Pedestrian Safety Ordinance

The City of Columbia is seeking community input on a proposed Pedestrian Safety Ordinance related to activity in certain roadway environments. The ordinance was developed following a Street and Intersection Pedestrian Safety Study, which examined local crash data, roadway conditions and national safety practices. The study identified locations where higher speeds, greater traffic volumes and narrow medians may increase the risk of conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

The proposed ordinance would establish rules for pedestrians and motorists at intersections and roadways meeting specific criteria. These include locations where at least one of the following applies, to at least one adjacent roadway:

• A speed limit of 35 mph or higher
• Traffic volumes greater than 15,000 vehicles per day
• Medians less than six feet wide

The full text of the ordinance can be found in the ‘Documents’ section of this website.

The City Council has tabled the bill to Feb. 2, 2026, to allow additional time for public engagement. Residents are invited to review the ordinance and supporting study and share their thoughts to help inform the Council’s decision.

Comments will be accepted through Jan. 23, 2026.