City creates survey after high bicylist, pedestrian fatalities

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Although Austin is considered one of the top U.S. cities for biking and walking, 2012 numbers show that bicycle and pedestrian deaths due to collisions with cars were twice the average annual toll of the past eight years.

In attempts to lower these numbers though, the city is asking Austinites to participate in a survey to share their thoughts on how to improve pedestrian safety.

Nearly half of all the people killed in traffic accidents in Austin last year were either walking or on a bicycle, police said. It was the highest percentage in the city's history. In 2010 and 2011 numbers , pedestrian and cyclist fatalities increased from 24 percent to 43 percent of all major traffic related incidences.

Noticing the lack of awareness for commuters who walked or biked in Austin, the city’s Bicycle and Child Safety Programs recently began a study to understand attitudes of roadway users. In a series of focus groups, nearly 100 citizens discussed their opinions on the issue of road safety and attitudes toward alternative modes of transportation.

The discussions with focus groups rendered common themes and the City will likely use those themes to develop the Safe Walk, Safe Bike campaign to prompt drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to behave more safely on the road, while also encouraging Austinites to cycle, walk and take public transportation more often.

The campaign is grant-funded through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Enhancement Program and will be aimed at promoting safe bicycling and walking at middle school and high schools, where there is a need for education regarding this safety issue. The Public Works Department’s Child Safety Program currently provides education on bicycle and pedestrian safety, covering all elementary schools in the City, including 7 school districts, and reaching over 45,000 kids.

To aid in crafting the campaign, the City has created a survey using the themes that emerged from the focus groups. The City encourages everyone who “works, plays, and lives” in Austin to participate in the survey.

The survey can be found here . The deadline to take part is Monday, Feb. 18.