News From the Town of Colonie
Mary E. Brizzell |
 |
What is a Pathways Plan?
Pathways are sidewalks, multi-use paths for non-motorized vehicular traffic (ie: bicycles, rollerblades, walking), and bike lanes.
The Pathways Plan will:
Inventory existing bike and pedestrian pathways in the Town,
Identify key concerns for pedestrians in the Town related to safety, sidewalk gaps, the quality of pedestrian facilities, and accessibility,
Map existing corridors, and existing deficiencies in the Town,
Determine priority corridors for bike and pedestrian traffic,
Recommend bike and pedestrian improvements throughout the Town,
Include design guidelines to update standards for bike and pedestrian facilities that meet the needs of Colonie citizens.
Why is The Town doing a Pathways Plan?
Throughout the public input portion of the Comprehensive Planning process, pedestrian issues were an important and recurring theme. According to the Comprehensive Plan, that was adopted by the Town in August 2005:
“Throughout the comprehensive planning process, participants identified the need for additional connections between residential neighborhoods and also between services. A Town-wide sidewalk plan would serve to identify appropriate locations for new sidewalks and locations where sidewalks connections or improvements are necessary….. The Planning and Economic Development Department could initiate such a plan.”
What is the agenda for the Pathways Visioning Workshop?
The workshop, held at 7pm, in the Crossings of Colonie park, on Wednesday, October 3, 2007, will give residents the opportunity to help the Town map future bicycle and pedestrian corridors and connections, as well as share their ideas surrounding the walkability and bike-ability of the Town of Colonie.
Agenda:
Welcome and Agenda Review
Brief Introductory Presentation
What is a Pathways Plan and why are pathways important?
Existing Conditions
Definition of different kinds of pathways
III. Pathways Mapping Stations and Report Back
IV. Prioritization Dots Exercise
V. Wrap-up and Next Steps
VI. Public Comment
If I am unable to attend the workshop, but would like to submit ideas or comments, how may I do so?
Comments may be sent by mail to:
The Planning and Economic Development Department
Public Operations Center
347 Old Niskayuna Road
Latham, NY 12110
Comments may also be emailed to: pedd@colonie.org
Why are bike and pedestrian pathways important?
Public Health
While a complex range of factors contributes to the epidemic of obesity, increasing attention is turning to how the places we live, work and play affect public health and our ability to be physically active. From elevators and drive-thru restaurants to cul-de-sac suburbs and strip malls, opportunities for routine physical activity have been steadily engineered out of many parts of American life.
More than 70% of NY State adults do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, and over 50% of the State's adults are overweight or obese. Inactivity costs $3 billion in New York State. Just a 5% increase in physical activity rates would save NY taxpayers $150 million.
Mobility Concerns
More than one in five (21%) Americans age 65 and older do not drive and more than 50% of non-drivers age 65 and older - or 3.6 million Americans – stay home on any given day partially because they lack transportation options.
Older non-drivers have a decreased ability to participate in the community and the economy. Compared with older drivers, older non-drivers in the United States make:
• 15% fewer trips to the doctor;
• 59% fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants;
• 65% fewer trips for social, family and religious activities.
• More than half of older Americans make walking a regular activity, and nearly two-thirds walk a half mile at least once a month. Four percent of older Americans ride a bicycle at least once a week.
Sidewalks and Trails provide children with a safe place to learn to bicycle, and allow them to safely travel to school, parks and friends’ homes independently – building self esteem and self reliance.
Energy Consumption/Environmental Issues
cars and light trucks consume about 16% of the total energy used in the U.S.
walking and cycling produce none of the environmental pollution – air, water, and noise, and significantly less solid waste than is generated by automobiles
Sources: activeliving.org, The Initiative for Healthy Infrastructure, US Department of Energy, Federal Highway Commission, and AARP
How are our existing pathways being maintained?
There are 33 linear miles of sidewalks in Colonie (not including the Villages of Colonie or Menands. If the sidewalk is located on a State route, such as Central Avenue, or Wolf Road, or a County route, such as Albany Shaker Road, then those entities are responsible for the sidewalk’s repair, but not the snow plowing. The Town Highway Department is responsible for the snow removal on all public sidewalks located within the Town. Currently the Town has 4 sidewalk machines and 1 front end loader with a large front mounted blower that are used to clear the sidewalks.
The trails at the Colonie Mohawk River Park, The Crossings of Colonie, and Schuyler Flatts, as well as the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail, are maintained by the Town of Colonie Department of Parks and Recreation.