A new report released today by Transportation For America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership takes stock of how city streets built for speed and not safety can be deadly to pedestrians. “Dangerous By Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (And Making Great Neighborhoods)” ranks the nation’s 52 largest metro areas based on a calculated Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) and reveals how investment in pedestrian infrastructure could save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of accidents each year.

While the report ranks the Bay Area as the safest California metro area for pedestrians, Oakland’s streets are still no walk in the park. Close to 20% of all traffic deaths in Oakland are pedestrians. Given the high percentage, pedestrian safety spending is remarkably low – only 1.5% of federal transportation dollars in California are spent on pedestrian and bicycling facilities. And those most at risk – particularly seniors and people of color – face disproportionate danger that could be reduced through increased investment in pedestrian safety.

“Oakland has come a long way in pedestrian safety over the past decade, but the city’s fiscal crisis has put the squeeze on our public works budget,” said Carli Paine, president of Walk Oakland Bike Oakland. “Federal support for Complete Streets policies and increased funding for pedestrian safety projects are critical to meeting our goals for walkable neighborhoods and safe access to transit.”

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland calls on our local and national decision-makers to support a national Complete Streets policy, and to increase funding for pedestrian infrastructure in the upcoming federal transportation bill. Join concerned citizens nationally to call for safer streets by clicking here!

To read Walk Oakland Bike Oakland’s press release, click here.

For the full report and more information, click here.

Want to help Cycles of Change and the young cyclists of Oakland with just a few clicks? ‘Course you do. As for how, it’s simple:

Brighter Planet donates money to organizations based on votes from you, the Internet public. If Cycles of Change is one of the top vote-getters this month, then they’ll get $5,000. Pretty sweet, right?

The project you’re voting to fund is Cycles of Change’s work at Bret Harte Middle School in East Oakland. This bicycle education/distribution project gives kids from low-income families the opportunity to earn their own bicycles, learn safe riding skills, and go on exciting bike adventures. Participants learn basic bike mechanics, engage in service projects (such as community gardening and creek restoration), and rebuild a recycled bike to use as their own sustainable transportation.

Here’s the best part: you get three votes at Brighter Planet. You can spread them around or use them all for one project! Personally, I voted three times for Cycles of Change – once for the kids, once for Cycles of Change, and once for the love of cycling. And since November is all about voting, here’s a great opportunity to do some! To vote for Cycles of Change, click here.

Thanks for voting!