In September 2011,  GOVERNOR CUOMO  SIGNED THE COMPLETE STREETS BILL INTO LAW!

Last September, 14-year old Brittany Vega was killed trying to cross Sunrise Highway in the Town of Wantagh on Long Island. A high school freshman, Brittany was on her way to school when she was struck. Her parents had forbidden her to cross this notoriously lethal seven-lane-wide arterial. Long Island’s Killer Road Claims Another Life

Sunrise Highway is like countless others across America–built with only the speed and maneuverability of cars and trucks in mind. These roads are hostile to those on foot and on bicycles–yet many people choose or have to use these modes in these places, and turn what should be a simple and safe task of getting around town into daily brushes with death.

To make sure that people like Brittany can walk and bike safely everywhere across New York, Empire State Future has advocated assertively for the passage of the Complete Streets bill.  The new law states that transportation projects in New York  shall consider the convenient access and mobility of all users: pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The Complete Streets movement was driven forward by a broad range of New York State organizations such as New York AARP and the Tri-State Transportation Council (one of ESF’s Coalition members).

Read the bill; Learn more about Complete Streets from the national Complete Streets Coalition

ESF is excited that Complete Streets is now law in New York State  and we continue to support our local partners who are working hard for local city-wide Complete Streets laws. We are also excited to see local Complete Streets work in: Buffalo, Erie County, Alfred, Angelica, Cuba, Gowanda, Hinsdale, Kingston, Malone, Portville, Salamanca, Savannah, Fort Edward, Lake George and in Rochester.

Safe and complete streets for all users will continue to be a major asset as we push forward smart growth in New York State.