Local Advocacy for Safer Walkways and Public Access

Creating Safer Streets in Rochester: Why It Matters

Sidewalks matter more than most people realize. When they’re broken, blocked, or poorly marked, it can change a person’s whole day or even their life. If you’ve ever tried to cross East Main Street without a proper crosswalk or pushed a stroller along a crumbling sidewalk near the Rochester Public Market, you know how frustrating and dangerous it can be. Unsafe walkways can make simple tasks feel overwhelming.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our premises liability lawyers believe every person in Rochester and Monroe County deserves safe, reliable access to sidewalks, crosswalks, and public spaces. Our attorneys understand the challenges people face when poor infrastructure gets in the way of daily life. 

Identifying Walkability Challenges in Rochester and Monroe County

Rochester’s infrastructure, especially in older neighborhoods, hasn’t always kept up with the needs of its residents. Cracked sidewalks, missing curb ramps, and faded crosswalks create daily risks. Some intersections don’t have pedestrian signals. Others feel downright hostile to anyone walking, biking, or using a mobility device.

Walkability problems show up in areas like:

• The intersection of North Clinton Avenue and Upper Falls Boulevard
• Sidewalks near downtown and the Inner Loop
• Residential areas off Joseph Avenue where tree roots break pavement

Snow and ice add another layer of risk in winter. Sidewalks stay unshoveled for days. Plowed snow blocks curb ramps. People are forced into the street just to get to the store or school. These aren’t just small annoyances. They’re real dangers for people trying to go about their day.

Who Feels the Impact the Most

Everyone deserves access to safe walkways, but some people face steeper obstacles than others. For older adults, uneven sidewalks or missing curb ramps can mean complete isolation. A single missing ramp near Monroe Community Hospital can make it impossible for someone using a walker or wheelchair to reach a clinic or grocery store. For parents in the Rochester City School District, faded crosswalks and streets without sidewalks turn everyday school runs into daily hazards.

These dangers hit hardest for seniors using mobility aids, people with disabilities who rely on level surfaces, families pushing strollers, and children walking to schools or bus stops. This is about safety, dignity, and the basic ability to move through your neighborhood without fear or struggle.

Ongoing Local Efforts to Improve Walkability

Rochester has taken some steps toward safer streets. The city adopted a Complete Streets Policy, which encourages road designs that support all users, not just cars. You may have noticed new bike lanes or pedestrian islands added around Park Avenue or University Avenue. These small updates make a difference, but there’s still a long way to go.

Monroe County has supported sidewalk improvement grants in certain neighborhoods, often tied to state or federal transportation funds. The Department of Transportation has also partnered with local officials on safety upgrades near schools and public transit routes.

Key improvements underway include:

• Curb bump-outs along Lyell Avenue to slow traffic
• Pedestrian signal upgrades near Jefferson Avenue
• Community planning sessions with residents in the 14621 ZIP code

Still, not every area sees these benefits equally. Many underserved neighborhoods remain overlooked, even when data shows they face higher risks.

Local Advocacy That’s Driving Real Change

Change doesn’t start in an office. It starts in the community. Across Rochester, residents have stepped up to demand better conditions. Their voices have led to curb ramp installations, new signage, and improved lighting.

In the 19th Ward, neighbors gathered signatures to add speed humps near a school crosswalk. Near Culver Road, a group of parents organized a walking audit to document unsafe intersections and shared their findings with City Council. Their efforts helped fast-track improvements.

Advocacy takes many shapes:

• Hosting community forums
• Writing to city council members
• Sharing photos of unsafe areas with local news
• Partnering with groups like Reconnect Rochester or Healthi Kids

These small actions, taken together, create pressure that cities can’t ignore. They show that residents care, and that they’re paying attention.

How to Report Unsafe Conditions or Get Involved

If you notice a broken sidewalk, a blocked curb ramp, or a dangerous crosswalk in Rochester or elsewhere in Monroe County, you can report it. The process is simple but important.

Here’s where to start:

• City of Rochester 311 Service – Call 311 or use the online portal to report sidewalk hazards
• Monroe County Public Works – Contact the department directly about county-maintained roads or paths
• Participate in Neighborhood Association Meetings – Many local groups take infrastructure concerns to the city
• Join a local walkability group – Groups like Reconnect Rochester often post volunteer opportunities or calls to action

Your voice matters. The more people report issues, the more likely they’ll get addressed. You don’t have to be an expert. You just need to care about your street, your block, or your neighborhood.

Why Safe Walkways Make Rochester Stronger

Walkable communities don’t just look nicer. They function better. When people can move around safely, they’re more likely to shop at local stores, visit friends, or attend school regularly. Safe walkways build connection, mobility, and even economic growth.

In neighborhoods with repaired sidewalks and clear crossings, you’ll often see more families outside, more seniors walking for exercise, and more people using public transit. That means better health outcomes, stronger community ties, and fewer car trips.

For Monroe County as a whole, the benefits ripple outward:

• Improved pedestrian safety reduces emergency room visits
• Better access helps students reach school on time
• Small businesses see more foot traffic
• Residents feel more invested in where they live

A cracked sidewalk is a barrier to community life. When we remove those barriers, everyone gains.

Local Groups Working to Improve Access

Several organizations in Rochester have taken on the work of improving pedestrian access. These groups combine advocacy, education, and policy work to create safer streets across Monroe County.

Reconnect Rochester advocates for equitable transportation options, including pedestrian safety. They’ve pushed for better crosswalks, organized community walks, and helped lead the charge on Complete Streets design.

Hinge Neighbors works to unite neighborhoods divided by infrastructure barriers like the Inner Loop. Their focus on walkability includes local engagement and creative community planning.

Other active players include:

• Healthi Kids, which promotes safe routes to schools
• SWAN (SouthWest Area Neighborhood Association), which pushes for sidewalk maintenance and lighting improvements

These groups give residents tools to speak up, and platforms to be heard. Their work shows how grassroots action creates long-term impact.

What Residents Can Support Right Now

Even small upgrades can transform a walkway. If you live in Rochester or Monroe County, here are a few fixes worth supporting:

• Installing extended curb ramps at key intersections
• Adding flashing pedestrian beacons at school crossings
• Funding regular sidewalk snow removal
• Replacing broken or lifted concrete panels
• Painting high-visibility crosswalks
• Lowering speed limits in dense residential zones

Talk to your neighborhood group. Attend a planning meeting. Share a photo of a dangerous spot on social media. Each action pushes progress forward. You don’t need a big platform to make a difference.

Walkable Streets Begin With You

Better sidewalks, safer crossings, and walkable neighborhoods happen when people speak up, work together, and demand better. Rochester and Monroe County have already seen what’s possible when communities stay involved. That momentum grows every time someone takes a step, literally and figuratively, toward safer public access.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we support safer streets and the people who rely on them. If unsafe infrastructure has led to injury or hardship, our legal team is here to help. We’re proud to stand with Rochester residents who want fair access to the spaces they call home.