While the bill’s sponsor calls it a safety measure, advocates for people with disabilities, joggers, and other groups say the bill would unfairly target them.

A proposed bill banning people from county roadways in the St. Louis County Council is facing stiff opposition from a diverse group of stakeholders, reports Kelsey Landis in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The measure proposed by Councilman Ernie Trakas, a Republican from unincorporated South County, bars standing, sitting, walking or otherwise moving along roadways in St. Louis County.”
As Landis explains, “Joggers, walkers, people with disabilities and community groups have all complained that it would unfairly target them,” as many people are sometimes forced to use the street when sidewalks are not available or accessible. “The pro-pedestrian group Safer Streets for Kirkwood and St. Louis County sent a letter to council members urging them to vote down the bill. And Trailnet, a St. Louis-based nonprofit that advocates for pedestrians and cyclist safety, also opposed the bill.”
While the bill makes an exception for locations without sidewalks, critics say the bill makes mobility more inconvenient and unfairly penalizes people while the county fails to adequately maintain its pedestrian infrastructure.
FULL STORY: Advocates, residents protest St. Louis County bill barring people in streets

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.
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