ANNOUNCEMENT! As of June 1, 2023, we are now the Capital Region Transportation Council.    Learn more

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Benefits

Walking and biking are viable forms of transportation in the Capital Region. They are great ways to improve your health, get outdoors, and get to know your community. It lowers the risk of many major health problems and can help you lower stress, live longer and feel great. Your feet are zero-emissions transportation machines so you reduce your carbon footprint when you dump the pump and walk instead. If you regularly walk or bike to work, you get access to Guaranteed Ride Home. Plus, you will have more money in your wallet from saving on gas, bus fare and vehicle maintenance!

Where is it easy?

Some communities were built around walking and biking rather than the automobile – many of these places still make it easier to walk or bike. These communities are often dense, with short blocks, a mix of activities and well-served by transit. Looking for a new house, apartment, or job? Check out Walkscore to see how walkable it is first. Homes in walkable neighborhoods are often more valuable than those in car-dependent ones. Having a walkable lifestyle makes congestion and traffic irrelevant.

Resources

Bicycling can comfortably get you to your destinations within a few miles, depending on terrain and weather conditions. Think about many of your regular destinations within 5-7 miles – your children’s school, the grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants, and maybe even your job – these are all bikeable! There are many local cycling groups and bicycling organizations whose goal is to increase the number of cyclists on the Capital Region roadways through safety education (Capital Coexist), repairing bikes and putting them back on the road (Troy Bike Rescue and Albany Bike Rescue) and teaching cyclists how to ride confidently in traffic (New York Bicycling Coalition). Contact us for a free Capital Region Walking Guide and/or Bicycling Guide. If you have questions or would like to learn more about cycling visit their websites or reach out to them!

Facilities

The Capital Region has a number of bicycle and walking related facilities. There are over 100 miles of off-road trails or shared-use paths including the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway which connects Albany and Schenectady, the Zim Smith Trail in Saratoga County and the Uncle Sam Bikeway in Troy just to name a few. The City of Albany, Village of Altamont, and City of Schenectady have all adopted bicycle and/or pedestrian plans which they have been working on implementing. Studies show that the more people are out biking and walking, the safer it becomes. So check out our resources and get on your bike or lace up your walking shoes!

Wait, where do I lock up my bike when I get to my destination? CDTA has created a google map of bike racks granted through their Bike Rack Program.

Form a Bikepool

New to bike commuting? Looking for company riding to and from work or school? iPool2 can help you form “bikepools” – or find local bicyclists to ride to and from work together.

Riding with others is a good option. It can be a welcoming opportunity for new or inexperienced riders and creates a larger road presence for all bicyclists, improving safety.

Kid’s Stuff

Download the “Sprocket Man” comic book about bicycling safely and the Getting There Activity Book with traffic safety tips from the Links and Resources on the right. If you would like to receive printed copies, please contact us!