This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Perhaps This is Why We Drive Instead of Walk, Bike

Walking in Little Tokyo | Photo by vmiramontes via Flickr
Face it, throughout much of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana region, walking is not always a pleasant experience. And although we already know this, it's also not that safe either, finds a new report, released by two transportation groups with the help of other organizations like AARP. Here are a few statistics:
- 26.9% of traffic-related deaths in the region were pedestrians
- Only $0.45 per person are spent on pedestrian and bicycle improvements
- In 2007 and 2008, there were 247 and 244 deaths, respectively, giving the region the third highest share of pedestrian fatalities.
- Overall, our region ranked 27th out of the 52 largest metro areas in total pedestrian safety
Damien Newton at StreetsblogLA and Deborah Murphy of L.A. Walks say that with over a quarter of traffic-related deaths being pedestrians, something is very wrong considering that only 2.7 percent of the region's population walk to work. If you look a the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island region, where the number of walk-commuters is double, the amount of traffic-related pedestrian fatalities is slightly higher than here at 31.1%.
So what can be done they ask? "One small step the City of Los Angeles could make immediately is setting aside a portion of its Measure R Local Return funds for bicycle and pedestrian safety. The City Council Transportation Committee is set to vote on how to spend it's portion of the county-wide transit tax on November 18."
Stay safe out there!
-
It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic.
-
April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
-
A look at years past when snows creeped into our citified neighborhoods, away from the mountains and foothills.
-
-
In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California.
-
Another Missing Hiker Has Been Found Dead In San Gabriels As Search For Actor Julian Sands ContinuesBob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. His body was recovered near Mount Islip.