The National Complete Streets Coalition is spreading word throughout the country to make streets safer and more welcoming for everyone who uses them.
Designing streets with safety in mind can reduce the number of bicycle accidents in Queens or pedestrian accidents in Manhattan or elsewhere in New York.
New York injury lawyer Nicholas Rose, PLLC knows that street design and proper engineering is the key to making New York City streets safer. Bicyclists and pedestrians risk their lives every day when they venture out on our overly populated streets which are mostly utilized by speeding vehicles.
Transportation Nation recently reported that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to sign the Complete Streets Law into legislation. Advised by the New York Department of Transportation, the new law would constitute that transportation agencies at the state and local level consider all street occupants in future designs of New York City streets and roadways.
“New York’s roadways should safely accommodate all pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, and this legislation will help communities across the state achieve this objective,” Cuomo said.
Twenty-four states have already passed legislation for some type of complete streets law according to the Coalition. Each state has made a commitment to take pedestrian, bicyclist, and other street users’ safety into account when planning for road improvements or future road designs. From a health standpoint, getting people out on the streets to exercise or increase fitness levels is what this country needs but not at the risk of losing their lives due to a poorly engineered road design.
According to officials representing Cuomo’s office, the new law enable pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists to be safer on roadways, but it will promote the ‘going green’ industry creating less traffic congestion which, in effect, will create less air pollution.
Creating a greener transportation system will be much healthier for everyone walking or biking on New York City streets. Public users can expect to see more raised sidewalks, bicycle lanes, control signals for pedestrians, bus pull outs, ramps and measures taken to calm traffic.
Simple things like putting in raised medians and sidewalks, redesigning intersections, or putting in a pedestrian signal at a crosswalk can reduce the risk that a pedestrian will get hit by 28 percent. Creating a bicycle-only path will get bikes off the sidewalk and away from pedestrians and off the roadway near other motorists where bicyclists are most at risk of a dangerous situation. Bicycle lanes can reduce the risk of injury by as much as 50 percent.
Health experts report that 55 percent of adults don’t get the recommended amount of daily exercise each day and 25 percent of adults are completely immobile by choice. It is likely that if streets were designed with safety in mind, adults, kids, senior citizens, and even individuals with disabilities would not fear walking or riding and might choose or be more apt to get out and exercise more.
Studies have shown that communities with sidewalks are more likely to be used by 65 percent of residents who live there than when no sidewalks are available. Passing the Complete Streets bill in New York can not only reduce the risk of pedestrian and bicycle accidents throughout the City for all ages but will likely preserve health in areas that need more attention like fitness and pollution.
If you have suffered an injury or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Manhattan, Queens or the surrounding areas, contact injury lawyer Nicholas Rose, PLLC for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-877-313-7673 for 24 hour assistance.
Additional Resources:
NY Gov Will Sign Complete Streets Law, by Alex Goldmark, Transportation Nation
Safe Riding can Help Prevent New York City Bicycle Accidents This Spring, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, April 29, 2011
Fatal New York City Accidents on the Rise, Motorcycle Accidents, Bicycle Accidents and Pedestrian Accidents of Particular Concern, New York Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, March 12, 2011