The Albany City Council is considering major changes to its age-old City ordinances on bicycles. It is currently before the “Laws, Buildings and Code Enforcement Committee.”
The Common Council sponsors are Ginnie Farrel and Deborah Zamer. At the request of Council Person Farrell, ABC reviewed the existing City Code and advocated for many of these changes back in 2022.
We invite your thoughtful comments and we hope you will share your comments with the Common Council. The form for comments to the Common Council is here:
Among the changes the proposal are the following:
eliminates the 8-mph speed limit for bicycles
recognizes many forms of active transportation besides bicycles while deleting references to velocipedes – a 19th century predecessor of the modern bicycle
allows restricted use of bicycles and “human powered devices” on sidewalks, but not e-bikes and e-scooters
establishes rules to protect pedestrians and their right of way on sidewalks including a 5-mph sidewalk speed limit for bicycles and human powered devices
eliminates prohibitions on bicycling on park paths
aligns device definitions with NYS law
eliminates requirement that bicyclists ring a bell at every intersection
sets fines and allows impoundment of unregistered “motorized devices” when used on City streets – which apparently would apply to electronic unicycles and e-skateboards
permits bicyclists to congregate in parks
allows teaching how to use a bicycle and other non-motorized vehicles in parks
The Ride – Sixteen happy riders departed from Martell’s Restaurant off New Scotland Ave. for an ABC-hosted tour of the new bike lanes running from O’Neill Rd. to Manning Blvd. After starting at Martel’s on a fine late autumn day, the group headed to Washington Park over Albany city streets with and without bike lanes. They then returned to Martel’s for a total distance of 8 miles. Many of the riders adjourned to Martell’s for refreshments following the ride. You can see the complete route on google maps: From Martell’s to Washington Park and Washington Park back to Martell’s
Safety Talk
The Setting – New Scotland Ave. is a major thoroughfare in the City of Albany for both residents and commuters. Heretofore, it had a strange mix of two- and four-lane segments. There were turn lanes for both right and left turns, but the pavement markings had long ago disappeared. The road surface itself was rough and unpleasant for people in cars and dangerous for bicyclists. The street was also characterized by a number of high-speed, no-holds-barred intersections that presented challenges for both people walking and bicycling as well as those driving cars. For bicyclists, it is only one of two paths into the city from Bethlehem. Neither path is particularly good, but the New Scotland holds a bit more promise. STRAVA data show that many riders used this route perhaps as their only option.
Cruising
The Study – In 2019, St Peter’s Hospital funded a traffic study of New Scotland Ave. from Manning Blvd. to the Thruway bridge at Whitehall Rd. St Peter’s is a major generator of motor vehicle traffic for both its patients and staff. The area surrounding the hospital presents challenges to residents for parking, and the amount of vehicular traffic presents challenges for all road users. Creighton Manning Engineering firm, a longtime partner of city government conducted the study. The city held several public meetings and there was good support for bicycle lanes to replace the unused parking lanes that were presently installed. The bicycle lanes would calm motor vehicle traffic. Curiously, when the final plan came out, it called for retaining the parking and not adding bicycle lanes. Fortunately, and with our gratitude, Meghan Keegan, Common Council Member, 9th Ward, supported the return of the lanes, and installation is now complete. They run from Manning Blvd. to O’Neill Rd., the entrance to the municipal golf course.
These new lanes connect to Manning Blvd. which is to have protected bike lanes per the Albany City Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. Also, the multi-use path on Hackett Blvd. can be accessed from New Scotland Ave. over busy, non-protected streets in just under a mile.
Let’s Ride!
Cyclists can find the new bike lanes, and existing connections, on ABC’s CapitalNYBikeMap.com. Using the map, one can identify “neighborhood routes” to get to favored destinations. The ride might be a bit longer, but the enjoyment will offset that. Nonetheless, the city still needs to create safe connections between these new lanes and existing bicycle infrastructure.
We ask that all friends of safer streets sign the following online petition to tell the Governor that you want her to sign Assemblymember Fahy’s Complete Streets Funding Bill: https://p2a.co/rkhfcrb.
November 18, 2022. Academy Park, Albany, NY. Today, local members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, The Albany Bicycle Coalition, Walkable Albany, Parks & Trails New York, New York Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, family members of traffic violence victims and others gathered in recognition of the victims of traffic violence in the City of Albany and the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
We read the names of pedestrians and cyclists who died in traffic collisions in Albany since 2017. We asked that Albany and New York State take the steps necessary to prevent needless deaths and serious injuries caused by traffic crashes in our City. All the citizens of Albany have a right to safe mobility.
We need action now because traffic violence is getting worse and hitting home.
Nationally, in the past two years, almost 20 percent more people died in traffic crashes, according to National Safety Council (NSC) estimates. That’s 42 thousand people. And the number is rising.
An estimated 7% more people have been killed in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter last year. This may be the highest number of first quarter fatalities in twenty years.
So far in 2022, Albany has seen the senseless loss of Tanisha Brathwaite, Kathleen McBride and Larry Cunningham to traffic violence.
“New Yorkers are at serious risk of injury or death due to rising traffic violence – according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, crashes killing pedestrians increased 46% from 2010 to 2020, compared to just a 5% increase for all other crash fatalities,” said Assemblymember Pat Fahy (D-Albany). “By developing our communities into more walkable, multi-modal transportation-friendly places to be – we’re saving lives and reducing traffic violence by keeping pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists safe on our streets. Specifically, legislation I sponsor that was passed by the state legislature this year to expand the use of complete street design in transportation projects is important to building a more walkable and multi-modal New York and reducing traffic violence. I thank the Albany Bicycle Coalition and Safe Streets Coalition for continuing to bring attention to traffic violence in our communities and advocate for a state where all of us can feel and be safe on our roads.”
We ask that all friends of safer streets sign the following online petition to tell the Governor that you want her to sign Assemblymember Fahy’s Complete Streets Funding Bill: https://p2a.co/rkhfcrb.
Traffic violence is a preventable public health crisis. There are proven steps that can be taken to save lives and prevent serious injuries. On World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, communities all over the globe are organizing events to demand change. This Day of Remembrance was brought to the U.S. by the Families for Safe Streets, a national organization that was founded by the families of loved ones who were killed or injured in crashes in New York. These are the demands we presented to Mayor Sheehan and the Albany City Council to make our roads safer for all that use them:
Reducing the Citywide Speed Limit to 25 MPH. This will prevent collisions and make them less serious. The slower the speed limit the greater the field of vision for drivers and the less devastating the result of any impact. Only 1 in 10 pedestrians will survive a collision at 40 mph. At the current City speed limit of 30 mph 5 out of 10 survive. At 20 mph 9 out of 10 survive.
Making Safety Analysis and Improvement Part of Regular Road Maintenance. Many road departments have a tendency to just repave and repaint streets exactly as they were. This has the effect of preserving existing dangers instead of fixing safety problems when it is most cost effective.
Narrowing Crossing Distances and Daylighting Intersections. State law prohibits parking or standing within 20 feet of a crosswalk or 30 feet of a stop or yield sign, however these laws are routinely ignored. Albany can make intersections safer by actively preventing such parking through deployment of paint, bollards, bike racks, curb extensions and eco-friendly rain gardens. These methods also narrow intersections allowing vulnerable road users to cross roads with less exposure to traffic.
Deploying Speed Humps. The City should expand its test deployment of speed humps to other parts of the City that are troubled by dangerous speeders.
Improving Sidewalks and Crosswalks. The City has too many areas where crosswalks and sidewalks are in a state of neglect or non-existent.
Deploying Pedestrian Priority Traffic Signals. Our busy pedestrian intersections should have a “leading pedestrian interval” when all traffic has a red light to enhance the visibility of pedestrians in the intersection and to reinforce their right-of-way over turning vehicles
Improving Bicycle Infrastructure. Albany needs to do more to separate bicyclists from motor traffic. The City’s major roads should have separate bicycle lanes and preferably protected bicycle lanes.
Albany Must Have a Plan for Implementation of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Master Plan did a great job of identifying needs and solutions for the City’s lackluster bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The City needs a plan of action and budget to address the needs identified.
Deploying Speed Cameras. Speeding has become increasingly problematic since COVID. We have been told our police department is short staffed and has a limited capacity to attend to traffic enforcement. Speed cameras need to be deployed to identify those deadly speeders that our police cannot.
Back in Angle Parking. Reverse angle parking provides safer roadways since drivers are able to see other vehicles and cyclists easier (and much sooner) when exiting out of their parking spots as compared to standard angle parking.
On the state level we asked for the following:
The Governor’s signature on the Complete Streets funding bill passed by the NY Assembly and Senate and sponsored by our own Assemblymember Patricia Fahy.
Passage of the Complete Streets Maintenance Bill so that funding is permitted for cost effective safety improvements during repaving and other maintenance projects.
Passage of the Crash Victims Bill of Rights to guarantee crash victims and their families rights to incident reports and a voice in legal proceedings.
Passage of the Safe Passage Bill requiring drivers to provide a minimum of three feet when passing cyclists.
Passage of an Upstate Speed Camera Bill allowing municipalities outside of New York City to opt for speed cameras to identify deadly speeders.
We recognize that the City of Albany and New York State have taken some steps to improve safety and we appreciate those champions of safe streets that are among our elected and public officials. However, the endless and increasing toll of needless deaths and injuries from traffic violence demands that the above steps be taken, that efforts be redoubled and that greater resources be applied to to prevent these tragedies.
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On Friday, 11/18/22,we will gather to honor the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (which falls on Sunday, 11/20). The Albany Bicycle Coalition,Walkable Albany,Parks and Trails New York, and others will gather at noon in Academy Park at Eagle and Washington Avenues, across Eagle from Albany City Hall, and across Washington Ave from East Capitol Park and the NYS Capitol. We will recognize the victims of traffic violence in the City of Albany and the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. We will read the names of pedestrians and cyclists who have died in traffic collisions in Albany since 2017. We will ask that Albany take the steps necessary to prevent needless deaths and serious injuries caused by traffic crashes in our city.
We ask that the City adopt a Vision Zero Strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. To be effective this Vision Zero Strategy needs to include a regularly updated action plan with action items that are addressed as a normal part of budgeted road and sidewalk work. The City of Hoboken, NJ adopted such a strategy and has not had a traffic death since 2018. Following the example of Hoboken and other cities, these are practical and often inexpensive steps Albany needs to adopt for safe mobility:
Reducing the Citywide Speed Limit to 25 MPH (Hoboken lowered theirs to 20 mph). This will prevent collisions and make them less serious. The slower the speed limit the greater the field of vision for drivers and the less devastating the result of any impact. Only 1 in 10 pedestrians will survive a collision at 40 mph. At the current City speed limit of 30 mph 5 out of 10 survive. At 20 mph 9 out of 10 survive.
Making Safety Analysis and Improvement Part of Regular Road Maintenance. Many road departments have a tendency to just repave and repaint streets exactly as they were. This has the effect of preserving existing dangers instead of fixing safety problems when it is most cost effective.
Narrowing Crossing Distances and Daylighting Intersections. State law prohibits parking or standing within 20 feet of a crosswalk or 30 feet of a stop or yield sign, however these laws are routinely ignored. Like Hoboken, Albany can make intersections safer by actively preventing such parking through deployment of paint, bollards, bike racks, curb extensions and eco-friendly rain gardens. These methods also narrow intersections allowing vulnerable road users to cross roads with less exposure to traffic.
Deploying Speed Humps. The City should expand its test deployment of speed humps to other parts of the City that are troubled by dangerous speeders.
Improving Sidewalks and Crosswalks. The City has too many areas where crosswalks and sidewalks are in disrepair or non-existent.
Deploying Pedestrian Priority Traffic Signals. Our busy pedestrian intersections should have a “leading pedestrian interval” when all traffic has a red light to enhance the visibility of pedestrians in the intersection and to reinforce their right-of-way over turning vehicles
Improving Bicycle Infrastructure. Albany needs to do more to separate bicyclists from motor traffic. The City’s major roads should have separate bicycle lanes and preferably protected bicycle lanes.
Albany Must Have a Plan for Implementation of its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Master Plan did a great job of identifying needs and solutions for the City’s lackluster bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The City needs a plan of action and budget to address the needs identified.
Deploying Speed Cameras. Speeding has become increasingly problematic since COVID. We have been told our police department is also short staffed and has a limited capacity to attend to traffic enforcement. Speed cameras need to be deployed to identify those deadly speeders that our police cannot.
Back in Angle Parking. Reverse angle parking provides safer roadways since drivers are able to see other vehicles and cyclists easier (and much sooner) when exiting out of their parking spots as compared to standard angle parking.
All the citizens of Albany have a right to safe mobility. The Albany Bicycle Coalition is committed to safe cycling and walking in all parts of the city through proper road design, effective signalization, reduction in motor vehicle speed (and thus in the severity of injuries when crashes do occur), strict enforcement of impaired driving rules, removal of judges who go light on traffic violators who put others at risk, revocation of operator’s license for repeat offenders, mandatory and continuous training of law enforcement on bicyclists’ rights, reduction in motor vehicle parking that hinders clear vision or puts use of street space over safety, hiring of investigators skilled in crash assessment and who are not allied with law enforcement or traffic engineering, and programs to educate cyclists in proper and safe riding skills.
Here is the list of victims we remembered (from 2017 on):
February 4, 2017 Rajine Martinez, 21, was struck and killed in a hit and run collision on Washington Park Road at 4am. See Times Union Monday Feb 6th pg A7.
July 22, 2017 Edston J. Kirnon, 42, Bicyclist collided with the side of a CDTA bus on N. Pearl St., Albany.
October 19, 2017 Roger L. Sawyer, age 30, Bicyclist run down by SUV, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany. See Times Union, Saturday, October 21, 2017, Page: D2.
February 20, 2018 Ludmilla Vink, 92, was identified Wednesday as the victim in the fatal car-pedestrian crash on Washington Avenue in Albany. See Times Union Thursday, February 22, 2018; Page: C2
August 8, 2019 Unidentified Pedestrian, 67, A man was seriously injured when he was hit by a truck Thursday near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Dove Streets. The incident happened around 1 p.m. After being treated at the scene by rescuers, the 67-year-old man was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital by ambulance. His condition was not immediately available. Times Union Friday, August 09, 2019, Page: C4
September 24, 2019 Unidentified Pedestrian, 50, man was hit by a car and killed Tuesday evening along Washington Avenue Extension, city police said. Police said they believe the man was walking south and trying to cross when he was struck by a car driving west. Times Union Thursday, September 26, 2019; Page: C5
May 21, 2020 Richard Harmon, 76, hit and killed North Allen and Manning. Times Union, Saturday, May 23, 2020, D3
September 24, 2020 Unidentified Pedestrian Death. Per the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, Pedestrian a pedestrian was killed because of a collision between 7 and 8 pm on Church Street in Albany.
March 2021 Unidentified Pedestrian Death. Per the New York State Traffic Safety Statistical Repository, there was a pedestrian death in Albany during this month, though we could not find a report in the local newspaper.
April 15, 2021 Sa’Nya Blaylock, 16, a student at Albany High School died when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing to the bus stop after her shift at Kentucky Fried Chicken on 1235 Central Avenue
May 2021 Unidentified Pedestrian Death. Per the New York State Traffic Safety Statistical Repository, there was a pedestrian death in Albany during this month, though we could not find a report in the local newspaper.
July 7, 2022 Kathleen McBride, 52, a pedestrian struck by a van. McBride sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene on Central Avenue
This article provided by Guest Blogger Isabella Lovett
Cycling is a popular sport and pastime in New York, where, in New York City, an estimated 787,000 adult residents enjoy a ride at least once a month, as reported in the annual Mayor’s Management Report last year. Bike riding has a wealth of proven health benefits, including stress reduction and the improvement of cardiovascular fitness and strength. It is also a considerably affordable sport, though a bike coupled with clothing, equipment and additional accessories can demand a pretty sum. If you are keen on taking up this sport and want to keep your expenses down, follow these tips to stay safe and have fun on your bike.
Cycling to Work – You may dream of getting away to a green trail or ultra-smooth cycling lane, but if you want to make the most of biking while reducing transport costs of driving to your chosen spot, consider cycling to work. A 2020 study by researchers at the University of Otago found that those who take their bike to work have a 13% reduced mortality rate compared to those who drive their own cars each day. The study, which analyzed data from some 3.5 million cyclists, is one of the largest ever on the subject, showing the extent to which cycling can improve human lives while resulting in a much smaller carbon footprint.
Life Insurance that Covers Cycling – If you do cycle to work, know that most life insurance policies cover cycling. [Ed Note: This is a UK reference] Check any policies you have and if they don’t cover this sport, consider switching to one that does. If, after signing your policy, you decide to take up a sport that is considered riskier — such as BMX riding or downhill mountain biking — you may be under the obligation to let your insurer know. Try to keep your expenses low by obtaining various quotes and receive guidance regarding the type of policy (whole life or term-length) is best for your situation.
Opting for Affordable Gear – There are 20 cool bike trails in Albany, making cross-country and mountain biking popular sports. Because mountain bikes require quality suspension systems, their price can run into the thousands. Lighter carbon-based frames also up the price of bikes compared to traditional alloy. The truth is that for many riders (especially those who enjoy jumps and fast downhill rides), a good bike should be considered an investment. Try to save on gear like, for example, your shoes. There are many excellent cycling shoes that cost less than $100. Gloves, clothing and protective gear can also be bought from budget stores. Some items (e.g. a helmet and good knee and elbow pads) should at the very least have features such as ventilated exoskeletons, so your skin remains dry even during tough workouts.
Flexibility Matters When it Comes to Technology – Some bikes come with incorporated GPS in their handlebars. This is a crucial feature that will ensure you don’t get lost, even when you are negotiating a whole new route. Your phone can double up as a computer. Just use a trustable mount that will keep your phone stable and visible. This gadget is actually an ideal device to have around in the even that you need help and you need to provide a precise location to friends or emergency services.
Cycling is a sport that requires a small investment. Costs include a bike itself, plus protective gear and any device you may need to bring along. Try cutting corners on items like shoes and gadgets, but don’t crimp on suspension or lightness. You will thank yourself every time your ride involves a little uphill work. Finally, don’t leave Albany to enjoy a workout; try urban cycling to work every day to boost longevity and your overall quality of life.
Albany Bicycle Coalition 