What are Complete Streets?

In a nutshell, under a complete streets policy, we "design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind–including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities," according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.

The state angle

This week Governor Cuomo announced he would sign into law the state's new Complete Streets bill that passed both the Senate and Assembly unanimously. It is hard to recall any bill passing both houses with no dissenting voice. New York will become the 17th state, including Puerto Rico, to adopt a Complete Streets law.

The bill also is known as "Brittany's Law."  Brittany Vega was a 14 year girl killed by a car as she crossed a busy road in Wantagh. Brittany's mother, Sandi Vega, campaigned for a Complete Streets policy to be adopted statewide.

Complete Streets legislation has been strongly supported by a broad coalition of unlikely bedfellows from the AARP to transportation advocates, urban planners, highway superintendents, and environmental groups.

Each year Transportation for America ranks the most dangerous cities for pedestrian.  The good news for New York area residents is that our region has relatively safer streets than many US cities. We are ranked 50th, meaning 49 cities are worse than the Big Apple metro region. 

The local angle

It's great to have a statewide policy.  It's even better to have local communities already working on safer ways to share the roadways.  Sometime that is a simple as painting a bike lane or pedestrian crosswalk. Sometimes that involves installing more curb cuts or rebuilding bus stops. And sometimes, it involves some time on a bike or in your walking or running shoes. For example, 

The fourth annual Bike-Ped Week is coming soon to Croton, spearheaded locally by our village's volunteer Bike-Pedestran Committee, who also wrote the village's Bike-Ped Master Plan. 

On Sunday, September 4, to kick off the local Bike-Ped Week, Croton will host both a rest station for the Westchester Cycle Club's 30th anniversary Ride (check out the cool jerseys).

On the following weekend, September 10 and 11, Croton will host the Toughman Triathalon.  Both groups work closely with local officials to plan the route and minimize traffic hazards for both drivers and cyclists. 

The Toughman Kids event and expo will take place on September 10th at Croton Point Park. The adult Toughman race will start at 7 am on September 11th at the Croton Point Park Beach.  Dr Richard Izzo, Toughman's Director, expects well over 500 athletes from a six state region to come to Croton for the race weekend.