Rockland's Complete Streets Initiative to Make Local Roads Safer

NEW CITY, NY - As part of National Public Health Week, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert explain the county's continuing efforts to collaborate with many county agencies on the Rockland County Complete Streets Initiative to make roads safe for all.

Complete streets are streets for everyone. They are planned, designed, operated, and maintained for safe, convenient, and comfortable travel and access for users of all ages and abilities, whether they are walking, using a wheelchair or walker, bicycling, driving in a car, or riding on a bus or train.

Which roads in your community should be top priority for improvements? Tell us in the comments.

"We are pleased that since 2013, with help from the Health Department, the Town of Ramapo, Village of Spring Valley, and Village of West Haverstraw have adopted Complete Streets resolutions and have developed plans to begin improvements to neighborhood roadways to make them safer for all users," said Dr. Ruppert.

An Executive Order signed by Day further supports the Complete Streets initiative and called for an interdepartmental working group to develop and facilitate guidelines for the county.

What's new:

• Coming this summer, the interdepartmental work group will continue its partnership with the New York State Department of Health, police in Ramapo and Spring Valley, and the Health Department's Local IMPACT grant, to educate both drivers and pedestrians on the 'See! and Be Seen!' campaign. For drivers: "See!" - expect pedestrians; pay attention and don't text while driving; and obey the speed limit. For pedestrians: "Be Seen!" - use crosswalks; obey signals; look left, look right, look left again before crossing; and pay attention and don't text while crossing. For more information click here.
• Visit the county's new Complete Streets web pages for information and resources.
• Get involved! All towns and villages are encouraged to get involved in Complete Streets to make Rockland streets safe for all. Contact Melissa Jacobson at the Health Department at 845-364-3610 or jacobsom@co.rockland.ny.us for more information.
• The Health Department, through the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Grant, is working with the Towns of Clarkstown and Ramapo to develop/strengthen Complete Streets policies and implement projects.

Existing Policies in Rockland County:

• Rockland County Complete Streets Initiative Executive Order
• Spring Valley Complete Streets Resolution
• Ramapo Complete Streets Resolution
• West Haverstraw Complete Streets Resolution

Please visit www.ny.gov to see a list of other New York State municipalities and counties that have passed Complete Streets policies.Tips & Tools for Walkers & Cyclists:

• Strava Labs- Biking GPS data
• Rockland Bicycling Club
• Rockland Road Runners
• NYS Metropolitan Planning Organization| Know Your Pedestrian and Bicycle Laws
• NYS Department of Transportation | SafeNY See! Be Seen! Pedestrian Safety campaign
• NYS Department of Transportation Pedestrian Information
• League of American Bicyclists | Attributes of a Bike Friendly Business

Fact Sheets:The National Complete Streets Coalition has an excellent selection of fact sheets that explain how Complete Streets can improve our communities. Here are links to recommended fact sheets:

• Older adults
• Transportation Costs
• Green Streets
• Health
• Economic Revitalization

PowerPoints:

• "Introduction to Complete Streets"
• "Funding Complete Streets in Rockland"

Webinars:

• Moving Into Action: Planning and Implementing Complete Streets
• When Main Street is a State Highway

Meet the Press/Complete Streets in Rockland:

• Health Department Receives Obesity Prevention Grant, September 10, 2015
• The County Executive's Corner: A Legacy of Safety, August 27, 2015, Rockland County Times

Other Resources:

• Rockland County Walks Program
• See! and Be Seen!
• Smart Growth America

PHOTO: Incomplete sidewalk; north side of Route 59/Rockland County