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We Took the Streets: A Comprehensive Look at the Movement for Safer Streets

Connor Mitchell

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Published in We Took The Streets: Fighting For Latino Rights With The Young Lords

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We Took the Streets: Fighting for Latino Rights with the Young Lords

by Tom Segev

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	468 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	273 pages

In recent years, there has been a growing movement for safer streets. This movement is fueled by a growing awareness of the dangers that pedestrians and cyclists face on our roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),over 6,000 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2020. This number is alarmingly high, and it is clear that something needs to be done to make our streets safer.

The movement for safer streets is a diverse coalition of advocates, including pedestrians, cyclists, community groups, and public health organizations. These groups are working together to raise awareness of the issue of pedestrian and cyclist safety, and to advocate for policies that will make our streets safer.

History of the Movement

The movement for safer streets has its roots in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, there was a wave of pedestrian deaths in New York City. In response to this crisis, the city launched a campaign to make its streets safer for pedestrians. This campaign included measures such as installing traffic lights and crosswalks, and creating pedestrian safety zones.

The movement for safer streets continued to grow in the following decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a growing awareness of the dangers that cyclists faced on our roads. This led to the creation of bike lanes and other infrastructure to make cycling safer.

In recent years, the movement for safer streets has gained new momentum. This is due in part to the growing popularity of walking and cycling, as well as the increasing awareness of the health benefits of these activities.

Goals of the Movement

The movement for safer streets has a number of goals, including:

Reducing the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries.
Making our streets more accessible and welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists.
Promoting walking and cycling as healthy and sustainable modes of transportation.

Key Players in the Movement

There are a number of key players in the movement for safer streets, including:

Pedestrian and cyclist advocacy groups: These groups work to raise awareness of the issue of pedestrian and cyclist safety, and to advocate for policies that will make our streets safer.
Public health organizations: These organizations recognize the health benefits of walking and cycling, and they work to promote these activities as a way to improve public health.
Government agencies: Governments at all levels have a role to play in making our streets safer. They can adopt policies that promote walking and cycling, and they can invest in infrastructure that makes these activities safer.

Challenges Facing the Movement

The movement for safer streets faces a number of challenges, including:

Motor vehicle traffic: The sheer volume of motor vehicle traffic on our roads is a major threat to pedestrians and cyclists.
Speeding: Speeding drivers are a major danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Even a small increase in speed can significantly increase the risk of a crash.
Infrastructure: Many of our streets are not designed to be safe for pedestrians and cyclists. They lack sidewalks, crosswalks, and other safety features.
Lack of awareness: Many drivers and pedestrians are not aware of the dangers that pedestrians and cyclists face on our roads.

The Future of Safer Streets

The future of safer streets is bright. The movement for safer streets is growing stronger every day, and there is a growing awareness of the importance of making our streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Governments at all levels are beginning to adopt policies that promote walking and cycling, and they are investing in infrastructure that makes these activities safer.

There is still much work to be done, but the progress that has been made is encouraging. We are on the right track to creating a future where our streets are safe for everyone.

The movement for safer streets is a powerful and inspiring movement. It is a movement that is driven by a desire to make our streets safer for everyone. The movement has made great progress in recent years, and it is poised to continue to make progress in the years to come.

If you are interested in getting involved in the movement for safer streets, there are a number of ways to do so. You can join a local pedestrian or cycling advocacy group, or you can volunteer your time to help make your community safer for pedestrians and cyclists. You can also contact your elected officials to let them know that you support policies that promote walking and cycling.

Together, we can create a future where our streets are safe for everyone.

We Took the Streets: Fighting for Latino Rights with the Young Lords

by Tom Segev

4.7 out of 5