Smart Growth America has released a report showing pedestrian deaths between 2003 and 2012. According the the report:
723 people were killed while walking in Alabama
7.2% of all 10,061 traffic fatalities were pedestrians
49 Children under 16 and 93 adults over 65
72.9% of these deaths occurred on roadways with speed limits of 40% or higher
African Americans are twice as likely as non-hispanic whites to perish as a pedestrian.
Mobile, AL has the highest Annual Pedestrian deaths per 100k of any other city in Alabama. Mobile has over 3 deaths per year per 100,000 people, compared to second place, Columbus/Phenix City, which has just over 2 deaths/100,000
If you look at our roadways, it’s clear why we have so many deaths! Mobile’s roads were built with little thought for pedestrian/bicycle traffic. Speed limits are unreasonably high, road lanes are unnecessarily wide which encourages speeding, and there are few crosswalks/sidewalks. The city, county, state, and federal governments are ultimately culpable for these deaths by building unsafe public roadways. How many more people have to die, before our leaders stop only looking at traffic models and suburban expansionism and start building/repairing streets for ALL uses.
From NPR: The federal government loses its control of land that’s granted to railroad companies after the track has been abandoned, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday. The court sided with a private landowner in Wyoming who is fighting efforts to convert disused tracks into a bike path near his house.
The court’s decision overturns decisions by district and appeals courts. The wider impact of the ruling is difficult to estimate, partly because the U.S. government doesn’t have a central database of the land it owns under such circumstances, as SCOTUS Blog has reported.
The justices and attorneys acknowledged that uncertainty during oral arguments over the case in January.
“For all I know, there is some right of way that goes through people’s houses, you know,” Justice Stephen Breyer said, “and all of a sudden, they are going to be living in their house and suddenly a bicycle will run through it.”
Sound Transit in Seattle, WA was made possible in part by federal transportation funding. Photo by Flickr user Sean Marshall.
Real estate developers everywhere are familiar with the federal programs and regulations involved with building transit-oriented development. With the federal surface transportation bill due to expire early this fall, how could these programs and regulations be improved?
We want to hear from you. Join LOCUS for a conference call on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3:00 PM EST to discuss federal transportation programs as they relate to smart growth development and how these programs can better support walkable, sustainable development.
The event will be an opportunity for LOCUS members and allies to brainstorm and share ideas. Please join us next week!
LOCUS is a national network of real estate developers and investors who advocate for federal policies that promote sustainable, walkable urban development in America’s metropolitan areas. Learn more about LOCUS >>
Students in Kailua, HI, walk along a street with Complete Streets features. A new bill in the Senate would require Complete Streets considerations for federal projects. Photo via Charlier Associates.
Whether you walk, bike, drive or take transit, Complete Streets policies help make sure you travel safely and conveniently, and a new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would encourage every community in the country to use these strategies.
On Friday, Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014 (S. 2004), which would require all new federally-funded transportation projects use a Complete Streets approach to planning, designing and building roads.
“America’s streets should be safe and convenient for everyone, whether you are driving, riding a bike, walking or using transit,” says Roger Millar, Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America. “The Safe Streets Act is another sign that Congress is dedicated to making our nation’s streets better for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, ethnicity or transportation choice.”
“I’ve been a proud supporter of Safe Streets policies since I was mayor of Anchorage and continue to support them here in the Senate,” said Sen. Begich in a statement. “These policies lead to safer roads, less traffic congestion, higher property values, and healthier families. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce this common-sense bill to strengthen our transportation infrastructure and enhance the quality of life in our local communities.”
“Too many people are killed or injured each year because our streets are simply not designed and built with the safety of everyone—including pedestrians and bicyclists—in mind. Our communities deserve safer streets,” Sen. Schatz said. “Many of our roads in Hawai’i and across America make travel difficult for seniors, families, youth, and others who are unable or choose not to drive. Our legislation provides commonsense solutions to consider the needs of our seniors and children, encourage alternative forms of transportation, and make our roads and communities safer for everyone.”
“We are pleased to see the Senate take action on the connection between roadway design and safety. Accommodating people who are walking, bicycling, driving, and riding public transportation is fundamental to creating livable streets,” said Rich Weaver, Chair of the National Complete Streets Coalition, and Director of Planning, Policy, and Sustainability for the American Public Transportation Association.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman David Joyce (R-OH) introduced a House version of the bill (H.R. 2468) in June 2013. Both the Senate and House bills encourage safer streets through Complete Streets policy adoption at the state and regional-levels—mirroring an approach already being used in more than 610 jurisdictions in 48 states as well as the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Such policies are leading to safer streets and healthier, more vibrant communities across the country. A federal provision will ensure consistency in policies and funding needed to support these local efforts to ensure safe streets.
BicycleMobile.org is a an advocacy website devoted to every aspect of bicycling in Mobile, AL. We have lists of group rides, information about bike shops and a list of key issues for advocacy and infrastructure.
