COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia City Council is expected to revisit a controversial ordinance Monday that targets pedestrians standing on medians on a majority of city roads.
The ordinance would regulate the use of medians, road crossings, and islands by both motorists and pedestrians at intersections with speeds of 35 mph or greater, average daily traffic volumes of 15,000 vehicles or greater, or where the median width is fewer than 6 feet wide.
If adopted, the ordinance will:
- Prohibit crossing a major road anywhere except in a crosswalk, a pedestrian-control signal, or an intersection if those things aren’t available.
- Prohibit being on a median less than 6 feet wide except when crossing the road.
- Prohibit getting out of cars while in a traffic lane or within a major intersection.
- Prohibit approaching cars on a major road unless the car is legally parked.
- Prohibit people in vehicles from engaging with pedestrians at major intersections.
Critics of the ordinance include Ward 3 council member Jacque Sample, who requested to delay voting on the ordinance until a later date. Students in the Young Democratic Socialists of America also voiced concern over the rule, calling it “irrelevant” to addressing gun violence. This came after MU President Choi proposed plans to reform homelessness in the city following the death of Stephens College student Ayanna Williams, who was shot and killed downtown in late September.
According to previous reporting, the City Council plans to table the vote on the ordinance on Monday, with the council instead reviewing and discussing a pedestrian study report on roads in the area.
The study also found that from 2019 to 2023, 32% of deadly crashes in Columbia were pedestrian-related, which is higher than the national and state rates.
In Missouri, pedestrian and bicycle deaths increased by 77% while other traffic fatalities increased by 40% between 2012 and 2022.
According to city documents, the ordinance is on second reading and vote, with the Public Works Department suggesting to adopt the rule. The Council can vote on an ordinance after it has been read three times for public notice.
