Wednesday, city officials including Mayor Bruce Harrell marked “Walk to School Day” with a walk to Dunlap Elementary (Image: City of Seattle)
Seattle has a street safety problem. In 2021, the city hit its highest number of traffic-related deaths since 2006.
But the federal government says Seattle has started to figure things out when it comes to kids and schools, awarding a city program creating networks of crosswalks and safer streets near public school campuses with national “Vision Zero” recognition.
While it still has plenty of work to do on its streets, Seattle is making good progress on making it safer for kids to get around the city, the U.S. Vision Zero for Youth Leadership Award committee said.
“Seattle is working hard to prioritize safe walking and biking for the city’s youth,” Nancy Pullen-Seufert, Director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School and Senior Research Associate at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center said in statement on the recognition.
“This Award recognizes the commitment of Seattle’s local government, its transportation department and public school system to lead community-engaged, equity-focused efforts geared toward making a great impact on walking and biking safety for its youngest residents.”
CHS reported here on Safe Routes to Schools work on Capitol Hill that created a more pedestrian and bike-friendly pathway connecting the Lowell Elementary and Meany Middle School campuses last year.
In addition to the Safe Routes program, Seattle was recognized for the Stay Healthy Streets system, and its recent citywide speed reductions.
Last month, Los Angeles transportation veteran Greg Spotts became the new director of the Seattle Department of Transportation and said his first work will include a full review of Seattle’s Vision Zero program.
Meanwhile, thanks to new state funding, kids can now ride free on the city’s public transit systems including light rail.
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