There is no doubt that Pinellas County roads are dangerous for pedestrians and that public safety measures need to be implemented quickly. Last year alone, Florida cities dominated Smart Growth America’s “Dangerous by Design” list, with eight of the top 20 spots.
But, to address this complex problem, designing solely for “safety” isn’t going to be enough. We need to go beyond transportation engineering standards to create walkable public spaces that are pleasant and welcoming, bolstering quality of life for everyone.
Research shows that walking improves physical health, boosts happiness, reduces transportation expenses and emissions, and fosters interaction with our environment and each other. Yet, our Florida cities and public spaces are not designed with pedestrians in mind. We’ve shaped unwalkable places that were developed in the mid-20th century when the personal vehicle was gaining popularity. Our fascination with the car and its vast potential misled us into creating sprawling, car-dominated environments, rather than walkable places…