Boris Macias Builds DIY Speed Bumps on Miller Avenue

Boris Macias installed unauthorized speed bumps on Miller Avenue in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, to address traffic safety issues. The barriers sat on the 100 block of the street for more than a week before city crews removed them on Oct. 26.

Macias, a father and grandfather who runs a landscaping business, built the obstacles outside his home. He brought materials from his company and finished the work in about three hours. The project followed a series of crashes on the avenue, including one incident that dented an equipment trailer. Some drivers hit the new barriers with force but continued driving at speed.

“This street is dangerous,” Macias said. “The car, every day, is fast.” He expressed worry that neighborhood children were at risk from passing vehicles.

The New York City Department of Transportation stated it would assess the need for speed bumps at that location. The department noted that approved traffic calming measures must meet specific safety standards. Some neighbors voiced support for restoring the barriers after their removal, though the homemade structures had not been officially tested for effectiveness in reducing speeding or preventing accidents.

Macias did not receive a ticket for the installation. He said he would not replace the barriers himself but hopes the incident draws attention to the street's traffic problems.