Speak Out for Safe Walking & Biking
So what’s transportation got to do with Healthi Kids? Lots! Kids getting plenty of physical activity is HALF of what we need to keep our kids at a healthy weight. Many transportation issues impact this. Question is does our community…
- Support safe walking and biking routes to school and to play spaces?
- Promote walking and biking?
- Educate kids as well as drivers in bike and pedestrian safety?

There are many ways that we can accomplish these things.

One very important way is to make sure that the Long Range Transportation Plan for our area (the Genesee-Finger Lakes region) includes the strongest points and the best possible approaches that promote safe walking and biking.

The Genesee Transportation Council is just beginning to develop the new long range transportation plan. Millions of federal dollars go into our transportation system, and this plan guides the use of those dollars locally. Transportation dollars can (and SHOULD) be used to support walking and biking needs as well as driving. This plan affects ALL of our lives on daily basis.

In mid-November our community will have the first opportunity to give input. (There will be additional opportunities as the new plan moves forward).
The first round of public meetings for the development of the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) Long Range Transportation Plan 2035 (LRTP 2035) will be held as follows:

Monday, November 15, 2010 – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Henrietta Town Hall
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Ogden Town Hall
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Rochester City Hall
Thursday, November 18, 2010 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Penfield Town Hall

The Healthi Kids initiative will be there to offer our input. We would encourage other organizations to also offer support for safe walking and biking resources in our community.

(NOTE: These meetings have been scheduled and the meeting places reserved but the public notice for the meeting has not been published as of this date (anticipated for publication 11/5/2010). Those who wish to attend any of these meetings are encouraged to confirm the details with GTC, either by telephone at (585) 232-6240, or at the GTC Website, at www.gtcmpo.org, under the “Get Involved” heading, prior to attending.)

Rachel Pickering
Healthi Kids Program Manager
Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
1150 University Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-1647
p. 585.224.3112
www.healthikids.org