Ulster Co. amends bicycle, pedestrian policy to improve safety

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Ulster County Legislature has voted to improve road safety measures within the county's Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy. According to county officials, the new policy will require the county to add sidewalks and bike lanes to bridges when rehabilitated, if feasible.

According to the current policy, the safety measures included requirements for larger shoulders, rumble strips, signage, but designated lanes on bridges for cyclists or pedestrians were not accounted for.

"My amendment to include such a lane on county bridges requires that the Department of Public Works explain in writing why or why not such a lane would be feasible," Legislator Eric Stewart said. "This provides an additional layer of oversight by the Legislature to make sure that the safety requirements of these users are considered in the design process for new bridges and renovation of existing bridges in order to foster safer travel and recreation for everyone."

Stewart said the updated policy would require the Commissioner of Public Works to inform the legislature if an expansion to county-owned bridges could be feasible when they are being repaired or explain why they cannot accommodate a designated lane or sidewalk.

Designs for these accommodations must be considered in new construction, reconstruction, bridge or maintenance projects unless bicyclists and pedestrians are accommodated with the right of way, the policy states.

According to county officials, bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from using the roadway.

"Updating this policy will allow the county to balance our goals for safer streets with the capacity of our Department of Public Works to upgrade our county bridges in a timely manner to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars where they are most needed," Legislator Herbert Litts, III said.

More information on the updated policy can be found on the county website.