The Complete Streets Program is a benefit to people hiking and biking in our communities, so we want to bring this to your attention.

Thanks to Complete Streets, our towns have flashing speed warning signs that remind us to slow down. We have more crosswalks making it easier to cross busy streets and safer for hikers to walk to or from hiking trails. Bicyclists can ride in bike lanes and people can move around safely in our communities. Complete Streets Program supports all these activities.

The Complete Streets Program promotes “walkable” communities by requiring that road projects consider pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. It says that transportation agencies must routinely design and operate the entire road right-of-way to enable safe access for all users and not just cars and trucks. This makes your town a better place to live because streets will be better and safer for everyone.

We rarely bring legislative matters to your attention and do so now because the New York State Assembly put $20 million for the Complete Streets Program in its proposed budget and the Governor and the Senate should include similar provisions in their budgets.

This program is important to CATS and to everyone who walks or bikes in our towns, so please tell your state senator and Governor Cuomo to fund the Complete Streets Program and to keep New Yorkers safe and active! The decision to dedicate funds for Complete Streets will be made as soon as this week so please:

• Thank your assembly member for supporting $20 million of dedicated funding for complete streets. Let them know why bike-pedestrian infrastructure is important to you.
• Call, email or visit Betty Little or your state senator if you are outside her district and urge funding for Complete Streets
• Call or email Governor Cuomo urging him to dedicate funds for Complete Streets
• Ask your family, friends, parents’ organizations and coworkers to do all the above.

Thank you.

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director