Latest news with #ReconnectRochester
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rochester emphasizes pedestrian safety to reduce fatalities
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – According to a report done by Smart Growth America, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the United States has increased by 75% over the past ten years. Over the past few weeks, Monroe County has seen an uptick in pedestrian crashes causing injury, and in one case, killing a 74-year-old woman. That fatality happened on May 23, on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford. Co-executive director of Reconnect Rochester, Cody Donahue, spoke on the roadway and the dangers it can bring. 'Monroe Avenue around the Pittsford Plaza is a very large roadway,' Donahue said. 'It's not designed with pedestrians or cyclists in mind. The roadway design does not lend itself to safe crossing, and it prioritizes cars in general.' According to Donahue, it is up to both the driver and the pedestrian to keep those in the crosswalk safe. For pedestrians, Donahue says to remember to always look both ways when crossing the street, and only cross when you are signaled too. Of course though, the driver holds the majority of the responsibility to keep those crossing the road safe. 'My biggest message to the drivers of Monroe County is to slow down, put down the phone, make sure you're not running red lights, and keep an eye out for people,' says Donahue. 'New York State law says if someone is in a crosswalk, you have to yield to them. Even if you have a green light, you have to yield to the person who is walking through the crosswalk.' To help push the importance of pedestrian safety, Reconnect Rochester host different community events throughout the year, including their 'Complete Street Makeover' and 'Downtown smART Streets'. 'It's a new initiative to paint curb extension murals,' Donahue explained. 'It creates this physical sign to the driver that you need to slow down here, that there may be pedestrians crossing.' You can learn more about Reconnect Rochester and their many safety initiatives on their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rochester declares May bike month to boost traffic safety
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The month of May is officially proclaimed as Bike Month in the City of Rochester. Mayor Malik Evans and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello were joined by representatives of Reconnect Rochester and dozens of bicyclists for the announcement. Rochester says it is committed to providing safe city space for bicyclists with new infrastructure and pathways that address traffic safety concerns while encouraging residents to ride. 'Throughout May, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to experience the joys of bicycling by participating in group rides, races, commuting events, educational programs, or by simply choosing to travel somewhere by bike,' Bello said. May 12 through May 18 is recognized as Bike to Work Week — encouraging residents to use a healthy and efficient way to get to work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Local nonprofit using art to promote pedestrian safety in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Reconnect Rochester, a local nonprofit that promotes accessibility to transportation and safety on the roads, is using art to make streets safer for pedestrians in the city, according to officials who spoke with News 8 on Tuesday. Officials with the organization said that an average of 13 pedestrians are killed on local roads each year, adding that the organization's new 'Downtown SmART Streets' project aims to lower that number. The idea, according to leaders, is to install curb extensions with murals at certain intersections. The extensions shorten crosswalk distances, meaning pedestrians will spend less time in the roadway when crossing, officials said. 'What it does, is it narrows the road a bit. So, from a driving perspective, when you're driving toward a narrow intersection, the natural response is to slow down a little bit, and so, this makes it a little bit safer for pedestrians because vehicle speed is a huge factor in terms of whether a pedestrian is hit by a car, is able to walk that off, or survive that collision,' said Lourdes Sharp, project manager with Reconnect Rochester. State Commission on Reparations looks to public for racial justice solutions during hearing in Rochester The curb extensions will be installed at the East Main and Gibbs Street intersection, and the Broad and Fitzhugh Street intersection to start. Local artists interested in working on the murals can contact Reconnect Rochester by March 22 to apply. Click here to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
