Latest news with #BikeWalkKC
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nonprofit launches campaign to help keep Kansas City walkers, bikers safe
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There's a new campaign to help keep you safe as you walk or bike. It's called Look Out for KC. Its goal is to significantly reduce the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in crashes in Kansas City. Memorial Day travel expected to break 20-year record Independence Boulevard Christian Church sits right on Independence Avenue, which safety advocates say is one of the most dangerous streets in the city. According to city leaders, there have been three deaths, nine serious injuries and almost 40 crashes on Independence Avenue in the last 18 months. Pastor Mindy Fugarino said cars often drive above the speed limit and don't see members heading to church. 'The crosswalk is painted, but most people aren't seeing that and we did have somebody last year who did get hit,' she said. On Monday, local nonprofit BikeWalkKC launched its campaign to help reduce the number of pedestrians who are struck. Part of the money for the campaign comes from a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The campaign will include sidewalk decals and billboards across the city. 'Far too often, when we hear about these crashes, it's kind of just a story, a blip, and it goes away,' said Michael Kelley with BikeWalkKC. 'But the fact of the matter is, these are our neighbors, these are our family members that we are losing to something that we know we can prevent.' One of those decals will go at 86th Terrace and Troost Avenue, where Asia Dunmore's mother Michelle was . She said their family has never been the same. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri 'My hope is first that everyone begins to pay more attention when driving. People drive a little safer, put their phones down and try not to evade capture,' Dunmore said. 'If something happens, own up to it.' . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Missouri sets record for pedestrian fatalities in 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fewer people are drying on Missouri roads overall, but a record number of pedestrian fatalities is making local traffic safety advocates concerned. Missouri Department of Transportation data shows that there were four percent fewer fatalities on Missouri roads from 2023 to 2024 but 16 percent more pedestrian fatalities over the same time. It meant a record 148 pedestrians died while walking along Missouri roads or trying to cross them. KCK police say married couple arrested, facing charges in armed bank robbery 'We're losing over 100 people a year to pedestrian fatalities, and it doesn't need to be that way,' said BikeWalkKC Policy Director Michael Kelley. 'If we know that our streets are dangerous, if we know that our drivers are not as prepared as they should be, then that is a recipe for disaster, and we can make something different but we have to make that choice.' Pedestrian James Grow wasn't surprised that 75 percent of those deaths happened either in Missouri's bigger cities or at night. 'The first thing that goes to my mind is, was there a distracted driver?' Asked Grow. 'How fast were they going? Did they even see the pedestrian that they hit?' MoDOT Highway and Safety Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson says the 16% increase catches his attention. 'The first thing it illuminates for me, and hopefully for the rest of us, is that pedestrians are users of the transportation system just like those of us who drive vehicles,' Nelson said. He says the Siddens Bening hands free law that took effect in 2023, helps change bad driver behavior but that efforts like Kansas City's Vision Zero Initiative help design safer roads. Kelley says since the pedestrian fatality increase was so high, he expects there will be state money to help improve pedestrian safety. 'Now, what that looks like, it's kind of left up to the states but it's one of the ways that we think we can push MoDOT to do a little bit more to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users,' Kelley said. Kansas City farmer in need of help after fire ravages home Already, pedestrian islands downtown or bike lines in other parts of town are part of the larger Vision Zero effort. 'I would feel a lot safer riding my bike when there's a curb there,' Grow said. 'Because I feel like a lot of cars seem to be hostile toward pedestrians.' You can find more information about a Vision Zero meeting in KCK on Tuesday, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
