Florida hit-and-run emphasizes bike/ped unfriendly streets
Submitted by Brent Hugh on Tue, 04/06/2004 - 5:08am
One of the Florida drivers involved in a hit-and-run collision Monday that killed two children and injured two others has stepped forward. At least two other drivers are still sought.
The accident has put a spotlight on Florida's bicycle- and pedestrian-unfriendly street design. A widely-reprinted New York Times article makes this point:
The accident has put a spotlight on Florida's bicycle- and pedestrian-unfriendly street design. A widely-reprinted New York Times article makes this point:
The deaths underscore a continuing problem of pedestrians being hit by vehicles in Florida, with its evergreen tourism, booming car-friendly suburbs and lack of crosswalks and sidewalks. In 2002, the state reported a pedestrian death rate of 2.91 deaths per 100,000 residents, second in the nation, behind New Mexico, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem is particularly acute in Tampa, which reported a death rate of 5.08 per 100,000.In Missouri, there are about 1.5 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population. 7.8% of all traffic deaths are pedestrians. About 1.1% of all federal transportation dollars are spent on pedestrian and bicycle projects. Close to none of the federal/state traffic safety spending in Missouri is directed towards bicycle or pedestrian safety. (2002 statistics.)
"I think essentially we have created an environment geared to the automobile, and in a way, we have almost created an environment that is hostile to pedestrians and bicyclists," said Christopher Hagelin, a research associate at the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research in Tampa.
Tags:
- News
- 2002
- 2012
- about
- accident
- bicycle
- bicyclists
- children
- collision
- death
- drivers
- environment
- missouri
- pedestrian
- research
- safety
- sidewalks
- statistics
- streets
- tourism
- traffic
- transportation
- Business
- Christopher Hagelin
- Cycling
- Florida
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- New York Times
- New York Times
- Pedestrian
- Pedestrian crossing
- Road safety
- Road traffic safety
- Road transport
- Sustainable transport
- Tampa
- Tourism
- Traffic
- Travel
- University of South Florida
- University of South Florida's Center
- Walking
« Previous story: MO reps Blunt and Akins oppose federal highway bill
» Next story: Katy Trails' economic impact
Join MoBikeFed's Advocacy Network
MoBikeFed is a statewide group of people like you, working together for better bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri. When you join our advocacy network you receive occasional important advocacy alerts and bicycle, pedestrian, and trails news from around Missouri.
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Related pages
Current topics...
Archives...
Want better bicycling and walking in Missouri?
We rely on the support of members like you. Please join, renew, or donate today.
- Home
- JOIN/DONATE
- News/Info
- Missouri Bicycling, Running, Trails
- Bicycle Skills and Safety
- Missouri Bike/Ped Law
- Clubs and Organizations
- Bike Shops
- Running Shops
- Bicycling, Running, Trails-related Businesses
- Ride, Run, Walk, Hike, Triathlon, and Events Calendars
- Bicycles on Amtrak
- Maps and Routes
- Trails and Trail Maps
- IBikeMO.org
- Planning a Missouri bicycle trip
- Gravel and Bikepacking Maps & Routes
- Bicycle & Touring Routes
- Advocacy
- Campaigns
- Our Legislative Platform
- Complete Streets
- Statewide Rock Island Trail
- Statewide Trail Vision - Quad State Trail
- Bicycle Friendly Missouri
- Walk Friendly Missouri
- Safe Routes to School
- MoDOT funding crisis
- High Priority Bike/Ped Project List
- Anti-harassment laws in cities & statewide
- Updating the basic bicycle law
- Our Vision for MoDOT
- Our Vision for MPOs/RPCs
- Our Vision for Cities & Counties
- Bicycle, pedestrian, trails plans across MO
- Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
- Vision Zero
- Missouri Trail Towns
- Store
- About