Legislator Stewart introduced Resolution 225 to update Ulster County’s pedestrian and bicycle policy to explicitly address bridges and require the Department of Public Works to explain, in advance of bridge projects, whether and why a designated pedestrian or bicycle lane is or is not included. Stewart said the change responds to advisory‑committee input noting that many bridges lack designated bicycle or pedestrian space and that the current policy does not specifically mention bridges. “This legislation would simply require that planning and department of public works explain why or why not a bike lane would be advisable in a current in a particular situation,” Stewart said, and noted that the requirement was revised so that actual engineering designs would not be required—only a written explanation, which could be as short as an email.

The committee moved to amend and then adopt the resolution as presented; members voted “aye” and the resolution passed as amended. The amendment clarified that design drawings are not required and that the explanation can be brief.

A separate item, Resolution 371 (proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2025) — a local law to require a minimum three‑foot passing distance when motorists overtake vulnerable road users (defined in the proposal as bicyclists and pedestrians) — was introduced during the meeting and referred to the Traffic Safety Board. Chair Collins said the item should be tabled until the Traffic Safety Board issues an opinion. “So do I table yeah. I I think I'd like to table it. So I'll take no action on this until we've heard from the traffic safety board,” the chair said. The committee took no vote to adopt that local law and deferred action pending the board’s review.

Why it matters: The pedestrian/bicycle policy change creates a formal role for the legislature to receive project‑level explanations about bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on bridges, increasing transparency about when and why accommodations are omitted. The proposed three‑foot rule would create a local traffic standard but the committee did not act until the Traffic Safety Board weighs in.

Ending: Resolution 225 was amended and adopted; the local law to set a three‑foot passing minimum was tabled pending review by the Traffic Safety Board.