NYS Safe Streets Coalition Statement After NYS Legislature Advances Two Key Measures in Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act

Senate passage of complete streets funding bill follows unanimous passage in Assembly

Assembly passes bill allowing 25 mph speed limits outside of New York City unanimously

ALBANY, NY — Safe streets advocates celebrated today following the NYS Senate’s passage of S3897, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kennedy, which increases state funding when municipalities implement complete streets features — these include elements such as bike lanes, pedestrian space, and traffic calming measures — and the NYS Assembly’s passage of A01007, which allows municipalities outside of New York City to lower speed limits on streets to 25 mph. 

On May 23, the New York State Assembly unanimously passed A8936, the Assembly version of the complete streets funding bill in a strong show of support for combatting rising traffic crashes across the state. This measure will now go to Governor Hochul’s desk.

Statement from Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo:

“Today’s vote by the New York State Senate is a huge victory for complete streets across New York State. By passing the complete streets funding bill from the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, municipalities across the state can access more funding to build safe, healthy streets. We urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law without delay and for the New York State Legislature to advance and pass the full package before the session ends this week.”

Statement from Margaret Johnson, Director of Bike Walk Tompkins:

“With the Assembly’s passage of A01007, we’re one step closer to empowering communities across New York State to lower their speed limits to 25 mph. With bike and pedestrian crashes on the rise across the state, lower speed limits will save lives. When New York City was given permission by Albany in 2014 to lower the speed limit to 25 mph, pedestrian fatalities fell by more than 25 percent in the first year of the change. Now, it's Upstate's turn. We urge the NYS Senate to advance and pass this bill, and the entire legislature to pass the full Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, before the session ends this week.”