Pedestrians and Cyclists

Cycling and walking are more than ways of getting from place to place—they are essential elements of active living that support health, reduce pollution, and strengthen social connection. Yet cyclists and pedestrians face daily risks shaped by infrastructure, policy, and cultural attitudes. Unsafe road design, car-dominated transportation systems, and inequitable access to safe routes increase likelihood of injury or death. When walking and biking are unsafe or inaccessible, the ripple effects extend beyond transportation. Active transportation fosters physical and mental well-being, supports local economies, reduces emissions, and creates more livable neighborhoods. Communities that prioritize safe, equitable mobility strengthen individual health and collective resilience.

The urgency is clear. In 2022, more than 7,500 pedestrians and over 1,100 cyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. But investing in active transportation offers far more than safety—it supports physical and mental health, reduces emissions, and builds stronger communities. Research shows that people who walk or bike regularly experience better overall health and well-being. Protected bike lanes, expanded sidewalks, and lower speed limits save lives while creating spaces that foster connection and vitality. These challenges stem from decades of car-centric planning. Transportation policies prioritized highways and vehicles over walkability, bike access, and transit, while urban renewal projects displaced communities of color and exclusionary zoning limited mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods. This legacy continues to shape who has access to safe, equitable, and health-promoting mobility today.

Not everyone shares the same risks. Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately located near high-speed, high-volume roads with fewer safety features, and experience higher rates of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities face additional barriers. Meanwhile, wealthier neighborhoods are more likely to see investments in greenways, trails, and bike infrastructure. These inequities reflect systemic imbalances in transportation planning and funding. 

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel patterns and briefly opened opportunities. Cities experimented with “slow streets” and temporary bike lanes, revealing strong demand for safe, car-free spaces. As traffic volumes returned, fatalities rose again. Yet momentum is building through Vision Zero initiatives, federal infrastructure funding, and climate action plans, which are aligning mobility, health, and environmental goals in new ways.

Safe mobility is a matter of justice. Addressing disparities requires more than new crosswalks or bike lanes—it means centering community voices, confronting structural racism, and ensuring investments reach neighborhoods historically left behind. An equity-driven approach recognizes safe, reliable walking and biking as basic rights that foster dignity, independence, and health.

Neglecting the needs of people outside of cars has high costs—avoidable deaths, chronic disease, healthcare expenses, and disconnected communities. But investing in safe, people-centered streets generates cascading benefits for everyone. Cities like New York and Portland have reduced crashes and improved local vitality by building protected bike lanes and reimagining public space. Across the country, grassroots groups are leading efforts such as community-led safety audits, bike co-ops, and advocacy for inclusive transportation policies. Their success demonstrates that when communities design streets for all users, they create places that foster health, trust, and connection.

Real progress requires shifting culture and policy. Treating walking and biking as core to public health, climate action, and social well-being—not as afterthoughts to car travel—creates healthier, more equitable communities for generations to come.