Study: PGH one of the safest large metros for pedestrians (Pittsburgh: rank, commuting)

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by grimacista

If the list were limited to Oakland, Pittsburgh would be the most dangerous city on earth because someone gets nailed by a bus there every couple of weeks.

How on Earth do you miss a BUS coming right at you?

[BrianTH]

I agree it is all relative. In general, the vast majority of trips outside the home in the United States are done by car. Pittsburgh is no exception, but its minority of trips done by walking is a bit higher than the U.S. large-city average. Some of that is because it is an older city which was partially built up in the pre-car era, and in a somewhat related point, some of it is because it still has a lot of affordable walkable neighborhoods (including neighborhoods where people can walk to major employment centers). And a little of it is because in recent years, the City and the County have been consciously making it a better place for walkers and bikers.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by grimacista

If the list were limited to Oakland, Pittsburgh would be the most dangerous city on earth because someone gets nailed by a bus there every couple of weeks.

What about all the cyclists getting nailed as well. Of course the drivers don't get punished either.

[Jrn14]

It's mostly students late for class not crossing at the cross walk or using the lights. Plus there are a lot of bad cylist in Oakland I almost unintentionally killed one as I was making a right turn he tried to pass me on the right at an intersection.

I feel like Oakland is very easy to drive, but pedestrians there seem to have trouble following the ettiqute.

[steindle]

Originally Posted by that412

It continually blows my mind how little people walk in Nashville. Especially in EN, which is one of the few enjoyably walkable parts of the city! Crosswalks are virtually meaningless because so many drivers just don't comprehend the concept of a pedestrian.

What really drives me crazy is that this even extends to the area around Vanderbilt. With over 10,000 students milling around, you'd think that drivers would be a little cautious about hitting 50 MPH on city streets, blowing through lights, and never ever ever yielding to pedestrians...but no. It's business as usual -- you're basically taking your life into your hands every time you cross 21st or West End. It's ridiculous.

Even though the drivers are relatively aggressive there and it definitely has the highest % of stupid inexperienced cyclists in the city, Oakland is comparatively a pedestrian utopia.

[h_curtis]

Originally Posted by steindle

Even though the drivers are relatively aggressive there and it definitely has the highest % of stupid inexperienced cyclists in the city, Oakland is comparatively a pedestrian utopia.

One thing for certain, for every inexperienced stupid cyclist, there are thousands and thousands more terrible incompetent drivers texting and not paying attention to anything.

[Jrn14]

There are a lot more people who drive cars than ride bikes in America that is correct.


But what about the stupid inexeperienced cyclist who text and don't pay attention to anything.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Jrn14

But what about the stupid inexeperienced cyclist who text and don't pay attention to anything.

I have never seen this before in my life, and I'm pretty sure I won't.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by AaronClark

I have never seen this before in my life, and I'm pretty sure I won't.

I saw cyclists smoking while riding in Germany. Have never seen that anywhere in the states.

[steindle]

Originally Posted by AaronClark

I have never seen this before in my life, and I'm pretty sure I won't.

You evidently haven't been to Chicago. In Wicker Park, it's common to see helmet-less hipsters riding with no hands down narrow bike lanes, texting. I've seen it many times.

Thankfully Pittsburghers (again, outside of Oakland -- home to people who have literally no idea how to legally operate a bicycle) generally have a lot more sense than that.

I say this as an avid cyclist, and yes, I agree that idiots in cars are a more dangerous and much larger problem than those on bikes. Still, it doesn't do much for the bike advocacy movement when some freshman on a cruiser bashes in a glass door on 5th because they were riding on the sidewalk.