Too many of our streets have been designed and re-designed just to speed traffic through our city and neighborhoods. That makes them dangerous and difficult to navigate on foot, in a wheelchair, or on a bicycle - especially for senior citizens and young people. Too many people have been injured or killed by dangerous roads, including 14-year-old Brittany Vega, who died last year in Wantagh, NY after being struck by a car while walking to school.
Complete Streets design principles assure that when roads are built or redesigned, the needs of everyone who uses them are taken into account. Currently, a bipartisan bill to require governments to include these principles in road design and construction is moving through the State Senate, but progress has been slower in the State Assembly.
Green Options Buffalo has played a key role in getting Complete Streets legislation passed in the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie, but statewide legislation is necessary to make all our roads and communities safer.
Brittany's mother, Sandi, has written to Governor Cuomo asking that he support Complete Streets and to help it move through the legislature. Leadership from him and other individual assembly members can help move this bill and prevent needless deaths and injuries. Please join Green Options Buffalo and other bicycle pedestrian advocacy efforts across NY and tell your representatives to stand up for safer streets!
Visit www.tstc.org/completestreets/ or visit our tell-a-friend page.
Read Sandi Vega's letter to Governor Cuomo here.
Read more about the complete streets bill on our Mobilizing the Region blog.




It boggles my mind that Main Street, with two major colleges, direct connections to downtown and the waterfront, a mixed-use commercial corridor and as the mass transit spine of the region, was reconstructed without Bicycle Lanes. The area in University Heights is terrible for bicycle travel. If there is anyplace that should have good bicycle accommodations, its there.
Yeah, that would been better than the medians with dead trees. I occasionally do ride on Main in the Heights, and I don't really consider it to be terribly dangerous for a competent bicyclist, but there's no denying that it is stressful.
Regarding Complete Streets legislature, I'm happy it's been passed into law (that's the first step), but I will be even happier when it starts getting enforced when streets are reconstructed. Let's see some new improvements when roads are repaved this summer.
Main St between Hertel and Englewood is a nightmare for bikes, pedestrians, motorcycles, and even drivers. The entire stretch is congested with careless and distracted drivers, walkers, and bikers. It is amazing that more people aren't hurt while traveling that stretch.
two times i've narrowly escaped vehicular manslaughter while on my bike and both with on main street near ub. i agree completely.
Are you this guy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3nMnr8ZirI
just kidding so don't get mad :)