This Week on Foot

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This week we ask, is it the End of the road for the zebra? Perhaps there are safer alternatives out there for pedestrian crossings, and it's time to move on from the stripes. Colorado seems to think so, where they're wondering about the Aspen airport pedestrian crossing: Over or under?

Either option would have been better for the Pedestrian Struck & Killed While Crossing Ventura Freeway. Fortunately, things turned out better in Michigan, where according to an Ann Arbor resident: Collision at pedestrian crosswalk 'could have been tragic'.

Of course, some believe it's all the fault of the pedestrian, like this Devil’s Advocate: Careless pedestrians put themselves at risk by ignoring traffic safety laws, but we know the bigger problem is the Utter disregard for pedestrians' right, don't we?

At least in some places there's a little regard for the pedestrian, like in Ashland, Oregon where Pedestrian-friendly ideas approved, Salt Lake City where Transportation policy to consider needs of cyclists, pedestrians and more, or in Mississippi where there's a Pedestrian trail project planned for downtown Jackson. Hopefully these ideas catch on at higher levels as well, and just in case there's some hesitation here are 3 Reasons Congress Shouldn’t Abandon Cyclists And Pedestrians. My fingers are crossed that Congress acknowledges the value of  Wheels & Heels: Pedestrian-Friendly Streets Good for Business.

Some cyclists definitely see that value, such as this Bicycling group wants pedestrian mall on Pacific: Panels to weigh proposal for two-way traffic Thursday. Guess they understand that "Urbanism is Sustainable".

Speaking of sustainability, ever wonder What does trick-or-treating tell us about sustainable living? Maybe it's the same lesson we learn about Making cities healthier (and livelier) with a 'walking school bus' and vitality makeover. (Hint: Sustainable Communities focus on livability, walkability).

Finally, with winter snows upon (some of) us, it's good to know that in the PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP: Residents will have to shovel sidewalks after 1 inch of snowfall

November Walking Events

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A few activities to keep you busy this month....

November 2
Update on the Proposed Rule for Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time

Scott Windley, Accessibility Specialist with the U.S. Access Board, will deliver detailed information about the proposed rule regarding Accessible Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way, including pedestrian accessible routes, curb ramps and blended transitions, street crossings, on-street parking, street furniture, and more. The comment period for the proposed rule-making is open through November 23. Attend this webinar to learn what you should incorporate into your plans in order to comply with ADA.

Site license fee: $75 (free for APBP members)
APBP has applied to the AICP for 1.5 Certification Maintenance credits. 

Register here. For more information, contact Debra Goeks (or 262-228-7025).

November 12
WalkSanDiego Community Walk: Walk to Cabrillo Lighthouse
9:00 am

Meet at parking lot at Catalina Blvd and Electron Drive (across from Point Loma Credit Union)

Let's take a beautiful fall walk along the Point Loma peninsula, visiting the historic Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and Cabrillo National Monument. Some fascinating history along the way of little known facts/trivia about the two sites. About 6 miles round trip with gently rolling hills (one-way shuttle option available – please contact Dave if interested).

Bring $3 for entrance fee to Cabrillo monument.

November 18
WalkSanDiego Visioning San Diego lunch forum: Creating a Walkable Downtown: Oceanside’s Mission Avenue Redesign
12:00 pm

Hear how a road diet and back-in parking along Mission Avenue will enhance bicycle and pedestrian activity and link public transit to downtown amenities. Speakers: David DiPierro, Oceanside Traffic Engineer and Kathy Baker, Oceanside Redevelopment Manager

Location: Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Poinsettia Room

RSVP here by Tuesday, November 15th
$5.00 in advance, $7.00 at the door

November 19
The Great LA Walk

Participants will meet downtown at City Hall (facing Temple St.) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, and proceed to walk the approximately 19-mile journey to the Pacific Ocean.
For the Great Los Angeles Walk 2011, we're going to trek through the neighborhood that symbolizes L.A.'s most famous export -- Hollywood. Think Musso & Frank's; Grauman's Egyptian and Chinese Theatres; the Walk of Fame; the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; Capitol Records Building; the Pantages; Hollywood and Vine; and much more. 

In case you're new to what we do, here's the rundown: We walk just to walk. No money, no agenda. The Great Los Angeles Walk is a completely free event; as a matter of fact, it operates without any budget whatsoever. Participants handle their own meals along the way, via local businesses and food trucks.

More info available online here.

Don't Become a Ghost This Halloween

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It's one of the three deadliest nights of the year for pedestrians (the others fall around Christmas and New Year's Eve), particularly for young walkers: deaths among pedestrians between 5 and 14 years are four times higher on Halloween than other nights of the year. If you're trick-or-treating--or driving--make sure to take special care tonight.

This Week on Foot

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This week they're thinking a lot about pedestrian safety in Chicago, where Mannequins help kick off pedestrian safety blitz and Red light cameras reduce speeding. Similarly there are Pedestrian crossing improvements considered for Plymouth Road and Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor, and further east the NJDOT to install sidewalks in shopping district and AARP NJ Urges Rep. LoBiondo to Work for Safer Streets. Even as far away as Japan Cops want bikes off sidewalks / Pedestrian safety the aim of crackdown on bicycle road rules

But the cops have other ideas in Austin, where the appropriately-named PEST (Pedestrian Enforcement Safety Team) is going after walking violations as  Police teams scan streets more closely.
Could this be part of a War on pedestrians? Jaywalking tickets rise in Seattle as well, although admittedly pedestrians can sometimes be their own worst enemy, like the Drunken pedestrians faulted in Santa Rosa crashes.

However, the pedestrian certainly wasn't to blame when a Driver hanging up her cellphone admits killing young pedestrian in St. Paul, or a Pedestrian killed in Santa Monica hit-and-run. And it's no wonder that East Palo Alto residents demand more pedestrian safety after 6-year-old’s death.

Speaking of young pedestrians, Angelenos are wondering this week: Is Westwood the Best Neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating in L.A.? Zillow thinks so, but some people (like Curbed readers) aren't so sure...

Pedestrian/Bicycle Data Collection and Prioritization Survey

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The National Cooperative Highway Research Program and Transportation Research Board would like your help in understanding pedestrian and bicycle prioritization strategies. Please give them a hand by completing a brief survey, available online here.

More info on the project and survey from NCHRP and TRB:

This survey asks about methodologies for collecting and analyzing bicycle and pedestrian data and prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle projects. We seek input from federal agencies, states, MPOs, counties, local jurisdictions of all sizes, transit agencies, colleges and universities, school districts, and public works and utililties departments. We also seek input from private sector transportation professionals, academics, non-profits, activists, and others. EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A METHODOLOGY, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! We will use this information to develop recommended methodologies for transportation agencies to evaluate and prioritize improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists along existing roads.

This survey should take about 20 minutes to complete (but I finished it more quickly than that, so you probably can too!). Surveys should be submitted by Friday, November 4, 2011.

Best Trick-or-Treat for your Feet

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Real estate site Zillow has once again released its annual list of the best US cities for trick-or-treating. Using data on walkability, population density, crime, and home value, Zillow ranks the top 20 cities for candy gathering, along with the best neighborhoods for little ghouls in each city. (Here in LA, that would be Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, and Venice.)

1.  San Francisco
2. Boston
3. Honolulu
4. Seattle
5. Chicago
6. San Jose
7. Washington
8. Los Angeles
9. Philadelphia
10. Portland
11. Minneapolis
12. Pittsburgh
13. San Diego
14. Cleveland
15. Miami
16. Denver
17. Milwaukee
18. Virginia Beach
19. Baltimore
20. Albuquerque 

This Week on Foot

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This week the Transportation Enhancements Program Beats Back Another Assault from the Senate, but we're still in the midst of The War On Kids, the Elderly, and Other People Who Walk--and their pets, like in TEMECULA: Pedestrian, 81, and dog killed Sunday.

And it's not just in California that folks are worried: 2011 pedestrian deaths causing concern in Arizona, and Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise in Reno. It kind of makes you want to avoid the well-intentioned advice of Transportationist, who suggests you Walk don't run across crosswalks to emphasize the point that roads aren't just for vehicles.

Fortunately in Jakarta they aren't as wimpy as me, where Pedestrians fight for their right to sidewalks. And congratulations are in order for our friends in India, where Model footpaths planned on five roads thanks to their advocacy efforts.

Back here in LA, the City considers making homeowners responsible for sidewalk repairs and legally liable for mishaps, which of course outrages Daily News readers here in the Valley. Fortunately in some places they're more enthusiastic about pedestrian improvements, like in Texas where according to a Dallas council member: Time to act on Complete Streets. Similarly, San Mateo plans to make city streets safer for pedestrians, but funding questions linger.

Funding is also a question for a small city in Canada, where a Pedestrian overpass over roundabout would be pricey. At least it wouldn't be a Bridge to nowhere: Pedestrian bridge linking students to classrooms in southwest Loveland closed. Maybe a better idea is just to add a pedestrian path, like in Pennsylvania where Fahy Bridge to get pedestrian lane next to unsafe sidewalks.

Perhaps New York should try the same thing for some of its neighborhoods, as this week we learned that Midtown is NY's most dangerous for pedestrians. And you thought it was just New Yorkers' bad attitudes that were scary...

Tell Your Story

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The National Complete Streets Coalition is looking for real-life stories about the importance of complete streets in your community, and successes you've had in implementing them. In particular, they're looking for examples that demonstrate how

• Complete Streets policies are necessary to accommodate existing users
• Complete Streets can be achieved within existing budgets.
• Complete Streets can lead to new transportation funding opportunities.
• Complete Streets add lasting value.

Follow the directions here to share a few sentences, a quote or photograph about your experiences with complete streets.

This Week on Foot

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It's a mixed bag in the pedestrian world this week. Pedestrian, bicyclist deaths down in Minn. but it's not so sunny in the town of Hampton Roads, Virginia, where Pedestrian deaths rise to level not seen in 4 years. And then, we're plagued by stories like this one of a Pedestrian hit, injured near hospital, driver takes off, police say in Charlotte, NC.

At least Ann Arbor officials say they're listening to concerns about pedestrian safety ordinance, and in Ithaca, NY the City to expand roadways for pedestrian commute. Closer to home, we learn of Arceo Walk, Small Investment, Big Changes in El Monte --but at the same time, there was a Pedestrian struck, killed on Santa Monica Fwy, a Pedestrian injured in suspected hit-and-run in Ventura, and the 15 year-old pedestrian, killed in Santa Barbara, has been identified.

Meanwhile, rail safety organization Operation Lifesaver Launches "Bad Move" Pedestrian Safety PSA With Online Contest. While I'm sure it's well-intentioned, I can't entirely get on board (so to speak) with a PSA that tells the tale of "a young couple who choose a dangerous place to walk," when so often the problem is that a safe route isn't a choice--I'd rather see a PSA that explains why a Pedestrian-friendly city should be priority for all.

Elsewhere in the world, Inconsistent signals puzzle pedestrians in Montreal--which is perhaps a better state of affairs than in Kingspark where a Pedestrian Crossing Sign Vanishes Days After Installed. At least they've kept their signs in Philadelphia, although it's a little half-hearted to say that Pedestrian yield signs aimed at voluntary compliance.

Next, in a stating of the obvious, Drivers and pedestrians blamed for mishaps in Fredricton, Canada. Perhaps in response to half of that problem. TRW Demonstrates Advanced Pedestrian Detection System With Automatic Emergency Braking.

Finally, we learn of A pedestrians only road for Ahmedabad, and wonder about Suburban sprawl: A Ponzi scheme? Perhaps, but as naysayers point out, Walkability is great, but having a Walmart nearby is better. Good thing there are still folks around to remind us Why walkability is important.

Sidewalk Hall of Shame

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Inspired by KECT's recent request to submit photos of broken sidewalks in LA, I took a stroll around my neighborhood to "show off" some of the most absurd examples of what passes for a sidewalk in Woodland Hills--AND, since I'm a transpo geek that way, I came up with a point system to rate just how bad they are. Think of it as a sort of anti-WalkScore.

If you squint, it almost looks like modern art on Medina Rd near Baza Ave.

Disconnectivity (0-10)
One of the most critical elements of walkability, this criteria rates whether or not a sidewalk actually takes you anywhere. Like the roller skate without its mate, the lone sidewalk won't get you anywhere if it's not part of network. Sure, it's well and good to have a beautiful smooth sidewalk in front of your house, but if your neighbors aren't on board how far are you really going to be able to walk?

 A dead end at Campo Rd near Celes St.

This Week on Foot

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This week has been dangerous for pedestrians and trains, as we learn of a Pedestrian Killed By Amtrak Train In North Hollywood and there were No Safe Option for Jersey Teens Killed on Railroad Tracks. On the other hand, it hasn't been so safe for pedestrians and vehicles, like the Wheelchair-bound pedestrian hit Sunday dies. And it should come as no surprise, as In Crashes, Low Driving Speed Can Cause Serious Injury and Death to Pedestrians, Report Finds.

Fortunately, this week there have also been numerous efforts to thwart pedestrian safety problems. In Nevada, there were Grants to help NLV police target pedestrian safety, and closer to home El Monte Walks Towards a Healthier Future.    Across the country, the MLK corridor to have pedestrian-friendly restrictions on buildings in Winston-Salem, and a Bagley Pedestrian Bridge in Detroit Provides Safe Access to Canada

Speaking of Canada, one Canadian mayor insists that his City must become safer for pedestrians, while in Vancouver a Messy street patterns boost city's walkability. Further abroad they're Building a Joburg for walkers

Finding safe routes is key in successful walking programs, which LA's new Model Street Manual: A Generic Road Map to Sustainable Transportation Planning will surely help do. And LA isn't the only place thinking about good road design: 'Complete Streets' might come to city of Zeeland in Michigan.

Of course, there are always other ways to deal with pedestrian-vehicle conflicts...like this Texas Pedestrian tells driver to buy him a beer, he'd forget about being hit. Proof again that they do things a little differently in Texas, I guess.

And sometimes we do things a little differently here in LA too--don't forget CiLAvia this Sunday!

KCET wants to see your crack

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Your sidewalk crack, that is. KECT is compiling a map of the worst examples in LA, and will share some of them on-air in the future. Submit your heinous sidewalk photos by following the instructions here.

My only problem will be picking which horrible sidewalk in my neighborhood to showcase. So many options...

It's International Walk to School Day!

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Celebrate with your favorite kid by doing the Ped Safety Dance, or check out an activity at your local school. Here are just a few of the fun things happening this week at schools around the region.

Westlake Elementary School
We always invite the City's Bike Patrol and Horse Patrol to International Walk to School Day. We get the word out via a big banner at the front of the school and via the weekly email newsletter sent to all parents. This is the kick off of a year-long program, "Westlake's Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays," in which we have walking and biking events the first Wednesday of every month. We give the kids punch cards to attach to their backpacks which they can get punched every month. There are incentives for walking of biking 3 months in a row and for walking or biking every month of the year.
Linwood E. Howe Elementary School
We will be working with a local Girl Scout Troop to hold a bike clinic the weekend before so that families can get their bikes tuned up and students can learn about and practice bicycle safety. On Walk to School Wednesday, local city and school district officials will meet us in front of City Hall to walk to school. This will be the kick-off event for monthly Walk to School Wednesdays, which will be part of our encouragement efforts for our Safe Routes to School Program. 

William Mckinley Elementary School
We set up stations at all four corners on the way to school. Everyone who walks gets a juice and muffin and a wristband that says "I Walked".

Bell Gardens High School
Bell Gardens will host Safe Routes to School Week during the week of October 17th. The events will promote walking as a viable form of transportation and educate students about new infrastructure improvements, how to walk safely, the importance of physical activity and practicing healthy eating habits.

Tulsa St Elementary School
Cliff Kids sponsors us and donates healthy snacks for those that walk. We have all the walkers sign a banner and hang it up in the Cafeteria area.

Sunset Hills Elementary School
We always have a theme like "Buzz on up to School" or "Hop on up to School" We draw encouraging notes on the sidewalks for the children as they enter the school. We give out toe tokens for the children who walk. we also try to provide a healthy snack to those who walk. We also collect "slightly used" tennis shoes to give to charity.

This Week on Foot

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This week has been full of more buzzing about the recent study of the bike-ped relationship. As multiple sources point out, according to the Study: Pedestrians safer with more bikes on the street and
Local Data Confirm: NYC Bike-on-Ped Injuries Declined as Cycling Rates Rose . So, I guess it's no surprise that the Bike-Pedestrian Safety Study Draws Jabs.

Meanwhile in New York, A New Look Is Coming to Times Square: Minimalism, and  Audible Pedestrian Signals Debut At 25 NYC Intersections!

But it's not just New Yorkers thinking about pedestrian infrastructure. In Pennsylvania a Group wants to make Kennett Square more "walkable", and there's a Pedestrian bridge finished over Maine Turnpike.

Of course, here in LA it's the vehicle infrastructure people care about, as Protesters to Demand Their 'Apron' Parking Spots Back. Given the dangers pedestrians face here, like the Pedestrian struck by car and badly injured in El Monte or the Pedestrian Struck on PCH in Pacific Palisades, it's a shame cars are getting all the attention.

But in other parts of the country, pedestrians are getting their due, like in Oregon where a Report highlights bike, pedestrian activity in region, Baltimore where Pedestrian, bike safety issues are focus of efforts, and Philadelphia where AARP and the Mayor's Commission on Aging Partner to Make Philadelphia Streets More Walkable for the City's 50+ Population.

Unfortunately, similar efforts in Florida may not have been enough, as Traffic deaths drop in Florida, but pedestrian deaths climb. But across the ocean in Abu Dhabi Pedestrian deaths drop by a third, so at least there's some positive news out there--and speaking of positive stories, if you're looking for one, check out how this Pedestrian hit by train tells story of recovery.

Cool Ped Stuff # 18: Elmer the Safety Elephant

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Elmer the Safety Elephant’s Poem Look all ways
Before you cross the street.
Use your eyes and ears
Before you use your feet.

Courtesy of our friends to the north, Canada's Elmer the Safety Elephant teaches kids how to remain safe in all sorts of circumstances--including when walking to school, which is particularly important because coming up on October 5 is International Walk to School Day. I'll post some info about local activities, but check out the website if you'd like to see what your local school is up to next week.

More Walk Friendly Communities

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The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has announced another set of Walk Friendly communities that are working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort. They include:

Gold Level
Chicago, IL
Minneapolis, MN
San Francisco, CA

Silver Level                                      
Alexandria, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Santa Monica, CA

Bronze Level                                     
Cary, NC
Corvallis, OR
Davidson, NC
Lee’s Summit, MO    

“We were very pleased to have a great mix of designated communities this round,” said Carl Sundstrom, WFC program manager. “Through the application process, communities share their best practices and, in turn, we’re able to share this information to all of the communities who apply through the technical assistance we provide.”

You can read more about the program and all the Walk Friendly communities on the Walk Friendly Communities website. Think your community deserves to be on this list? Applications open for the next round in November.

Oh, and of course I have to mention that to date, my hometown of Seattle, Washington, has been the only Platinum-level Walk Friendly Community awarded. Kudos to the Emerald City!        

This Week on Foot

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Just as we've been discussing the relationship between bikes and pedestrians, this week a Study looks at pedestrians hospitalized after bicycle crashes in New York State, and shows that the numbers are higher than previously suspected. But in Chicago, it's trains not bikes that are the problem and Suburban train crossings prove most deadly. And of course, here at home it's the vehicles, like the Angry driver allegedly runs down pedestrian in Redondo Beach.
At least in some places they're thinking about pedestrian safety and walkability, like in Lompoc where Safe walking routes focus of health summit, St. Louis where there's a Pedestrian 'lid' over highway on track for Arch improvements, or even outside the US where Pedestrian-friendly model roads mooted, a Pedestrian Safety Blitz Deemed a Success, and  Uruguay Street pedestrian nightlife area opens in Beirut.

Back in the US Ann Arbor police begin ticketing motorists who don't stop for pedestrians, but in Pittsburgh DU Police may begin ticketing negligent pedestrians. Fortunately elsewhere in Pennsylvania they're taking a brighter stance on walking, like in one small town where Tredyffrin sidewalk ordinance aims for a walkable community.

Speaking of small towns, this week the NRDC brings us news of How a small community is becoming greener - with help from some important friends. And in a slightly bigger community, Putnam Avenue Closed For New Pedestrian Plaza in New York...but Pedestrian Plazas Remain Magnet for Homeless at Night, Despite Outreach  , which some folks aren't too happy about.

In North Carolina it's distracted pedestrians they aren't happy about, as the N.C. DOT to pedestrians: don’t text and walk, and in Glendale one person doesn't seem happy about any pedestrians, as we learn in A note to Saint Pedestrian.

Finally, on a lighter note, one take on Pedestrian Art examines how ordinary objects on the street can make walking a little more interesting.

War or Peace? Exploring the Relationship between Bikes and Peds

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A recent question from a reader got me thinking once again about our friends on two wheels. I'll say up front that while I like and appreciate bikes--I have even been known to occasionally ride the one I own--I've always found it odd that they are inevitably grouped together with pedestrians. Given their widely differing demographics, trip lengths and purposes, and infrastructure needs, lumping cyclists with pedestrians strikes me as akin to calling submarines and spacecraft the same because both require users to travel with their own oxygen.

Nonetheless, it seems impossible for transportation policymakers to separate the two, and although there are some extraordinary partnerships between the modes (e.g. the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center), just as often we hear of intense conflicts as cyclists and pedestrians jostle for urban space. Are we really at war, as so many news articles claim? Let's examine the issues.

Behavior
My observation is that when pedestrians complain about cyclists, they're most often grousing about illegal or inconsiderate behaviors: riding on sidewalks (where prohibited), riding too fast or in the wrong direction, or generally riding in ways that make pedestrians feel unsafe. (To be fair, cyclists could say the same about pedestrians).

While there are always going to be people who behave badly no matter what the circumstances,  a combination of enforcement and educational campaigns can help address these problems. This is an area where a partnership between cyclists and pedestrians can be particularly effective, as the two groups could work together to develop formal Codes of Conduct for both walkers and riders, lobbying for increased or clearer signage on shared paths, or create informational websites, signs, or brochures to help the public understand the expectations for all users.

Success! Sort of...

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Thanks to your efforts, Senator Coburn temporarily softened his opposition to transportation enhancement funding and allowed federal surface transportation legislation to move forward...for now. But he's brokering a deal that will allow an "opt out" of those pesky enhancements like ped and bike projects as part of a future, long-term transportation bill. Read all about it on Streetsblog, and stay tuned for more calls to action.

This Week on Foot

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Disappointingly (though expected), this week Coburn Blocks Quick Senate Vote on Transportation Extension, leading to a reminder from T4America to Sen. Coburn: Cutting Bike/Ped Won’t Fix Oklahoma’s Problems. In fact, just the opposite, as we learn this week about how improving walking infrastructure is part of How to Build a Greener City, not to mention The suburb — in search of an identity. It's all about that Good Old Brand-New Urbanism.

And some places in the country get that. In Orlando a Project's goal: Make streets safer for pedestrians, Virginia promotes safety for cyclists, pedestrians, in Boston Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day Returns to BU, and  Safe Kids Greater Chattanooga And FedEx Unveil Pedestrian Safety Improvements.

But it's not all rosy out there. In New York Two Manhattan Pedestrians Killed 24 Hours Apart, while in the ultimate irony a Pedestrian Horror: Woman Injured By Falling Walk Signal.

From walk signals to sidewalks, in Atlanta they're wondering Who Should Fix Our Broken Sidewalks? And sadly, in Chicago we learn that Suburban police write few tickets on crosswalk law

Perhaps its because the focus in that city is on the danger from bicycles, where a Cyclist Cell Phone Ban Mulled By Chicago City Council. And it's not just Chicago that's thinking about the relationship between cyclists and pedestrians. Across the ocean In city of cyclists, pedestrians feel the squeeze. Could we really be talking about The cyclists’ war on pedestrians?

Hopefully not, because pedestrians have enough to contend with from other quarters, like across the ocean where a Rhos-on-Sea pedestrian crossing hits stumbling block due to business owners' concerns about pedestrians interfering with parking. Because after all, it's the cars that do the shopping, not the people...

Upcoming Webinars

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A bunch of interesting and (mostly) free webinars to up your pedestrian and transportation expertise.

September 20, 12:00 pm PT
2011 National Walking Survey Results

America Walks, the American Public Health Association, and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals have teamed up to present a free webinar on the National Walking Survey. Panelists will discuss the findings from the 7,000 who responded to the online survey and address the potential implications for advancing walking and health-related policies and programs. The webinar's capacity is limited, so register today here.

September 21, 12:00 pm PT
APBP Professional Development Webinar Series - ADA Compliance: Self-evaluation and Transition Plans

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been in place for over 20 years, many communities still struggle to understand the parameters of the obligation to make the public right of way accessible or have not established a comprehensive transition plan to address deficiencies. This webinar offers two examples of recent plans and the process through which they were developed. Representatives from Hennepin County, Minnesota, and Miami/Dade County, Florida, will present case studies from their communities; the session also includes a brief update from the U.S. Access Board on the updated accessibility guidelines and the proposed rule-making on shared use paths.

These examples will offer insight into common issues: the self-evaluation process, including methods of data collection and prioritizing projects; implementing, financing and documenting corrective measures; how to update policies and practices; and establishing a protocol for regular updates to the transition plan once it has been adopted.

Register here.

September 22, 10:00 am PT
Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets: A Short Walk Through Legal and Practical Issues

Join us for a webinar on key practical and legal considerations involved in creating pedestrian-friendly streets. You’ll also learn about policy tools that can make walkable streets the default in your community, including our new directory filled with examples of codes from communities across the country that make streets safer and more comfortable for pedestrians.

We’ll be joined by Scott Bricker from America Walks, who will offer success stories, challenges, and tips from communities nationwide. He’ll also present data from a recent national survey on walking habits and talk about how this information can be used in advocacy campaigns.

Register here.
                  
October 12, 11:00 am PT
Public Involvementin the Transportation Planning Process―Webinar

The National Center on Senior Transportation will partner with Easter Seals Project ACTION to present a webinar on Public Involvement in the Transportation Planning Process. This event is designed for transportation advocates who want to come to the table better informed and prepared better informed and prepared to offer input that will be heard, understood and incorporated into their regional transportation plans.

Register by October 7 here.

Action Alert from America Walks

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Those of you who have been less distracted by poopy diapers than me have probably been following the debate over the extension of federal transportation funding closely, but just in case you haven't here's an important request from America Walks to show your support for ped and bike funding ASAP. If I can find time to do it, so can you!

Save Transportation Enhancements in the Transportation ExtensionContact Your Senators Today to Preserve Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding

This year, around $700 million of Federal transportation funds, which is less than 2 percent of total transportation dollars, will be spent on bicycling and walking.  In 2012 that figure could be a big fat zero if Senator Coburn (R-OK) gets his way.

In the next few days, Senator Coburn (R-OK) is expected to try and hold up the extension of the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill unless Congress eliminates funding for the federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program.  For twenty years, Transportation Enhancements has been the primary funding source for sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more.

Sen. Coburn is threatening to let tens of billions of transportation spending expire after September 30 (the current expiration of SAFETEA-LU) over the small amount that bicycling and walking receives.  If Sen. Coburn were to succeed, it would mean an immediate end to funding for Transportation Enhancements.  It would also mean that our chances of sustaining any funding for bicycling and walking (including for Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails) in the long-term reauthorization bill would be more difficult.

Members of Congress who oppose bicycling and walking funding are saying that these projects are “job-killing regulations.”  But, bicycle and pedestrian projects create more jobs per dollar than highway-only projects.  And, bicycle and pedestrian projects help alleviate traffic congestion, improve safety, get people active, and give us all more transportation options.

Please take two minutes to contact your Senators today to urge them to vote against the Coburn amendment and sustain dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements.  Don’t let them take away this vital investment program for smart, sustainable, safe transportation choices.

Thank you for your action. With your help, we can preserve funding for bicycling and walking in the extension and put us in a better position for the long-term transportation bill.

Cool Ped Stuff # 17: The Pedestrian Jar

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The Pedestrian Jar - Teaser from pedestrian jar on Vimeo.

This official selection from this year's Toronto International Film Festival was made in response to a recent uptick in pedestrian fatalities in the Toronto, leading director Evan Morgan to wonder, "What can be done to create more awareness of the relations between pedestrians and cars?"

The film is intended to be the first of a series addressing varying perspectives on roadway safety, including the role that pedestrians and cyclists must play in keeping themselves safe in a dangerous setting.

As Mr. Morgan explains, "...whether or not drivers are able to recognize their unfortunate tendencies within the context of this narrative, it doesn't mean that the message will easily translate into practical experience. What I mean is that they'll still likely be overly preoccupied with 'making that right turn', and perhaps fail to acknowledge a pedestrian every now and again.

I think that the value of the movie's message is actually for the pedestrians themselves, who perhaps have learned to take drivers for granted - as though cars will immediately stop for them the second they step out onto the road.

We have to remember that these vehicles are not robots, but are being operated by human beings, who can easily space out or become distracted for any number of reasons. I think the movie's criticism of drivers is relevant in so far as it reminds us to be more vigilant when navigating our city on foot."

In other words, yet more evidence that our streets would be better if only cars WERE robots that drove themselves. But that's a different post...

This Week on Foot

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This week our friends down south are making great strides towards pedestrian friendliness, as Bolivia bans cars for 'Day of the Pedestrian'. Yet other parts of the world aren't so promising. In Toronto, there's a Scramble intersection under city scrutiny, and Cyclists defend using sidewalk where pedestrian was struck and killed. But the quest for walkability carries on. In Vancouver the Public pushes for a pedestrian zone, and in India a study shows us that Rajkot, Surat need dedicated pedestrian space.

Closer to home there's much talk about Reese Witherspoon’s Accident: Are Pedestrians Really In Growing Danger. The definitely are, at least in Montana where Friends, neighbors remember bicycle-pedestrian advocate who died in crash.

Meanwhile, over at Streetsblog they're wondering, With a Growing Effort Toward Safe Routes to Schools, Why Not Safe Routes to Universities? It's a good question, given that here in California a Safe routes to school equity bill signed into law, while in Minnesota State schools nab $3.8M windfall for sidewalks
Elsewhere in the country, Fairhope pedestrian safety project teaches civics lesson--one that perhaps they haven't learned in Maryland, where Montgomery police pledge to step up ticketing of jaywalkers, in contrast to Utah, where Park City's walkable vision ahead of planning curve.

Finally, From the archive, 8 September 1921: Right or Left? Pedestrians need to be told how to walk properly along those things "Americans call sidewalks."

Volunteers Needed for LA Bike and Ped Count

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An urgent request from the LA Bicycle Coalition:

We are conducting our 2nd bike and pedestrian count in the City of Los Angeles next week over two days. Tuesday, Sept 13th from 7 to 9am and 4 to 6pm and on Saturday, Sept 17th from 11 to 1pm. We still have a ton of locations all across the City of Los Angeles that need your help and the help of your friends & neighbors.

If you could sign-up to volunteer, just for one of the count times it will make a tremendous impact towards the collecting this vital active transportation data. What isn't counted is not funded, and currently the City of Los Angeles and LA County in general are lagging in collecting data on bicycles and pedestrians.

This count is our opportunity to get out there and make sure we are counted. So whether you ride a bike or walk to transit, this count is being held to count YOU!

So please help us make this count possible by signing up to count today. More information can be found here. Login here and see the locations, dates and times available and sign-up today!!!

Upcoming Walking Events

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September 16 12:00-1:00 PM (PT)
Visioning San Diego Lunch Forum

WalkSanDiego will feature Elyse Lowe, Executive Director of Move San Diego, as the guest speaker for its next Visioning San Diego Lunch Forum on September 16, 2011. Ms. Lowe will announce the beginning of The MOVE Alliance, a new program recently formed by her organization to review, recognize and endorse well designed development projects in the San Diego region that enhance residents’ transportation options and provide for more sustainable growth.

Lunch: $5.00 in advance, $7.00 at door
RSVP here by 9/14/11

September 20 10:00 AM (PT)
Safe Routes Webinar: Creating BUZZ Around Your SRTS Event
  
Each year students from schools in more than 40 countries join together to celebrate walking and bicycling during Walk to School Month in October. Organizing your students for Walk to School Day (WTS) or another walking event is a great way to invigorate an existing Safe Routes to School program or kick off a new one. This webinar will highlight a unique and fun WTS event and provide tips on how to get the word out, involve media, and bring attention to your WTS activities.

For more information please contact Michelle Gulley

September 27, 11:00 AM (PT)FHWA Webinar Series: Designing for Pedestrian Safety Webinars

Part 5: Signalized Intersections
Presented by Michael Moule, President, Livable Streets, Inc.
and Fred Ranck, FHWA Resource Center Safety Design Engineer
Register at View the Recording here

The Ins and Outs of In-Roadway Flashing Lights

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Photo courtesy of Streetswiki

Driving through Santa Monica over the long weekend we encountered a pedestrian waiting at one of these--and a dilemma. Being the well-trained pedestrian-advocate's partner that he is, my husband slowed to stop for the pedestrian--just as the vehicle next to us sped up to catch the green light at the next intersection.

It got me thinking about the safety of in-roadway flashing lights, and the danger of crossing multi-lane roads. First, some info on the lights: they're a relatively new technology (the first was installed in Santa Rosa in 1993), and because of this we don't have a lot of good data on their long-term effectiveness. However, the folks at the PBIC have put together a useful summary of the available research. Some key points:

• Some improvement in yielding to pedestrians has shown at most locations where in-roadway flashing lights have been installed, but it is not always dramatic or consistent across all conditions.
• The effect of in-roadway flashing lights on vehicle speed is unclear. Some studies showed a reduction in vehicle speeds following treatment installation, while others showed no reduction or mixed results.
• The two studies of in-roadway flashing lights at multi-lane roads also produced inconsistent results in terms of whether or not the treatment improves yielding to pedestrians, leading the PBIC to recommend that "caution should be exercised, and perhaps additional treatments implemented if [an in-roadway warning light system] is considered for uncontrolled crosswalks at multi-lane locations."

This Week on Foot

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As summer ends and the school year ramps up, this week we're offered Back to School Red Light Safety Tips for Millions of Pedestrians, Cyclists and Motorists and urged to Keep an eye out for pedestrians. And it's not just about the kids: an AARP forum urges steps to improve pedestrian safety for another vulnerable population, the elderly. 
Of course, some jurisdictions are being more proactive with regard to pedestrian safety. Pleasant Hill addresses pedestrian safety with crosswalk signs, while in Tennessee Decatur Gets $261,541 Grant For Pedestrian Bicycle Project and in Missouri a City receives extra $5.9 million for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. At the advice of walking expert Dan Burden Casper tries new street parking in Wyoming, and in Kansas the Douglas plan is a nod to street's past (that is, its more walkable past). Even Houston Is On The Way to Becoming A More Walkable Urban Destination.

In less positive news, we learn that As the Motor City, metro Detroit dangerous for pedestrians; limited sidewalks a problem--however one commenter suggests we Protect Pedestrians by Removing the Sidewalks and using woonerfs instead.

Either wayMotorists urged to go slow at pedestrian crossings, in part due to the new challenge of pedestrians distracted by mobile devices. On that topic, this week we learned that Listening to music more distracting than using a mobile phone (at least for pedestrians).

Of course, even more dangerous for pedestrians is excessive drinking...particularly when it results in passing out in the road. Towards that end: Don't drink and lie, police warn pedestrians. Also beware your footwear. According to Police: Flip-Flops Blamed In Pedestrian Crash in Boulder, Colorado.

When Good Apps Go Bad

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You might have caught this story about San Francisco's new parking app on NPR a few days ago. Part of the pilot SF Park program, the app helps improve parking efficiency by providing real-time information on parking space availability--and price (the other key component of the program is demand-based pricing)-- so that drivers can head directly to the spot they want rather than circling endlessly in search of the elusive golden parking spot (i.e. the one that's free and right in front of where they want to go).

While the app has the laudable goal of reducing traffic congestion (much of which is caused by drivers stalking parking spaces) and its associated environmental impacts, as noted in the NPR segment it also presents users with the virtually irresistible temptation to engage in distracted driving. Although the program's creators insist that they "always encourage drivers to look at the app before they start driving," the reality is that the app won't work nearly as well unless people use it to make decisions in real time; drivers need to call up the information right before they arrive at their destination, not before they start driving.

To be fair to SF Park, the same is true of many other apps out, such as those showing real-time traffic congestion. Apps like these can help to reduce congestion and the problems associated with it, but only when drivers can use them to change routes on the spot. For all of the talk about discouraging distracted driving, it's illogical to pretend that real-time traffic and parking apps don't rely on it.

So how do we continue to reap the benefits of this technology without creating safety problems for pedestrians and drivers alike? Well, my dream is to take driving out of the driver's hands entirely, and let cars handle that themselves. But since that seems to be a few years off, we could at least update our apps to allow users to enter their preferences in advance, and then let the app tell them (automatically and audibly, without having to muddle around with a mobile device) what to do.

For example, a San Franciscan could enter their destination before they start driving, along with the maximum amount they would be willing to pay for parking, and the app could direct them to the closest space in their price range. Or the app could get super-fancy and allow the user to enter a price/distance combo (e.g. a preference to pay up to $2 more for a premium space right up front), and direct the user appropriately.

Sadly, I'm only a transpo--not a techno--geek, so I can't implement this idea myself. But there must be someone, particularly in the haven of all things techno that is the Bay Area, who can?

This Week on Foot

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This week is full of the *shocking* news that walking is dangerous! There's a City study: Chicago pedestrians in crosswalks are in cross hairs, while On Wide Florida Roads, Running for Dear Life. Here in California, Accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists escalate, Alameda police say, and a Woman Dies One Month After Being Hit By Cyclist In San Francisco.

That last story leads to some debate over the relationship between cyclists and pedestrians. If You Want Real Bike Lanes...you need to consider both pedestrians and cyclists (as well as any other users), and make the lanes safe for all. Of course, some just think that Awkward, These Pedestrian Wars Are.

Perhaps so, but they can also be lucrative--at least for one B.C. pedestrian hit in crosswalk awarded $1.1 million (finally, some justice in the pedestrian world!). Perhaps we need more settlements like this, to underscore the financial dangers of ignoring pedestrians' needs. 

Fortunately, many jurisdictions are being proactive about the issue. In North Bend Oregon, they're Creating safer roads for pedestrians to cross , while North Myrtle Beach taking action to make sure pedestrians stay safe, and across the globe Belfast pedestrian access to be prioritised. Closer to home there are Flags Up for Pedestrian Safety in Santa Barbara, San Carlos to spend $2.7 to improve pedestrian and bike safety in town's east side, and Sunset Magazine Breaks Ground On the Sunset Smart Homes, Silicon Valley's Greenest Mixed-Use Development (with a focus on walkability).

Meanwhile, in Florida we note that Rural areas' lack of sidewalks fuel obesity. But in Minneapolis they're wondering, Is walking really exercise?

Hopefully so, since NY Gov Will Sign Complete Streets Law this week, and in Lake Charles, Louisiana More McNeese students taking advantage of new crosswalks. All things to consider when we're Planning the future of cities.

Oh, and if you'd like to get involved in that planning? Volunteers needed for annual count of bicyclists and pedestrians in Washington next month.

Of strollers and sidewalks

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It's a truth almost too obvious to mention that walking with a baby changes your perspective on the pedestrian environment, but I'm going to mention it anyway because it allows me to rant afresh about a problem that affects more than just new baby owners.

Exhibit A: the sidewalk in our neighborhood (see above). Note, I use the term side-"walk" here loosely, as nothing about this crumpled thread of concrete is actually conducive to walking. In fact, until three weeks ago I ignored this mess entirely, sticking instead to the smooth path of asphalt beside it.

And then...enter baby. Suddenly, I'm not so pleased about being forced to share a roadbed with several tons of lethal vehicle. Granted, the on-street parking, narrow roadways, and low traffic volumes make sharing the road a mostly-reasonable proposition in my community. But honestly, if we're going to have sidewalks that are so narrow and poorly maintained that they aren't even usable, why even have them at all? Wouldn't it be a better idea to just tear them out, and instead have a slightly wider shared roadway that a pedestrian with a stroller (or in a wheelchair, or with a cane) might actually be able to use?

It's this unceasing bias against infrastructure for pedestrians, and in favor of that for vehicles, that makes me angry as a pedestrian advocate. This situation would never be tolerated if we were talking about vehicle lanes. Can you imagine the outcry if Los Angeles let its roads deteriorate to the point that they weren't usable in much of the city? In fact, the City's Operation Pothole was instituted to avoid just such a scenario. Yet the City continues to find reasons not to fix its sidewalks (or more precisely, not to force responsible property owners to do so).

What I'd like to know is, where is our Operation Sidewalk?

Demand a Pardon for Raquel Nelson

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Okay, I'm dipping a toe back into the world of blogging for just one quick moment, because I feel so passionately about this story and want to spread the word as much as possible. I hope you'll forgive me if I blatantly copy info from our friends at Transportation for America, rather than coming up with my own:

Raquel Nelson, a metro Atlanta mother, was crossing the street from a bus stop to her apartment complex with her three children after a long trip that included an hour plus wait between buses. Along with a handful of fellow passengers headed to the apartment complex, she unsurprisingly chose to cross the street at the bus stop rather than walk more than half a mile in the dark to the nearest traffic signal and back with her tired children.

They were struck by a hit-and-run driver, killing her youngest son.

Then the unbelievable happened: Cobb County charged this grieving mother, who did not even own a car at the time, with vehicular homicide and other charges, carrying a potential sentence of 36 months in jail. A jury of six – none of whom had ever taken a local bus – convicted her July 12. The judge sentenced her to 12 months’ probation, community service, and the burden of paying court costs. In the face of widespread outcry, she also offered her the option of a retrial, and Nelson intends to exercise that right to clear her name.

But we think she should never have been charged in the first place.

Please consider signing Transportation for America's petition to the Georgia Governor and the Cobb County Solicitor General requesting her immediate pardon or refusal to prosecute her again in a new trial.

You can find additional information about the case on the Transportatino for America blog here.

Where the Sidewalk Starts Puts its Feet Up

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Where the Sidewalk Starts will be taking a brief hiatus as we welcome a new pedestrian into our family. If you're looking for something to read in the meantime, check out the Best of the Blog or one of the many fascinating posts from our friends on the blogroll.


Happy walking!

Upcoming Walking Events

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July 27
PBIC Webinar: Funding Issues
12:00-1:30 PT

In the final presentation of the Pedestrian SafetyAction Plan Webinar series, instructors will address the critical issueof funding programs, projects and plan recommendations. Specifically,the presentation will discuss how pedestrian considerations can beroutinely included and funded in transportation projects and throughannual maintenance budgets. Information will also be presented onvarious Federal, State, local and private sector funding sources. By theend of the presentation, participants will be able to describe how toidentify funding sources for the development and implementation of theirpedestrian safety action plans.

Register online here.

August 19
Active Living Research Conference
Call for Abstracts

Active Living Research invites abstracts to be considered for presentation at the 2012 Annual Conference on March 12-14, 2012 in San Diego, CA. The theme of the 2012 conference, Disparities in Environments and Policies that Support Active Living, recognizes the importance of engaging experts from multiple disciplines to address the inequities seen in many communities throughout the nation where childhood obesity and inactivity are the highest. Abstracts are due no later than 4:00 pm on August 19.

Additional information available online here.

October 24-27
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
2011 Professional Development Seminar

APBP’s Professional Development Seminar is a biennial conference distinguished by in-depth seminars and a collegial atmosphere where participants network, share knowledge, and learn to propel policy into practice. Attend this conference for cutting edge training and the newest, best information to advance your work and your career. PDS 2011 takes place in Charlotte, N.C., a living laboratory for Complete Streets implementation. The conference will offer three classroom training tracks:

• Complete Streets Design and Implementation
• New Guidelines, Research and Standards
• Livability and Economic Development.

Additional information available online here.

This Week on Foot

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This week the transportation world continues to lament The Lonesome Death of a Child Pedestrian in Atlanta, while expressing its unending frustration with a system that blames the child's mother for problems (e.g. lack of pedestrian infrastructure) that are beyond her control.

Meanwhile, a series of odd crashes this week show that no one--from celebrities to cops--can afford to ignore pedestrians. First the Teen Victim in Lamar Odom Limo Crash Dies, then 'Cash Cab' strikes and kills pedestrian in Canada, and finally a N.Y. Officer to Be Fired After Killing a Pedestrian With Patrol Car.

Perhaps it's stories like these that led Philly to increase distracted driving, biking enforcement, or encouraged the development of a Toyota System Can Sense Pedestrians, Avoid Accidents. Other places are interested in improving pedestrian safety as well. In Canada, a City takes steps to curb deaths, while there are Updated pedestrian signals announced in New Haven and New Crosswalks Improve Pedestrian Safety in Denver. Even Memphis business leader McVean wants cyclist/pedestrian path over the Mississippi.

Further abroad, the story isn't as pleasant. In India, we learn about Kochi: No city for pedestrians, and in New Zealand the Law of the jungle rules zebra crossing. Maybe we should just be Living Large Driving Less...

Research Summary

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Making the Case for Investment in the Walking Environment
The UK-based organization Living Streets recently released a report that explores the potential benefits of investing in the walking environment. It outlines many of the well-known benefits of improving the pedestrian environment, including increases in physical and mental health, improved mobility for specific groups like children and the elderly, environmental and economic benefits.

Among the report's key points:

• The most significant measured benefit of investments in the walking environment is improved health from increased physical activity
• User experience (often referred to as journey ambience) is the second largest benefit
• All the evidence reviewed of evaluations of walking environments showed positive cost benefit ratios, of up to 37.6
• investment in the walking environment is likely to be at least, if not better, value for money than other transport projects

Attitudes Towards Red-Light Camera Enforcement in Cities with Camera Programs
The objective of this report, published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, was to obtain information on attitudes and experiences related to red light camera enforcement in cities with camera programs, as well as in Houston, Texas, where cameras were removed after voters rejected the program in November 2010. Telephone surveys were conducted with 3,111 drivers in 14 large cities (population greater than 200,000) with long-standing red light camera programs and 300 drivers in Houston.
According to the report, among drivers in the 14 cities with red light camera programs, two-thirds favor the use of cameras for red light enforcement, and 42 percent strongly favor it. The chief reasons for opposing cameras were the perceptions that cameras make mistakes and that the motivation for installing them is revenue, not safety.

Forty-one percent of drivers favor using cameras to enforce right-turn-on-red violations. Nearly 9 in 10 drivers were aware of the camera enforcement programs in their cities, and 59 percent of these drivers believe the cameras have made intersections safer.

Almost half of those surveyed knew someone who received a red light camera citation, and 17 percent had received at least one ticket themselves. When compared with drivers in the 14 cities with camera programs, the percentage of drivers in Houston who strongly favored enforcement was about the same (45 percent), but strong opposition was higher in Houston than in the other cities (28 percent versus 18 percent).
An Assessment of Urban Form and Pedestrian and Transit Improvements
A recent study from the Washington State Department of Transportation looked at the impact of various community design strategies on travel and carbon emissions. The study used data from the 2006 PRSC Houshold Activity Survey and existing sidewalk data in its evaluation, controlling for household characteristics that could influence walking behavior.

According to the statistical analysis in the study, travel pricing and demand management strategies yield consistently large and significant influence on VMT and CO2 generation. For example, filling in a community's sidewalk network so that 70% of streets offer safe pedestrian space reduces vehicular travel by 3.4% and carbon emissions by 4.9%. The analysis also suggests that only moderate increases in sidewalk infrastructure may be needed to yield significant decreases in VMT and associated CO2 emissions.

On the other hand, more aggressive and substantial increases in land use mix may be required before a greater return on investment is realized. Moreover, the authors make the important point that the success of strategies to promote land use mix and sidewalk availability may largely depend on having a local land use and transportation system to encourage alternative mobility options.

It's important to note that the study was hindered by a lack of sidewalk data for much of the region, so the results should only be considered a "first step"--albeit an encouraging one. Eventually the DOT hopes to expand the study when data from more neighborhoods becomes available.