![Sidewalk off Mt. Hope [Photo: Brenda Massie]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/snow-sidewalk-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
Posted by: board member Renee Stetzer, pedestrian safety advocate and blogger at RocVille.com
It’s been a tough winter for anyone having to be outside in Rochester. Transit riders have to hike over ice encrusted snow drifts and stand in streets, because their stops are buried. Pedestrians have to wear crampons to trudge across the uneven icy places where sidewalks once were. Those who are less steady, have things to carry or have to walk with assistance, have been forced to use the plowed streets. Cyclists hold on as they brave traffic, since the bike lanes are no longer there. And drivers cautiously turn corners blocked by snowbanks higher than their cars, taking turns on residential streets with only enough room for one car at a time. But the people walking out in the elements have clearly been given the lowest priority of attention.


![Now would be a good time to contact your State Senator and Assembly member to request that they support increased transit funding in the state budget. [PHOTO: RTS]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/rts-bus-cornhill.jpg)

![Who's responsible for clearing sidewalks of snow? All of us! [PHOTO: gam9551, Flickr]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/snow-removal-01.jpg)
![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)
![Do Red Light Cameras Make Rochester Streets Safer? [PHOTO: Yousuf Fahimuddin]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-red-light-camera-03.jpg)





![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)



![Rochester Extends Right Light Camera Program [PHOTO: Renee Stetzer]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-red-light-camera-02.jpg)
![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)

![New Citywide 25MPH Speed Limit in NYC. [PHOTO: Vision Zero, NYC.gov]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/speed_limit_25.jpg)