"Brittany's Law": Complete Streets Will Be Law in New York

According to the National Complete Streets Coalition, New York street planning will now factor in a variety of street users including pedestrians and cyclists - not  just motorized vehicles.

"Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued a news release on Monday announcing that he will sign the Complete Streets bill into law. Governor Cuomo said, "New York's roadways should safely accommodate all pedestrians, motorists and cyclists, and this legislation will help communities across the state achieve this objective. Complete Streets designs recognize measures that will make streets safer for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities." The new law will impact state Department of Transportation projects and local and county projects that receive both federal and state funding and are subject to state DOT oversight. The bill passed the state legislature in late June through the work of a broad coalition that included AARP and the transportation reform group Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and had broad-based support throughout the state." 

The so-called bill became know as "Brittany's Law" due in large part to the memory of Brittany Vega, a 14 year-old,student who was killed by a car as she crossed Sunrise Highway in Wantagh. Sandi Vega, her mom, campaigned for a statewide Complete Streets policy to prevent other parents from mourning a child lost too young.

Full Press Release from Complete Streets Coalition