Schenectady council holds public hearing on ordinance to set citywide 25 mph speed limit

Schenectady — The Schenectady City Council held a public hearing on Jan. 13, 2025 on a proposed ordinance to amend Schenectady City Code chapter 248 to set the citywide default speed limit at 25 mph.

Neighborhood leaders and residents told the council that a lower default speed would improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and support the city’s walkability goals. Speakers pointed to traffic studies and examples from other cities and requested follow-up on enforcement and targeted street-design changes.

Lori Batcheldor, president of Schenectady United Neighborhoods and a resident of Upper Union Street, said the measure aligns with years of neighborhood advocacy. "We hope you will proceed with this change as it helps meet 1 of our recommendations for improved safe streets and pedestrian safety, and it will benefit the entire city," Batcheldor said.

Suzanne Unger, a member of the Stockade Association and a board member of the Schenectady Heritage Foundation, told the council the Stockade’s narrow streets…