Why is Sacramento converting one-way streets to two-way? | Opinion

Earlier this year, Johanna Kate Johnston, a 55-year-old local attorney, was struck by a driver at the intersection of 21st and X streets while cycling to her job at the California Department of Social Services. X Street is a one-way road, which studies have found encourages higher speeds.

With the goal of making downtown Sacramento a safer place for cyclists and pedestrians, the city recently converted 5th Street from a one-way street to a two-way street with bike lanes painted on both sides of the street.

The conversion is part of the Central City Mobility Project, which has been supported by local organizations such as the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, Strong Sactown and Slow Down Sacramento.

“Now the bike lanes on either side of 5th Street are going to be safer for cyclists going up and down the corridor,” said Philip Vulliet, project manager and senior engineer with the Department of Public Works, in an interview with KCRA.

Sacramento resident Troy Sankey analyzed data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System and found that in the Sacramento city center, between 2012 to 2022, 100% of fatalities resulting from cars crashing into people occurred on one-way streets.

Two-way streets are considered safer than one-way because they slow traffic, giving everyone — drivers, cyclists, people on scooters and pedestrians — more time to react and avoid collisions. They reduce confusion at intersections and are also less likely to have head-on collisions caused by drivers going the wrong way.

In addition, two-way streets create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists because they are more comfortable to cross. Streets with multiple lanes in one direction make it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and people using wheelchairs. Two-way streets can also decrease crime, because drivers, cyclists and pedestrians pay more attention to the street.

Because cars go slower and can see what businesses exist as well as making the street more pedestrian friendly, two-way streets are also good for the economy.

Converting a one-way street back into a two-way street can cause confusion for those used to driving on that particular street, and care should be taken to educate drivers about the change. In the long run, however, two-way streets are good for businesses and safer for the Sacramento community.

An earlier version of this column gave incorrect information regarding fatal pedestrian and bike crashes in the City of Sacramento. It has been updated with corrected data.

This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 5:00 AM.