Background
Hi! We’re GObike. We develop safer ways for people to walk, bike, drive or use public transportation. We’re excited to work on this project in collaboration with the City of Niagara Falls with the support of the Verizon Media Community Benefit Fund for Niagara County, the Health Research Institute (NYSDOH), and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
In 2021, the City of Niagara Falls approached us to develop a solution to increase safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists to Main Street and the Niagara Gorge. Currently, along Main Street, the lack of traffic control divides and pedestrian accommodations contribute to an unsafe environment for cyclists and pedestrians. An underlying issue in this area is that between 2017 and 2021 (NYSDOT), seven pedestrians and cyclists were struck by vehicles, each resulting in injury.
Within a half mile of this intersection, there are roughly 2,310 residents (American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, 2015-2019). Based on counts conducted by GObike, 48 pedestrians and bicyclists utilize this corridor every day. Nearly 20% of the households in this area do not own a car. Two different NFTA bus routes also serve this population.
City of Niagara Falls leadership identified potential sites along this corridor, and we have determined that the corner of Main Street, Chasm Avenue and Monteagle Street will be the perfect location for this pilot project. By the summer of 2022, we expect to have implemented a design that takes into account the surrounding community’s input on traffic speed, access and safety.