Published on
October 5, 2025
Phoenix has joined Baton Rouge, Tucson, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Detroit, Tampa, and Glendale as one of the highest-risk U.S. cities for pedestrians and cyclists. These cities face elevated fatality rates due to inadequate infrastructure, including few sidewalks, limited bike lanes, poor street lighting, and heavy traffic often worsened by distracted drivers. In contrast, urban areas such as New York City, Irvine, Boston, Plano, and Madison have established safety benchmarks with protected bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly crossings, and traffic-calming strategies, showing how intentional city design can significantly reduce risks for walkers and cyclists.
Despite the well-documented health benefits of walking and cycling, these dangerous environments underscore the urgent need for improved infrastructure and safety initiatives. The findings highlight that thoughtful urban planning, combined with effective traffic management and dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, can transform cities into safer, more accessible spaces for active travel.
The research focuses on fatality rates per 100,000 residents for both cyclists and pedestrians, providing a stark look at the cities where active travel can be particularly hazardous. Leading the list is a city in Louisiana, which exhibits a combination of insufficient sidewalks, minimal bike lanes, poor street lighting, and heavy traffic compounded by distracted drivers. These factors create a perilous environment where even short journeys on foot or bike can be risky.
Not far behind is a city in Arizona, where outdated or poorly maintained road infrastructure has been linked to elevated accident rates. Other cities rounding out the top ten most dangerous include locations across Florida, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, and Arizona. These cities share common challenges: high-speed traffic corridors cutting through residential and commercial areas, limited pedestrian crossings, and streets not designed with cyclists in mind. The study underscores that even moderate distances can become hazardous without proper infrastructure and urban planning.
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists, however, is not impossible. Some U.S. cities have successfully implemented measures that significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Topping the list of safest cities is a major northeastern metropolis known for its comprehensive pedestrian and cycling initiatives. The city has invested in protected bike lanes, raised crosswalks, and leading pedestrian intervals, while also lowering speed limits in key areas. Such measures create safer interactions between vehicles and those on foot or bike, contributing to a notable decline in fatalities over recent years.
Another city in California also ranks among the safest. Urban planning here prioritizes active travel, encouraging residents to walk or cycle while maintaining awareness of each other’s presence. Well-marked paths, accessible sidewalks, and community awareness programs have all contributed to creating a culture of safety for non-motorized road users.
Other cities included in the top ten safest list are spread across Massachusetts, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California. These locations demonstrate that effective strategies—ranging from dedicated bike infrastructure to pedestrian-friendly street design and traffic calming measures—can significantly mitigate risk and promote healthier, safer modes of transportation.
Despite these successes, experts caution that even cities with robust safety programs are not immune to accidents. Factors such as high-speed roads running adjacent to residential neighborhoods, intersections lacking proper signage, or inadequate lighting can override the best intentions of planners. Continuous investment in infrastructure, public education campaigns, and policy enforcement are necessary to maintain and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Urban planners and city officials are increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating pedestrian and cycling safety into broader transportation policies. By prioritizing protected lanes, pedestrian zones, and lower vehicle speeds in dense areas, cities can foster environments where walking and cycling are not only viable but also safe. In addition, technology such as traffic monitoring systems and smart signals can help reduce conflicts between vehicles and non-motorized road users.
In conclusion, while walking and cycling remain among the healthiest modes of transportation, the safety of urban areas varies dramatically across the United States. Cities that invest in thoughtful infrastructure, traffic calming, and public awareness campaigns consistently demonstrate lower fatality rates and provide more welcoming environments for active travel. Conversely, urban areas lacking these measures pose real dangers, highlighting the urgent need for reforms that prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.
10 most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians and cyclists
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Tucson, Arizona
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jacksonville, Florida
San Bernardino, California
Detroit, Michigan
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Glendale, Arizona
Tampa, Florida
Phoenix, Arizona
10 safest U.S. cities for pedestrians and cyclists
New York City, New York
Boston, Massachusetts
Irvine, California
Lincoln, Nebraska
Frisco, Texas
Plano, Texas
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Santa Clarita, California
Madison, Wisconsin
Omaha, Nebraska
Phoenix has joined Baton Rouge, Tucson, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Detroit, Tampa, and Glendale as top U.S. risk cities for pedestrians and cyclists due to poor infrastructure, heavy traffic, and limited bike lanes, while New York City, Irvine, Boston, Plano, and Madison set safety benchmarks.
The contrast between the most dangerous and safest cities highlights the critical role of urban planning in protecting pedestrians and cyclists. While cities like Phoenix, Baton Rouge, and Las Vegas struggle with high fatality rates due to poor infrastructure and heavy traffic, places like New York City, Irvine, and Boston show that thoughtful design—protected bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly intersections, and traffic-calming measures—can dramatically improve safety. Prioritizing these solutions nationwide is essential to make walking and cycling a safe, viable, and healthy option for all residents.
