Untitled Item

The City Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission has reviewed a draft ordinance (B265-25) aimed at improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety, but strongly disagrees that the proposed measures will achieve this goal. While acknowledging the need to address public solicitation from roadways, the Commission argues the ordinance fails to tackle the root causes of pedestrian danger: vehicle speed, traffic volume, and hazardous road design.

Key Concerns Raised by the Commission:

• Lack of Traffic Calming: The ordinance does not address how to reduce vehicle speeds on major corridors, which are often wide and high-volume, contributing to accidents.
• Inadequate Crosswalk Spacing: Section 14-587(d)(1) requires crossing only at crosswalks, but on major roads like West Broadway and Scott Blvd, crosswalks can be up to a half-mile apart, creating impractical and unsafe walking distances for residents, especially those with disabilities.
• Ambiguous Roadway Use Restrictions: Section 14-587(d)(4) prohibits individuals from being on major roadways except to cross, but lacks clear definitions for "vehicle" (potentially excluding bicycles) and fails to account for situations where people are forced to use shoulders or lanes due to poor sidewalk conditions (ice, snow, lack of maintenance, uneven surfaces).
• Hazardous Intersections: Many intersections lack adequate lighting or pedestrian signals, and roundabouts are poorly marked for pedestrian access.
• Unclear Definitions: The ordinance lacks a definition for "designated passenger loading zone" and "vehicle," leading to potential confusion and discriminatory enforcement.
• Prohibition of Charitable Solicitation: The ordinance as written would forbid all solicitations, including charitable fundraising efforts.

Commission Recommendations:

• Install signaling devices (e.g., HAWK crossings) every quarter-mile on major corridors.
• Install speed humps or lighted signals on slip lanes to slow traffic at pedestrian crossings.
• Implement a comprehensive program to reduce vehicular speeds through engineering innovations and protected bicycle lanes.

The Commission concludes that the ordinance unfairly blames individuals rather than addressing the systemic issues of road design that endanger pedestrians.