior killed in city traffic this year. Manuel Verdesoto, 82, was struck by Nabaali Cletus as Verdesoto crossed White Plains Road at Watson Avenue at around 7:20 p.m., according to reports. Verdesoto died at Jacobi Hospital. A photo […]
Jumaane Williams: Time to Tame the “East Flatbush Motorist Danger Zone”
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City Council Member Jumaane Williams yesterday called on the city to take action to improve traffic safety in East Flatbush, where hundreds of people have been injured and killed by reckless drivers in less than two years. The area targeted by Williams centers on Kings Highway, and is bounded by Utica Avenue and Ralph Avenue […]
Motorists Killed at Least Two Pedestrians in Marty Golden’s District in April
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A pedestrian struck by a motorist on April 1 in Bay Ridge died from her injuries. The crash occurred on a section of Fourth Avenue where DOT plans to install a pedestrian fence, and in a precinct where NYPD writes a speeding ticket once every five days. The victim, a 30-year-old female whose name was […]