Monroe County to host Safe Streets Together family event to promote safer walking, biking and driving during National Pedestrian Safety Month

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County is preparing to bring residents together for an afternoon focused on walking, biking and driving safely as October marks National Pedestrian Safety Month. The Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety will host a Safe Streets Together family event on Thursday, October 1, giving community members a chance to learn about traffic safety while also sharing their own experiences on local roads.

The event is scheduled for 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the Genesee Valley Field House Lodge in Genesee Valley Park. Residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and community partners are all invited to attend.

Rather than being limited to presentations, the event will give people an opportunity to take part in a walk-and-roll activity through the surrounding neighborhood. Participants will be able to talk with traffic safety experts along the way, point out concerns they have noticed and discuss things that are working well in their communities.

The goal is to make the conversation about road safety more personal and practical. Walking and biking are part of everyday life for many residents, while drivers share the same roads and intersections. The event is intended to bring those different experiences together.

“Through our adoption of an Active Transportation Plan and our commitment to the Vision Zero Initiative, Monroe County is prioritizing the safety of all users on our roadways,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Whether traveling by foot, bicycle, or car, it’s our collective responsibility to ensure everyone reaches their destination safe and sound.”

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The county’s focus comes as national data continues to show the risks faced by pedestrians. Across the United States, a pedestrian is killed approximately every 74 minutes in a traffic crash, while another pedestrian is injured about every eight minutes.

The local numbers also show why traffic safety remains an important issue in Monroe County. In 2024, 11 pedestrians were killed and another 305 were injured in crashes across the county.

National Pedestrian Safety Month is intended to draw attention to those risks while emphasizing that walking and bicycling should be safe, accessible and convenient transportation choices. It also highlights an idea that county officials say is central to the effort: safer roads require participation from everyone who uses them.

For drivers, that can start with relatively simple choices. Officials encourage motorists to slow down, put away distractions and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers are also urged to check carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists before making turns.

Pedestrians and bicyclists have safety responsibilities as well. They are encouraged to use designated crossings and paths whenever possible and to wear bright or reflective clothing when appropriate, particularly when visibility is limited.

Paying attention to turning vehicles is another important part of staying safe. Pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to watch for vehicles before entering a roadway. Establishing eye contact between drivers and people walking or riding can also help both sides understand that they have seen one another before moving forward.

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The October 1 event is only the beginning of the county’s traffic safety outreach for the month. After Safe Streets Together, the Office of Traffic Safety plans to take its education efforts to more than 15 scheduled community events.

The schedule includes fire department open houses, school events, college activities, health and wellness gatherings and other public programs. Staff members will use those opportunities to speak with residents about making safer choices whether they are behind the wheel, walking or riding a bicycle.

The planned events begin October 1 with the Bernabi Elementary School Open House and continue the next day with a resource fair at the MCC 2026 Diversity Conference.

Several fire department open houses are scheduled for October 3, including events hosted by Gates, Pittsford, Henrietta and Bushnell’s Basin fire departments. Other October events include ROC With Your Hands on October 6, the Greece Early Learning Center Open House on October 7, and several elementary school and community open houses on October 8.

The Office of Traffic Safety will also attend the Penfield Community Health or Wellness Fair on October 9. On October 10, staff are scheduled to participate in the Iron FD Culver Station 2026 Open House and the City of Rochester Community Safety Summit.

Additional events will continue later in the month. The Hilton FD Open House is planned for October 17, followed by Halloween at the Public Market on October 25 and the MCC How to Save a Life Event on October 27.

These appearances are intended to keep traffic safety visible beyond the main Safe Streets Together gathering. By meeting residents at schools, community events and public gatherings, the county can share safety information in places where people already spend time.

The Office of Traffic Safety is also using October to continue developing a new education program focused specifically on children who walk and bike.

The newly launched Safe Routes Child Walk and Bike Safety Education Program will involve pilot schools and community members in developing a local curriculum centered on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The program is designed to reflect the experiences and needs of the communities where it will be used.

Residents can contribute to that effort by sharing their experiences through a short caregiver survey. Information about the program and the survey is available through the Monroe County website.

The initiative gives families another way to participate in the county’s broader traffic safety work. Instead of relying only on general safety messages, officials are seeking input that can help shape educational materials for local children and families.

The county’s October campaign comes at a time when walking and bicycling remain important parts of transportation and recreation. Every trip, whether it is a short walk to school, a bicycle ride through a neighborhood or a drive across town, involves people sharing roads and intersections.

That makes basic safety decisions especially important. A driver who slows down, a pedestrian who uses a designated crossing, or a bicyclist who remains alert around turning traffic can all contribute to a safer road environment.

The Safe Streets Together event will provide a setting for residents to discuss those everyday situations directly with traffic safety professionals and other community members. The walk-and-roll portion is also expected to give participants an opportunity to identify both challenges and positive examples in the surrounding neighborhood.

Monroe County’s traffic safety message throughout October will focus on shared responsibility. The county is encouraging residents to consider not only their own actions but also the people around them who may be traveling differently.

The Office of Traffic Safety summarizes that message with a simple reminder: Safe Drivers Lead to Safe Roads and Safe People.

Residents looking for additional information about traffic safety programs in Monroe County can visit the county’s traffic safety resources online. The Safe Streets Together event and the monthlong schedule of outreach activities are part of the county’s broader effort to promote safer travel for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the community.