The city officially adopted the new speed limit and complete streets policy today. I am truly stunned that we actually pulled this off and it is entirely because of the community that pushed for change alongside me. Please keep an eye on the local rollout to ensure these plans become …
March 26, 2021
Final supporters
Every Schenectady neighborhood has streets that are unsafe for pedestrians and bike riders due to poor design, neglected maintenance and inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws. It's made worse by speeding, which is a problem in every city neighborhood. And, sidewalks are often in such poor condition that people have to walk in the street.
Schenectady lags behind other cities in the region in providing marked crosswalks, bike lanes and other facilities that make a city truly walkable. These are fixable problems, but it takes a commitment from the community to get it done.
Schenectady United Neighborhoods, Cycle Schenectady and other organizations below have formed the Safe Streets Coalition to to make our City safe for pedestrians and cyclists. We call on Mayor McCarthy and the City Council to begin that process by adopting complete streets policies and reducing the citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. Our goal is a city where the streets are accessible and safe for everyone, not just those in cars.
Properly designed streets promote good health while increasing mobility. At the same time, they can help clean the air and fight global warming by reducing vehicle miles traveled.
This is also an equity issue. Schenectady’s lower-income neighborhoods contain higher proportions of children, elderly, and people with disabilities. These groups often rely on public transit and don’t have cars. It isn’t fair that age, disability or poverty should put many city residents at greater risk of being seriously injured or killed by a speeding vehicle.
Area economic development agencies recognize the value of walkability and bicycle facilities in attracting new businesses and new residents, including young professionals, to the city. Complete streets provide an opportunity to build on the progress made downtown by attracting new households and businesses to Schenectady. A walkable city is an economically viable city.
Police enforcement is one way to create safer streets, but police efforts are hindered by streets designed for high speeds. Design strategies to slow down traffic and make our streets safe for ALL pedestrians and bike riders should be adopted in all parts of the city. Our members have lots of ideas for how to make streets safe and we are ready to share them with city officials and staff. It can be less costly and more effective than relying on police enforcement alone.
Safe streets create a healthier and more equitable community, a better business climate and stronger tax base. We are ready to help identify funding sources that promote SAFE STREETS for EVERYONE!
As signers of this letter, we are requesting the City of Schenectady to join with us to improve the quality of life in our city by making it safer for walking and biking. It is time to tackle this problem, and time for the Mayor and Council to show they care about all city residents.
Updates
January 21, 2021
I have been overwhelmed by the messages coming in from neighbors who share these same frustrations about our roads. It is truly humbling to see so many people taking time to highlight the urgent need for safer crosswalks and lower speeds. Your experiences prove that this is not just a handful of people wanting change but a whole city ready for better streets.
January 21, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gained lately. This movement is truly yours because you are the ones pushing for these changes in our neighborhoods.
Reached 100 supporters
January 21, 2021
61 Comments
McClellan Street, between Rugby Rd and Grand Blvd, near SHS, is a warm weather race track. Motorbikes & cars. Desperately needs traffic calming intervention.
Keep pedestrians from having to walk in the street in winter (when it's especially dangerous) by enforcing the sidewalk-shoveling law.
The intersection by Front and Church is truly atrocious. We’ve seen many near misses that could be cured by a three way stop. Very simple.
Very concerned about the safety of cyclists throughout Schenectady. As an example I find cycling Front St to Mohawk Harbor by bike (before bike path) is be very dangerous.
I fully support reducing the speed limit to a sensible 25 miles per hour. Many cities and localities have benefited in innumerable ways from implementing lower speed limits. Let’s take an easy win!
its about time we reduce the speed in the city----people drive way too fast!
Rabbi Cong. Gates of Heaven 852 Ashmore Ave.
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The city officially adopted the new speed limit and complete streets policy today. I am truly stunned that we actually pulled this off and it is entirely because of the community that pushed for change alongside me. Please keep an eye on the local rollout to ensure these plans become …
March 26, 2021
Final supporters
Every Schenectady neighborhood has streets that are unsafe for pedestrians and bike riders due to poor design, neglected maintenance and inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws. It's made worse by speeding, which is a problem in every city neighborhood. And, sidewalks are often in such poor condition that people have to walk in the street.
Schenectady lags behind other cities in the region in providing marked crosswalks, bike lanes and other facilities that make a city truly walkable. These are fixable problems, but it takes a commitment from the community to get it done.
Schenectady United Neighborhoods, Cycle Schenectady and other organizations below have formed the Safe Streets Coalition to to make our City safe for pedestrians and cyclists. We call on Mayor McCarthy and the City Council to begin that process by adopting complete streets policies and reducing the citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. Our goal is a city where the streets are accessible and safe for everyone, not just those in cars.
Properly designed streets promote good health while increasing mobility. At the same time, they can help clean the air and fight global warming by reducing vehicle miles traveled.
This is also an equity issue. Schenectady’s lower-income neighborhoods contain higher proportions of children, elderly, and people with disabilities. These groups often rely on public transit and don’t have cars. It isn’t fair that age, disability or poverty should put many city residents at greater risk of being seriously injured or killed by a speeding vehicle.
Area economic development agencies recognize the value of walkability and bicycle facilities in attracting new businesses and new residents, including young professionals, to the city. Complete streets provide an opportunity to build on the progress made downtown by attracting new households and businesses to Schenectady. A walkable city is an economically viable city.
Police enforcement is one way to create safer streets, but police efforts are hindered by streets designed for high speeds. Design strategies to slow down traffic and make our streets safe for ALL pedestrians and bike riders should be adopted in all parts of the city. Our members have lots of ideas for how to make streets safe and we are ready to share them with city officials and staff. It can be less costly and more effective than relying on police enforcement alone.
Safe streets create a healthier and more equitable community, a better business climate and stronger tax base. We are ready to help identify funding sources that promote SAFE STREETS for EVERYONE!
As signers of this letter, we are requesting the City of Schenectady to join with us to improve the quality of life in our city by making it safer for walking and biking. It is time to tackle this problem, and time for the Mayor and Council to show they care about all city residents.
Updates
January 21, 2021
I have been overwhelmed by the messages coming in from neighbors who share these same frustrations about our roads. It is truly humbling to see so many people taking time to highlight the urgent need for safer crosswalks and lower speeds. Your experiences prove that this is not just a handful of people wanting change but a whole city ready for better streets.
January 21, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by the momentum this has gained lately. This movement is truly yours because you are the ones pushing for these changes in our neighborhoods.
Reached 100 supporters
January 21, 2021
61 Comments
Please look into Norwood ave used as speed strip. Also pedestrian crosswAlk at st Luke’s church state street traffic rather knock u down than stop and yield to person at crosswalk. Busy area church McDonald’s and bus stops.
McClellan Street, between Rugby Rd and Grand Blvd, near SHS, is a warm weather race track. Motorbikes & cars. Desperately needs traffic calming intervention.
Keep pedestrians from having to walk in the street in winter (when it's especially dangerous) by enforcing the sidewalk-shoveling law.
The intersection by Front and Church is truly atrocious. We’ve seen many near misses that could be cured by a three way stop. Very simple.
Very concerned about the safety of cyclists throughout Schenectady. As an example I find cycling Front St to Mohawk Harbor by bike (before bike path) is be very dangerous.
I fully support reducing the speed limit to a sensible 25 miles per hour. Many cities and localities have benefited in innumerable ways from implementing lower speed limits. Let’s take an easy win!
its about time we reduce the speed in the city----people drive way too fast!
Rabbi Cong. Gates of Heaven 852 Ashmore Ave.
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Please look into Norwood ave used as speed strip. Also pedestrian crosswAlk at st Luke’s church state street traffic rather knock u down than stop and yield to person at crosswalk. Busy area church McDonald’s and bus stops.