Crosswalk laws in most U.S. states don’t offer legal protections to people on bikes, scooters, or mobility devices.

According to a piece by Cara Hamann in the Des Moines Register, “There is a glaring gap in crosswalk laws in the United States, but this loophole is often unknown, so little is being done to fix it.”
Hamann is referring to the fact that many crosswalk laws only explicitly protect pedestrians—people on foot—excluding people on bikes or using wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility devices. This matters because, in cases where a driver fatally struck a person on a bike or other device, the driver can walk away with no criminal charges.
For Hamann, an injury epidemiologist, “Bicycles, wheelchairs, scooters, and other devices move humans whose lives matter and they should be legally protected in crosswalks just like people on foot.”
The solution, Hamann writes, is simple: “change the word ‘pedestrian’ to ‘persons’” and eliminate the loophole in state laws.
FULL STORY: The most deadly traffic policy you've never heard of

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service