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
Michael Mamoukakis, 80, Second Cyclist Killed by Charter Bus Driver in Chelsea in One Week
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The driver hit Mamoukakis while turning onto W. 29th Street, where buses are prohibited by city traffic rules. No charges have been filed by NYPD or Manhattan DA Cy Vance.
It’s Time for the State Senate to Step Up and Protect New Yorkers From Speeding Drivers
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With this year's legislative session drawing to a close, Families for Safe Streets and Transportation Alternatives will hold a rally on Friday calling on Albany to allow NYC to place more speed enforcement cameras around schools.
Manhattan CB 7 Wants Protected Bike Lanes for Columbus Circle
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Manhattan Community Board 7 wants DOT to make it safer to walk and bike through Columbus Circle. In May, the board's transportation committee passed a resolution calling for protected bike lanes in the large traffic circle at the southwest corner of Central Park. The full board approved the resolution last night.
Tougher Penalties for Unlicensed Drivers Who Hurt and Kill People Now in Carl Heastie’s Hands
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A bill to make it a felony to cause injury or death while driving without a valid license has passed the State Senate. Assembly Speaker Heastie can get it to Governor Cuomo's desk.
After Death of Ryo Oyamada, NYPD Shows No Interest in Preventing Serious Police Crashes
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Ryo Oyamada was one of several bystanders killed in recent years in crashes involving NYPD drivers. Preventing further loss of life is apparently not a priority for NYPD or City Hall.
6 Things Cuomo and de Blasio Can Do to Live Up to Their Climate Change Bluster
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Between them, Cuomo and de Blasio have the power to dramatically accelerate New York City's progress on climate goals. But doing so will require making policy choices that the governor and mayor have shirked or avoided so far.
NYPD Ignores Streetsblog FOIL for Crash Report on Death of 15-Year-Old Jenna Daniels
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NYPD has not responded to a Streetsblog freedom of information request for files related to a crash that killed a teenage jogger in Staten Island. Jenna Daniels, 15, was struck on the afternoon of November 15, 2014, by the driver of a pickup truck making a left turn from Hylan Boulevard onto Bayview Avenue in Prince’s Bay. NYPD never revealed the identity of the driver, and would not disclose how he was penalized for failing to exercise due care.
It’s Bike Month, So NYC Closed the Busiest Bike Route in the Country With No Notice. Again.
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Continuing what's become an annual tradition, the Parks Department has set up a bike dismount zone on Hudson River Greenway for Fleet Week. Adhering to past practice, Parks posted no notice of the detour on its website or Twitter.
Eric Gonzalez: Six Months in Jail for Unlicensed, Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed Francis Perez
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Brian Young hit 28-year-old Francis Perez on Avenue V in Sheepshead Bay on September 23, 2016. Perez was carrying snacks for his 8-year-old son when Young slammed a Toyota SUV into him and kept going. Pursuant to the deal with Gonzalez, Young can get his license back in two years just by filling out DMV paperwork.
Jack Koval’s Parents Had to Conduct Their Own Crash Investigation to Hold the Cop Who Struck and Killed Their Son Accountable
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NYPD blamed Jack Koval for his own death, and the DA didn't charge the off-duty NYPD officer who killed him. But after hearing from a witness the Kovals tracked down on their own, a DMV judge found the driver at fault.
Eyes on the Street: Tactical Urbanism Reclaims Upper Manhattan Curb Ramp
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About a year ago, someone painted a yellow line on this curb ramp, on a mostly residential street that abuts a park. “It’s the only sidewalk ramp on that side of the street for a block in either direction,” says our reader, “so when someone blocks it, if you need a ramp to access the sidewalk (or the park), you have to go a block out of the way.” According to our tipster, who walks by the ramp twice a day on weekdays, drivers are now much less likely to block it.
NYC Drivers Injured 1,023 Pedestrians and Cyclists in April, and Killed Eight
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Eighteen people died in New York City traffic in April, and 4,424 were injured, according to City Hall’s Vision Zero View crash data map. Through the first four months of 2017, City Hall reported 38 pedestrians and cyclists killed by city motorists and 4,314 injured, compared to 44 deaths and 4,685 injuries in the first four months of 2016.