HOYT BIKE PATH FUNDING BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

Hoyt says “Governor Walks the Walk when it Comes to a Greener New York”

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D – Buffalo, Grand Island) announced that the Governor has signed into law Hoyt’s bill A2343-B, which will open up a $39 Million fund for use in creatingbike paths. The law will allow local governments all over New York to apply for and use Department of Transportation highway money also known as Marchaselli funds for design, construction, land acquisition or ancillary uses for bicycle and pedestrian paths. Until the passage of this landmark legislation, Marchaselli funds were only to be used for road projects.

"As an avid biker, I am excited that Buffalo's inner and outer harbor bike paths will benefit from the new use of this funding,” said Assemblymember Sam Hoyt, sponsor of the bill. “Cyclists and pedestrians across the state should applaud Governor Paterson for signing this bill into law. The Governor’s stamp of approval reveals his willingness to provide citizens with a healthier and greener New York."

Hoyt said the Governor’s signature on A 2343-B would not have been possible without the hard work of cyclists and pedestrian advocates across the State. Hoyt specifically cited the advocacy of groups like Transportation Alternatives, Green Options Buffalo, New York Bicycling Coalition, and Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club as crucial to the passage of this important legislation.

"Passage of this bill will go a long way towards addressing many fundamental challenges wecurrently face as a state and a nation in regard to mobility, economic development, public health and our environmental integrity within the City of Buffalo and the communities of New York State by enhancing our ability to create complete streets,” said Justin Booth, director of Green Options Buffalo. “We applaud Assemblymember Hoyt for introducing this bill and the Governor for signing it into law”.