In a dazzling display of political prowess, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently unveiled his grand proposal to secure up to $23 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) initiative. This funding is aimed at making Rochester, NY, a veritable paradise for cyclists and pedestrians—the very same Rochester, mind you, that has become notorious for its high rates of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Bravo, Senator, truly a bold move!
Rochester, a city celebrated for being one of the poorest in the nation, has seen an alarming uptick in road-related incidents. Schumer pointed out that from 2017 to 2021, the city ranked among the highest in fatalities per crash for midsize cities in New York State. And with a record-breaking 15 traffic deaths in 2023, it seems the roads are competing for a grim title. But hey, nothing says "let's fix this" like a hefty proposal for bike lanes, right?
During the big announcement—complete with safety advocates and victims of recent traffic accidents—Schumer stood next to an intern from his office who was struck by a car while biking. What a coincidence! It’s almost as if he planned this poignant backdrop to showcase how urgent the situation is. Schumer passionately declared, “It is time we put Rochester’s cyclists and pedestrians on a safer path.” One can only hope that the path is paved with more than just good intentions.
This proposal is not Schumer's first rodeo; last year, he snagged $3.2 million in federal funding for Rochester to develop a road safety plan. Now, he’s back for the sequel, which promises to reconstruct the city’s most dangerous intersections and roadways. Among the exciting features proposed are pedestrian bump-outs, raised crosswalks, upgraded lighting, and a dedicated bicycle "spine network" that will—fingers crossed—connect bike lanes. Who wouldn’t want to navigate a labyrinth of bike lanes to get to work?
Schumer expressed his heartfelt belief that “families in Rochester should be able to walk their dogs, bike to work, or play in their neighborhoods without having to worry about traffic accidents around every corner.” What a lovely sentiment! If we lived in a world where politicians’ dreams could magically materialize into reality, perhaps families could frolic freely without the shadow of oncoming traffic.
If this proposed funding gets the green light, it would indeed be a significant investment in Rochester’s safety infrastructure—because nothing screams “we care” quite like a multi-million dollar bike lane proposal in a city grappling with real issues. Let’s just hope that this time, the plans don’t get lost in the shuffle, like so many other well-intentioned initiatives before them. After all, it’s a wonderful world where we can prioritize bike lanes while ignoring the underlying challenges facing one of America’s poorest cities. Cheers to progress!
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