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

Streetsies 2025 (And Friday Video!): Vote for Your Favorite Clips of the Year

A New York Met, the birth of "No Kings," and Cuomo running a stop sign are just some of the best things we caught on camera this year.

December 26, 2025

Memo to Mamdani: Support the QueensLink for Better Mass Transit

The Rockaways needs the transit benefits of QueensLink. Our contributor hopes the new mayor puts his weight behind the concept.

December 26, 2025

How Mamdani Can Deliver a Bigger Dream for Buses

To truly upgrade the New York City's bus system, the Mamdani administration needs to think even bigger than "fast and free."

December 26, 2025

Streetsies 2025: The Worst From Albany

Albany had its fair share of screw ups in 2025. Take a gander at the worst to come out of state government this year.

December 26, 2025

Streetsies 2025: The Best from Albany

It's that time of year again! Albany often disappoints, but state officials got a few things right, we guess...

December 26, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Boxing Day Edition

Yesterday was Christmas, but we still have a full news digest for you today.

December 26, 2025
See all posts