Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan: Plan Background

Although Seattle has a significantly lower pedestrian collision rate than comparable U.S. cities, Mayor Nickels and the City Council made pedestrian safety a top priority in 2007. A number of City-sponsored initiatives provided the momentum for the Pedestrian Master Plan:

• The Mayor’s 10 Point Plan for Pedestrian Safety in 2005


• Adoption of Resolution 30951, outlining key components of the Pedestrian Master Plan and the Pedestrian Safety Education and Enforcement Campaign


• Adoption of a Climate Action Plan that describes strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing Seattle’s dependence on automobiles


• Voter approval of the Bridging the Gap transportation funding package that significantly increases the resources for pedestrian and bicycle improvements


• Adoption of a Complete Streets ordinance that directs the City to build transportation projects that support and encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use while promoting safe operations for all users


• Development of the Mayor’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to make the distribution of transportation investments as equitable as possible to best serve all of Seattle’s residents


• Development of new street design guidelines in the Right-of-Way Improvements Manual


• Updated policy direction defined in Seattle's Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Strategic Plan



• Creation of new guidance documents including the SDOT Art Plan and the Urban Forest Management Plan


• Development of modal transportation plans, such as the Bicycle Master Plan, the Seattle Transit Plan, and the Freight Mobility Strategic Action Plan


• Updates to Neighborhood Plans and Status Reports, which are informed by the modal plans and are now underway citywide

Each of these initiatives creates a strong foundation for the Pedestrian Master Plan through supportive policies and design guidance, as well as funding for new projects and maintenance of existing infrastructure. They all demonstrate the leadership that the City of Seattle is taking to make our neighborhoods more accessible for people of all abilities—a truly walkable city.