While many other cities struggle with dense traffic, Chicago is making strides to make the city accessible to walkers. In fact, Chicago was just named the Most Walkable City in the U.S. by Preply.com [1]. With such great access to anywhere you need to be, take advantage of Chicago’s pedestrian thoroughfares. You may find it beats sitting in traffic or taking public transit. 

Being a city where you can walk to most places, it’s important to focus on pedestrian safety throughout Chicago. Pedestrians are at risk of being in accidents with Chicago’s many cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. As a personal injury firm, we work with many clients involved in pedestrian accidents.

Read on to find out how the team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers thinks Chicago being named the most walkable city in the U.S. can make your daily commute easier and safer. 

Chicago’s Walkability Advantages

Preply conducted a walkability study of cities in the United States to determine which are the best for pedestrians. The study is limited to the 30 most visited cities in the U.S. and focuses on five important tourist destinations in each city. 

Using Trip Advisor and an estimate of the travel distance in steps it would take to visit all five locations, Preply determined which cities were the most walkable. 

Chicago is at the top of the list since it only takes 28 minutes to walk between the top five landmarks listed by Trip Advisor [1]. With the top places to visit within easy walking distance, it’s easy to see why walking around Chicago is so easy. 

Preply isn’t the only organization that thinks Chicago is a walkable city. Smart Growth America completed the Foot Traffic Ahead report, a study measuring the walkability of major U.S. cities. Chicago ranked in the top 20 in walkability scores [2]. 

Pedestrian Safety Concerns in Chicago

Chicago’s high walkability score means many more pedestrians are in the city, dramatically increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents. More pedestrians will need to physically fit together on sidewalks without overflowing into the streets. 

This often leads to people using streets to get around crowds and reach their destinations quicker. Unfortunately, this can put them in the way of bicyclists and cars.

Additionally, some neighborhoods are more dangerous than others and have higher crime levels against pedestrians. The most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago are: 

  • Riverdale
  • Englewood
  • West Englewood
  • North Lawndale
  • Altgeld Gardens
  • Washinton Park 
  • South Deering
  • West Garfield Park 
  • South Chicago

Pedestrian Safety Tips for Windy City Walkers

You can take some steps to stay safer when walking in Chicago. First, always follow all pedestrian laws, including using appropriate signals, marked roadways, and public walking areas. 

One of the most important things you can do to increase your safety while walking in Chicago is to be aware of your surroundings. It is common for people to put in their earbuds and disconnect from the world as they walk, but this puts them at greater risk of being injured. 

Don’t let yourself be so distracted that you don’t know what is happening around you. This awareness enables you to react to possible problems or keep yourself from walking into a dangerous situation in the first place. You are as much responsible for your safety as anyone else. Be proactive, and you can avoid many potential injuries you may encounter. 

Don’t let the fear of being in a pedestrian accident stop you, either. Chicago is a great place to get out and explore, and walking is just one safe way to see all Chicago offers. 

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer!

In some cases, people still find themselves injured in a pedestrian accident. If this happens to you, you may need the help of a personal injury lawyer to sort through the potential legal issues. 

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are here to help you take action so you can recover after an accident. Whether you need help dealing with an insurance company or you need to file a lawsuit against another party, we have the necessary experience to handle your case. 

Contact us for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

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We also serve clients from Decatur, Naperville, Peoria , Springfield  and throughout Illinois.

Resources: [1] Preply, [2] Smart Growth America