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Dear Governor Cuomo: New York Needs Complete Streets

With less than a month left in Albany’s legislative session, advocates continue to fight for complete streets legislation (S5411) to ensure that roads throughout the state are designed for everyone who uses them. On TSTC’s website, New Yorkers can now e-mail Governor Cuomo and members of the State Assembly in support of a complete streets bill.

Sandi Vega, a Long Island resident who has worked toward complete streets since her daughter Brittany was killed last fall, also released an open letter to Governor Cuomo, which is reprinted below:

Dear Governor Cuomo,

I need your help. New York State needs a Complete Streets law, now, and I am requesting your support and advocacy to make sure this bill is passed before the legislature goes home.

New York has some of the most dangerous roads in the nation, and it is time to stop the carnage. In the fall of 2010, my daughter, Brittany Vega, a 14-year-old walking to school on Long Island, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the road. This particular road, Sunrise Highway, is a 6-lane, arterial road that bisects the central business and residential areas of our hometown in Wantagh. With no count-down clock, there was no way Brittany could tell how long she had to get across. With no pedestrian island in the roadway, she had no safe refuge. She made a guess, and it cost her life.

Complete Streets design principles assure that when roads are built or redesigned, they take into account the needs of all users of the roads, not just cars. Simple changes in road design—such as count-down clocks, better crosswalks, protected bike lanes, and traffic calming devices—can dramatically reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. Complete Streets are safe streets: streets that encourage economic development and assure our seniors can stay in their homes and walk to services, and that our children can make it safely to school. Complete Streets are also environmental streets—providing people with transportation choices that can help to cut down on the congestion and smog that are impacting our health and climate.

Following your lead, in March, advocates for the bill met with those who were concerned that it was an “unfunded mandate.” Both sides were able to come to an agreement and shake hands over new language that everyone was comfortable with. That new bill has been introduced in the Senate, with bi-partisan support, and is moving. However, it is my understanding that the Assembly is waiting for comments from your office before moving the bill in the Assembly.

I urge you to support and find a way to help pass the State Complete Streets bill (S5411) so that our future roads take into account the needs of all users—including users like my daughter.

Sincerely,

Sandi Vega

The complete streets bill continues to move through the State Senate. It passed the Senate’s Transportation Committee last week, and will be on the Finance Committee’s agenda on Thursday. But no equivalent bill has been introduced in the Assembly. Leadership from the governor and individual assemblymembers can move this bill and prevent needless deaths and injuries. To take action for a New York complete streets law, click here or visit www.tstc.org/completestreets/.

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Michael McGrinder
Michael McGrinder
12 years ago

Let it be known that you will not vote for anyone who refuses to support safety regulations. Ever. For any position. Non-negotiable. I won’t.

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[…] receive state and federal funding to accommodate the needs of everyone who uses the street, has passed the Senate Transportation Committee but hasn’t even been introduced in the Assembly yet. With less than a month left in the […]

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[…] Yorkers: This Is the Time to Write Gov. Cuomo About Complete Streets (MTR) blog comments powered by Disqus […]

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[…] The Tri-State Transportation Campaign urged New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to support a complete streets bill. (TSTC Blog) […]

Christine M. McKenna
Christine M. McKenna
12 years ago

The safety of the people in our community is important. The children who cross the streets, the commuters coming off the railroad, the elderly, the disabled, and the general public need a voice. Our elected officials can choose to be the voice of change. I encourage all politicians and the people of New York to support and actively take action on legislation that protects people. The roads must be safe not just for today, but also for the future.

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[…] visit our tell-a-friend page.Read Sandi Vega's letter to Governor Cuomo here.Read more about the complete streets bill on our Mobilizing the Region blog. Source: Buffalo […]

Rob
Rob
12 years ago

I’ve been talking to my local Assembly member’s staff. They can’t find an Assembly Bill Number for the Complete Streets bill. Can you please post it asap?

Thanks!

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[…] breadth and number of organizations and individuals supporting the NYS Complete Streets bill (S.5411) is staggering, and their reasons for supporting it are as diverse as their missions. More than 60 […]

stella mallios
stella mallios
12 years ago

I am proud to call Sandi Vega a good friend of mine. She chose to take the tragedy of losing her child and turn it into something positive, so that no other human being will suffer the same loss. Sunrise Highway is a VERY dangerous street to cross for pedestrians. The carnage has to stop! Our government needs to make our streets more pedestrian-friendly!

Maud
Maud
12 years ago

Thank you to Sandi Vega for her campaign after the tragic loss of her daughter.

I was recently struck by an SUV and injured while crossing West St in Lower Manhattan. The only thing that will stop this carnage of pedestrians is if a law is passed that forces drivers to drive at 30 mph or less in urban areas (enforced in many other countries), and to slow down as they approach an intersection or traffic lights.

pt-141
12 years ago

I totally agree! I am not saying that new york isn’t a safe place but their streets are becoming more of a cemetery rather than a street.

Suzette D. Pugh
Suzette D. Pugh
11 years ago

I agree, the streets should be always safe to our children to cross. How can I have a peace of mind if I know that cars are running more than 50mph? Our government should make a law for this.

Suzette D. Pugh
24 hour veterinary endoscopy

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