Local surveys of crosswalks and intersections hope to shed light on dangers pedestrian face as they walk on streets and sidewalks

NEW YORK - Congressman Charles Rangel recently joined AARP volunteers in Harlem as they began a statewide-campaign that hopes to shed light on the some of the dangers residents, especially the elderly, might face when crossing local streets.

The “Complete Street Week: Making New York Walkable for All Generations” is co-sponsored locally by Harlem Hospital, Community Board 10, Canaan Baptist Church of Christ and Community Pride.

“This is just another example of the kind of important grassroots advocacy that AARP engages in that all residents benefit from, not just seniors,” said Congressman Rangel. “I look forward to seeing the survey results and working with elected officials at all levels of government to make sure that our streets are safe and walkable.”

As part of the week-long, statewide campaign, volunteers and local organizations will survey crosswalks, streets and roads to evaluate how these streets address walkers? needs, such as whether they have adequate traffic signals, properly marked crosswalks, or enough time for crossing. The results will be used to demonstrate the need for state 'Complete Streets'  legislation which would assure that road design incorporates the needs of all people, including pedestrians.

AARP officials note that the neglect of pedestrian safety falls harder on older adults. According to the 2009 report Dangerous by Design by Transportation for Americans, New York ranks 3rd in the nation for pedestrian fatalities for people age 65+. An AARP report finds that two in five Americans age 50+ say their neighborhood sidewalks are inadequate, and nearly half cannot cross main roads close to their home safely, preventing many from walking, cycling, or taking the bus.

"Complete streets are vital for older residents to maintain an independent lifestyle. That is why AARP has organized this statewide initiative to evaluate the most dangerous roads and intersections in New York so that we can help community members document the problems in their neighborhoods," said Dionne Polite, AARP New York associate state director.

Rangel also thanked the volunteers for their help in helping to pass healthcare reform legislation and continuing to get the message out about the benefits that everyone from seniors to families to small businesses will see starting this year.

“When we had to move away from single-payer and the public option, our standing with many progressives went downhill. But you stood by healthcare reform and gave us in the Congress the credibility to say, ‘If we don’t do this now, it will be decades before we get this opportunity again,” said Rangel. “I just hope that we can build on this victory and use wield the same kind of power to improve other areas, like education.”

For more information on the AARP’s efforts on this issue and others, visit the AARP New York Web site at: http://www.aarp.org/states/ny/