As a cyclist (and a bicycle accident lawyer!) I am vehemently opposed to rumble strips, which are very hazardous to cyclists. Cyclists are endangered if they try to ride over the bumpy surface. They are also put at risk if they try to ride around the rumble strips.
The New York State Department of Transportation is proposing ADDING rumble strips to new and existing two-lane secondary roads. I was alerted to this situation by a e-mail from the New York Bicycling Coalition.
Rumble strips are commonplace on major highways across the nation. This proposed change in the road engineering guidelines for New York state is a variance in the common standards for road construction!
Rumble strips are a lose/lose proposition for cyclists and I therefore urge all cyclists to send an E-mail to NYSDOT (see below) and to your local legislators ASAP urging the Department of Transportation to reconsider this dangerous plan:
Click here to e-mail NYSDOT
Online petition
I’ve discovered an online petition opposing the policy of placing rumble strips on secondary highways in New York State. It also urges NYS DOT to work with local cycling clubs in the state to find a policy that is supportive of cyclists’ needs.
If you sign it, I encourage you to also offer in the comments section any experiences you have had regarding encounters with rumble strips.
New York’s Southern Tier/Finger Lakes lawmakers
For your convenience, I have also listed below the contact information for a number of the local legislators in my immediate area. E-mail or write to urge them to squash this proposed policy change.
State Senators
(42nd District) John J. Bonacic: www.nyssenate42.com
(49th District) David J. Valesky: www.nyssenate49.com
(50th District) John A. DeFrancisco: www.nyssenate50.com
(51st District) James L. Seward: www.nyssenate51.com
(52nd District) Thomas W. Libous: www.nyssenate52.com
(53rd District – Elmira’s district) George H. Winner, Jr.: www.nyssenate53.com
(54th District) Michael F. Nozzolio: www.nyssenate54.com
(57th District) Catherine M. Young: www.nyssenate57.com
Regional Assemblymembers
107th District Assemblymember: Clifford W. Crouch, Room 545, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248.
111th District: Bill Magee, 214 Farrier Ave., Oneida, NY 13421.
123rd District: Gary D. Finch, Room 718, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248.
124th District: William A. Barclay, 200 N. Second St., Fulton, NY 13069.
125th District: Barbara S. Lifton, 106 E. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850.
126th District: Donna A. Lupardo, 44 Hawley St.- 17th Floor, State Office Building, Binghamton, NY 13901-4416.
127th District: Peter D. Lopez, New York State Assembly, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248.
129th District: Brian M. Kolb, 607 W. Washington – Suite 2, Geneva, NY 14456.
130th District: Joe Errigo, 3045 E. Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY 14467.
136th District: James G. Bacalles, 103 Gansevoort St., Bath, NY 14810.
137th District: Tom O’Mara, Tom O’Mara, 333 E. Water St. – Suite 3, Elmira, NY 14901.
147th District: Daniel J. Burling, 2371 N. Main St., Warsaw, NY 14569.
149th District: Joseph M. Giglio, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248.
Bicycling is great exercise, a “green” practice, and a tourism draw for New York State. Why jeopardize a good thing with rumble strips on secondary roads?
Thanks for reading and RIDE SAFELY,
Jim
_______________________________________
James B. Reed, Esq.
NY & PA Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14901
Tel: (607) 733-8866
Fax: (607) 732-6062
Toll Free: 1-800-943-3529
