Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

Livable communities that support bicycling and walking are a high priority of the U.S. Department of Transportation. A livable community is one that provides safe and convenient transportation choices to all citizens, whether it's by walking, bicycling, transit, or driving. Each year, unfortunately, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities comprise about 16 percent of all traffic fatalities with approximately 5,000 pedestrian deaths and 800 bicyclist deaths. Another 65,000 pedestrians and 48,000 bicyclists are injured in roadway crashes annually. These numbers have been rising recently and this is unacceptable. Pedestrian and bicyclist safety improvements depend on an integrated approach that involves the 4 E's: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Services. The FHWA's Office of Safety develops projects, programs and materials for use in reducing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. All of these materials can be found here.

• Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan
• Pedestrian Safety Focus States and Cities
• Crash Facts
• Tools to Diagnose and Solve the Problem
• Education and Outreach
• Pedestrians and Transit
• Pedestrian Safety in Communities
• Hispanic Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety [En Español]
• Legislation and Guidelines
• Research
• Order Copies of CD’s, Reports, and Other Resources
• Webinar Information
• Related Websites

Promoting the Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures

2012 "Guidance Memorandum on Promoting the Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures" (HTML, PDF 78 KB)

In 2008, FHWA issued a "Guidance Memorandum on the Consideration and Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures" which highlights when and where we believe certain processes, design techniques, or safety countermeasures should be used. Many of the countermeasures promoted in 2008 have been widely applied and FHWA is updating its previous guidance. While agencies should still consider the application of all of the countermeasures listed in the 2008 memo, the 2012 "Guidance Memorandum on Promoting the Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures" supersedes that from four years ago and takes into consideration the latest safety research. Safety practitioners are encouraged to consider this new set of countermeasures that are research-proven, but not widely applied on a national basis.

Click on one of the three pedestrian-related countermeasures below for more information and a downloadable fact sheet.

Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon

Road Diet