Should a Residential Street Ever Lack Sidewalks?

Malcolm Kenton addresses a question posed by Greater Greater Washington reader Phil L.: "Do sidewalks measurably improve pedestrian safety even in low traffic density areas, like residential neighborhoods? What would be a compelling reason to have a residential street without a sidewalk?"

The questions comes as Washington D.C. and other cities are retrofitting some residential neighborhoods with sidewalks.

The post poses the question to a group of experts—contributors to Greater Greater Washington—for their opinion on the matter. The article provides a lot of good data, well-considered opinion, and historic background on why some residential neighborhoods lack sidewalks.