SAN FRANCISCO – In a major milestone for the city’s efforts to prioritize pedestrian safety, San Francisco has achieved zero pedestrian deaths in the past year. This accomplishment is a result of sweeping changes made by the city to prioritize people over cars, including the establishment of a car-free downtown zone, expansion of people-centric Valencia, and implementation of paseos.
San Francisco’s Vision Zero initiative, which aimed to eliminate all traffic fatalities by 2024, had been inching forward intersection by intersection. However, the city’s bold new approach has produced remarkable results in a relatively short period of time.
“We’re thrilled to see that our efforts to make streets safer for everyone have paid off with zero pedestrian fatalities,” said Mayor London Breed. “This is a testament to the hard work of city officials and community members who have pushed for more people-centric streets.”
San Francisco’s downtown zone, which covers a significant portion of the city’s financial district and is closed to private vehicles, has been a key factor in reducing pedestrian deaths. The zone allows for safer pedestrian and bicycle access, as well as providing a more pleasant urban environment for all residents and visitors, helping to breathe new life into an area hit hard post-pandemic.
In addition, the city has implemented paseos, or people-priority streets, which are designed to create neighborhood hubs where pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy the city’s streets without the threat of car traffic. This approach has not only made streets safer, but has also led to a shift in how streets are used, with people using them for activities such as playing basketball, enjoying flower boxes, and hosting block parties.
“We’ve seen a significant shift in the use of our streets since the implementation of paseos,” said local resident and community organizer Maria Rodriguez. “It’s been amazing to see kids playing and families enjoying our streets in a way that was never possible before.”
Small businesses have also seen a positive impact from the changes. Local merchants report an increase in sales, as people are more likely to shop locally when they can safely walk or bike to nearby stores and restaurants.
“The changes to our streets have been a game changer for our business,” said Rachel Smith, owner of a small boutique on Valencia Street. “We’ve seen more foot traffic and customers who are excited to shop locally and enjoy the neighborhood.”
While San Francisco’s zero pedestrian deaths milestone is certainly cause for celebration, the city is committed to continuing to improve safety for all road users.
“We still have work to do to make our streets safe for everyone,” said Mayor Breed. “But achieving zero pedestrian deaths is a major step forward, and we’re committed to building on this success to create a more livable and equitable city for all.”