pedestrians

Many of Kansas City's four-lane roads are too fast and too empty. The city plans to slim down many of its most dangerous stretches, like Troost Avenue, 39th Street and Independence Avenue, to curb vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

With over 5,000 reported car thefts in Kansas City this year, frustrated residents are demanding elected officials and law enforcement find solutions. Plus: A $10 million federal grant will be used to improve safety on Prospect Avenue, one of the city's most dangerous roads.

Kansas City is one of the deadliest major cities for pedestrians. And a quarter of the traffic deaths over the last few years happened on just a few streets, which have become wider and faster than necessary over the decades. How did Kansas City get this way, and how is the city now working to make its streets less dangerous?

Nearly 200 people died in Kansas City car crashes in 2022 and 2023. The numbers suggest that high speeds and intersections, particularly on Truman Road, pose the greatest danger.

Kansas City's Vision Zero program aims to completely eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. Except last year, fatalities went up, and in 2024 they're increasing even more. Leaders say the effort comes down to greater education, political will and cash.

Port KC and the Kansas City Current women's soccer team unveiled renderings this week for a new neighborhood next to CPKC Stadium, along Berkley Riverfront.

Riding a bike to get groceries, walking from your house to the bus stop, or even just getting a ride to work can be a challenge in Kansas City in severe winter weather. While the city and state transportation officials clear streets, residents without cars say bike lanes, sidewalks and bus stops don't get the same attention.

Kansas City set a goal of ending all traffic fatalities by 2030, but last year proved to be one of its deadliest yet. While the Vision Zero program has been slowly fixing streets for pedestrians as well as cars, city leaders say it needs more funding to make that happen.

As the Plaza enters its second century, stakeholders have plenty of ideas for how to address concerns about the shopping district. Among them is increasing walkability in the area, which could provide a stronger sense of community.

Holden Ringer started walking across the U.S. in March as part of an effort to raise money and awareness for a pedestrian advocacy organization. After more than seven months mostly spent trekking on trails and highway shoulders, he's made it to Kansas City.

Kansas City has a reputation for being car dependent and unsafe for pedestrians. The city might have a long way to go before it becomes a truly walkable city, but people are working toward that change.

As the Kansas City Council adopts policies to make walking safer, officials will need to craft one unified vision on what equitable walkability will look like in the future.