January 2 2025 – Mac Johnson

Subject: Boca’s Vision Zero

As regards bike and pedestrian safety, there was an interesting article in 1/2/25’s Miami Herald. It’s from the New York Times News Service, by Lola Fadulu, titled ‘Walkable’ New York City became deadlier for pedestrians in 2024. New York City adopted Vision Zero in 2014 after having 299 traffic fatalities in 2013. For the next few years, traffic steadily decreased to a low of 206 in 2018. Then fatalities rebounded to an average of 250 per year, and 263 in 2023. Some advocacy groups say the proliferation of e-bikes, scooters and other mechanized ways of navigating the streets has radically changed the city’s landscape and outpaced the efforts of Vision Zero.

Boca is only recently embracing Vision Zero as a concept, and it seems more like PR to attract new residents and businesses than a commitment to change infrastructure. New York’s experience gives our city a chance to learn what has worked and what isn’t working with Vision Zero.

Mac Johnson