What are some methods for designing transportation systems that prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety?

1 Land use planning

One of the first steps to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety is to plan land use in a way that supports mixed-use development, compact urban form, and transit-oriented design. These strategies can increase the accessibility and connectivity of destinations, reduce the need for long and frequent car trips, and create more lively and diverse streetscapes. Land use planning can also incorporate pedestrian and bicycle facilities, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, paths, and parking, into the design of new or existing developments, ensuring that they are integrated with the surrounding context and network.

3 Policy and regulation

A third method for promoting pedestrian and bicycle safety is to adopt and enforce policies and regulations that support these modes of travel and discourage unsafe or undesirable behaviors. For instance, lowering speed limits in residential, school, and commercial areas can reduce the severity and likelihood of crashes. Additionally, road pricing, parking fees, or congestion charges can be implemented to discourage car use and generate revenue for pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Furthermore, incentives such as subsidies, tax credits, or rewards can be used to encourage people to walk or bike more often or to use shared mobility services. Finally, educating and raising awareness among drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists about the rules, rights, and responsibilities of each mode of travel can help promote the benefits of walking and biking for health, environment, and community.

4 Behavior change

Influencing the behavior of individuals and groups is a fourth method for enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety, which requires understanding their motivations, preferences, and barriers, as well as providing them with information, feedback, and opportunities. To foster behavior change, surveys, interviews, or focus groups can be conducted to learn about the travel patterns and attitudes of different segments of the population. Additionally, campaigns, programs, or events can be developed to communicate the advantages of walking and biking. Gamification, nudging, or social marketing techniques can also be applied to motivate people to walk or bike more often and reward them for their achievements. Finally, it is important to engage and empower stakeholders such as residents, businesses, schools, or organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of pedestrian and bicycle initiatives.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?