Vision Zero is a philosophy that believes that there is no such thing as traffic accidents. Instead, there are crashes. Through better infrastructure, education, and policy, crashes between motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians can be significantly reduced, with the goal that zero injurious or fatal crashes occur. Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the late 1990s and has enjoyed mixed success in various cities around the world. In 2017, Sacramento’s city council passed a resolution adopting a Vision Zero goal. 

Any policy that results in the reduction of the loss of life is extremely important. Until there is substantive change ensuring Sacramento is bike and pedestrian-friendly, SABA will continue to uplift the issue and encourage the city to seek out funding to push Vision Zero forward. The city has already created a Vision Zero Action Plan with several suggestions that would greatly help to reduce the number of crashes that occur between cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 

When more people feel safe riding their bikes and walking the streets of Sacramento, it will have a positive economic impact on our region and will lead to cleaner air and a smaller carbon footprint. Vision Zero is the key to making Sacramento a better city for everyone, regardless of status or background.