Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America w/ Angie Schmitt

America Walks hosted a conversation with Angie Schmitt and Charles Brown. 

Contrary to popular opinion, pedestrian deaths in the United States are not unavoidable “accidents,” but highly predictable events, occurring in stark geographic patterns that tell a story about systemic inequalities. The victims are disproportionately those marginalized by society: immigrants, People of Color, those with lower incomes, older people, and people with disabilities.

Angie Schmitt’s new book Right of Way documents the traffic violence that occurs daily on America’s streets and reveals the racist policies and practices that create and perpetuate these tragedies.

This highly anticipated webinar, hosted by renowned transportation equity leader/planner and street level researcher Charles Brown, addressed these critical questions via a presentation and a robust Q&A:

• Why do we accept pedestrian fatalities as the status quo?
• Why do we hold pedestrians, not drivers, responsible for traffic collisions?
• How do political inaction, victim blaming, lack of media interest, and cultural apathy block change?
• What does the national walking movement need to do to implement solutions that save lives?

Angie Schmitt, author & journalist, Owner of 3MPH Planning and Consulting

Angie Schmitt is one of the best-known writers in the United States on the topic of sustainable transportation. She is the owner of 3MPH Planning and Consulting, focused on pedestrian safety. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Bicycling, and GOOD. She is frequently sought out as an expert source on transportation topics by the news media. Schmitt holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and an undergraduate degree in journalism. Follow Angie on Twitter: @schmangee

Charles T. Brown, Senior Researcher, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center

Charles T. Brown, MPA is one of the nation’s leading voices in transportation equity and justice. He is a senior researcher with the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) and adjunct professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, both at Rutgers University. He also serves as a 2020 Fellow within the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication in Partnership with The OpEd Project. His work has been published in international journals and featured by various national outlets, including the New York Times, Vice and CityLab. Follow Charles on Twitter: @ctbrown1911