While numbers have improved in recent years, Rochester has long had a significant problem with traffic crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Between 2013 and 2023, roughly 3,200 pedestrians and bicyclists were injured or killed in Rochester traffic accidents, a rate of more than 300 per year. Government officials at all levels—federal, state, and local—have recognized Rochester’s pedestrian and bicycle accident issues and taken action to make the city’s roads, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure safer.
At Richmond Vona, we believe in doing our part. As a leading personal injury law firm in the region, we provide high-quality legal counsel and representation to injured bicyclists and pedestrians. We are here to answer your questions in a free, zero-obligation consultation.
Rochester Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrian accidents are a major concern in New York State, leading to about 300 deaths, 15,000 injuries, and more than 3,000 hospitalizations each year. Rochester is no exception, as the city averaged more than one traffic accident-related injury or death per day between 2017 and 2021.
Rochester’s pedestrian injury and fatality rate in 2022 was 7.1 per 10,000 residents, more than twice the rate of Monroe County as a whole, which itself dwarfed rates in neighboring counties. Rochester saw 15 traffic-related pedestrian accident deaths in 2023, a record high.
However, the statistics show significant improvement between 2012 and 2022. Pedestrian accidents fell to 3.2 per 10,000 residents in 2022, a 26 percent decrease, though Monroe County’s rate is still significantly worse than neighboring counties.
Monroe County’s bicycle accident rate has shrunk significantly and is comparable to or better than some surrounding counties, dropping from 2.98 per 10,000 residents in 2012 to 1.66 in 2022, a 41 percent decrease. However, in 2022, 73 percent of the total bicycle injury crashes in the region still happened in Monroe County. Rochester’s rate was 3.2 per 10,000, nearly twice as high as the county.
Senator Schumer Seeks $23 Million for Rochester Infrastructure Improvements
In September, Senator Chuck Schumer announced a $23.7 million federal infrastructure grant to improve Rochester’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Schumer pointed to Rochester’s sky-high crash fatality rate compared to other similarly-sized cities in New York, claiming 12 pedestrians or bicyclists die each year in Monroe County.
he funds will help improve the safety and accessibility of Rochester’s streets, sidewalks, and bicycle paths, creating new pedestrian islands, raised crosswalks, and other improvements. The grant will also help build a new “spine network” connecting Rochester’s bike lanes, creating safer and more reliable paths for bicycle travel.
Highlighting the problem, Schumer noted recent preventable tragedies, such as the death of a boy hit by a pickup truck in 2023 and a charity worker killed while walking his dog in 2022. As recently as August, a bicyclist was seriously injured in a hit-and-run, and an intern from Schumer’s Rochester office was hit while biking to work.
“Sadly, the ability to move through neighborhoods and communities with confidence, security, and peace of mind remains out of reach for many—but all of that is about to change,” said Congressman Joe Morelle, who represents Rochester. “Because of this $23.7 million in federal Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant, we’re well on the way to ensuring families without access to a personal vehicle have access to safe alternative methods of transportation and ending their isolation.”
“From a Rochester personal injury law firm's perspective, the proposed $23 million investment in safer streets and dedicated bike lanes in New York could potentially reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries in Rochester and the surrounding suburbs. However, as changes are implemented and awareness grows, accidents will likely still occur in the short term, leading to injuries stemming from unsafe conditions or inadequate infrastructure, in addition to more typical cyclist injuries involving cars. Furthermore, an unanticipated consequence of additional bike lanes and other measures for cyclists could be an increase in accidents due to an overall spike in cyclists looking to take advantage of the new measures.”
– John E. Richmond, Founding Partner
What is Rochester Doing to Curb Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents?
Schumer’s grant follows other efforts by local officials and organizations in response to Rochester’s pedestrian and bicycle accident woes. While you should still be cautious while walking or bicycling in Monroe County, several efforts are underway to make the community safer and more walkable.
Safe Streets and Roads For All
Schumer’s funding comes from the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, a $5 billion initiative started under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $23.7 million grant is the largest issued in New York this year by the program, which is intended to help local communities prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.
The Safe Streets grant will help Rochester speed up infrastructure improvements planned for its Vision Zero goal, creating a safer and more accessible city. Schumer and fellow New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand previously announced $3.2 million in funding from the program to help Rochester develop a road safety plan.
Rochester Joins International Vision Zero Project
The City of Rochester joined the Vision Zero Network earlier this year, aiming to eliminate all traffic deaths. Vision Zero views traffic deaths as a preventable public health issue, recommending a safety planning approach that accounts for mistakes by drivers and pedestrians alike.
Community-Led Initiatives Seeking Rochester Infrastructure Improvements
The Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Achieving Community Targets (ACT) Rochester initiative uses data to identify “community indicators” highlighting areas of concern or improvement in poverty, transportation, education, and more. Data from ACT Rochester helps quantify the city’s pedestrian and bicycle injury accident rates and the community’s strides in addressing them.
Reconnect Rochester, a nonprofit, seeks to make community transportation safer and more accessible by addressing the root causes of the city’s road safety issues. Reconnect Rochester holds classes to promote cycling, installs “bus stop cubes” where travelers can rest, and performs “makeovers” using public art to promote safe street design.
Rochester’s Infrastructure Is Growing — Cyclists and Pedestrians Need to Stay Safe
Rochester is taking significant steps to improve its infrastructure and create a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians. Even so, the risk of accidents can’t be reduced to zero. If you are injured in an accident, our skilled bicycle and pedestrian accident attorneys can help.
At Richmond Vona, we are dedicated to protecting our communities and achieving high-value case results for our clients. Contact us online or call (585) 523-2336 today to schedule a free consultation.
