Lloyd Feng of AARP testifies on older adult pedestrian safety

Good afternoon, Committee Chairs Abreu, Epstein, and Felice, and members of the City Council.

My name is Lloyd Feng, and I'm the Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP New York.

I'm here testifying on behalf of our 750,000 members in New York City.

AARP New York supports Intro 124 and Intro 787.

Safe streets matter enormously to older adults who rely on walking and public transit to reach medical appointments, buy groceries, and stay connected to their communities.

For an older pedestrian, street design can determine whether crossing feels routine or dangerous.

Crossing times, vehicle speeds, visibility, and sidewalk conditions all matter.

A 2022 DOT study found that older adults, less than 15% of the city's population, accounted for more than 45% of pedestrian fatalities.

Intro 124 takes the broad approach we've long supported through Complete Streets, designing for pedestrians, cyclists, trans-

riders, drivers, and people using mobility devices.

As the e-bike task force does its work, we ask that it explicitly consider the needs of older adults alongside those of people with disabilities and examine where and why collisions happen so the city can make targeted infrastructure improvements.

Intro 787 addresses data and transparency.

Reporting on targeted enforcement will show how resources are used and whether strategies actually reduce dangerous behavior, crashes, and injuries.

Enforcement should focus on behavior that endangers people, and it should be judged on evidence.

Both bills rest on the same principle, use data, thoughtful design, and evidence to make our streets safer.

AARP New York urges the council to pass both bills.

That would bring us closer to making New York City a true age-in-place city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next.