The overland craze is out of control

[Harvey]

they should have more pedestrian-/bike-only streets in big cities that are increasing in population.

Jersey City has a pretty cool pedestrian area that used to be streets. Funny thing is, on nice days, people walk around and spend money.

 

[Peter Minde]

Jersey City has a pretty cool pedestrian area that used to be streets. Funny thing is, on nice days, people walk around and spend money.

Summit doesn't have pedestrian-only areas, but Summit is quite walkable.

 

[tirolski]

When we went to Halifax NS it seemed if ya even thought about crossing the street the traffic stopped for ya.

 

[riverc0il]

Bigger trucks are more likely to kill pedestrians than smaller cars (over & above the weight & sightline issue):

I do not disagree with this at all. I was only commenting on the poor source that was selected to backup your argument. Bad statistics do significant harm to a lot of arguments being made to improve people's lives and our environment. Please do not mistake my calling out a bad argument or use of data with disagreeing with the premise.

In regards to my suggestions that other things can cause pedestrian accidents, multiple things can be true and apply in different circumstances.

 

[x10003q]

Pedestrian infrastructure spending has made little to no difference in pedestrian deaths in NYC, make no mistake that vehicles are the issue here and smart phones and texting and touch screen displays that are larger than some TV's. We aren't taught the responsibility and danger that comes with driving in drivers ed. People are SO FUCKING CARELESS behind the wheel its baffling, this is the most dangerous thing we engage with daily as individuals and we treat it with total disregard. Changing the entire culture around driving from an entitlement to a privilege might help but our entire country is engrained in automobile culture and built out as such. The situation @TheGreatAbyss described taking place in Maplewood is now the standard, not the exception.

According to this Jan. 6, 2023, press release from NYC DOT, NYC pedestrian infrastructure spending has made a difference as pedestrian (and bike) fatalities in NYC continue to drop.

"New York – Today, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that in 2022 the city experienced a decline in traffic fatalities for the first time since 2019, with among the fewest annual pedestrian deaths recorded in history. Amidst a nationwide increase in traffic fatalities, New York City’s overall traffic fatalities fell in 2022 by 6.6%. Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 6.3%, also defying national trends."

"New York City continues to defy national trends around pedestrian deaths, which are nationally at a four decade high. Traffic fatalities were down in 4 of the 5 major travel modes DOT tracks. Compared to 2013, the last year before implementation of Vision Zero, New York City traffic deaths have dropped by 14.7%, from 299 deaths that year. Pedestrian deaths have decreased by 35.9% when compared to 2013 figures. Cyclist fatalities were also down for the third straight year (17 in 2022, down from a 20-year high of 28 in 2019) --- declining even as bicycle ridership has soared in recent years."

Vision Zero: NYC Traffic Fatalities Dropped in 2022 For First Time in Three Years, Pedestrian Deaths Near Record Lows

 

[Low Angle Life]

According to this Jan. 6, 2023, press release from NYC DOT, NYC pedestrian infrastructure spending has made a difference as pedestrian (and bike) fatalities in NYC continue to drop.

"New York – Today, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that in 2022 the city experienced a decline in traffic fatalities for the first time since 2019, with among the fewest annual pedestrian deaths recorded in history. Amidst a nationwide increase in traffic fatalities, New York City’s overall traffic fatalities fell in 2022 by 6.6%. Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 6.3%, also defying national trends."

"New York City continues to defy national trends around pedestrian deaths, which are nationally at a four decade high. Traffic fatalities were down in 4 of the 5 major travel modes DOT tracks. Compared to 2013, the last year before implementation of Vision Zero, New York City traffic deaths have dropped by 14.7%, from 299 deaths that year. Pedestrian deaths have decreased by 35.9% when compared to 2013 figures. Cyclist fatalities were also down for the third straight year (17 in 2022, down from a 20-year high of 28 in 2019) --- declining even as bicycle ridership has soared in recent years."

Vision Zero: NYC Traffic Fatalities Dropped in 2022 For First Time in Three Years, Pedestrian Deaths Near Record Lows

NEW YORK — Traffic crashes continue to rise across New York City, according to new data released today by Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets. Crashes have killed 188 people in New York City — a 27% increase over the same point in 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero. (Reference Link From Transportation Alternatives)

Not trying to dispute your findings and I know my link is a bit old but Vision Zero and NYC.gov does have an interest in skewing data in their favor. Below is something more relevant to 2023.

 

[TheGreatAbyss]

Is that in vehicle deaths, or pedestrian deaths?

 

[Low Angle Life]

Is that in vehicle deaths, or pedestrian deaths?

The 51 traffic fatalities in Q1 '23 references all modes of transportation which NYC DOT breaks out into 4 categories, pedestrian, bicyclist, MVO and other motorized. I can't find a breakout for pedestrian specifically but as it relates to this thread the bicyclist data is alarming, being a NY metro area cyclist might explain my opinion and impression on the increase in fatalities.

Nine bike riders were killed in the first quarter, a record under Vision Zero. This is more than the first quarters of 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 combined. Seven of the previous nine years had two or fewer bike rider fatalities in the first quarter. Of the nine bike riders, five were killed by SUVs or trucks link & DOT Report

 

[Harvey]

I guess we are pretty OT but whatever.

I've come to the conclusion that our trails are so busy, because road bikers have given up the road. Traded in their skinny tires for knobbies and relative safety.

I talked to two guys who told me a similar story in the last few weeks.

 

[raisingarizona]

Road cycling is scary AF.