Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles

• Democratic73
• Republican8

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jeremy Cooney says this is needed

New York State's Complete Streets Law, which requires the Department of Transportation to consider the convenient access and mobility on the road network by all users of all ages, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users with complete street design features, only applies to projects classified as construction, recon- struction or rehabilitation. The law specifically excludes projects classified as resurfacing, maintenance and pavement recycling, which dramatically decreases the projects in which complete streets design features are used. As a result of the state Department of Transportation's Preservation first policy, nearly 80 percent of transportation funding and numerous road projects exclude pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, according to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. This exclusion of a key component of complete-streets design runs contrary to the original intent of the state's Complete Streets law, and this bill would address the issue and strengthen the law. By reforming our state's Complete Streets law, this legislation would make dangerous intersections and roadways safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. It would ensure our chil- dren have safer routes to school and provide local families with more opportunities to walk and bike safely.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.