Spokane's Safe Street Initiative aims to reduce traffic-related deaths

SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane is changing their infrastructure to keep people safe while crossing the street or riding their bikes along the road.

These changes were announced after two women were hit and killed by drivers in downtown within the last month.

On July 2, 23-year-old Danielle Littrell was killed in a collision while riding her scooter on 4th Avenue between Monroe Street and Lincoln Street.

Littrell was from the Tri-Cities and a Whitworth University graduate. She was working for Dorian Studios in Spokane.

"If you knew Danielle Littrell, you knew she was an amazing human being. She loved with all her heart. She pulled people together with her amazing spirit and joy," Chris Littrell

On June 11, 78-year-old Janet Mann was also killed while using the crosswalk at Main Avenue and Browne Street.

"There's a tremendous need because people are dying," said Grant Shipley, Chairman of Bicycle Advisory Board Spokane.

Shipley is an avid cyclist; he's pedaled 60,000 miles on his 15-year-old bike. But he knows better than most that riders and pedestrians are at the mercy of drivers.

His son used to bike with Cooper Jones.

"Cooper and my son had done a 100 mile bike ride just a couple months before Cooper died on a road that was closed to traffic by the way," Shipley said. "He got run over by a car."

Shipley's daughter was also struck by a driver while riding her bike.

This year, 17 cyclists have been struck by a driver. One rider was killed. Meantime, there have been 101 collisions involving pedestrians, with 5 fatalities.

Spokane Police said these numbers typically surge during the summer.

Mayor Lisa Brown signed an executive order to greenlight new infrastructure to protect pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Curb bump-outs, traffic islands and protected bike lanes are just a few of the improvements drivers should expect.

The city is also discussing delaying green lights, so pedestrians have a head start when using the crosswalk.

These renovations are expected to be completed by early fall.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.