05/25/2026
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🚶♀️➡️🏃➡️🚴♂️Columbia County Traffic Safety Board Promotes Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail
KINDERHOOK, N.Y. - The Columbia County Traffic Safety Board, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and local partners hosted a community safety event this week at Rothermel Park in Kinderhook to promote bicycle safety, trail etiquette, and responsible use of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail ahead of the busy summer season.
The event brought together local officials, community organizations, safety advocates, and trail users to share information aimed at reducing preventable accidents and encouraging safe, courteous use of the trail by bicyclists, walkers, and runners of all ages. The event was organized by the Columbia County Traffic Safety Board, which promotes roadway and pedestrian safety through public education, outreach, and partnerships with local agencies and emergency services.
Members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Bicycle and Education Enforcement (BEE) Unit were also on site and conducted patrols along the trail to engage with users and reinforce safe riding practices. The event also brought together representatives from the Hudson River Valley Greenway, Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad, Kinderhook Town Fire Department, Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail, and local municipal officials, who participated in supporting the shared goal of promoting safe and responsible use of the trail.
“Last year we formed the Bicycle Education Enforcement (BEE) Unit to strengthen our presence on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail and other recreational areas,” said Columbia County Sheriff Jacqueline Salvatore. “A key part of that outreach is interacting directly with the public to discuss ways of improving safety on the trail, while also promoting safe riding and responsible use. It allows us to engage with users in real time, address concerns, and help ensure these shared spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.”
The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, part of the Empire State Trail system, is a 36-mile bicycling and pedestrian corridor running through Columbia and Rensselaer Counties. The trail is operated by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and is part of a statewide Empire State Trail spanning approximately 750 miles from the southern tip of Manhattan to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal.
The Kinderhook segment of the trail recorded 48,506 visits from November 2021 through October 2022.
Since the trail opened five years ago, the Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad has responded to approximately 15 trail-related emergency calls, averaging about two per year. Two involved bicycle-versus-vehicle accidents. The remaining calls involved bicycle falls, trip-and-falls, or medical-related incidents. The rescue squad serves the Towns of Kinderhook and Stuyvesant, as well as for parts of the Towns of Chatham, Ghent, and Stockport.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Columbia County Traffic Safety Board obtained a Highway Safety grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to improve safety on the Trail and at trail and roadway crossings. The grant provides funding for educating the public on safe use of the Trail, including safely navigating intersections with roadways.
Officials noted that one of the most common safety concerns on the trail involves bicyclists failing to provide audible warning when approaching or passing pedestrians and slower-moving users.
“Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is a vibrant 36-mile corridor managed by the Hudson River Valley Greenway that provides a unique and safe trail experience for both residents and visitors,” said Andy Kitzmann, executive director of Hudson River Valley Greenway. “We are proud to support this collaborative safety campaign with the region’s emergency services teams which expands the value of the trail for users throughout the area.”
The Columbia County Traffic Safety Board urges all trail users to remain alert, courteous, and aware so the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail remains a safe and welcoming resource for residents and visitors.
Safety Reminders for Trail Users:
-Stay alert and avoid devices that limit awareness of surroundings.
-Stop at all trail and road crossings; make eye contact before proceeding.
-Use marked crosswalks and activate signals where available.
-Slow down in congested areas and announce your presence when passing.
-On-road sections: ride single file on the shoulder, traveling with traffic.
-These sections are intended for experienced and long-distance cyclists.
-Riders under 14 must wear a helmet.
Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad responded to two emergency incidents involving e-bikes on or near the trail. E-bikes are permitted on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail where allowed under New York State law; however, Class 3 e-bikes and two-wheeled electric scooters are prohibited. Trail users are encouraged to operate e-bikes responsibly, maintain safe speeds, and yield to pedestrians and other users to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
The trail is maintained in part by Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail (CFET), an all-volunteer nonprofit organization contributing more than 700 hours of service annually, including trail maintenance, amenities such as benches and pet waste stations, and coordination among municipalities and partner organizations.
Photo Caption: Kinderhook Town Supervisor Tim Ooms, Kinderhook Mayor Dorene Weir, members of the Columbia County Traffic Safety Board, Columbia County Sheriff Jacqueline Salvatore and the Sheriff’s Office Bicycle and Education Enforcement (BEE) Unit, Hudson River Valley Greenway representative Cody Arana, David Yates of the Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad, Kinderhook Fire Chief Matt Cohn, Bob Hess and representatives of the Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail, and other local officials gather during a May 17 community safety event at Rothermel Park in Kinderhook along the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. The event focused on promoting bicycle safety, trail etiquette, and safe use of the trail ahead of the busy summer season.
