Dangerous by Design 2024

A historic increase in pedestrian deaths from 2020 to 2021 shocked many, but this epidemic continues to get worse. In 2022, the most recent year with complete federal data, the number of people who were struck and killed while walking grew to 7,522, marking a 40-year high. This represents an astonishing 75 percent increase in … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation

The absence of crashes does not equal the presence of safety

Police-reported crash data tells only part of the safety story, and the risks that people walking and biking face on our roadways are potentially much higher than the numbers show. To address safety needs, performance measures and management systems cannot simply respond to crash data alone. The information and recommendations provided in SGA’s Dangerous by … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation

Champion Spotlight: Milwaukee, WI

This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Marybeth McGinnis from Wisconsin Bike Federation.   Background Fond du Lac Avenue, along which is state … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation

Design interventions for safer streets

Smart Growth America has been writing about the need for changes to street design for a long time—the first edition of Dangerous by Design came out in 2009. Despite the discouraging trends in pedestrian safety, our message remains consistent. In order to make environments safer for people walking, we need to actually change our environments. The data is clear that improving street design to slow cars, reduce conflict points, and proper and consistent infrastructure for pedestrians is the only way we’ll move the needle on safety.

Complete Streets Transportation

Champion Spotlight: Seattle, WA

This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Natalie Lubsen from Transportation Choices Coalition. There are too many news stories of people killed or … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation

Champion Spotlight: Memphis, TN

This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Jackson McNeil from Innovate Memphis. In the past 4 years, there have been over 1,000 pedestrians … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation

Champion Spotlight: St. Louis, MO

This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Justin Seaton from Trailnet.  In September 2022, Danyell “Starr” McMiller was killed by a hit-and-run driver … Continued

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Champion Spotlight: Bismarck, ND

This case study was written as part of our Dangerous by Design Technical Assistance program. This initiative brought together champions from across the country to advance street safety efforts through data collection and storytelling. This study was written by Kimberly Riepl from Bismarck-Mandan MPO. Image of the intersection of 24th Street at Main Avenue. Kim … Continued

Complete Streets Transportation