Advocating Safer Streets for Pedestrians & Bicyclists

By Alex Crichton

Rochester, NY – There's legislation in Albany designed to make the streets more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

The American Association of Retired Persons and local health officials support the measure and spoke about it Friday at the intersection of Monroe Avenue and Alexander Street.

That is the most dangerous intersection in the County, according to a new report released by AARP. There was one bicycle fatality, five pedestrian injuries and three other cyclists injured there between 2006 and 2008. Associate State Director Bill Armbruster says that intersection would be safer under the bill.

The legislation would require pedestrians and bicycle accommodations be included in various transportation plans.

Health officials are also supporting the bill, citing the health benefits of walking and bicycling.

The report comes at the start of Rochester Bike Week, promoting the bicycle as the ideal form of transportation.

A new report by the group Transportation for America shows that older people make up 25 percent of bicyclist and pedestrian deaths. According to the report, 22 people were killed while cycling or walkijng, and another 16-hundred injured between 2006 and 2008.

The legislation is designed to create more "complete streets" which enable safe access to everyone, whether they're walking, on a bike, or in a vehicle. The bill also recognizes the importance of bicycle and pedestrian travel to the state's transportation system.