Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

Loads of good stuff today on the Streetsblog Network.

Portland Transport has a post on the connection between cul-de-sac development and safety for all street users, as discussed at the Congress for the New Urbanism Transportation Summit in Portland.

2233436864_d1836d5933.jpgWhat are the dangers of cul-de-sac development? (Photo: TheMuuj via Flickr.)

For me the highlight presentation on opening day…was about the safety effects of different street network types.

The study was based on looking at all cities in California with
population of 40,000 or greater. The surprising finding was that cities
built before 1950 are safer (in terms of both serious injuries and
fatalities for all classes of users: auto drivers/passengers, cyclists
and pedestrians) than cities built after 1950.

The differences appears to be in the type of street network. Compact
street grids seem to be safer, compared to the arterial-collector-local
street 'tree' style of street network popular in post-war development.

No link to the study itself yet, but we're interested in hearing more.

More from around the network: Urban City Architecture launches a series of posts on the pressing issue of pedestrian safety in Miami. Bello Velo reports on a new driver education campaign designed to improve cyclist safety in Huntsville, Alabama. And Copenhagenize is looking for your opinion on the safety of daylight headlight requirements.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hired Actors, Paid Media: Big Tech Has Already Dumped $8M Into Hochul’s Car Insurance Ploy

Buckets of cash and ads with professional actors are boosting Uber and Hochul's cause.

March 13, 2026

Claire Valdez: In Congress, I Will Fight For Transit and Bike Lanes

One of three leading candidates to succeed Rep. Nydia Velazquez shares her vision for how members of Congress can improve transportation.

March 13, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Close the GAP Edition

It's past time for the Department of Transportation to connect Prospect Park and Grand Army Plaza. Plus the news.

March 13, 2026

Cement Truck Driver Kills Cyclist On Treacherous Borough Park Stretch

A senior cement truck driver struck and killed a cyclist on a notoriously dangerous Borough Park avenue on Wednesday.

March 12, 2026

MTA Demands Albany Deal With Toll Evasion Already

A new analysis of toll evasion found that the amount of money owed by drivers who don't pay paper toll invoices has more than doubled since 2022, from $147 million in unpaid tolls to nearly $350 million.

March 12, 2026

Hochul’s Car Insurance Plan Blows Fraud Way Out Of Proportion: Stats

Gov. Hochul's proposal to lower car insurance premiums is built on suspected fraud. But a body of evidence reveals that there really is very little.

March 12, 2026
See all posts