Pedestrian infrastructure

Close-up of decorative water fountain on La Rambla pedestrian street in Barcelona, Spain with blurred pedestrians in background.

Rick Steves on Walkability Lessons From Europe

Many of Europe’s pedestrian-friendly, transit-rich cities weren’t always that way.

October 22, 2023 - Strong Towns

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

A Look at Milwaukee’s Vision Zero Efforts

The city is making slow but steady progress on reducing traffic deaths. Some advocates say changes aren’t being implemented fast enough to save lives.

October 17, 2023 - WUWM (Milwaukee Public Radio)

110-10 Interchange

L.A. Times: California Must Shift Transportation Spending Priorities

Despite its ambitious emissions reduction goals, California continues to spend a majority of transportation funds on car-centric infrastructure.

October 12, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Green parking-protected bike lane in Philadelphia with old church in background

Philadelphia Traffic Calming Initiative Pays Off

City officials say serious crashes are down by 34 percent on streets that were the target of Complete Streets projects.

October 12, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

View of Colorado highway with light traffic and snowy Rocky Mountains in background.

Colorado Considers Weight-Based Registration Fee

A small added fee for heavier vehicles would fund road safety projects in the state’s most populous counties.

October 5, 2023 - Colorado Public Radio

Street sign for Fifth Avenue in New York City.

What Will Become of Fifth Avenue?

Visitors to the iconic shopping street overwhelmingly arrive by walking, transit, or bike. Why are bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvement lagging so far behind another famous NYC street, Broadway?

October 4, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Sidewalk in Seattle with yellow fall leaves on the ground and cars parked next to the curb.

Proposal Could Mandate Sidewalks as Part of Seattle Complete Streets

Almost a third of the city’s neighborhood streets lack sidewalks.

September 24, 2023 - The Urbanist

Old railroad line overgrown with grass with cars parked in background

San Jose Walk/Bike Trail Moves Forward

The new trail will offer key connections to a new BART station and other local trails.

September 15, 2023 - The Mercury News

View of empty brick crosswalk in shopping district in Greenwich, Connecticut

Connecticut Launches Complete Streets Standards

The new policy calls for sidewalks, bike lanes, and crosswalks on state roads and state-funded road projects.

September 14, 2023 - Roads and Bridges

Workers pouring concrete in wooden mold for new sidewalk

Completing Sidewalk Networks: Benefits and Costs

Many communities have incomplete or inadequate sidewalk networks that fail to accommodate all users. A new study indicates that completing sidewalk networks is one of the most basic and cost effective transportation improvements.

August 6, 2023 - Todd Litman

People crossing street at crosswalk in downtown San Francisco, California

Reorienting Business Districts for Walkability

Traditionally car-friendly Business Improvement Districts are turning to walkability and bike infrastructure to replace the 9-to-5 crowd and boost local economies.

July 10, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Protected bike path with raised curb in Indianapolis, Indiana

What's Incomplete About Complete Streets?

Although hundreds of states and local governments have adopted Complete Streets policies, American streets keep getting more dangerous for walkers and cyclists. What's missing from Complete Streets policies?

July 10, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of freeway interchange in Los Angeles with low-rise housing on either side and mountains in the background

GAO: Reconnecting Communities Lacks Clear Goals and Metrics

The program, aimed at supporting highway removals and other projects that work to reverse the impacts of freeway construction, is light on accountability and performance measures, according to a new report.

June 2, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Benches along lit paved bike trail adjacent to freeway overpass in Albany, New York

Albany Freeway Ramp Reimagined as Park, Trail

An underused freeway exit ramp is now an inviting linear park that connects the city to the Hudson River.

May 31, 2023 - Public Square

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26, 2023 - The New York Times

Bike land and pedestrian lane marked with white paint on grey asphalt

The Best New Complete Streets Policies, Ranked

After a pandemic hiatus, Smart Growth America has resumed creating an annual list of cities that are making the strongest commitments to improving street safety and making roads accessible and comfortable for everyone.

May 25, 2023 - Governing

People on bikes in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

FHWA Issues New Pedestrian, Bike, Micromobility Guidance

The updated federal guidelines incorporate new policies created in the 2021 infrastructure law.

May 22, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Mother and child on bicycles riding on green dedicated bike lane

Essay: How Poor Pedestrian Planning Harms Families

A lack of safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure can drive young families away from places that don’t accommodate car-free residents.

May 22, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Sioux Falls, South Dakota at sunset

Sioux Falls To Update Bike and Pedestrian Plans

The South Dakota city wants to encourage more biking and develop a comprehensive bike trail network.

May 12, 2023 - Sioux Falls Simplified

Worker in yellow safety suit holding up orange SLOW sign on road

How Cities are Spending Safe Streets Funds

New federal grant programs are injecting millions of dollars into road safety projects in an effort to stem the alarming growth of traffic deaths on U.S. roads.

May 10, 2023 - Governing

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