2014 the Safest Year to Be a Pedestrian in NYC Since 1910
![In June, the New York State legislature passed a bill to let NYC lower its default limit to 25mph. Lowering speed limits is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero plan. [PHOTO: Michael Tapp, Flickr]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/new-york-city-speed-limit-law-02.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
This month marks the one year anniversary of New York City’s ambitious Vision Zero campaign 
, a plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by the year 2024.
As part of the effort , traffic calming and street design measures were implemented, bike lanes were expanded, speed cameras were installed in school zones, the citywide default speed limit was reduced to 25 mph, arterial slow zones were established, public education and awareness were ramped up and the NYPD significantly stepped up enforcement and ticketing for traffic violations. It’s an effort that requires all people, regardless of how they traverse those streets to rethink how they drive, walk and ride about their daily lives. It requires a shift in the culture of getting about in NYC, which is no easy task.
So, one year later, is the campaign making a difference?
City Council Approves Additional Red Light Camera Study
![Do Red Light Cameras Make Rochester Streets Safer? [PHOTO: Yousuf Fahimuddin]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-red-light-camera-03.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
Last week, the City Council approved further study of Rochester’s red light camera program. This isn’t a brand new study, but an expansion of the study that was released in November. The results of that study indicated a reduction in the number of accidents at 22 intersections that have red light cameras. Two intersections had no changes in the collision rates before and after the cameras were installed. And 8 intersections had an increase in the number of collisions. Those 8 intersections are the subject of the expanded study, as well as whether the cameras could be tied into traffic signals to help reduce operation costs…
Parking Summit This Wednesday
Posted by: Mike Governale, president and co-founder of Reconnect Rochester
This Wednesday, 5:30 – 7:00pm at the Penthouse (1 East Avenue – 11th Floor) you are invited to attend a Downtown Parking Summit hosted by the City of Rochester. But this is not a meeting to discuss how we create more parking. We’ve tried that before, and it nearly killed our city.
Reconnect Rochester recognizes the importance of having an adequate supply of downtown parking. However, we believe parking should be one component to a much larger, diverse plan to improve access to downtown…
Help needed this week on restoring the transit commuter benefit
Via: National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA)
The Commuter Tax Benefit program allows commuters the opportunity to pay for a portion of their commuting expenses with pre-tax dollars. As of January 2014, federal tax law allows commuters to set aside $250 for qualified parking expenses (an increase over the previous year). But workers who use public transit saw their monthly limit shrink from $245 to $130 per month.
This imbalance in the tax code means that transit users could pay as much as $565 in higher taxes annually, while creating a perverse favoritism in the tax code for automobile commuters. As fellow transit advocates, we need you to email your Members of Congress and ask that this commuter tax imbalance be fixed…
Bus Stop Cubes Are Winning Community Support
Posted by: Mike Governale, president and co-founder of Reconnect Rochester
Last month we unveiled an idea to put seating at area bus stops. Our little CUBE seats have since garnered local and national attention, and we’ve also been approached by The Harley School, Rochester Community Design Center, and The Strong National Museum of Play about partnering to make this idea a reality! Today, Rochester Transit Service (RTS) official threw their support behind the cubes as well…
Welcome Ms. Rachel Barnhart
Posted by: Mike Governale, president and co-founder of Reconnect Rochester
Reconnect Rochester has some terrific news to share. Made official last week with a unanimous vote, Ms. Rachel Barnhart has become the newest member of our Board of Directors!
Mike Governale Nominated for Strasenburgh Activism Award
![Mike was among the 2014 nominees for the Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism. [PHOTO: John Derycke]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/mike-governale-01.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
The Rochester Community Design Center hosted the fourth annual Reshaping Rochester Awards luncheon this week and we had a table full of Reconnect Rochester board members there to support one of our own – Mike Governale.
Mike was among the nominees for the Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism . He did not win the award, but I’ll get to that in a moment…
Bus Stop Cubes: a place to rest while you wait
Posted by: Mike Governale, president and co-founder of Reconnect Rochester
Anyone who has ever used public transportation in Rochester is painfully aware of two things: At some point will have to wait for your bus, and when you do, you will probably be standing. But now, Reconnect Rochester is aiming to come up with a solution…
NEW Board Members: Welcome Renee Stetzer and Phillip Borrelli
We are super excited to announce the addition of Renee Stetzer and Phillip Borrelli to the Reconnect Rochester Board of Directors!
• • •
Renee Stetzer
Renee Stetzer will serve as head of Reconnect Rochester’s Pedestrian Safety & Complete Streets committee and has already begun to lead community efforts on this front.
Renee is a public relations and branding professional with over 15 years experience in the communications industry. She started her career as an analyst and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College. She worked for Fleishman-Hillard International Communications in Washington DC for many years before relocating to Rochester, where she provides PR, social media and research support for an online marketing firm and a local food organization. She is a pedestrian advocate and co-founder of Rocville.com , an online community resource devoted to improving the quality of urban life for Rochesterians by advocating for more walkable, vibrant neighborhoods.
She currently serves on the board for The Horizons Student Enrichment Program, a summer learning program for low income City of Rochester students. She is an avid runner and swimmer. And she’s a big fan of vegetables and front porches.
• • •
Phillip G. Borrelli
As a Rochester NY-based attorney, Phillip Borrelli has served Reconnect Rochester in an advisory role since the group’s inception. He has since successfully guided the organization through the process of establishing its non-profit status.
Phillip focuses his practice on affordable housing, and historic preservation. Phillip is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo School of Law and is admitted to the New York State bar. In 2012, Phillip opened his own law practice, and in 2014 he partnered with Jason Yots to form Borrelli & Yots PLLC .
Rochester Extends Red Light Camera Program
![Rochester Extends Right Light Camera Program [PHOTO: Renee Stetzer]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-red-light-camera-02.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
Last night the City Council approved the extension of Rochester’s red light camera program until December 2019. The 6 to 3 vote was originally scheduled for September, but postponed when the results of the red light camera study were not yet available. The official report was released last week…
Help Move Us Into 2015
![Reconnect Rochester needs your support to keep rolling in 2015. [PHOTO: John Derycke]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rr2014-roc-transit-day-01.jpg)
Posted by: Mike Governale, President, Reconnect Rochester
Have you been following Reconnect Rochester over the past few years? Do you like the idea of increased transit options and walkable, more vibrant neighborhoods? If so, please consider making a year-end contribution and keep us rolling into 2015…
New Citywide 25MPH Speed Limit in NYC
![New Citywide 25MPH Speed Limit in NYC. [PHOTO: Vision Zero, NYC.gov]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/speed_limit_25.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
New York City’s new lower citywide speed limit goes into effect today. In June the NY State legislature passed a bill that allowed NYC to lower its default speed limit to 25mph . Part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic fatalities, the new lower default speed limit was approved by the City Council in October and signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio last week. And the new 25mph signs are going up today…
City Council to Vote to Extend Red Light Camera Program
![Last week Governor Andrew Cuomo granted permission for several cities and counties in New York, including Rochester, to begin or continue red light camera programs until 2019. [PHOTO: FringeHog, Flickr]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-red-light-camera-01.jpg)
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
The City Council will vote to extend the red light camera program on October 14th. Rochester began its program in 2010 and there are currently cameras installed at over 30 intersections. The city recently completed its second study on the impact the cameras have on traffic accidents at intersections with cameras. Although the official report is not yet available to the public, some draft findings were shared at a City Council meeting in August. Here are a few…
Read more
RTS Unveils Bus Stop Changes
![RTS has announced several changes, including new bus stop signs and route numbers. [IMAGE: Rochester Transit Service]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/bso-rts-new-bus-stop-sign-01.jpg)
RTS on Thursday announced several changes to its bus routes and stops. Changes to routes and route numbers will be made in conjunction with the opening of the RTS Transit Center on November 28, 2014. In addition, new bus stop signage will be installed system wide in 2015. Here’s what you’ll need to know…
Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism
On Monday, September 29, Reconnect Rochester will host a discussion with author and transit advocate Benjamin Ross. Mr. Ross will be at the Public Library on Monroe Ave. at 6:30 p.m. to talk about his new book, Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism . Afterwards, follow us across the street to Aladdin’s for more conversation with Ross, and enjoy some free munchies courtesy of Reconnect Rochester. Please join this free event on Facebook and bring a friend or two. We hope to see you there!
Cuomo Approves Red Light Cameras Through 2019
Posted by: Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
Last week Governor Andrew Cuomo granted permission for several cities and counties in New York, including Rochester, to begin or continue red light camera programs until 2019. Red light camera programs remain a controversial topic, but cities all over the country are choosing to continue their programs as they strive to make their streets safer for all who traverse them. New York City Mayor de Blasio is leading the charge in our state with his Vision Zero plan, a multi-faceted approach to reducing traffic fatalities – and red light cameras are one of those facets…
ROC Transit Day Reflection: Birding By Bus
![ROC Transit Day 2014 gives Rochesterians an excuse for a 'stay-cation'. [PHOTO: Jason & Stefanie Schwingle]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/roc-transit-day-stay-cation-2014-01.jpg)
Posted by: Brenda Massie, Board Member and Secretary, Reconnect Rochester.
As July winds down, I find myself thinking about how summers in Rochester fly by. Already, one month has passed since our annual ROC Transit Day. This year brought new merchants and vendors, new fun events like the swing dance and treasure hunt; but more importantly, a new wave of enthusiasm for public transit.
As the Secretary of Reconnect, I sometimes find myself trying to convince people that using public transit can be an enjoyable and even fun way to get around. I tell them if you ride the bus you may meet people and see things you may not have noticed if you were driving in a car.
So, when I received the following email titled “Birding By Bus” from a brave neighbor that decided to try the bus on ROC Transit Day, I felt inclined to share. These ROC Transit Day-ers used their passes to have an unexpected stay-cation and noticed some wonderful things about our City along the way…
RTS Will Propose Suburban Park & Ride Route Changes
![Park & Changes are coming. [PHOTO: RGRTA]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-park-and-ride-01.jpg)
Customers and community are invited to weigh-in about proposed improvements at Information Sessions and Public Hearing.
RTS is proposing changes to all Suburban Park & Ride routes and is inviting the public to ask questions and provide feedback at two Information Sessions and a Public Hearing…
Design-build team selected for Rochester’s new intermodal station
A team of contractors led by The Pike Co. Inc. has been designated to design and build the new intermodal transportation center in Rochester, N.Y., New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald and U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) announced yesterday.
In addition to Rochester-based Pike, design-build team members include LaBella Associates, Kisan Engineering, Moffat & Nichol Engineering, Foundation Design, Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect and Atlantic Testing Laboratories.
A final contract and cost will be negotiated this summer, NYSDOT officials said in a press release. The agreement requires the state attorney general and comptroller’s approval.