San Francisco plans to shift its traffic-calming strategies this year to focus on larger thoroughfares. Traditionally, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency spends $2.5 million a year of The City’s transportation tax funds on measures to slow down traffic and make walking safer for pedestrians. Last year, nearly all of those funds — $2.2 million — were dedicated for projects on smaller, residential streets. Read More

Some of The City’s most vulnerable pedestrians will get a boost from increased traffic enforcement efforts next year. Backed by a $140,000 federal grant, police motorcycle officers will increase their presence outside schools, senior centers and other at-risk sites starting in early 2013. Reducing vehicle speeds will be the main focus, although officers also will crack down on red-light running, stop-light violations and right-of-way infractions against pedestrians. Read More

With the U.S. surgeon general recently weighing in on the benefits of walking, and Chicago and New York City developing robust safety programs, local activists are wondering why The City is not doing more to bolster its long-awaited pedestrian action plan. Read More

More than 400 San Mateo pedestrians were hit by cars during the last decade and nine were killed, a rate that exceeds the county average. Now a group of residents and city officials hopes a new pedestrian master plan will cut that rate in half. An early version of the plan, which has been in the works for the past year and is being drafted to make San Mateo’s streets safer and more inviting for pedestrians, is expected to head to the San Mateo City Council in April. Read More