Complete Streets
NYBC Announces State Legislature to Consider “Complete Streets”–Contact Your Elected Representative to Support A8587/S5711 TODAY!
The New York Bicycling Coalition (NYBC) proudly announces a giant step forward for bicyclists and pedestrians in New York State. As of June 1st, both houses of the Legislature introduced Complete Streets bills for consideration, facilitating efforts to make New York’s roadways safer for drivers, transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists, older individuals, children, and people with disabilities. NYBC was a principal proponent of this legislation.
Assembly Bill A8587, introduced by co-sponsors David F. Gantt (A-133rd Dist), and Jeffrey Dinowitz (A-81st Dist), and Senate Bill S5711, introduced by co-sponsors Martin Malavé Dilan (S-17th Dist) and Ruben Diaz (S-32nd Dist) would, if adopted, enable safe access to public roads for all users by requiring that transportation improvement plans consider the safety, access and mobility needs of all travelers, regardless of age or ability.
NYBC’s Executive Director Jennifer Clunie points out, “A ‘Complete Streets’ policy means sidewalks, crosswalks, curb cuts, bus shelters, bike lanes and many other features shall be routinely weighed on all street projects, and incorporated where warranted. This improves comfort and safety for all roadway users, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shop keeper. In addition, in highly populated areas, ‘Complete Streets’ can provide a sense of place and improve adjacent property values.”
NYBC has been a longtime proponent of a “Complete Streets” policy for New York State. In 2008, the American Association of Retired People (AARP), Green Options Buffalo, Transportation Alternatives, and a number of other statewide and federal organizations joined with NYBC to advance the Complete Streets initiative. Safety issues are a principal concern for New York residents, and traffic danger is consistently cited as a major reason why individuals will not walk or bicycle to school, work, or other destinations. Complete Streets polices are expected to bring improved safety, enhanced opportunities for physical activity, reduced carbon emissions, enhanced economic vitality and overall better quality of life. In New York State, 40% of all residents don’t possess a driver’s license and over 25% of all households don’t own a motor vehicle, further underscoring the need for this legislation.
Action Alert:
Urge your Elected Representative to Complete the Streets and Promote Safe Bicycling and Walking for Generations to Come
Become a bicycling and pedestrian advocate! Call, write, or email (or utilize all 3 methods of communication) your Assembly Member and State Senator and urge them to support A8587/S5711. If your Senator or Assembly Member is already a co-sponsor, please take a moment to call or e-mail to thank them for this much-needed action to protect and accommodate bicyclists & pedestrians, who account for some of the most vulnerable users on our roadways. If your representative is not yet a co-sponsor, please alert them to the legislation (including Bill number), and encourage them to consider being a co-sponsor and/or support this bill.
We also encourage you to directly express your support of these bills to Assemblymen Gantt and Dinowitz and Senators Dilan and Diaz. Not only is this an opportunity to thank them for their concerted efforts toward improving traffic safety and accessibility for New York residents, but doing so demonstrates the importance bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users and, yes, motorists represent as a block of voters in New York State.
With your help, NYBC, AARP and Green Options Buffalo will secure this critical piece of legislation, bringing safer and more attractive bicycling and walking to fruition in NY State. Stay tuned!
Click here for a summary and the complete text of this bill:
Assembly: A08587
Senate: S05711
Who’s my Assemblyperson?
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Who’s my NYS Senator?
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Clicking on the highlighted names below will bring you directly to their official website:
Assemblyman Gantt: By mail only:
Hon. David F. Gantt and Hon. David F. Gantt
LOB 830 74 University Ave.
Albany NY 12248 Rochester NY 14605
585 454-3670 518 455-5606
Assemblyman Dinowitz:
Hon. Jeffrey Dinowitz and Hon. Jeffrey Dinowitz
LOB 824 3107 Kingsbridge Ave.
Albany, NY 12248 Bronx NY 10463
518 455-5965 718 796-5345
Senator Martin Malavé Dilan
Hon. Martin Malavé Dilan and Hon. Martin Malavé Dilan
811 Legislative Office Building 786 Knickerbocker Ave.
Albany NY 12247 Brooklyn NY 11207
518 455-2177 718 573-1726
Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz
307 Legislative Office Building and 1733 E. 172nd St.
Albany NY 12247 Bronx NY 10472
518 455-2511 718 991-3161
diaz@senate.state.ny.us
Prefer to mail?
Simply send a postcard (28¢ each at your nearest US Post Office) to the four aforementioned legislators plus one post card each for your Assemblymember and NYS Senator. For a minimum investment of $1.68, you have the ability to improve bicycling and pedestrian throughout New York State, including in your village, town or city!
Additional Resources and Information Available for Download
NYBC Complete Streets Press Release–6/5/09
Complete Streets Talking Points
Complete Streets Policy Brief-NYS
City of Buffalo Complete Streets Ordinance (Adopted June 11, 2008)
Complete the Streets! article by Barbara McCann (special Transportation issue of Planning: the magazine for the American Planning Association, May 2005)
Active Facts: Complete Streets for Active Communities
