The Demographics of Pedestrian Safety

While pedestrian safety affects all areas, it disproportionately affects cities with large minority populations because they are more likely to walk than whites. Santa Ana, Calif. a majority "minority" city, is taking steps to make walking safer.

2 minute read

June 11, 2014, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"In cities such as Santa Ana, a dense city of about 330,000 people, the threat of cars hitting people is heightened in neighborhoods designed more for drivers than walkers," writes 

According to Smart Growth America's recent report on pedestrian fatalities, "people of color suffer disproportionately from traffic deaths," writes El Nasser, pointing to her article last month that showed in Florida, the worst state for pedestrians according to the report, minorities and seniors faced the most risk.

"According to the National Household Travel Survey, whites make less than 10 percent of all trips on foot, compared with 12 percent for blacks and more than 14 percent for Hispanics," writes El Nasser.

“I suspect that part of the reason that racial and ethnic minorities also are disproportionately represented is that they live along those arterial boulevards with strip malls along the way,” said Michelle Ernst, of Ernst Transportation Analytics, who analyzed data for Smart Growth America’s recent Dangerous by Design 2014 report.

Santa Ana is tackling pedestrian safety from many angles. Bulb-outs, road diets, and mid-block crosswalks have been added. It is drafting a bike/walk master plan. “Santa Ana is experiencing a renaissance in how they’re approaching street design,” said Tony Dang, deputy director of California Walks, a nonprofit pedestrian advocacy group.

Statewide, last year "California passed the Active Transportation Program to encourage active modes of transit and to make walking and biking safer. In 2011, pedestrians and bicyclists made up 53 percent of all fatal and severe-injury hit-and-run collisions statewide," writes El Nasser.

The program will open up $360 million to California communities, and “at least 25 percent of the funds are supposed to go to disadvantaged communities,” said Tony Dang, deputy director of California Walks, a nonprofit pedestrian advocacy group.

"Santa Ana has applied for 10 grants totaling $6.1 million" from the program. 

“Santa Ana is experiencing a renaissance in how they're approaching street design,” said Dang. “It comes from a long history of pretty terrible rankings. Santa Ana is No. 1 in the state for pedestrian fatalities and injuries for children under 15.”

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 in Aljazeera America

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today