Justin Booth, GObike’s Executive Director and Chair of the Bike Ped Board, was invited to speak again to the Common Council about Sidewalk Snow Removal. Rochester and Syracuse have had a program in place for years that continues to grow and increase accessibility for all their reidents. In Buffalo, where one in four households does not have a personal vehicle, there have been no programs, no pilot projects, and no coordinated efforts to fine the businesses who clear their driveways, but leave their sidewalks covered in snow, forcing people who walk, use chairs, or push strollers into the streets with traffic – this while pedestrian deaths in the USA are at a 41-year high.

UPDATE: Valerie Malia of Council Member David Rivera’s Office emailed the Bike Ped Board on Wednesday April 3, saying:

Hi folks,

As many of you know, there was some confusion with the Sidewalk Snow Removal resolution and other items that were recently on the Council agenda.  I will do my best to explain below what transpired and what the next steps will be:

1. The following 5 items were filed and added to the Council agenda for the March 19^th meeting: Bike/Ped Board annual report; Memorializing the NYS Legislature to pass the SAFE Act; SSR Resolution; SSR Pilot; and SSR White Paper.  These items were referred to the Community Development Committee for discussion.
2. On March 26^th a few members of the Board appeared before the Community Development Committee to discuss the Sidewalk Snow Removal items.  Immediately prior to the meeting, it was discovered that the incorrect draft of the resolution had been filed.  A few people did speak before the Community Development Committee and hard-copies of the correct draft were printed and handed out to each Councilmember with the understanding that the correct version would be substituted.
3. At yesterday’s Council meeting, the Council “Received and Filed” 4 of the 5 items: Bike/Ped Board annual report; Memorializing the NYS Legislature to pass the SAFE Act; SSR Pilot; and SSR White Paper.  They left the SSR Resolution on the table so that the item can be substituted (which is why, if you look at the agenda today, you will still see the old item.)
4. Upon attempting to substitute the SSR Resolution this morning, I was advised that I will instead, have to re-file the item, which will not appear on the Council agenda until the meeting on April 16^th and be sent to committee on April 23^rd for further discussion.  Furthermore, because the item re Memorializing the NYS Legislature to pass the SAFE Act has nothing to with SSR but was not discussed in committee, I refiled that as well.

With that said, if you wish to speak on either item (SSR Resolution or Memorializing the NYS Legislature to pass the SAFE Act) please plan to do so on: APRIL 23^rd at 2:00 PM and please let me know so I can add your name to the list!

I apologize for the very long-winded way of explaining what is going on but, I hope this clears up any questions that you may have.  If not, please do not hesitate to reach out.

– Val

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL PILOT PROGRAM PROPOSAL

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL RESOLUTION

City of Buffalo Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board
Sidewalk Snow Removal Resolution March 5, 2024 – Adopted unanimously

Whereas, The City of Buffalo has a significant population considered vulnerable roadway users with nearly one third of households without access to a vehicle, 22.6% under 18 years of age, 12.4% over 65 years of age and 12.9% living with a disability;
Whereas, The City of Buffalo received on average 94.4 inches of snow between the years 2011-2022;

Whereas, Significant snowfall events in the City of Buffalo result in residents being severely hampered with schools and places of employment closed and roads and sidewalks needing to be cleared of snow;

Whereas, The City of Buffalo Department of Public Works clears snow from roads;

Whereas, The City of Buffalo Department of Public Works does not clear snow from
sidewalks;

Whereas, The City of Rochester clears snow from all 878 miles of sidewalk when 4” of snow
has fallen;

Whereas, The City of Syracuse allocated $650,000 in December 2021 to clear snow from 100
miles of heavily-trafficked sidewalks;

Whereas, The City of Syracuse Department of Public Works in 2024 clears snow from 156
miles of heavily-trafficked sidewalks after 3” of snow has fallen;

Whereas, The City of Syracuse identified what routes get cleared from a data-driven framework in which traffic flow and pedestrian activity were analyzed together with heavily-trafficked roads and important locations for pedestrians, like schools, stores, and neighborhood amenities.

Whereas, If we begin to rebuild our city centered around people, not cars, we won’t be so terribly hampered by significant snowfall events;

Whereas, Walkable neighborhoods aren’t just something nice but are critical pieces of infrastructure that keep cities moving in all weather conditions;

Now Therefore, Let It Be Resolved that the City of Buffalo’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board urges the City Council and Mayor to allocate $750,000 in the 2024-2025 budget to the
City of Buffalo Department of Public Works to establish a sidewalk snow removal pilot program of at least 100 miles of heavily-traveled sidewalks for the 2024-2025 winter season.

Now Therefore, Let It Be Resolved that the City of Buffalo’s Department of Public Works should work alongside the City of Buffalo Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board to identify at least 100 miles of heavily-traveled sidewalks using a data-driven approach, similar to the method used by the City of Syracuse’s Department of Public Works.

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL WHITE PAPER

Sidewalk Snow Removal in Buffalo
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board
Unanimously Adopted March 5, 2024

Past Sidewalk Snow Removal white papers have spelled out policies of the City of Buffalo and
the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) position on municipal sidewalk snow
removal, i.e., Buffalo City Code states it is the property owner’s responsibility to clear the
sidewalks adjacent to their property and NFTA states property owner is responsible for
maintaining bus stops and shelters (see white papers from October 2022 and December 2022).

While the above City and transit authority policies speak to the property owner’s responsibilities, the City, NFTA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also clear that
local governments have a responsibility to its citizens.

City of Buffalo
Mission of the Council
According to the City of Buffalo’s website under Common Council, the mission of the Council is to address, in a thorough manner any concerns regarding the City while ensuring that citizens
have easy and equitable access to resources provided by a trusted and transparent government.

City of Buffalo Strategic Plan 2023-2027/Investing in the City
It is the City’s plan over the next four years, to retain its commitment to investments that are focused on maintaining and modernizing our public infrastructure, while also expanding affordable and safe access for residents in Buffalo. Investments in Buffalo’s infrastructure is fundamental in creating strong communities that promote economic growth now and in the future.

The City’s goal is to reinvest in City’s assets and infrastructure to improve streets and sidewalks city-wide. Rethinking the manner in which funds for snow removal are expended i.e., contracting versus investment in equipment. Investing in more appropriate equipment and staff training will be a longer lasting and more sustainable option than paying 10s of millions of dollars to contractors. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.

The Loss of sales tax revenue for the City because the City shuts down due to sidewalks not being accessible and/or streets not being clear, limits local businesses’ ability to keep regular hours or any hours and residents cannot always make it work. Walkable sidewalks are safe and good for business.

ADA
Title II of ADA applies to state/local programs and requires that local governments assure
people with disabilities equitable access to all local programs, services, or activities. The ADA requires among other things for local governments to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where needed to make sure that a person with a disability can access the state/local government’s programs, services, or activities.

General Requirement
Require state/local governments to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities.

Specific Requirements
Among other specific requirements, state/local governments must [emphasis added] make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where needed to make sure that a person with a disability can access the state/local government’s programs, services, or activities.

City-owned Property and Raising Taxes
City sidewalks are a part of the streetscape of the city and is city property. While the property owner has been tasked with keeping the city sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow, there are approximately 8,000 vacant lots located throughout the City that are owned by the City of Buffalo, with most being on the east side of Buffalo. With 8,000 vacant City owned properties + 10,000 vacant homes on the east side of Buffalo = potentially 18,000 that are not shoveled properties. While the cities of Syracuse and Rochester have found ways to pay for sidewalk snow removal (increase in fees/taxes), neither has the number of city-owned vacant lots; Syracuse with approximately 1,800 and Rochester with approximately 3,000.
Higher property taxes will not mitigate snow removal from sidewalks on unkempt city-owned property and/or vacant homes in the City of Buffalo.

Current Snow Removal Practice and Safety
Walkscore.com gives Buffalo a score of Walk Score of 67, Transit Score of 47, and a Bike Score of 63; with 90-100 being a Walker’s Paradise (daily errands do not require a car); 70-89 Very Walkable (Most errands can be accomplished on foot); 50-69 Somewhat walkable (Some errands can be accomplished on foot); 25-49 Car-dependent (Most errands require a car) and 0-24 Car-Dependent. The City makes snow removal from the roads a priority. The lack of removal of snow from sidewalks forces citizens to walk or navigate on the roads into traffic, which is UNSAFE and DANGEROUS. Walkable sidewalks are critical pieces of infrastructure that keep cities moving in all weather conditions. Walkable sidewalks are safer than walking in the streets with traffic. Walkable sidewalks are safer for children getting off school buses.

Community Support
Some members of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board (BPAB) Sidewalk Snow Removal (SSR) Committee had an opportunity to meet with various community organizations, Council members, volunteer groups that shovel sidewalks for their neighborhoods, and other interested parties to measure community interest for sidewalk snow removal. Some communities have formed their own sidewalk snow removal task force, particularly to help seniors and the disabled in their communities. Groups of volunteers that include but is not limited to Snow

Angels and Buffalo Snow Brigade have come together to assist those with removing snow from sidewalks in their community. However, all City of Buffalo communities should have/need
assistance with snow removal from the sidewalks for the elderly and those with disabilities. After sharing many stories, there was overwhelming support from the members of the Board of Block Clubs for a sidewalk snow removal.

The Committee had an opportunity to review the results from the February 2022 survey for the City of Buffalo’s 2023-2024 budget. The results are that there is support from residents that the City of Buffalo should move forward on a sidewalk snow removal program. Of those who responded to the questions on snow removal, the top comment is to set up a citywide snow removal program.

Continuing communication with local city representatives regarding the need for sidewalk snow removal has been positive and encouraging.

RECOMMENDATION
The BPAB SSR advises and urges the City of Buffalo to allocate $750,000 in the 2024-2025 budget to the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works to establish a sidewalk snow removal pilot program that is established according to the attached Resolution.

IMPLORING THE COMMON COUNCIL TO MEMORIALIZE THE NEW YORK STATE SAFE STREETS ACT

Unanimously adopted by the City of Buffalo Common Council’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory
Board on March 5, 2024.

Memorializing the New York State Legislature to Pass the SAFE Streets Act

Between 2017 and 2021, New York State Department of Transportation recorded 121,807 reported automobile-involved crashes or an average of 67 crashes per day in Erie and Niagara counties with, on average, 64 people dying each year. Of the total reported crashes, 3,472 involved people walking or bicycling. According to the New York State Department of Health, annually, traffic crashes resulted in an average of $18.6 Million in hospitalization charges in Erie County alone.

Motor vehicle crashes have a staggering toll on our community. Fortunately, New York State lawmakers this session will once again consider a series of important bills known as the SAFE Streets Act. These bills are intended to reduce collisions through road design and vehicle safety standards.

Here is a summary of some of the measures:
• Complete Street Maintenance (S2714/A01280) – Includes, when possible, complete street design features in resurfacing, maintenance, and pavement recycling projects that further enable safe access to public roads for all users.

• Complete Streets Budget Ask – Increase funding in the Department of Transportation Capital Projects Budget for Complete Streets from $5million to $10million.

• Stop as Yield (S1724/A04346) – Allows cyclists to treat stop lights as stop signs and stop signs as yields, reducing vehicle conflict while prioritizing pedestrian right-of-way and encouraging increased cyclist use of low-traffic, secondary roads.

• Speed Limiters for Repeat Offenders (S2643/A3986) – Requires mandatory intelligent speed assistance technology for repeat offenders.

These measures build on the previous passage of components of the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act which included funding for complete streets projects around the state, authorized municipalities to lower speed limits to 25 mile per hour (MPH) and required additional driver’s education instruction on interacting with vulnerable road users.

Crashes are not inevitable. There are things we can do to make our streets safer for everyone, no matter their mode of travel Passing the SAFE Streets Act will save lives and make our streets safer for all.

BIKE PED BOARD END OF YEAR REPORT FOR 2023

View by clicking the image above.