20 Safest and Most Dangerous US Cities for Pedestrians

Pedestrian safety is a vital component to a walkable city. Which large cities in the United States have a leg up, and which are trailing behind?

1 minute read

October 10, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Pedestrians and cyclists in busy city crosswalk with blurred motion

Christian Mueller / Busy crosswalk

A new study by shoe company Kuru Footwear ranks 36 most populous U.S. cities according to how foot-friendly they are. The study used pedestrian death data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration combined with overall Walk Score to calculate its results. That means the safest cities have fewer fatal pedestrian accidents and higher walking scores.The study notes, “Many of these cities have also implemented various measures to enhance pedestrian safety, such as traffic-calming measures, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, improved crosswalks, and education campaigns.” In contrast, the cities ranked as least safe for pedestrians have the highest number of pedestrian deaths, low walking scores, and fewer pedestrian safety interventions.

10 Safest Cities for Pedestrians

  1. New York City
  2. Washington
  3. Boston
  4. San Francisco
  5. Chicago
  6. Seattle
  7. Louisville
  8. Philadelphia
  9. Denver
  10. Baltimore

10 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

  1. Memphis
  2. Phoenix
  3. Tuscon
  4. Albuquerque
  5. Sacramento
  6. Jacksonville
  7. Dallas
  8. Detroit
  9. Fresno
  10. Indianapolis

Monday, September 16, 2024 in Kuru Footwear

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Close-up on BLM sign on Continental Divide Trail in Rawlins, Wyoming.

BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule

The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.

April 20 - Public Domain

Calvary Street bridge over freeway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path

Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.

April 20 - Smart Cities Dive