Pedestrian safety is a vital component to a walkable city. Which large cities in the United States have a leg up, and which are trailing behind?
A new study by shoe company Kuru Footwear ranks 36 most populous U.S. cities according to how foot-friendly they are. The study used pedestrian death data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration combined with overall Walk Score to calculate its results. That means the safest cities have fewer fatal pedestrian accidents and higher walking scores.The study notes, “Many of these cities have also implemented various measures to enhance pedestrian safety, such as traffic-calming measures, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, improved crosswalks, and education campaigns.” In contrast, the cities ranked as least safe for pedestrians have the highest number of pedestrian deaths, low walking scores, and fewer pedestrian safety interventions.
10 Safest Cities for Pedestrians
- New York City
- Washington
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Louisville
- Philadelphia
- Denver
- Baltimore
10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
- Memphis
- Phoenix
- Tuscon
- Albuquerque
- Sacramento
- Jacksonville
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Fresno
- Indianapolis
Read the full story: How Safe Are U.S. Cities for Pedestrians? See if Your City Made the List in Our 2024 Rankings
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One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
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The Pocatello Development Authority