October is National Pedestrian Safety Month
October marks National Pedestrian Safety Month, a reminder that while progress has been made, there’s still important work ahead to ensure everyone in Macon-Bibb can move safely - whether walking, biking, or rolling.
In Macon-Bibb County in 2023:
There were 85 pedestrian crashes, leading to 15 fatalities
Our pedestrian fatality rate is roughly 11.1 per 100,000 residents - nearly 5× the national average¹
Many of these crashes occurred in places lacking adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, or lighting
These aren’t abstract numbers - they are people: neighbors, friends, family.
Bike Walk Macon’s Mission
For the past decade, Bike Walk Macon has been working to change the way we move through our community. Our mission is simple but powerful: to make walking and biking safer, easier, and more accessible in Macon-Bibb County. Through programs and advocacy, we are:
Advocating for the Complete Streets Policy that ensures new and retrofitted roads serve all users, not just cars
Organizing Open Streets Macon programs that reimagine streets as safe gathering places for walking, biking, and connection
Supporting infrastructure upgrades: safer crosswalks, better lighting, traffic calming, and pedestrian-prioritized design
Why Walkability Matters
Designing for people saves lives - traffic-calming measures like raised crosswalks, narrower lanes, and curb extensions reduce crash risk and severity. Nationwide, 7,314 pedestrians were killed and 68,244 injured in traffic crashes in 2023² - a number that’s risen nearly 50% over the past decade³. Communities that prioritize walkability consistently see lower crash rates, safer intersections, and more predictable driver behavior.
Walkable streets aren’t just safer - they’re smarter investments that strengthen local economies.
Higher property values: A one-point increase in a home’s Walk Score is linked to an average $3,000 boost in value⁴.
Stronger small businesses: People walking or biking spend more locally over time than those who drive through⁵.
Efficient infrastructure: Compact, walkable development costs less to maintain and supports local jobs⁶.
Community appeal: Walkable neighborhoods attract residents, employers, and visitors - fueling economic and social growth⁷.
In short, walkability drives prosperity. Safer streets encourage more activity, more connection, and more economic vitality across every corner of Macon-Bibb.
Take Action: Help Shape a Safer, More Walkable Macon
Every person and policy has a role in making Macon-Bibb safer and more walkable - and your voice matters. Together, we can make our streets places where everyone has the freedom to move safely, no matter how they travel.
Local Leaders: Prioritize projects that put people first - streets designed with Complete Streets principles, walkable retrofits, and infrastructure that honors the human scale.
Drivers: Slow down. Stay alert. Share the road.
Neighbors and Pedestrians: Speak up for better lighting, sidewalks, marked crosswalks, and safer design in your community. Request traffic calming interventions through the See-Click-Fix.
Now’s the time to turn awareness into action:
👉 Add your name to the Macon Mobility Manifesto
Help us reach 500 signatures in support of bold change in how our streets are designed and our neighborhoods connected. Every signature sends a clear message to Macon-Bibb’s leaders — our community demands safe, equitable, and people-first streets.👉 Become a Bike Walk Macon Member
Join us in our mission to champion bicycling and walking as safe and convenient options for transportation and recreation for EVERYONE in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia.
Footnotes
Macon-Bibb County Pedestrian Safety Report, 2023 — Public Safety & Resilience Bureau.
U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Trends in Pedestrian Fatalities,” 2024.
City Observatory: “The Economic Value of Walkability,” 2023.
University of Wisconsin Extension, “Economic Impacts of Walkable Communities,” 2022.
World Economic Forum: “Why Walkable Urban Areas Are America’s Efficient Economic Engines,” 2023.
CivicWell: “The Economic Benefits of Walkable Communities,” 2024.