Pittsburgh safe for pedestrians (Liberty: 2014, dangerous, moving)

[Gee Whiz]

This is a bit of a surprise in a city that is known for jaywalking. Pittsburgh's narrow streets and older street grid help slow vehicles down according to the study. This keeps fatalities for pedestrians down. Report says Pittsburgh is safe for pedestrians - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[Aqua Teen Carl]

I think pedestrian deaths are a poor way to judge whether or not the streets are safe for pedestrians. I mean the author flat out says crosswalks are ignored right in the article. Dangerous conditions, careless drivers, and "close calls" should all be part of an overall safety study.

Not getting the high score in deaths =/= safe pedestrian conditions.

[UKyank]

I think it's known for drivers that have no clue on pedestrian right of ways rather then jaywalking.

I've never been killed, but nearly get hit daily which I don't see as much of a consolation.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I think pedestrian deaths are a poor way to judge whether or not the streets are safe for pedestrians. I mean the author flat out says crosswalks are ignored right in the article. Dangerous conditions, careless drivers, and "close calls" should all be part of an overall safety study.

I agree with this. Plus, some way to account for people who don't walk otherwise walkable trips because they can't figure out a good way to cross a street.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I think it's known for drivers that have no clue on pedestrian right of ways rather then jaywalking.

I've never been killed, but nearly get hit daily which I don't see as much of a consolation.

Yup. Nearly getting run over in a crosswalk is something that isn't a rarity, it's part of your daily routine if you work downtown.

[steindle]

... once again proving that, on City-Data, no news is good news. In the sense that there is no news, however positive, ever perceived as positive.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by steindle

... once again proving that, on City-Data, no news is good news. In the sense that there is no news, however positive, ever perceived as positive.

The rates for the U.S. overall are so very high by international standards, I think it makes sense to treat this as only marginally positive news. Being "good" for a U.S. city is still bad.

Here are the deadliest US cities for biking or walking - Vox

[FreightTrainRunning]

I think that this has more to do with how terrible the rest of the country is with respect to pedestrians than how good Pittsburgh is.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

The author questions the validity of the study right in the article and the commentators seem surprised as well. It's not like the posters in this thread are alone in questioning this particular study.

[SteelCityRising]

Pedestrian stupidity also has to play a role. I just drove eastbound up Liberty Avenue from the Point and stopped to wave a female pedestrian across the first well-marked crosswalk (past Commonwealth Place). She just stood there like a deer in headlights staring at me and not moving for about six seconds as I kept waving her on, so I instead hit the gas just in time to nearly nail her when she did finally decide to cross, and I had to hit the brakes hard.