In a recent Huffington Post article, F. Kaid Benfield of the Natural Resources Defense Council breaks down some of the barriers for walkability in the United States.
As the United States coming is in dead last for both transit use and walking according to National Geographic's 17-nation Greendex study, it comes as no surprise that Americans prefer driving. Benfield credits this to three major factors in his recent piece: inconvenience and danger, roadway design, and legal bias toward drivers.
Benfield points out the dangers of walking in certain sprawling metro regions that were designed to accommodate vehicles and not pedestrians. Indeed, "a report released by the nonprofit National Complete Streets Coalition earlier this year analyzed traffic fatality data over a ten-year period; the report found that the country’s top four 'most dangerous' metro regions for pedestrians are all in the state of Florida," with many other locations on the list in the sprawling Sun Belt. Unlike major cities, many of these dangerous regions lack destinations within close proximity and basic pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks or frequent crosswalks.
Moreover, many states actually blame pedestrians in vehicle-pedestrian collisions rather than drivers. Benfield delves into Raquel Nelson's case in suburban Atlanta from April 2010 to show the bias of these laws. These combined factors lead to many Americans resisting walking or transit use, and keep them enclosed in their cars.
FULL STORY: Americans Don't Walk Much, and I Don't Blame Them
Federal Plan Takes Aim at Transportation Emissions
The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization is designed to guide federal investment and regulations, focusing on electrification with a nod to transit investment and walkability.
Europe Building a Post-Car Future
While the United States mobilizes to transition to electric cars, cities and countries in Europe are transitioning to fewer cars.
Survey Says New Yorker Want More Protected Bike and Bus Lanes, Less Parking
A new survey reveals broad support for a less car-centric approach to capital investment in the city of New York.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie