Positive Impacts:

• more pedestrian / cyclists using the road / sidewalks
• community campaigns increasing awareness
• infrastructure of bike lanes and sidewalks
  
• completed sections of greenways
  
• 'complete streets' that make walking & biking safe (shared lanes, bike lanes, etc)
  

Negative impacts:

• slow process for greenways
  
• conflict between car vs ped/cyclists
  
• lack of understanding of rights of ped/cyclists
  
• NCDOT/ state legislature challenging conditions 4 cyclists
  
• perception that greenways are for the elite
  
• safety to walk (sidewalks) and leash laws
  
• no policies around

Description: Number and rate per 10,000 residents of reported pedestrian crashes.

Highlights: Asheville is ranked #1 among NC's Top Ten cities with the highest numbers of pedestrian crashes in the state.

Source: Prepared for The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation; Prepared by The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center; Libby Thomas, Daniel Levitt; March 2014

Each year, between 150-165 pedestrians and 16-20 bicyclists are killed in collisions with motor vehicles on North Carolina roads, with many more seriously injured or experiencing evident or possible injuries. The high rates of pedestrian and bicycle crashes contribute to North Carolina’s ranking as one of the least safe states for walking and bicycling. (UNC Highway Safety Research Center)

From UNC Highway Safety Research Center's latest survey of bike and pedestrians.

Top five bicycle and pedestrian safety issues cited:

1. Lack of on-roadway bicycle facilities (82%)
2. Lack of pedestrian paths and sidewalks (63%)
3. Lack of alternatives to cycling on main arterials (55%)
4. Lack of bicycle paths and greenways (53%)
5. Motorists or bicyclists not sharing the road (50%)

According to survey respondents, the facility improvements that are most needed to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists are bike lanes on collectors and arterials (84%), sidewalks on collector streets and in commercial corridors (64%), paths and greenways (63%), and sidewalks on local and neighborhood streets (63%).

connected sidewalk / greenway data

Possible Strategies or programs:

- Watch 4 Me NC

- Funding to complete greenways / sidewalks

- Political will --> local / state/fed advocacy

low cost / no cost

- Stronger relationship with NCDOT

- communication campaign with local media