Town Board adopts new Active Transportation Plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections while making roads safer throughout the community

Penfield, New York – The Town Board has adopted a new Active Transportation Plan designed to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists while making roads safer for everyone in the community.

The final plan was approved on August 5 following months of work with Colliers Engineering & Design and extensive input from residents. The effort began in 2025 with the goal of creating a long-term roadmap for improving the way people walk and bicycle around Town.

The plan is intended to help identify which projects should receive attention first and how limited resources can be used where they can make the greatest difference. Rather than focusing on one major project, the Active Transportation Plan lays out a range of possible improvements, from filling sidewalk gaps to creating new bicycle routes and trail connections.

Sidewalks are one of the most immediate areas highlighted in the plan. The Town has spent several years expanding its sidewalk network, including the addition of two miles of new sidewalks this year along Jackson and Plank Roads.

Despite that progress, gaps remain in the network. Some sidewalks are incomplete, while others are separated by missing sections that can make it difficult for pedestrians to travel safely and continuously.

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The plan recommends making those missing connections a priority. Completing existing sidewalk gaps could allow the Town to make better use of construction funding while providing benefits in areas where sidewalks already exist.

The approach is intended to create a more connected pedestrian network rather than simply adding isolated stretches of sidewalk. Filling those gaps could make it easier for residents to walk between neighborhoods, roads and community destinations.

Road safety is another major part of the plan. Officials are examining ways to improve road shoulders so that cyclists and pedestrians have additional protection when traveling along busy roads.

An example of this type of work is already taking place on Browncroft Boulevard. The New York State Department of Transportation is adding improved shoulders as part of its ongoing road rehabilitation project.

The Active Transportation Plan also calls for consideration of traffic-calming measures. These measures are designed to reduce vehicle speeds and encourage safer driving behavior. Possible improvements range from relatively simple changes, such as signs and pavement markings, to larger roadway and pedestrian infrastructure projects.

The Town will have to consider the cost and scope of each proposal before deciding which projects should move forward. The plan provides a framework for comparing potential improvements and determining which ones could deliver the greatest safety benefits.

Cycling routes are another part of the long-term vision. The plan identifies the possibility of creating bike boulevards, which are low-traffic routes designed to make cycling more comfortable and convenient while continuing to allow vehicles to use the roads.

Creating a bike boulevard can begin with relatively modest improvements, including signs and pavement markings. Several possible routes are identified in the plan, including Baird Road from Atlantic Avenue to the Town of Perinton line and Embury Road from Creek Street to Five Mile Line Road.

The final plan also identifies two potential new trail connections that could expand recreational and transportation options for residents.

One proposed connection would link Shadow Pines with Veterans Memorial Park. The other would create a route from Five Mile Line Road at Liberty Street to the Penfield High School campus.

Both trail projects would require additional investment, planning and study. Officials will need to examine their feasibility before any decisions are made about construction. Still, their inclusion in the plan gives the Town a starting point for considering how these connections could fit into the broader transportation network.

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The Active Transportation Plan is not a promise that all of the recommended projects will be completed immediately. Instead, it establishes priorities and provides a guide for future decisions as funding and opportunities become available.

Officials acknowledge that the work will take time. Sidewalk construction, road improvements, traffic-calming projects and new trail connections all require different levels of planning and investment.

The broader goal is to make gradual progress while improving safety for people using different forms of transportation. By concentrating on practical improvements and completing projects in stages, the Town hopes to build a transportation network that works better for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

With the plan now adopted, the Town has a framework for moving forward. The next steps will involve evaluating individual recommendations, determining their feasibility and prioritizing projects that can provide the greatest benefit to the community.

There is still considerable work ahead, but the adoption of the Active Transportation Plan gives the Town a clearer path toward improving connectivity and safety throughout the community.