A proposed federal bill would require states to set aside highway funds for safer streets For the past decade, about 13 people per day have been killed while walking in the U.S., a number that remains troublingly high even as other roadway deaths go down. Now a new federal bill intends to address the country?s increasing pedestrian deaths as a national crisis.
The Complete Streets Act, introduced yesterday in both houses of Congress by Sen. Ed Markey, of Massachusetts, and Rep. Steve Cohen, of Tennessee, would require states to aside five percent of federal highway funds for complete streets programs. Complete streets are defined as corridors that are redesigned to give all users of the street equal access to the roadway, with a special emphasis on safety for the most vulnerable users. ?Our roads and sidewalks are far more than a means of transportation, they are a means of economic growth and community development, and we must make them safe and accessible for everyone,? said Sen. Markey said in a statement. ?Whether you are traveling by foot, spoke, or pass, everyone deserves ?complete streets,? and this legislation will help fund safe transportation options for the 21st century.?

Pedestrian fatalities increased by 35% between 2008-2017. We need streets that can accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, not just cars. My + @RepCohen?s Complete Streets Act will fund projects to make our roads/sidewalks safe and accessible for everyone.? Ed Marke...