Bikers, pedestrians ask for more safety measures
By KELLY FAY
Advocates for green transportation have requested the state dedicate funds toward improving the safety of walkers and bikers. New Yorkers for Active Transportation sent 1,300 postcards to Gov. Andrew Cuomo Tuesday and asked for an additional $20 million in funding for the construction of pedestrian and biking infrastructure in the 2014-2015 budget.
In 2011, the state adopted the Complete Streets Law, which required transportation projects to be accessible to all travelers. According to Nadine Lemmon, legislative advocate for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, federal cuts, as well as policies adopted by New York, have made it difficult for the initiative to have its intended effect.
In addition, Lemmon pointed out New York has the highest number of collisions and fatalities between vehicles and pedestrians in the country. In Albany County alone, between 2009 and 2012, more than 1,300 pedestrians and bikers were involved in a collision with a vehicle.
"Today we are calling on Gov. Cuomo to reverse these numbers," Lemmon said. "These are avoidable collisions. Simple and inexpensive fixes to our roads need to be made now. We've changed the law and now we need to change our policies to match that law.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-01-15-86413.113122-Bikers-pedestrians-ask-for-more-safety-measures.html