New study outlines pedestrian safety issues on NC streets

In the early-to mid-1900s, North Carolina was once deemed

the “Good Roads State” due to its state-of-the-practice

transportation investments aimed at linking disconnected

reaches of the state and fostering a sense of community.

In more modern times, the adoption of North Carolina’s

Complete Streets policy in 2009 was championed as a new

era for the Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as the

agency promised to embark on more focused consideration

of the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists in all of its

investments.

However, in 2013, North Carolina shifted gears. With the

passage of Strategic Transportation Investments

law (House Bill 817), North Carolina made a statement that it considers

motorized transportation to be its primary transportation

priority. This law prevents any state dollars from funding

projects that are solely to improve conditions for bicycling

and walking.

In September 2014, Governor Pat McCrory unveiled a

new vision for transportation in North Carolina,

Vision25, which offered a glimmer of hope for improved conditions

for walking and bicycling. It states that “transportation

infrastructure can’t be improved with a ‘one-size-fits-all’

approach” and that North Carolina must “expand bicycle

and pedestrian routes” because it is part of “what people

look for when making the decision where to move or where

to relocate a business.”

Unfortunately, the state has a long way to go to achieve

Governor McCrory’s vision. Pedestrians and bicyclists

are dying at a rate of one person every 46 hours in North

Carolina, and the state sits on a stockpile of more than $14.9

million in unspent Safe Routes to School funding meant to

make it safe for children to walk and bicycle to and from

school.