Indy Takes Steps To Better Protect Pedestrians And Cyclists
INDIANAPOLIS—After a rise in non-motorist injuries and fatalities, the Indianapolis City-County Council updated the city’s “complete streets†ordinance on June 6. The ordinance is meant to protect pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorists from fatal collisions.
Councillors John Barth, Maggie Lewis, John Larrison, Zach Adamson, Dan Boots, Alison Brown, and La Keisha Jackson sponsored Proposal 175 to update the ordinance. Barth and Council Majority Leader Lewis sponsored the original ordinance in 2012.
The original ordinance required the city to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists regardless of age, ability or income when planning and constructing local streets. The updated ordinance adds transparency and accountability in the planning processes.
The council established a new Fatal Crash Review Team. This new team will review fatal crashes to see if the intersection or stretch of roadway a crash occurred at is too dangerous and will determine if the change is needed.
Since this original ordinance, there has been a recent increase in dangerous and fatal encounters between pedestrians and motorists in Indianapolis. In 2019, there were 1,957 non-motorists injured or killed in motorist collisions.
“Our city streets should be safe for everyone, and we must address the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. We cannot focus solely on vehicles,†said Barth.
The review team will be made up of an IMPD officer appointed by the chief of police, an employee of the department of public works (preferably a traffic engineer), an employee of the metropolitan development (preferably a transportation planner), and two people appointed by the council, one of them having to be a representative advocating on behalf of pedestrians and bicyclists. All appointees must reside in Marion County, serve a term of two years, and may be reappointed.
To see the full proposal, click here.
