Requires that vehicles yield the right of way to multi-use trails that cross roadways.
Summary
This bill amends the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law to clarify right-of-way rules at locations where a multi-use trail crosses a roadway. It requires drivers of vehicles to yield to any user of a multi-use trail when that person is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk contiguous to the trail. The bill expressly includes bicyclists and other trail users, and it states that these users are subject to the same limitations that apply to pedestrians when crossing in such a crosswalk.
The bill also defines “multi-use trail” broadly to include trails established by state agencies and certain local or private entities for recreation and transportation use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users. The measure takes effect immediately, indicating an intent to provide prompt clarification of traffic rules at trail-roadway intersections.
Impact
The bill would amend section 1151 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new subdivision governing roadway crossings at multi-use trails. In practice, it would expand and clarify driver yielding obligations at crosswalks where trails intersect roads, and it would place trail users such as bicyclists under the same crossing limitations that apply to pedestrians. The affected parties include motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, trail managers, and local and state transportation authorities responsible for trail design and roadway safety.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be a straightforward traffic-safety and clarification bill rather than a controversial policy proposal. Its stated purpose suggests support for safer and more predictable interactions between vehicles and trail users at trail crossings. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded vote history is provided in the materials.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is how broadly the right-of-way rule should apply to bicyclists and other non-pedestrian trail users when crossing roadways, especially in crosswalks adjacent to multi-use trails. Drivers may view the bill as expanding yielding duties, while trail advocates are likely to support the clarification as improving safety and consistency. Another possible issue is the breadth of the definition of “multi-use trail,” which reaches trails created by state, local, and private entities, potentially affecting a wide range of crossings.
Requires slow-moving traffic, trucks, buses, and other certain vehicles use the right two lanes of a multilane roadway and requires all lanes other than the right most two lanes on a multilane highway to be marked with "NO TRUCKS OR BUSES".
Relates to the operation of three-wheeled vehicles; removes requirement that such vehicles have two wheels situated in the front and one wheel in the rear.
Relates to the development and posting of a senior trail guide that identifies walking and hiking opportunities for active seniors within the state park system and along public non-motorized multi-use trails within the state.
Provides that any service outside of a city with a population of more than one million, that is designated as a microtransit service shall be eligible for statewide mass transportation operating assistance regardless of vehicle size; defines "microtransit service" to mean a technology-enabled on-demand service with dynamically generated routing that uses a managed fleet of multi-passenger vehicles dedicated to that service.
Requires whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing where there is on-track equipment, the driver of such vehicle shall stop not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until they can do so safely.