Reconnect Rochester’s Mobility Action Alerts is an email list to engage community members across the city of Rochester in actionable, tangible advocacy and volunteer opportunities involving transportation, safe streets, and bike infrastructure. The alerts are sent out as soon as our team is notified of engagement opportunities including surveys, public meetings, city planning projects and other transportation or mobility-related special events. The Mobility Action Alerts are an opportunity to hold our city officials and other entities accountable for the future of mobility in Rochester.
Active Alerts (Take Action Today!)
Hello Reconnecters! Working in coalition with other like-minded organizations is how we get more done. In line with our transit-supportive land use campaign, we are excited to share three upcoming opportunities to learn about housing and density that makes planning for transportation options easier.
As a reminder:
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It is important that bicycling advocates show up to the New York State Department of Transportation open house about the West Henrietta Road reconstruction project in Brighton and Henrietta. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build connected and safe bike accommodations. Check out the NYSDOT design proposal and our talking points.
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NYSDOT Open House: 680 Westfall Rd on Monday, March 23rd, 4-7 pm
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Reshaping Rochester: How Housing Shapes our Community
Our friends at the Community Design Center Rochester are kicking off their 2026 Reshaping Rochester Series with a panel discussion about housing in Monroe County on March 25th! With rising housing costs, limited supply, and rapid redevelopment across Monroe County, this conversation is especially timely for residents, neighborhoods, and local leaders working to shape a more equitable future. Speakers will share insights drawn from their professional experience and engage in a meaningful panel discussion about housing opportunities and challenges facing our region today.
In-Person Event:
DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (panel discussion 6:30 to 8pm)
LOCATION: The Strong Museum of Play → 1 Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester, NY 14607
TRANSIT OPTIONS: Route 11 (Stop: Woodbury and Chestnut, walk approx. 2 minutes) or a 14 min walk from the Transit Center.
BIKE RACKS: racks are located on Savannah St.
For more information and to register, click here
Irondequoit and Brighton Housing Workshops
Join us for one of two free upcoming workshops on public advocacy for more inclusive and attainable housing! These events will empower you to advocate for change, specifically focusing on increasing “missing middle” housing density and creating stronger, walkable neighborhoods in both the city and suburbs.
What you’ll gain:
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Get the latest updates: Hear about current efforts to advocate for attainable housing and proposed developments throughout Monroe County.
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Develop key talking points: Receive expert guidance and technical support from our coalition members to make your voice heard at local government meetings.
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Join a coalition for change: Connect with others passionate about remediating the effects of redlining in a way that benefits all residents.
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Learn from past and present successes: Explore how housing discrimination has shaped our community and learn about successful advocacy techniques used throughout Rochester’s history.
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Draft a speech: We’ll help you draft a speech to advocate for more housing in your community.
BUILD A BETTER BRIGHTON
This workshop is sponsored by Build a Better Brighton, Temple B’rith Kodesh, Temple Sinai, Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, Asbury First Social Concerns Committee and other members of the Brighton Faith Community in the belief that our community should be accessible for everyone, from teachers and business employees to young families and seniors.
You can now register here for the “Build A Better Brighton” workshop on April 23rd from 5:30-7:30 at Temple B’rith Kodesh. The workshop is specifically focused on housing issues in Brighton.
For more information, refer to the poster attached to this email. To register, click here.
In-Person Event:
DATE: Thursday, April 23, 2026
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Temple B’rith Kodesh → 2131 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618, USA (Please enter through the south entrance at the rear of the building)
TRANSIT OPTIONS: RTS does not directly serve the Temple. It is about a 1 mile walk from the 12 on S. Clinton Ave and Elmwood or the 11 on Monroe Ave and Elmwood.
BIKE RACKS: There are poles in the parking lot suitable to lock a bike to but no racks.
BUILD A BETTER IRONDEQUOIT
This workshop is sponsored by Color Irondequoit Green, ERASE, Walk Bike Irondequoit, and HIPP in the belief that our community should be accessible for everyone, from teachers and business employees to young families and retirees.
This event builds on previous workshops Our Local History has put on in the community about Irondequoit’s legacy of racially restrictive covenants on deeds, providing a chance to learn more and take practical action today.
For more information, refer to the poster attached to this email. To register, click here.
In-Person Event:
DATE: Thursday, April 30, 2026
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Irondequoit Public Library → 1290 Titus Ave Rochester, NY 14617
TRANSIT OPTIONS: Routes 5 or 6 (Stop: Ridge & 1571 Ridge, walk approx 24 minutes) or Routes 2 or 4 (Stop: Irondequoit Plaza Connection Hub, walk approx 27 minutes or take RTS OnDemand to the library)
BIKE RACKS: Covered Bike Racks are available near the building entrance.
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Tell the Governor & Senate/Assembly leadership to Pass Stop Super Speeders in the Budget!
Join us to urge Albany Leadership to pass the Stop Super Speeders Act as part of the state budget. Depending on which version is enacted, this could apply to Rochester and Monroe County as well as NYC. We support it going statewide as it is an important tool to control speeding in the context of Vision Zero efforts. CALL & EMAIL ALL THREE DECISION MAKERS THIS WEEK:
Governor Kathy Hochul: (518) 474-8390 • kathy.Hochul@exec.ny.gov
Governor Hochul: Thank you for your support! Please do everything you can to ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
Speaker Carl Heastie (Assembly): (518) 455-3791 • speaker@nyassembly.gov
Assembly: Please support and ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: (518) 455-2585 • scousins@nysenate.gov
State Senate: Thank you for your support! Please do everything you can to ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
KEY FACTS TO REFERENCE
- 1,090 traffic fatalities in New York in 2024; 31% were speed-related.
- Super speeders are just 0.5% of NYC drivers yet endanger millions.
- Drivers with 16 speed safety camera tickets are 2x more likely to kill on our roads. That number becomes 5x more likely at 21 tickets, and 15x more at 25 speed safety camera tickets.
- Just 10 super speeders endangered 2.5 million New Yorkers in 2025.
- ISA produced a 64% reduction in speeding in NYC’s fleet pilot program.
- Super speeders pay an average of $4,890 in fines — more than 3x the annual cost of ISA.
- Virginia, Washington, and D.C. have already enacted Stop Super Speeders bills. New York can still be a leader.
- Supported by 170+ organizations including NYC Mayor, NYC DOT, NTSB, AAA, AARP-NY, MADD, and more.
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Tell the Governor & Senate/Assembly leadership to fully fund Transit in the New York State Budget!
Last week, the State Senate and State Assembly released their “One House” budgets. While the State Senate requested the full 15% increase for New York State transit systems, the Assembly only requested a 7.5% increase, merely half of what our transit systems need to maintain existing service.
Please click here to send a letter urging the final NYS Budget to Fully Fund our Transit System!
This same week, we are witnessing rising gas prices and will likely see rising costs of groceries and basic necessities in the near future. In times of economic crises, New Yorkers will increasingly rely on public transit to affordably get around. We need to fully fund these systems more than ever.
Join us to urge legislators and Governor Kathy Hochul to fully fund public transit in New York State. As we saw in the recent APTA report, investing $1 billion in public transit yields $5 billion in economic return. But most importantly, public transit is a lifeline for low-income, senior and young New Yorkers who do not drive.
Please click here to send a letter urging the final NYS Budget to Fully Fund our Transit System!
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Hello Reconnecters! It’s easier than ever to see Mobility Action Alerts and to share Actions with your friends and family! We now have a webpage where you can see our active and previously issued Mobility Action Alerts! Check out our webpage and let us know what you think! (www.reconnectrochester.org/mobility-action-alerts)
As a reminder:
- It is important that bicycling advocates show up to the New York State Department of Transportation open house about the West Henrietta Road reconstruction project in Brighton and Henrietta. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build connected and safe bike accommodations. Check out the NYSDOT design proposal and our talking points.
- NYSDOT Open House: 680 Westfall Rd on Monday, March 23rd, 4-7 pm
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Tell the Governor & Senate/Assembly leadership to Pass Stop Super Speeders in the Budget!
Join us to urge Albany Leadership to pass the Stop Super Speeders Act as part of the state budget. Depending on which version is enacted, this could apply to Rochester and Monroe County as well as NYC. We support it going statewide as it is an important tool to control speeding in the context of Vision Zero efforts. CALL & EMAIL ALL THREE DECISION MAKERS THIS WEEK:
Governor Kathy Hochul: (518) 474-8390 • kathy.Hochul@exec.ny.gov
Governor Hochul: Thank you for your support! Please do everything you can to ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
Speaker Carl Heastie (Assembly): (518) 455-3791 • speaker@nyassembly.gov
Assembly: Please support and ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: (518) 455-2585 • scousins@nysenate.gov
State Senate: Thank you for your support! Please do everything you can to ensure Stop Super Speeders is included and signed into law as part of the final FY 2027 budget.
KEY FACTS TO REFERENCE
- 1,090 traffic fatalities in New York in 2024; 31% were speed-related.
- Super speeders are just 0.5% of NYC drivers yet endanger millions.
- Drivers with 16 speed safety camera tickets are 2x more likely to kill on our roads. That number becomes 5x more likely at 21 tickets, and 15x more at 25 speed safety camera tickets.
- Just 10 super speeders endangered 2.5 million New Yorkers in 2025.
- ISA produced a 64% reduction in speeding in NYC’s fleet pilot program.
- Super speeders pay an average of $4,890 in fines — more than 3x the annual cost of ISA.
- Virginia, Washington, and D.C. have already enacted Stop Super Speeders bills. New York can still be a leader.
- Supported by 170+ organizations including NYC Mayor, NYC DOT, NTSB, AAA, AARP-NY, MADD, and more.
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Tell the Governor & Senate/Assembly leadership to fully fund Transit in the New York State Budget!
Last week, the State Senate and State Assembly released their “One House” budgets. While the State Senate requested the full 15% increase for New York State transit systems, the Assembly only requested a 7.5% increase, merely half of what our transit systems need to maintain existing service.
Please click here to send a letter urging the final NYS Budget to Fully Fund our Transit System!
This same week, we are witnessing rising gas prices and will likely see rising costs of groceries and basic necessities in the near future. In times of economic crises, New Yorkers will increasingly rely on public transit to affordably get around. We need to fully fund these systems more than ever.
Join us to urge legislators and Governor Kathy Hochul to fully fund public transit in New York State. As we saw in the recent APTA report, investing $1 billion in public transit yields $5 billion in economic return. But most importantly, public transit is a lifeline for low-income, senior and young New Yorkers who do not drive.
Please click here to send a letter urging the final NYS Budget to Fully Fund our Transit System!
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Previous Alerts Sent Out
Hello Reconnecters! Thank you for your advocacy! In just under two weeks the public will have an opportunity to engage with NYSDOT on a project to reconstruct West Henrietta Road in Brighton and Henrietta! This will not be our last action related to this project so please read the alert, attend the meeting if you can, and stay tuned for more information 🙂
West Henrietta Road Safety Enhancement Project
The New York State Department of Transportation is hosting a public workshop on Monday March 23rd to discuss the West Henrietta Road Safety Enhancement project. This project is a rare reconstruction project which will expand the public right-of-way and present a once in a generation opportunity to create a corridor which is accessible to all. This public meeting is an early opportunity to talk with project designers and emphasize the importance of design elements which support safe walking, biking, and transit along the corridor. There will likely be additional milestones in the design process in the coming year.
High Level Points to Emphasize
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This is a rare reconstruction project which is widening the public right-of-way. Now is the time to build a street for all users. Projects like this are a once in a generation opportunity to build a roadway which accommodates all users. Most road projects we comment on are smaller maintenance projects which do not change the curbs, this project will completely reconstruct the roadway and replace utilities. We have the freedom to put the corridor back together with sidewalks, cycle tracks, proper bus stops, and safe pedestrian crossings.
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This section of West Henrietta road is a key connection in our region’s transportation and job access network, full of businesses and destinations. This is the first roadway identified in the 2023 Monroe County Active Transportation Plan (CATP as a potential active transportation corridor that is up for a reconstruction project. As a reminder, reconstruction projects completely rebuild the roadway and install new curbs. Within the right of way, this presents a huge opportunity to place the new curbs and infrastructure in a way to accommodate all users. Hundreds of jobs are located along the West Henrietta Corridor and thousands are located just beyond, it is critical that this direct corridor is safe for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
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Thank the project team for including a complete sidewalk network on both sides of West Henrietta Road in the proposed design. Adding proper ADA compliant sidewalks as proposed by NYSDOT’s preliminary design will drastically improve mobility along West Henrietta Road.
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The proposed bike accommodations are not sufficient. NYSDOT should include off-street cycle tracks throughout the entire corridor. Five foot shoulders along a high-speed arterial will not welcome cyclists of all ages and abilities. Major reconstruction projects like this provide the opportunity to construct infrastructure which accommodates all ages and all abilities. Children, seniors, and most adults will not feel safe biking in the shoulder. We strongly encourage NYSDOT designers to follow AASHTO’s 2024 Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and include protected bike infrastructure as described in chapter 7.
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Bus stop benches and shelters should be included in this project. We encourage NYSDOT designers to work with RTS to ensure that every bus stop has a dignified place to sit protected from the elements. Bus platforms should also be made large enough to accommodate both front door loading and rear door departure.
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Ensure that every bus stop along NY-15 has a safe marked crossing within 200 feet. At signalized intersections, this includes LPI (Leading Pedestrian Intervals) and NTOR (No Turn On Red) as well as crosswalks along all four legs of each intersection. At key unsignalized intersections and mid-block crossings, we strongly encourage the inclusion of pedestrian islands.
You can find the preliminary design on NYSDOT’s Project Webpage or in the google drive folder linked below:
Project Webpage: https://www.dot.ny.gov/
Google Drive Folder with detailed Preliminary Design (these are from NYSDOT’s project webpage):
https://drive.google.com/
In-Person Meeting:
DATE: Monday, March 23, 2026
TIME: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Empire State University → 680 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620
TRANSIT OPTIONS: RTS Routes 13/17/14 (Stop: E Henrietta/Westfall, walk approx. 15 min) OR route 12 (Stop: Lac De Ville/Lac Kine S, walk approx. 15 min)
BIKE RACKS: A bike rack is located to the right of the main entrance: Google Street View
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Hello Reconnecters! Thank you for your advocacy! Your letters have helped to make a huge impact in our state advocacy. Last week the governor removed her proposal to allow for-hire AVs from the executive budget. We look forward to continuing conversations with lawmakers throughout the legislative session to encourage well designed AV enabling legislation.
Earlier this week, Cody and I spent time urging lawmakers to fully fund transit across upstate NY. If you haven’t already, please feel free to send a letter to your state representatives urging them to fully fund transit: Click here to send a letter.
We will have a more detailed advocacy update coming soon, thank you for your hard work!
City of Rochester ADA Transition Plan
The City of Rochester is collecting input on their draft ADA Transition Plan. The plan estimates the number of ADA barriers and provides the estimated cost to address all barriers citywide. Please take a moment to review the draft ADA Transition Plan and send your comments to Darin Ramsay before the end of the day on March 5th.
Points to emphasize
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Address the issues of snow clearance in the ADA Transition Plan. While the city is examining the issue of snow clearance in the Active Transportation Winter Maintenance Study, part of the Safe Streets and Roads For All Grant, we believe the ADA Transition Plan should explore some possible solutions to sidewalk snow clearance.
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Include recommendations for dedicated operations dollars and staff capacity to enable our ADA plan to flourish. The plan does a good job at identifying barriers and estimating the costs of capital infrastructure improvements but does not include recommendations on dedicated staff capacity or recurring operations dollars. Identifying these ongoing needs will be important for advocates who want the plan to be implemented well on a recurring basis.
ADA Transition Plan Project Webpage: https://www.cityofrochester.
Draft ADA Transition Plan: https://www.cityofrochester.
Please send your comments to the city’s project manager Darin Ramsay by email at darin.ramsay@cityofrochester.
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Hello Reconnecters! We still have three letter-writing campaigns open. These have been included in previous Mobility Action Alerts:
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Send NYSDOT and elected officials your input on the Monroe Avenue redesign: Click this link for more information.
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Send a letter to your NYS representatives and the Governor’s office about a proposed Autonomous Vehicle authorization in New York State.
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Send a letter to the Governor and State Legislatures to fully fund transit: Click here to send a letter.
Virtual book talk with Carter Lavin, author of: If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
Want safer streets, better buses, or high-speed rail? Carter Lavin—transportation advocate and author of If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy (Island Press)—shows you how to turn big ideas into real change. With lessons, tactics, and stories from campaigns across the country, this is your roadmap to effective transportation advocacy.
While Carter will be speaking virtually, you can join us at our offices at Harro East. 400 Andrews Street Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14604 OR on Zoom (details to be provided to registrants in advance of the event).
Click the link below to register!
https://docs.google.com/forms/
Town of Penfield Active Transportation Plan Public Meeting
The Town of Penfield is hosting a public meeting to present their draft Active Transportation Plan. If you walk, bike, or roll in the town, this is a great opportunity to come share your thoughts about the plan. More information can be found here: www.penfieldny.gov/detail_T12_
Points to emphasize
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The Town of Penfield should push County DOT and NYSDOT hard on road diets and dedicated bike infrastructure to achieve active transportation goals.
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More sidewalks; continue to invest in trails
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Right now, cyclists are prohibited from riding on Penfield trails. This should change. Trails can be upgraded & widened over time.
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Slower speed limits
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Allow e-bikes to be ridden on roads in the Town with speed limits greater than 30 mph.
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Empire & Browncroft need radical changes so they safely serve more than motorists
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There’s no need for Penfield’s code about bike helmets to be more restrictive than state law. (State law is that all cyclists under the age of 14 need a helmet. In Penfield: everyone.)
In-Person Meeting:
DATE: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
TIME: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Penfield Community Recreation Center → 1985 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 14526
TRANSIT OPTIONS: This isn’t a great connection, but we wanted to at least let you know… Riders from the Transit Center would need to take the 8 or the 10 to the Blossom Loop Connection Hub and then take the 50 bus to (Penfield/1795 Penfield) and then walk for roughly 30 minutes.
BIKE RACKS: Bike parking is available to the right of the main entrance: Google Street View
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Hello Reconnecters! We still have two letter-writing campaigns open.
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Send NYSDOT and elected officials your input on the Monroe Avenue redesign: Click this link for more information.
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Send a letter to your NYS representatives and the Governor’s office about a proposed Autonomous Vehicle authorization in New York State.
Transit Equity
Happy Transit Equity Day, Feb. 4th, celebrated in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday. Today we’re issuing a call to New York State to fully fund our public transportation system:
Click the link below to send a letter to the Governor and State Legislatures to fully fund transit!
https://actionnetwork.org/
Tell Congress: This technology could save lives
We are amplifying a League of American Bicyclists action item: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is currently developing its portion of the next transportation bill. The Magnus White and Safer Streets for Everyone Act would require new vehicles to automatically brake when a cyclist or pedestrian is detected by being equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems capable of detecting and responding to vulnerable road users.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other research, AEB could reduce bicycle-vehicle crashes by 26-50% and reduce bicyclist deaths by 50-80%.
The Magnus White and Safer Streets for Everyone Act is named in honor of Magnus White, a 17-year-old competitive cyclist who was killed by a driver while training to compete for the U.S. in the Mountain Bike World Championships. Cyclist-AEB can prevent future tragedies due to drunk, drowsy, or distracted driving by ensuring that the vehicle itself can give cyclists a brake.
Take action now to tell Congress cyclist-AEB saves lives!
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Cody
Hello Reconnecters! Thank you for sending your feedback to NYSDOT about Monroe Ave! So far over 70 people have taken the time to send 355 letters to NYSDOT, local lawmakers, and state representatives about Monroe Ave! If you haven’t sent your letter there is still time! Click this link for more information.
Autonomous Vehicle Legalization
The Governor’s FY2027 budget proposes to allow for-hire Autonomous Vehicle (AV) operation in New York State outside of NYC. A scaled AV taxi deployment could hinder emergency response, decimate public transit ridership, and fill our streets with traffic by doubling vehicle miles traveled. We must make sure that any AV legislation requires public data reporting, accountability, and sufficient local and state level oversight to ensure the safety of all road users across New York State. If you live in New York State, lawmakers need to hear your voice to urge for a cautious and well thought out AV legalization!
Click the link below to send a letter to your NYS representatives and the Governor’s office!
https://actionnetwork.org/
Individual Transportation Challenges Survey
Do you have transportation challenges getting to work or job training opportunities? Reconnect Rochester and our community partners are looking into solutions and we want to hear more about your needs and experiences. Take 5 minutes to fill out the Individual Transportation Challenges Survey (by February 28), and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Individual Survey Link: https://forms.gle/
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Hello Reconnecters! Thank you to everyone who attended NYSDOT’s public meeting about Monroe Ave in Brighton on Tuesday January 20th. Your advocacy is essential to build safe state roads for all but especially for vulnerable road users. We have a follow up action for the Monroe Ave project in this alert and more actions coming soon centered on the NY State budget. Thank you for your advocacy!
Monroe Ave Action
The New York State Department of Transportation is planning a road project on Monroe Ave in the Town of Brighton. This project presents the opportunity to implement significant safety improvements including a road diet which has been discussed for decades. NYSDOT’s preliminary design includes a road diet but project engineers need to hear from you to make this and several other safety elements a reality.
Now is the time to send your comments to the New York State Department of Transportation design team. If you spend any time along Monroe Ave, use our Action Network link below to customize a letter to share your feedback. Even if you attended the public meeting, sending a letter with comments is important, especially if you did not write these comments down at the meeting.
Click the link below to send a letter to NYSDOT and your local elected officials!
https://actionnetwork.org/
More details & the preliminary design can be found on the NYSDOT Project website:
https://www.dot.ny.gov/
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
Happy New Year Reconnecters! We hope you had a happy holiday season!
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Tomorrow (Friday January 9th) we will be rescreening 2017’s Rochester Street Films: Winter Edition at our office (400 Andrews Street) focused on winter advocacy and practical tips for biking in colder months. For more information and to register click here!
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The New York State Legislature is back in session and we will have a mobility action alert out soon to let you know how you can help push lawmakers to make our streets safe.
Monroe Ave in Brighton Public Open House
The New York State Department of Transportation will be hosting a Public Open House on Tuesday, January 20th from 4pm to 7pm to answer questions and take public input about the upcoming re-milling of Monroe Ave (NY-31) in the Town of Brighton. This road project is an opportunity to implement significant safety improvements for all modes.
More details can be found on the NYSDOT Project website:
https://www.dot.ny.gov/
Advocacy Opportunities:
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Thank the project team for including a road diet for the majority of the roadway and ask for it to be continued through the twelve corners intersection. Road diets can reduce crashes by an average of 30% offering huge safety improvements. Ask project designers to continue the diet through the 12 Corners intersection to maintain safety benefits. Extra space can be used to accommodate dedicated turn lanes and to restore a tree lawn between the roadway and the sidewalk.
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Lower Monroe Avenue’s Speed Limit to 30 Miles Per Hour. We know that slower speeds will save lives, especially on corridors with high pedestrian activity such as Monroe Ave. According to the USDOT, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 32 MPH has a 25% risk of death. This balloons to 50% risk of death when struck at 42 MPH. The Town of Brighton has already lowered its residential speed limit to 25 MPH. In the City of Rochester, Monroe Ave already drops to a speed limit of 30 MPH and the city is actively considering lowering it to 25 MPH as part of its Vision Zero program. In the draft New York State Transportation Plan, NYSDOT is planning to adopt the safe system approach through “setting appropriate speed-limits (which can include lowering speed limits)” (NYSDOT 2050 page 69). NYSDOT engineers will save lives by lowering the speed limit and designing Monroe Avenue for slower speeds.
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Add Pedestrian Islands at key unsignalized intersections. The proposed road diet offers an incredible opportunity to include pedestrian islands throughout the corridor as the two-way-turn-lane can be used near bus stops to facilitate safe crossings. We recommend that designers investigate the inclusion of five pedestrian islands in the project area at the following locations: Monroe Parkway, Hampshire Drive, Continental Drive, St Regis Drive N, and 1392 Monroe Ave. All of these locations are adjacent to bus stops and significant pedestrian destinations such as congregations/religious centers, schools, significant apartment complexes, and commercial hubs. These islands would not only serve these destinations and bus stops but would be a massive improvement to pedestrian safety by simplifying crossings and strengthening the network. Every bus stop should have a safe pedestrian crossing nearby.
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Ensure that every bus stop along NY-31 in Brighton has a safe marked crossing. At signalized intersections, this means including LPI and NTOR as well as crosswalks along all four legs of the intersection. At unsignalized intersections, this means including pedestrian islands as discussed above.
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Ensure Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) and No-Turn-On-Red (NTOR) restrictions are implemented at every signalized intersection along the corridor. LPIs do not require any additional infrastructure, only a reprogramming of signals to allow pedestrians a 3-7 second head start before vehicles are given a green light. This helps to communicate right-of-way, increase visibility of pedestrians, increase motorist yielding, and reduce crashes. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has found that LPIs reduce crashes by 13%. We also recommend implementing no-turn-on-red restrictions (NTOR) to increase driver yielding and reduce the number of crashes with pedestrians. A 2022 study published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers found that NTOR led to a 92% decline in the number of drivers that failed to yield to pedestrians.
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Prioritize Bike Boulevard Connections. The Monroe County Active Transportation Plan calls for Monroe Avenue to be part of the county’s Active Transportation Network. If protected bike lanes are not feasible in this project, it is critical that all four intersections where bike boulevards cross Monroe Ave are given safe crossings with signals that recognize vulnerable road users. We strongly encourage engineers to use minimum lane widths (10’ travel lanes and 11’ two-way-turn lanes) to maximize the shoulder space available for cyclists.
In-Person Meeting:
DATE: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
TIME: Anytime between 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Empire State University → 680 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620
TRANSIT OPTIONS: RTS Routes 13/17/14 (Stop: E Henrietta/Westfall, walk approx. 15 min) OR route 12 (Stop: Lac De Ville/Lac Kine S, walk approx. 15 min)
BIKE RACKS: A bike rack is located to the right of the main entrance: Google Street View
Redman Rd & 4th Section Rd Public Open House
The New York State Department of Transportation will be hosting a Public Open House on Tuesday, January 13th from 4pm to 6pm at the Sweden Town Hall to answer questions and take public input about the proposed intersection safety improvement project. NYSDOT is planning to reconstruct the intersection to build a modern roundabout.
More details can be found on the NYSDOT Press Release:
https://www.dot.ny.gov/portal/
Advocacy Opportunities:
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Roundabouts are great! We are happy to see NYSDOT increasingly implement modern safe intersection designs such as roundabouts. The Federal Highway Administration has found that roundabouts can reduce fatal and injury crashes by 78% as compared to signalized intersections.
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Encourage designers to extend sidewalks as far as funding allows.
In-Person Meeting:
DATE: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
TIME: Anytime between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Sweden Town Hall → 18 State Street, Brockport NY, 14420
TRANSIT OPTIONS: Riders who live within the Brockport RTS OnDemmand zone are able to use the service. Find out more here.
BIKE RACKS: Town Hall does not appear to have a bike rack but you could lock a bike to this sign post.
Thank you for your advocacy!
-Henry
“There will never be a bell loud enough, a helmet strong enough or clothing bright enough to make up for poor infrastructure. Never.”
–Tom Flood, Bicycle Advocate