Install Speed Bumps Near Bay Ridge Schools to Protect Our Kids!

To: Sen. Andrew Gounardes
Council Member Justin Brannan
District Manager Josephine Beckmann
New York City Department of Transportation

Dear Representatives,

We, the undersigned students, parents, and community members of Bay Ridge, are writing to express our serious concern about the safety of children and pedestrians near our local schools. Every day, hundreds of students walk, bike, or are driven to and from schools including Xaverian High School and Genesis Program, Fort Hamilton High School, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, Bay Ridge Prep, P.S. 102 The Bayview School, Bay Ridge Catholic, St. Patrick Catholic Academy, Fontbonne Hall Academy, and P.S. 185 Walter Kassenbrock School along Colonial Road and Narrows Avenue.

Many drivers fail to observe posted speed limits on these residential and school-adjacent streets, creating a hazardous environment for students, families, and staff. Just last week, two students from Xaverian were struck by a speeding vehicle on Narrows Avenue, highlighting the urgency of this issue. One of the students remains in critical condition, and our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with her and her family as they face this unimaginable situation. We can’t wait for another tragedy. We must act now.

As 7th grade students at Xaverian’s Genesis Program, we have created Voices for Street Safety to build awareness and advocate for change. We respectfully request that the New York City Department of Transportation evaluate and install speed bumps (also called speed humps) on Narrows Avenue and Colonial Road in accordance with the New York City Speed Hump Program.

In addition to physical traffic calming measures, we believe education plays an important role. We encourage the city to implement community education programs on the dangers of speeding on residential streets and near schools. Traffic safety should be a standard part of driver education and public awareness initiatives to help prevent future tragedies.

This petition reflects our commitment to keeping students and families safe as they travel to and from school each day. We stand together as a community — students, families, educators, and neighbors — in calling for immediate and meaningful action.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
Voices for Street Safety (Student-Led Initiative)

Jordan Grimaldi

Katherine Cassidy 

Grace Pinco

Community Support Signatures

I support the installation of a speed hump on Narrows Avenue between 80th and 81st Streets and the implementation of community education on street safety.