Missouri Bicycle News

The office of Kansas City's Mayor Barnes has recently released a summary of the Riverfront Heritage Trail with maps and other details about the trail, which is now under construction along the Missouri and Kaw Rivers near downtown Kansas City.

The Riverfront Heritage Trail is a bi-state nine-mile-long ribbon of green spaces, pedestrian and bicycle paths, historical markers, and dramatic public artworks designed to link and enhance bi-state Kansas City’s historic, cultural and recreational treasures, beginning at the riverfront where Kansas City was born.

The Spirit of Kansas City Regional Scenic Byway will interweave an auto route with the Riverfront Heritage Trail. Trailheads will make it easy for the driver to stop, park, and then cycle or walk the Heritage Trail system.

Read more and view maps and photos in the PDF file on the KCMO web site. permanent link to article: "KC Mayor's office releases information about Riverfront Heritage Trail"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/28/2003 10:12:00 AM |comment on this article

A free Safe Routes to Schools Toolkit is available for download or as a booklet from the Thunderhead Alliance.

Many school districts around the country have adopted Safe Routes to Schools and the next federal highway funding bill (TEA3) will likely include funding for Safe Routes to Schools programs nationwide. The Missouri Department of Education is planning state-wide training on Safe Routes to Schools late spring or early summer 2003 (MoBikeFed will announce the details as soon as they are available).

The Toolkit was developed by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s (MCBC) Safe Routes to Schools program and is available at their web site: http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.

MCBC’s program increased the number of students walking and biking to schools from 21% to 38% over a two-year time-period. The program also decreased private automobile trips from 62% to 38%.

The Safe Routes to School Toolkit is a step-by-step guidebook for how to get more children walking and biking to schools safely. Produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration free of charge, the Toolkit includes sections on promoting the program, creating safer streets, and integrating curriculum with physical education classes. State and local bicycle advocacy organizations, parents, teachers, school administration and city officials will all find valuable information on how to start and maintain a Safe Routes to School program in their community.

To order a Toolkit contact: the Thunderhead Alliance by emailing Executive Director Sue Knaup, Executive Director: 928-541-9841, sue@thunderheadalliance.org. permanent link to article: "Safe Routes to Schools Toolkit announced"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/26/2003 04:10:00 PM |comment on this article

A guest editorial in the KCStar by architect Kevin Klinkenberg has some interesting things to say about the future of Kansas City:

Implied in all the recent and stimulating discussion regarding downtown Kansas City is the simple notion that folks here really want a big city. . . . if we really want to build vibrant street life, we will need to abandon some of our most sacred cows and rethink the current conventional development mind-set. For starters, real cities have all of these characteristics:

• Walkability. . .
  
• Public transportation. . . .
  
• Horrible parking "problems." .
  
• Traffic congestion . . . Successful cities are not sliced up with freeways.
  
• People of all colors and walks of life . . .
  
• Limited "open space." . . .
  
• All types of housing . . .

To paraphrase a tired political slogan, for cities, it's the pedestrians, stupid. And for pedestrians, what is interesting is activity so close that you can literally reach out and touch it. . . .

The uncomfortable truth of city-building is that our efforts to make things "easier" or more comfortable sap the very life that we are trying so hard to nurture. Sure, parking structures, big roads and freeways make it a breeze to drive downtown. But every step in making it easier to drive is an act of demolition for the pedestrian experience. . . .

A response in the KCStar letters-to-the-editor agrees with Klinkenberg: "Hear, hear to Kevin Klinkenberg's column on 'citifying' Kansas City. . . Part of the challenge in Kansas City and elsewhere is designing spaces that get people out of their cars."

I might add--since it is our topic of interest--that a city that is great for walking is also going to be great for biking . . . permanent link to article: "How to make KC a "real" city . . ."
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/25/2003 01:55:00 PM |comment on this article

According to an article in today's KCStar, a tax break for people who commute by bicycle is gaining momentum in Congress:

Commuters who burn a precious resource - oil - to drive to work get a tax break. Those who use their own muscle power to pedal bikes to the office do not.

With the war in Iraq and gas prices soaring, cycling advocates think they have found an answer that both parties can embrace: give bikers a tax break. . . .

According to the League of American Bicyclists, nearly 1 million U.S. workers commute regularly by bicycle. The federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics lists bicycles second only to cars as a preferred mode of transportation. . . .

The bipartisan [House bicycle caucus], established in 1996, now includes more than 100 House members. The Senate has started its own group with more than a dozen members so far.

permanent link to article: "National bike commuting act gains momentum"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/22/2003 08:01:00 PM |comment on this article

Brent Hugh recently wrote an article for Kansas City infoZine criticizing statements made by a Leawood police supervisor in a Kansas City Star article:

A Leawood police supervisor recently told the Kansas City Star that people speeding on a residential street, scaring pedestrians who must walk in the street because the city has not provided a sidewalk, is "not a big problem". . . .

Hogard said because there are no sidewalks, residents walk in the street.

"When standing three or four feet from (a car), it's going to seem like it's flying by," Hogard said.

The road in question is a narrow, residential street where, because the city has failed to provide a sidewalk, pedestrians must share the roadway with motor vehicles. In such a situation, a vehicle going over 30 miles per hour does not just "seem like it's flying by." It is, in fact, moving at a dangerously fast speed. . . .

Pedestrians are among our most vulnerable road users, and, as such, demand the greatest degree of protection and consideration, not the greatest degree of intimidation, harassment, and discouragement.

It is not too much to ask that motorists strictly obey the posted speed limit in order to make an entire street more pedestrian-friendly.

And it is certainly not in the public interest to dismiss a serious situation in which most vehicle drivers are unlawfully breaking posted speed limits--many by five to ten miles per hour--as "not a big problem."

permanent link to article: "Leawood criticized for encouraging speed, discouraging walking"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/20/2003 03:41:00 PM |comment on this article

A couple of recent articles detail the interest of KC-area communities in creating a more bike/ped-friendly environment:

• Several communities in Jackson County, with Independence in the lead, are considering new developments based on the ideas of "new urbanism". New urbanism "features pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where people actually -- gasp! -- know their neighbors. It focuses on creating living areas with more green space and parks. It emphasizes neighborhood shops, churches and schools that lessen reliance on the almighty automobile." Read more in the KCStar article.
  
• Residents along 85th Terrace in Leawood want to use traffic calming measures on their street, which is narrow and has no sidewalks. "Kirby said it's not unusual for pedestrians to have to get out of the way for motorists because the cars either aren't yielding to pedestrians or there's not enough room for cars to move over because of oncoming traffic." According to the article, "Traffic-calming measures have garnered a mixed reaction in other cities." Read more in the KCStar.

permanent link to article: "KC-area considers bike/ped friendly neighborhoods"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/19/2003 07:10:00 PM |comment on this article

UMKC student Pei Chen was struck by an automobile as she crossed the street in a crosswalk in a school zone, by a driver who was speeding and improperly changing lanes to pass other drivers who had stopped to allow her to cross. Chen died about two weeks later. The driver was charged with a misdemeanor.

Chen's death has lead to quite a bit of discussion in local media outlets. Here are some of the latest letters and comments about the situation:

• The recent death of University of Missouri-Kansas City student Pei Chen in a crosswalk, near a school zone, suggests that Kansas City drivers need to slow down. --Brent Hugh, in a KCStar letter
  
  
• What a tragic and senseless loss for her family and the community.
  
  Yet it is even more amazing that we do not have more injuries and deaths because of drivers ignorant of or disobeying crosswalk laws. [She goes on to list many examples of drivers flagrantly violating laws relating to crosswalks.]
  
  If we are going to prevent injuries and deaths in the crosswalks of Kansas City, and be a pedestrian friendly city, let us educate the driving public about the laws and the dangers of speeding through crosswalks. Maybe people don't know they are supposed to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk. This seems like a good time to educate them. Maybe we can save a few lives. --Suellen Dice, KCStar article
  
  
• Mike Hendricks' column about the University of Missouri-Kansas City student who was recently fatally hit by a car was sad but true. . . . If you don't want to worry about "slamming on your brakes" at an intersection, just slow down. --Terry Clevenger, KCStar letter to the editor
  
  
• At one time, a red traffic light meant stop. As I drive around this great metropolitan area it is clear that red traffic lights now mean hurry up and get through the intersection. . . .
  
  During the last quarter of 2002, I had no less than six close calls -- one as a pedestrian. Each driver was either hurrying to clear a red light, talking on a cell phone or both. It was only through defensive driving (and walking) that I was not hit. . . . --Jim Caccamo, KCStar article

permanent link to article: "Further comment about KC pedestrian death"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/19/2003 06:27:00 PM |comment on this article

A young cyclist riding east in a westbound lane of traffic on Highway 50 near Linn, Missouri, was struck by a car and killed around 9:00 P.M. Saturday.

MBF reminds cyclists that safe bicycling practice as well as Missouri law requires cyclists--including children--to ride with traffic, not against it.

Experienced cyclists know that motorists will do their utmost to avoid striking bicyclists they can see. But a cyclist operating at night without proper lights is practically invisible to motorists. Safe bicycle practice and the law require both a front light and a rear light/reflector.

The statistics show that bicycling is actually a very, very safe sport--safer, for example, than walking or jogging. According the one study, the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by a factor of 20-to-1.

And research and experience shows that following common-sense cycling practices like following the traffic laws and being well lit, both front and back, when riding at night makes cycling even safer yet. permanent link to article: "Cyclist killed on 50 Hwy near Linn, MO"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/18/2003 06:10:00 PM |comment on this article

Prescott, AZ - March 17, 2003 - March 21st will mark one year since the bicycle advocacy movement lost one of its brightest stars. That day last year, Susie Stephens was struck and killed by a tour bus while crossing a St. Louis street. As this mournful day approaches, bicycle advocates, family and friends of Susie are taking action in honor of her work to create communities that are safe for bicycling and walking.

Susie was a founding director of the Thunderhead Alliance, the national coalition of state and local bicycle advocacy organizations, and was hired as their managing director in August 2000. This position followed on the heals of her successful five year stint as the executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW). As director of BAW, Susie built the organization to a powerful and respected statewide bicycle advocacy force. She brought that same savvy and determination to the Thunderhead Alliance, growing it from a small band of bicycle advocacy leaders to a respected national organization.

All who worked with Susie remember her courage which she would reveal by breaking into song, to friends, to strangers, to crowds ready to join her in her crusade. Susie often said, "There has never been a successful movement without song."

At the national level, the Thunderhead Alliance continues their mission of strengthening the efforts of state and local bicycle advocacy organizations across the nation; a mission Susie helped create. Thunderhead's newest annual event, the U.S. Mayors Bike Ride will be launched this July 4th as an annual memorial ride for Susie as it strikes at the core of what state and local bicycle advocates do: make a direct connection between policy makers and the need for a safe bicycling and walking environment in our communities.

Also at the national level, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking (NCBW) has committed to changing archaic laws that allow drivers who kill bicyclists and pedestrians to walk away with a wrist slap. Every year motor vehicles kill over forty thousand people; fourteen on an average day.

The driver who killed Susie was charged by the city with failing to yield to a pedestrian, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of $500. Bill Wilkinson, Executive Director of NCBW, asks these pointed questions, "Why is it that under our current system of laws the act of killing an innocent person with a motor vehicle is of such little consequence? Why is it that the motor vehicle operators whose various failures were the direct cause of death ... are in no way being held accountable for the consequences of their actions? And, why do we tolerate this situation?" Over the next few months NCBW will contact various experts, advocates, and advocacy groups to solicit input on what others are doing to respond to this problem. The Thunderhead Alliance and its members look forward to helping with this effort.

Susie helped set the model for these needed changes. As Executive Director of BAW, she helped push through Washington state legislation called the Cooper Jones Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Act. This act requires that drivers who either kill or injure a bicyclist or pedestrian be retested for their license. The act also provides grants to bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs.

In Washington state, Susie's advocacy partners, friends and family have events in Susie's memory scheduled across the state. In Seattle, the city council has proclaimed March 21 Susie Stephens Ride for Life Day. Also, a commemorative bike ride will end at a brewery for a toast to Susie and walkers will decorate a hazardous intersection to highlight its pedestrian needs, then walk to join the bicyclists. In Winthrop, the Methow Conservancy will lead a bike ride. In Tacoma, an evening bike ride will lead to a dinner and toast to Susie. And in Spokane, on their newly designated Susie's Spring Walk and Ride Day the Spokane Bicycle Club will lead a ride through the neighborhood where Susie grew up as Susie's mom, Nancy MacKerrow, leads a walk in her daughter's memory, both ending at Susie's favorite bakery.

Nancy has had a difficult year, but her daughter has helped her endure. "Susie herself has helped me through this year," Nancy said, "because of the connections I made to the wonderful advocates she knew who have been so supportive. They have gotten me involved in bicycle and pedestrian activism which has given me a way to make a positive change. I am dedicated to making something good come from the life she was denied."

What you can do:
* On March 21, ride a bike or walk with friends in Susie's memory.

* On July 4th, help your state or local bicycle advocacy organization take
your mayor on a bike ride to showcase the bicycle and pedestrian safety
needs in your community.

* Get involved with your state or local bicycle advocacy organization. To
find yours go to: http://www.thunderheadalliance.org

* Sing a song of courage to a crowd of temporary strangers looking to you to show them how they too can help make a difference for bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Let's make everyday a memorial to Susie as we continue our push to create communities where everyone is safe to walk and ride bikes.

For more information, please contact Sue Knaup, Executive Director: 928-541-9841, sue@thunderheadalliance.org permanent link to article: "Bike advocates in action one year after the death of Susie Stephens in St. Louis"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/17/2003 09:39:00 PM |comment on this article

This letter appeared in The Examiner, 17 March 2003:

Slow down, save lives

To the editor:

The Raytown PTA council is launching a "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25" campaign. The recent pedestrian death of Independence resident and Raytown postman James Fussell shows that speed kills.

Yard signs that encourage drivers to drive 25 are available at Hy-Vee on U.S. 350 and at KeepKidsAlive.com. When the signs are posted in several yards along a street, they have been shown to reduce traffic speed by about 6 miles per hour.

Does this make a difference? Data from the Federal Highway Safety Administration indicate that 5 percent of pedestrian-vehicle collisions at 20 mph result in fatalities. At 30 mph, there are 40 percent fatalities. Besides, slower drivers have a greater chance to avoid collisions in the first place.

This adds surprisingly little driving time. In driving my own child to school, I found that driving 20 mph rather than 30 mph on neighborhood streets added 23 seconds to the 7-minute trip. Twenty-three seconds for an eight- fold increase in safety is a pretty good tradeoff.

Brent Hugh
Raytown

permanent link to article: "Slow down, save lives"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/17/2003 10:43:00 AM |comment on this article

The following letter was in the March 10th edition of the St. Louis Post:

Wayward Bicyclists
Newly-erected yellow signs in the area admonish drivers to "share the road", referring to sharing it to bicyclists.

Although state law dictates that motorists must have valid licenses, be of a prescribed age, and carry liability insurance, there are no such obligations for bicyclists. They will take great risks on these thoroughfares, and will surely be the cause of, or victims of, serious accidents.

One would think that bicyclists would be reluctant to venture on weathered, pock-marked streets to be threatened by speeders, and be subject to road rage.

Bicyclists, who are themselves drivers, should certainly know how quite impractical this request to "share the road" really is.

Thomas L. Peterson Sr.
St. Louis County

Bob Foster wrote this reply:

After reading Thomas J. Peterman Sr.'s letter objecting to "share the road" signs, I think we should have another sign: "Beware enraged, intolerant motorists."

As an adult of a prescribed age, with homeowners insurance, and someone who bikes to work each day, I take his comments as a threat. When he writes: "One would think that bicyclists would be reluctant to venture on weathered, pock-marked streets, to be threatened by speeders, and to be subject to road rage."

Well, yes, cyclists don't like being threatened by speeders or subjected to road rage. Maybe if the speeders obeyed speed limits, and the enraged gained self-control, the problems would be reduced.

Fortunately, most motorists are considerate, understand that the cyclist has somewhere to go too and that the laws apply equally to everyone on the road.

But even considering these obnoxious drivers, many cyclists would rather bike than drive. In addition to the simple pleasure of riding a bike, it's satisfying to know that we're not polluting the air or water, staying fit, reducing America's dependence on oil, and not enlarging the potholes that Mr. Peterson is so concerned about.

I appreciate the "share the road" signs, because they are installed to combat exactly the problems and attitudes Mr. Peterson's letter exemplifies.

Bob Foster
Chair
St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

You can read another response from a St. Louis-area bicyclist here.

A reply appeared in Wednesday's Post (read the complete letter here). An excerpt:

At most, a bicycle in traffic might cause a 10- or 20-second delay. Is this too much to ask?

Be the cause of serious accidents? Be subject to road rage? This is a tired blame-the-victim argument.

The law says that bicyclists have the right to ride on the road. The legal burden is on the overtaking vehicle to pass safely. Is it too much to ask that motorists have the human decency to not assault cyclists?

I would ask that Peterman and all motorists understand that everyone they see on a bike represents one less car to contribute to the traffic jam that is causing his hostility toward cyclists.

Daryl Hemenway
St. Louis

UPDATE: Three more letters appeared in Saturday's Post. Two excerpts:

"The 'share the road' signs gently remind cyclists and motorists that the road can accommodate everyone. And as fuel prices and obesity continue to rise, bicycling as transportation makes sense."

"Sharing the road would be far less impractical if all motorists would just realize the legality of bicyclists on the road, drive the speed limit and control their anger like a mature person." permanent link to article: "St. Louis Post letters to the editor about "Sharing the road""
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/16/2003 09:02:00 AM |comment on this article

Hannibal, MO, is creating a network of trails across the city. According to the article in the Quincy, IL, Herald-Whig, "The plan is that one day the city’s major parks — from the riverfront to its western edge — will be linked by a six-mile trail system that weaves through and around Hannibal." permanent link to article: "Hannibal creates trail network"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/15/2003 08:01:00 AM |comment on this article

The University of Kansas is planning to try a YELLOW bike program. The program will allow students to borrow bikes to ride around campus. A number of logistical issues have come up when KU has tried the program before, and organizers think they have solved them this time around. permanent link to article: "KU to try YELLOW bike program"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/13/2003 11:10:00 PM |comment on this article

Because of safety concerns, the McKinley Bridge, which crosses the Mississippi River near Alton, has been closed since October. When it is reopened, two of the four lanes are planned as motor vehicle lanes and the other two lanes will be bike/ped lanes.

There are a number of issues that must be resolved before construction can move forward.

Read the complete story in the Alton, IL, Telegraph. permanent link to article: "St. Louis-area McKinley Bridge to be re-vamped with bicycle access"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/10/2003 09:22:00 PM |comment on this article

The SEMissourian reports that the city of Jackson and MoDOT are cooperating to create a network of new biking/walking trails that will connect all public schools in Jackson.

The first stretch will be along West Independence Street, which leads from Jackson Middle School to nearby neighborhoods, a funeral home, and a trailer park.

West Independence Street, where autos routinely drive over 40 MPH, has no sidewalks or shoulder but is routinely used by middle school students walking to school, because it is the only available route. permanent link to article: "MoDOT and city cooperate on new multi-use trails in Jackson"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/09/2003 10:32:00 AM |comment on this article

MoDOT recently announced a $4 million grant under TEA-21 (the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, the federal highway funding bill) to add a 6-foot bicycle-pedestrian path to the southbound side of the Missouri River crossing at Jefferson City.

The path will allow bike/ped travel in both directions. It can be no more than six feet wide because of weight considerations--the new pedestrian span will be cantilevered from the west side of the current bridge. The path will have 8-foot high fencing, with an inward curve at the top, on both sides.

On the south end of the river is downtown Jefferson City, including the state capital and other government buildings; on the north side is the Katy Trail.

MoDOT had previously announced a re-striping and re-fitting project for the northbound lanes of the bridge to give more shoulder room, making the northbound direction bicyclable. The soundbound side of the bridge, however, remained a difficult problem.

The bridge is an important link between the Katy Trail and Jefferson City. MoDOT's Bike/Ped coordinator Caryn Giarratano said that "It will in effect connect the greenway to the Katy Trail."

The community must come up with $1 million to match the $5 million provided by the federal government. The Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau is exploring the idea of creating a foundation to collect community donations to raise the needed funds.

Pedestrian and bicycle advocates hailed the bike/ped bridge and the shoulder widening as an important links across the Missouri River. Currently the Missouri River crossing at Jefferson City is very, very difficult for bicyclists and completely impassible for pedestrians. The nearest alternative crossing points are northwest at Booneville and east at Hermann, about 25-35 miles distant.

The new bridge has important implications for tourism in the Jefferson City area--both as an attraction in itself and as a link between Jefferson City and internationally renowned Katy Trail. permanent link to article: "MoDOT announces funding for bike/ped river crossing at Jefferson City"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/09/2003 01:14:00 AM |comment on this article

The Midwest Mountain Bike Summit is coming to Kansas City next weekend. The Summit schedule has just been posted on the EarthRiders web site.

The Summit includes presentations about building and maintaining single-track mountain bike trails, hands-on workshops demonstrating the techniques involved, bike skills classes and demonstrations, rides, new product demos, a film festival, a swap meet, and much more.

The Summit will be held at Landahl Park in Blue Springs, which has some of the finest mountain bike trails in the area. permanent link to article: "2003 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit in KC March 14-16"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/08/2003 02:05:00 PM |comment on this article

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that

the Senate's new key players, like Republicans James Inhofe of Oklahoma and Kit Bond of Missouri, seem bent on returning to the 1950s era of road-building, with less emphasis on repairing the aging interstate system or expanding commuting choices in metropolitan areas.

The article suggests that senators like Inhofe and Bond will be less likely to support bicycle, pedestrian, and transit funding as part of the TEA-21 renewal package.

Missourians can find contact info for Sen. Bond on his web page.
permanent link to article: "Will Missouri Senator Bond support alternative transportation in TEA3?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/06/2003 11:00:00 PM |comment on this article

In a recent Kansas City Star column, Blue Springs mayor Greg Grounds asks citizens to let city government know how they feel about development standards:

In trying to evaluate the issues I find myself wondering where the bulk of our residents stand.

John and Mary Doe, where are you? While anecdotal information can be unreliable, many of you who contact me say you like what is going on, and urge a continuation of present policy. However, few of you ever show up at public hearings, or even write letters to the council or newspapers unless it is a project next door to where you live.

At the same time, some local builders call me and claim that planting large numbers of trees is ruining the town. "Who wants to live in a forest?" they ask. They do appear at hearings, often with paid representatives.

Mayor Grounds has good advice--if you want to live in a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly community, you've got to speak up! permanent link to article: "Blue Springs mayor asks citizens to support liveable communities"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/05/2003 08:27:00 PM |comment on this article

The Kansas City Star reports that several counties north of the river in the Kansas City area are embarking on an ambitious bike/hike trail-building program. Many smaller-scale trails already exist, but the new plan is to make "trail arterials" that link one area to another and one trail to another.

Just a few of the first trails will be built this summer. The final result will be an elaborate, interlinked network of trails.

The KCStar article gives a nice summary of quite a number of new trails that will be built in this area next summer.

permanent link to article: "KC Northland area begins ambitious trail-building plan"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/05/2003 08:17:00 PM |comment on this article

The KCStar's columnist Mike Hendricks wrote an article today about the recent pedestrian death of UMKC student Pei Chen:

College students I talked with at the corner think a stoplight would make them safer. There's resistance to that at City Hall. It would mean a light at every corner, from 55th to 52nd.

"It makes it very difficult to move traffic," says Jerry Tapscott, a traffic engineer.

Perhaps it would. Yet it's traffic moving too fast and far too carelessly that makes this city so dangerous for walkers and cyclists.

Kansas City is the 26th largest metro area in the country. Yet the Surface Transportation Policy Project ranks KC No. 20 on its list of U.S. cities most deadly to pedestrians.

The chances of someone on foot getting killed here is double or triple what it is in New York and Boston, where walkers are more common.

The Star also reports that UMKC students are raising funds to aid Chen's parents, who have been financially devastated by their daughter's death.

Star Reader Joseph Gardner pointedly comments that "A woman who is accused of speeding, driving through a crosswalk and hitting a UMKC student who eventually dies from her injuries, is charged with only a misdemeanor? Could somebody please tell me what's wrong with this picture?" permanent link to article: "Death waits at this intersection"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/01/2003 01:00:00 AM |comment on this article