ROCHESTER, N.Y. — There’s an effort to decrease the number of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in the area of New York state where they happen the most.

What You Need To Know

  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is launching a major push for up to $23 million via the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to curb the surge in biking and pedestrian accidents by making safer, more walkable streets

  • The funds would go toward improving bike lanes with curb bump-outs, pedestrian refuge islands, rapid flashing beacons, raised crosswalks or intersections, improved lighting, adding new buffered or protected bike lanes and more

  • Schumer made the announcement in a section of Rochester, the North Clinton Corridor, because it ranks in the top 10 most dangerous areas for travelers in the city

While it’s a great way to travel, good for your health and costs a lot less than driving a car, it turns out riding a bicycle can be a treacherous activity – especially in certain parts of the city of Rochester.

“Unfortunately, Rochester’s streets have seen more pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths due to crashes than any other mid-size city in New York," U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. "And, unfortunately, Rochester tops the list when it comes to fatal crashes."

He is launching a major push for up to $23 million via the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to curb the surge in biking and pedestrian accidents by making safer, more walkable streets.

The funds would go toward improving bike lanes with curb bump-outs, pedestrian refuge islands, rapid flashing beacons, raised crosswalks or intersections, improved lighting, adding new buffered or protected bike lanes and more.

“One of the improvements it would make is barrier bike lanes that would protect people from getting hit,” said Schumer.

Schumer chose a section of the city to make his announcement, the North Clinton Corridor, because it ranks in the top 10 most dangerous areas for travelers in Rochester.

“Sixty crashes just at this intersection behind us in the last five years," he said. "It’s a sad reminder of how important it is to improve road safety here in Rochester.”

Here is a comparison of New York’s midsized cities with data from the New York State Department of Transportation’s Data Base of the highest number of traffic accidents for the years 2017 to 2021:

  • Rochester 9,430
  • Buffalo 7,225
  • Syracuse 5,991
  • Albany 4,725
  • Yonkers 3,053

“My son was hit by a driver when he was getting off the school bus on Dewey Avenue,” said Rochester City Council Member Bridgette Monroe.

Bridgette Monroe’s 17-year-old son Ronan suffered multiple injuries when he was starting his senior year of high school three years ago.

“It was the most frightening phone call I’ve ever gotten," she said.

The driver of the car that struck him fled the scene. Ronan physically recovered, but the incident still affects him.

“I think that hit and run is one of the cruelest, coldest crimes,” said Monroe, a mom who hopes the grant is approved to prevent future injuries and deaths.