Nearly half of New Yorkers surveyed said they have avoided walking or bicycling because nearby roads feel unsafe, according to findings released Thursday by Parks & Trails New York.
The statewide survey found 47% reported avoiding those activities, while 59% said they want to spend more time in parks and on trails.
About 73% supported expanding New York's network of connected multiuse greenways, including 89% of Democrats, 67% of independents and 53% of Republicans, according to the advocacy group.
The poll also found 77% considered access to safe parks and outdoor spaces important to their quality of life. Fifty-eight percent supported directing a greater share of transportation funding toward walking, biking, trails and public transit.
Parks & Trails New York said more than 1,000 miles of community-supported greenway projects have been identified statewide. The group argues that expanding those connections would improve access to parks and trails.
Embold Research conducted the survey May 7-14 among 1,502 members of New York's likely electorate. The organization described the sample as representative and reported a modeled margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
The report was developed by Parks & Trails New York with financial support and guidance from the Open Space Institute, in collaboration with SUNY Cortland.
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