Blog: Feature Stories

Data from the City of Charlotte’s Vision Zero Dashboard show there were 144 fatal or serious injury crashes in Charlotte last year; 51 of those involved pedestrians. In the first part of this series on safe streets, Reid Livingston talked about her experience being hit by a car during her morning run back in January. 

In part two of this series on safe streets, we’ll explore what it will take to make streets safer, the City’s commitment to making it happen, and what runners can do to be part of the process. 

Safety Over Speed

“It really comes down to better street design,” said Sustain Charlotte executive director, Shannon Binns. “It’s the biggest factor in terms of how seriously someone is injured or killed whether they’re walking or driving.”

Yes, there’s a role for education, he said, but the real solution, “the root problem we believe, is the design itself.” Design, Binns said, is where we can prioritize the safety of all users, and not just the efficiency of moving cars back and forth as fast as possible.

There are more than 8 million registered vehicles in North Carolina. On some days, it can feel like each and every one of them is in front of you on the way to work, school, or wherever you’re headed. Those 117 people moving here every day are likely bringing cars with them, too. If you’ve been to the local or area DMV, you’ve experienced the long lines and lobbies filled with folks trying to get themselves or their cars street legal. 

America’s love affair with cars is changing more slowly in Charlotte than in other urban areas, Binns added, but there is at least a greater awareness of the issue since the City’s Vision Zero commitment that was made in 2018. 

The City’s capital budget includes $50 million for sidewalk funding and another $8 million for the Bicycle Program, which the city’s Vizion Zero website hailed as the, “largest funding commitment in program history.”

And at least some of that money has already been put to work. 

According to the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan Update, a sizeable number of safety projects were completed between 2021 and 2023, including the installation of 22 pedestrian hybrid beacons and 19 rectangular rapid flashing beacons, 15 new school zone flashers, 80 new Leading Pedestrian Flashers, and 4600 streetlights along the High Injury Network; the construction of 40 miles of new sidewalk and 29 new miles of new bike lanes; and speed limit reductions on 275 streets. 

Even when there is the political will and public support, financial capacity to fund it remains a wild card. But there’s potential good news in that column, too. 

Charlotte has lobbied for years for the power to levy a 1-cent sales tax to pay for roads and transportation. Local government officials estimate such a tax could generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. It’s no sure thing, but three North Carolina State Senators filed Senate Bill 145 just last week, which – if passed – would allow Mecklenburg County to add such a referendum on the ballot as early as November. Stay tuned.

But with 117 people moving to the Charlotte area every day, it’s fair to say these fixes may take some time to impact the crash data. 

“I think people need to realize that it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep this effort going,” said Lisa Landrum. She’s helped organize the Mobility Safety Forums. They’ve met over the last three years to discuss issues, problems, and progress related to runner and pedestrian safety.

“It’s grassroots, people caring enough to show up, and people caring enough to continue the conversation,” she said. “No one is just going to show up with a safety plan.”

Here’s What Runners Can Do

No mistaking it; lots of us do drive. That includes the policymakers as well as (most) folks who want to see safer streets. Creating change is an uphill battle, but not something like Sisyphus’ eternity. It’s more of a Green Eggs and Ham thing, as Landrum suggested, where consistency matters most.

Binns says citizens have the power to increase political will for decision-makers by keeping up with public policy changes, contacting their elected officials, and amplifying the voice of agencies – like Sustain Charlotte – that advocate for legislation to make a difference. 

“It’s a matter of creating a collective voice, rather than just one or two,” added Landrum. “It’s really on all of us to continue the conversation and invite new people to the table.”

Like Reid Livingston, I’m a statistic. But I also want to be counted among those who help create the kind of change that makes the streets safer for everyone who uses them. 

I’m a statistic. I share the unfortunate distinction of being one of the 48 Mecklenburg County cyclists who were hit by a car in 2001. Mercifully, no one died in any of those crashes, and the old data doesn’t indicate the extend of anyone’s injuries. But I remember mine like it was yesterday. Well, most of it anyway.

The actual “getting hit” part is kind of a blur, it happened so quickly. I remember being on the bike – then suddenly flying off of it – then waking, face-up in the street. The responding police officer knew my wife and called from the scene, which was just a block from our house. I can only imagine what it was like to be on the receiving end of that call, seven months pregnant with kid number one. I don’t remember anything about the ambulance ride or much about the ER. But with a wrenched shoulder and neck, and an array of scuffs and scrapes, I was able to walk away from this one. Days later, my eye doctor would discover a retinal hemorrhage. That, of course, meant an emergency visit with a specialist and another surprise call to my still pregnant wife. The injuries and the retinal bleed would keep me off the bike and the run for most of the summer. Beats the hell out of going blind. Once cleared, I was back on and in the streets; even pushing our first kid over miles and miles in baby jogger number one. Or, pulling him along behind my bike in the same traffic, along those same streets.

Since then, I’ve logged thousands of miles as a bike commuter and a pedestrian; sometimes racking up more miles on foot or by bike than behind the wheel. Heck, there was even a summer (yes, summer) when I essentially went car-free. That’s not a brag, and none of that proves anything, aside from my risk tolerance. Charlotte can be found consistently among the ranks of cities with the most traffic congestion, toughest commutes, and having a majority of roads in fair to poor condition. With an average of 82 car crashes a day in Charlotte, we’re all gambling a little every time we get out there. But this story isn’t about me. I’m just a statistic. A nameless, faceless plot within a bigger hunk of data that shows these streets are mean. And they’re getting meaner.

Numbers Don’t Lie

According to the City’s Vision Zero Initiative, there are an average of 82 car crashes in Charlotte every day. Nearly one third of all traffic fatalities involve people walking or bicycling. Queen City Nerve has been tracking the numbers, too, and the details don’t paint a prettier picture: fatal car crashes are on the up, and so are the number involving pedestrians and cyclists.

The numbers don’t lie. It’s tough out there on these streets. And the numbers get really real when you put a name and a face to them. Like Reid Livingston. Livingston says she saw it coming, quite literally, when she was hit by a car back in January. She was running a familiar morning route, and felt she had the light and the traffic on her side as she crossed the intersection at Runnymede Lane and Selwyn Avenue.

“I remember when I knew I was going to get hit, saying, it won’t be that bad,” she told a group at February’s Mobility Safety Forum. “It’s funny how your body processes that, realizing what is going to happen.”

Livingston was calm and softspoken as she described her injuries: two broken wrists, lots of road rash and a nasty cut on her eye.

She said she’s not fearful, just extra cautious and “hyper aware” at intersections now, even when she’s driving. Everything’s a risk, she said, and it’s up to us to be ok with whatever our comfort level is in any given situation.

Lisa Landrum is a runner and safety advocate who helps organize the Mobility Safety Forums. She’s had her share of close calls at intersections, too.

“Some drivers aren’t looking for us, even though we may be looking for them,” she said. “I need to remind myself of that all the time.”

“I don’t think a lot of runners think about that,” Livingston finished. “You don’t think it’s going to happen to you until it does.”

In part two of this series, we’ll talk about what it’ll really take to make streets safer, the City’s commitment to the process, and what runners can do to be part of the process.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I kinda dig the whole, “I met my younger self for coffee” trend that’s blowing up my TikTok and Instagram feeds. I’ve got kids myself, and I hope they pick up the lessons I’ve learned without having to make some of the same mistakes. My parents wanted that, too, but you know how well kids listen. No real changes there, right? 

Wouldn’t it be great to have a “Bill and Ted” or “Back to the Future” type visit from your future self to set you on the road (or trail) to success? And what if that future you was also a runner? Stock tips or a list of Super Bowl winners would be clutch, but the running thing would be pretty cool, too. 

At any rate, I imagine it might go something like this: 

The Setup

Instead of a coffee shop, I’d meet my younger – and yes, faster — running self at the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. It seems like a pretty level playing field, should my younger self decide to kick it up a notch. Don’t need to fight any hills today. It’s a clear, crisp morning; birds chirping, and just the slightest hint of traffic noise to let you know you’re still not too far from town.

I’m there, properly warmed-up, and ready to take on a few miles. And then poof, there he is: 20 years younger, 5 minutes late, no warm-up but still ready to roll, and – since it’s 20 years ago – waiting for the GPS to catch a signal on his watch.”

The Conversation

• Me Now: “Hey! Glad you made it. Don’t worry, we’re just going for an easy run. Conversational pace. Cool?”
• Me Then: “Yep – sounds good! My training program says I need to log 18 today… and (eyes my Apple Watch) what’s that on your wrist?” 

I’d probably laugh and explain the wonders and complications of modern running technology, but we’d both probably be wearing some ugly, minimalist shoes anyway. We were on that before it was cool. He’d probably want to talk about split times, heart rate training, and whatever events are on his calendar. I’d probably say I’m just happy to be here. Not really sure how that would go over, but it is what it is. 

Then, I’d get down to the important stuff:

• Me Now: “You know how you always feel every single run is a competition?”
• Me Then: “YES! And we can probably catch that guy in front of us, if you pick up the pace…”
• Me Now: “Well, I learned something: No one cares! Most people are too wrapped up in their own run to care if you pass them. Just saying.”
• Me Then: “So we’re not worried about being the fastest person out here?”
• Me Now: “Not even a little bit.”
  

I’d probably go on about how much Charlotte will grow and change over the two decades, and he’ll probably say how a lot of this greenway we’re running wasn’t even here 20 years ago. We’d reminisce about endless laps around the Booty Loop, and those weekend long runs from the back porch of the Dowd YMCA. (IYKYK) And then I’d let former me know that there’s now a run club at every brewery and coffee shop in town.

• Me Then: “Breweries?”
• Me Now: “Yes, there are about 50 in the market nowdays.”
• Me Then: “And run clubs??” 
• Me Now: “Yep. More than 70. There’s not a day of the week you can’t find someone to run with.”
• Me Then: … 

Since he’s still young and fast, he’d probably ask about the local racing scene, too. I’d let him know about the classics that are still around and thriving. I’d tell him about a 10k that runs on 277, and the Charlotte marathon — that’s among the fastest-growing in the country. I’m sure he’d be pretty excited about all that.

I’d want “Me Then” to know about the pandemic, and how so many people found running when everything else was closed. 

• Me Then: “Like, completely closed?”
• Me Now: “Just about. Lots of us worked from home, and still do.”
• Me Then: “And what about schools?” 
• Me Now: “They were closed for a while, too. Kids had class online, gyms and yoga studios and sports leagues closed, too. Running was pretty much it.”
• Me Then: (Thinks for a second.) “How many miles did you log?” 
• Me Now: “Good grief.” 

I’d want him to know how running feels more “open” and inclusive since then. The Charlotte running community is bigger, more active, and more supportive of each other than ever before. How’s that for a silver lining?

Reality Check

The biggest thing I’d want my younger self to understand is that running isn’t just about training miles and PRs. At least not for the long term. It’s about a healthy lifestyle choice, finding community, and connecting with and within the city we call home. It’s about those moments of clarity when you need to get away from it all, when you want to work through some feelings, or need a new perspective on a problem or issue you’ve been noodling on. 

It’s about taking a running vacation or traveling to an out of town event to see a new city, state, or country. Or even exploring a different neighborhood. It’s a way to stay connected to your old running buddies. And make new ones. 

Not that there’s anything wrong with PR’s. You do you. 

How about you?

So, where would you meet your younger running self? What advice or info would you share? And do you think you’d listen?? 

Whether you’ve logged a ton of miles over the years, or your new to the whole thing; running has a way of stealing our hearts, doesn’t it? Since it’s Valentine’s Day, we couldn’t resist writing up a little love letter to our favorite sport. Here are 10 reasons we just love running. 

• The Running Community: Can’t say enough about this one, can we? More and more, Charlotte running is representative of what we all want from “community” – an inclusive, caring, and safe space for everyone. 

• Discovering New Places: Even if that means your own home town, running turns every street or trail into an adventure. And if you’re new to town, running is a great way to see the place you’ll call home. 

• Meeting New People: With 117 new people moving to the area every day, there are LOTS of folks to meet. Running – and run clubs – have become a fun, friendly place to meet your new neighbors. 
  

• New Shoes and Gear: No excuses needed. Running gives you plenty of reasons to invest in yourself. In fact, with every mile you log, you’re that much closer to that new pair of shoes! 

• Local Running Shops: You can’t talk about shoes and gear without mentioning the fantastic Charlotte-area specialty running shops. Charlotte Running Company, Fleet Feet, and Run For Your Life – they know their stuff, and they’re always happy to help.

• It’s Your “You” Time: It seems we’re all really busy these days, but running gives us a chance to spend a little time with ourselves. Or, with your favorite show, playlist or podcast; that’s cool, too. 
  

• That Sense of Accomplishment: Don’t you just love that feeling when you’ve checked the box on that morning workout? Even if the rest of the day goes totally sideways, you know you’ve got one “to do” done! 

• Those Finish Line Signs: College Game Day has nothing on the spectators, family members, and friends at the races these days. We’ve seen some pretty creative stuff – just when we’ve needed a laugh. Keep it up! 

• It’s (Kind of) Affordable: Granted, everything’s more expensive these days, but running still feels relatively approachable. Sure, you can rack up some big tabs by chasing all the new gear and all the race entries, but running can still be as simple as you and a good pair of shoes.

• Running Never Closes: If we learned anything from the ‘rona times, right? While gyms, studios, and fitness centers closed; running was still there. And, many of the folks who came to running a few years back are still here. And that’s even better. 

No matter how far or fast, whether we’re with a group or going solo, or if we’ll race or not; running is pretty easy to love. Even on those days when it doesn’t seem like the feeling is mutual, running seems like it’s always there when we need it. We love that, too.