D.C. City Council Goes Pro-Pedestrian (How About Minneapolis?)

DCist.com

While the safety of cyclists on the District's roads has been at the center of many discussions of late, pedestrian-centric proposals are usually drowned out by the noise of who's to blame in the evolving relationship between the two-wheeled and their motorized counterparts. Today, though, two measures were introduced in the D.C. Council that would put additional emphasis on pedestrian safety.

Are we to believe it is acceptable for a D.C. motorist to pass a vehicle

stopped at a crosswalk...say WHAT? Tell me it is not so!

The first, which was proposed by Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), would mandate that if one car is stopped at a pedestrian crossing, any cars coming up behind it should also have to stop, rather than come around or pass on a two-lane road. According to the proposal, this would ensure that any pedestrians in the crosswalk would be able to safely finish crossing.

It is time for the Minneapolis City Council to consider a 15 mph on

residential side streets. The current 30 mph is simply insane.

The other measure, introduced by Councimember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), would lower speed limits on residential roads to 15 miles per hour. According to Bowser, concerns over speeding in residential neighborhoods has discouraged residents from walking and cycling, and she cited research noting that decreases in speed can have a substantial impact on how severe an injury to a pedestrian or cyclist could be. Under Bowser's proposal, arterial roadways would be exempted.

Both proposals were referred to the Council's Committee on Environment, Public Works and Transportation, which is chaired by Cheh.

Vigilant Transport Math

At 30 mph, a vehicle is traveling 44 feet per second and with an average (non-distracted reaction time) of 1.5 to 2 seconds, one has travelled 66 to 88 feet before hitting the brakes. One has already blown by 4 parked cars before hitting the brakes. So much for the youngster fetching the football. SLOW DOWN.

An average Minneapolis city block is 660 feet (north to south) so at 15 mph, it takes a mere 15 seconds longer to reach the next block versus flying down a side street at 30 mph. I maintain all pedestrians are worth at least 15 seconds per block!