Take Action on Complete Streets, New York

New York State Capitol Building. Photo: Holley St. Germain
New York State Capitol Building. Photo: Holley St. Germain

New York State’s legislative session ends in under a month, adding increased urgency to advocates’ calls for passage of statewide Complete Streets legislation. Add your voice to that call for safer streets today.

In mid-May, an amended version of the bill (S.05411) was introduced by State Senator Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and co-sponsored by by Senator Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn), the committee’s ranking minority member — two powerful allies for Complete Streets.

The revised bill was also endorsed by the state associations for town and county highway superintendents — groups who had previously been against the legislation. AARP New York, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Long Island Lobby Coalition, and a cadre of other public policy, environmental, transportation and energy groups also stand behind it. Even Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald have spoken in favor of a Complete Streets approach (though not in reference to this bill).

New York’s Complete Streets bill would require consideration of people of all ages walking, riding bicycles, driving cars, and taking public transportation in any transportation project that uses federal and state funds, including the construction, reconstruction, restriping, and rehabilitation of roadways. A report on implementation and best practices is due within two years. The legislation has been progressing through the Senate.

Despite the support of so many groups, the bill may meet the same fate as last year’s effort. With overwhelming support in the New York Senate last year, a Complete Streets bill failed to make it through the Assembly. Without a companion bill in the Assembly soon, this year’s bill could die in a similar fashion.

New York: Tell Albany that a Complete Streets law is fundamental to a safe, healthy future for all. Ask Governor Cuomo and your Assemblymember to step up and advocate for this bill’s passage before the legislature heads home.

Complete Streets