Queens City Council Race Focuses on Street Safety, Greenway Debate

A competitive City Council race in northeast Queens is highlighting starkly different visions for the district’s future, with Democrat Ben Chou challenging incumbent Republican Vickie Paladino on issues of traffic safety and infrastructure development.

Chou, a firefighter and lifelong resident of District 19, is campaigning on a platform of increased pedestrian safety, daylighting at intersections, and support for the proposed Queens Waterfront Greenway. The district led the city in traffic fatalities in 2024, a statistic Chou frequently cites. “Last year, we led the city in traffic-related fatalities,” Chou said. “For our district, for a suburban district where there’s more space, it seems quite drastic.” He argues preventative measures, like speed cameras, are unfairly criticized despite evidence of their effectiveness.

Paladino has drawn criticism for opposing street safety improvements and for recent rhetoric regarding the greenway project, which she characterized as a “pipeline for criminals” in a recent newsletter. Chou countered this claim, stating, “This rhetoric — fear mongering it really is — it’s trying to empower a base of people by projecting a villainous image on people that want any form of change. These are families that want to ride their bikes.” He emphasized his own history of using alternative transportation, growing up biking and walking along the waterfront. The debate over the greenway reflects a broader tension between prioritizing vehicular traffic and creating more accessible, multi-modal transportation options – a key issue in many New York City neighborhoods. For more information on city planning initiatives, visit the Department of City Planning website.

Chou’s campaign has garnered endorsements from groups like StreetsPAC and support from online communities focused on micromobility. He acknowledged some pushback on his pro-cycling stance but believes most residents will support safety improvements when presented with the facts. The outcome of this race could significantly impact the future of transportation and pedestrian safety initiatives in northeast Queens. You can find more information about local elections at the NYC Board of Elections.

Officials anticipate a close race, with both candidates continuing to actively campaign in the final days leading up to Election Day.